Nicki1722 Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 Does anyone have any suggestions for anxiety? I've been having some the past few days and it's very frustrating. Even thinking about going to the store makes me feel dread! I've been trying to focus on breathing and calming myself down but sometimes it just isn't working. Also, I've been horribly grumpy. It's amazing how every day can feel different sometimes. I hope it means I'll wake up normal soon! Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted May 25, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 25, 2016 Ah withdrawal...I remember someone on here saying she looked at a coffee cup and had a sense of doom! I think one of the best things you can do is to notice it, and sort of laugh about it - "ah, there's that neuro anxiety again, how silly! Well, it's a sign that my nervous system is doing some adjusting, but I'm ok" Be the Watcher, observe it, be with it, and let it float on by. Though this is chemically induced (withdrawal), Claire Weekes' work can still be helpful: Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System Apologies if you've already been given this link, didn't have time to check your thread. I hope it helps! SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 Can anyone tell me what effect alcohol has in withdrawal? Since my moods fluctuate so much I can't tell if it's putting me 2 steps back or not. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 Also, does anyone know the law on disability when it comes to taking time off for this? I didn't know if the pre existing condition clause would prevent me from getting benefits. Or maybe I should just continue working as long as I can. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
dowdaller Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Alcohol increases anxiety and lowers mood, I only drink when mood is good otherwise I avoid, Good luck I am off all meds 16 months I had been on olanzapine, Effexor zanex and assorted sleeping meds for approx 2 years. Weaned off 375 mg effexor over two years, I had previously come off xanax, rivotrill and olazapine. Reinstated 75mg of effexor on the 22/12/16 Link to comment
AliG Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Nicki. This is unfortunately the normal " windows & waves " pattern of withdrawal. The anxiety is part of it , as is the moodiness. Check out the Claire Weekes link : kindly provided by SG. Everything can be exacerbated in withdrawal, and substances like coffee and alcohol, can intensify symptoms. Also, have a read of these links : The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization Neuro emotions Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share Posted May 26, 2016 Thanks everyone. Still struggling but looking back I am feeling better in ways but my emotions have seemed to kinda go crazy lately. Before I reinstated I had horrible brain zaps and brain fog, but I wasn't sad and crying and on edge all the time. It seems that now I'm teetering back and forth all day. I could laugh one second then break down crying the next (which I have done). My brain is still a little "off". Not sure how to explain it by I'm not myself. It's almost as my brain can't process everything I'm experiencing at once (as in my senses). So weird! Something that scared the beejesus out of me today was reading a doctors article on how sad and heartbreaking it was watching people go through withdrawal and knowing that for some people it would never end. I'm hoping that since I've been having changes for the positive (although I don't see it all the time) that I will stabilize soon. At this point I will stay on Effexor for a year if I have to to get back to where I was before I had my meds messed up! I want this crap out of my system but not at the expense of my livelihood and sanity right now. A question for anyone. I originally took antidepressants for depression but now I'm dealing with anxiety too. Has anyone else had this problem? This anxiety crap is for the birds!! Thanks in advance. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
AliG Posted May 26, 2016 Share Posted May 26, 2016 Nicki. We all went on these drugs for various reasons. We had normal " life problems". Some were sad about the past, some were anxious, some were a bit up, some were a bit down. At the end of the day , It's life ! It seems the drugs cause the conditions they were meant to cure. A lot of us have anxiety , now ( and depression) However, as we taper and step off, it gets better. We start to get ourselves back. Hang in there. It won't be too long . In time you will get yourself back , bigger and brighter than ever . Ali Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014 Psych Drug - free since May 2014 . Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted May 26, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 26, 2016 Hello Nicki, Just briefly, what you are going through is expected during the stabilisatiin process following reinstatement. You are describing windows and waves happening throughout the day. Have you read about the concept? It helped me enormously not to be scared to death of this crazy state. Experiencing anxiety during WD after being put on AD for depression and vice versa is also very common. Anxiety and depression are simply two main mechanisms through which our CNS communicates its distress. As a matter of fact they often come in a tandem. You are getting there. Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment
Administrator Karma Posted May 28, 2016 Administrator Share Posted May 28, 2016 Hi Nicki I just noticed your thread and popped in to read up. I was just drawn to it. Your first symptom was being tired, correct? There are many things that can cause tiredness or fatigue that are not necessarily related to your antidepressant. After you stabilize on your current dose of Effexor you might have your PCP or Naturopath check, iron, B12 and thyroid. However, if you find you need to supplement for any of these, do one thing at a time, start at a very low dose and monitor your progress. With a sensitized nervous system you want to be very gentle and make changes slowly. As for whether you will ever feel better, yes. I am down to 4.8 mg of Effexor. You read that correctly if you read it 4 point 8 mg. I first found SA when I was suffering withdrawals and irrational thoughts. With the support of this community I found my balance and continued coming off of Effexor. I am still very slowly sneaking off, but I rarely have any withdrawal symptoms any more. I definitely do not have the original depression or anxiety I originally had when put on these drugs. When my pet passed away I felt sad ... but normal sad ... and after a grieving period I was calm and joyful again. I work a full-time, stressful job and cope with life's challenges quite well. So you can feel better with time and patience. My best advice is to listen to your body. As Alto suggested, track your symptoms and monitor how you feel with each change ... any change. I document a change in the amount of a vitamin or supplement as much as I document changes in my med doses. I've been monitoring my symptoms since 2008 and still find it very valuable in helping to identify what change helped or caused a decline in how I feel. I hope something here is helpful to you. Love and light, Karma 2007 @ 375 mg Effexor - 11/29/2011 - 43.75 mg Effexor (regular) & .625 mg Xanax 200 mg Gabapentin 2/27/21 - 194.5 mg, 5/28/21 - 183 mg, 8/2/21 - 170 mg, 11/28/21 - 150 mg, 4/19/22 - 122 mg; 8//7/22 - 100 mg; 12/17 - 75mg; 8/17 - 45 mg; 10/16 40 mg Xanax taper: 3/11/12 - 0.9375 mg, 3/25/12 - 0.875 mg, 4/6/12 - 0.8125 mg, 4/18/12 - 0.75 ; 10/16 40mg; 1/16 0.6875 mg; at some point 0.625 mg Effexor taper: 1/29/12 - 40.625 mg, 4/29/12 - 39.875 mg, 5/11/12 - Switched to liquid Effexor, 5/25/12 - 38 mg, 7/6/12 - 35 mg, 8/17/12 - 32 mg, 9/14/12 - 30 mg, 10/19/12 - 28 mg, 11/9/12 - 26 mg, 11/30/12 - 24 mg, 01/14/13 - 22 mg. 02/25/13 - 20.8 mg, 03/18/13 - 19.2 mg, 4/15/13 - 17.6 mg, 8/10/13 - 16.4 mg, 9/7/13 - 15.2 mg, 10/19/13 - 14 mg, 1/15/14 - 13.2 mg, 3/1/2014 - 12.6 mg, 5/4/14 - 12 mg, 8/1/14 - 11.4 mg, 8/29/14 - 10.8 mg; 10/14/14 - 10.2 mg; 12/15/14 - 10 mg, 1/11/15 - 9.5 mg, 2/8/15 - 9 mg, 3/21/15 - 8.5 mg, 5/1/15 - 8 mg, 6/9/15 - 7.5 mg, 7/8/15 - 7 mg, 8/22/15 - 6.5 mg, 10/4/15 - 6 mg; 1/1/16 - 5.6 mg; 2/6/16 - 5.2 mg; 4/9 - 4.8 mg; 7/7 4.5 mg; 10/7 4.25 mg; 11/4 4.0 mg; 11/25 3.8 mg; 4/24 3.6 mg; 5/27 3.4 mg; 7/8 3.2 mg ... 10/18 2.8 mg; 1/18 2.6 mg; 4/7 2.4 mg; 5/26 2.15mg; 8/18 1.85 mg; 10/7 1.7 mg; 12/1 1.45 mg; 3/2 1.2 mg; 5/4 0.90 mg; 6/1 0.80 mg; 6/22 0.65 mg; 08/03 0.50 mg, 08/10 0.45 mg, 10/05 0.325 mg, 11/23 0.2 mg, 12/14 0.15 mg, 12/21 0.125 mg, 02/28 0.03125 mg, 2/15 0.015625 mg, 2/29/20 0.00 mg - OFF Effexor I am not a medical professional - this is not medical advice. My suggestions are based on personal experience, reading, observation and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted May 30, 2016 Author Share Posted May 30, 2016 Hi all. I experienced a few days where I was crying constantly. I increased the Effexor by 5 beads and felt better the next day. However, it's day 3 now on approximately 22.5mg and I'm experiencing those same feelings of my body feeling weighed down. I feel like I have lead in my arms and want to simply lay down and do nothing. I'm pushing through these symptoms but this is honestly what I was experiencing when I decided to try other antidepressants. I'm wondering if I overshot by increasing by 5 beads? I was how style desperate because I could not stop crying. And I made the mistake of stopping the supplements I was taking the same day I made the increase. Those were Deproloft HF, vitamin d, magnesium and probiotics. Possibly I should go back down on the Effexor? I still have a hard time accepting that I was fine on Effexor for so many years then all of a sudden an having such a bad time with it. As for other reasons for being fatigued I have had all the tests run to ensure I was not having other problems. My vitamin d was low and I've been taking synthroid for hypothyroidism since high school but otherwise all labs were normal. I've been taking vitamin d 5000u since approximately January. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted May 31, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 31, 2016 Those days of crying were likely a wave. It's fairly common for people to make dose changes to relieve symptoms, but it's usually not a good idea as it causes further destabilisation. Going back to your previous dose is probably best, as it's only been three days. Then you could stay at that dose for at least a month to allow yourself some good stabilising. Was there a reason for stopping the supplements? If there had been problems but you didn't know which one was causing them, then you could add them back in one at a time to test them out. How about trying some fish oil? You'll get past this hiccup - just give it time and keep things steady. Karen 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted May 31, 2016 Author Share Posted May 31, 2016 Thanks Karen. Yes I feel pretty horrible with the increase in the Effexor. I did take some fish oils and magnesium with the hopes it will get me through my work day. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Just wanted to give an update that I went back to the 18.75mg of Effexor. I feel as I had before but with a little more anxiety. I am constantly trying to piece different symptoms together and I do remember when I was completely off of the Effexor for a short period of time that I did not have anxiety. So I know that is what is causing it. I almost just want to stay on the 18.75mg and let my body adjust to it in hopes that I get myself back but I also want it out of my body! I just got engaged and now I have a different reason to get off of Effexor: a baby. I've already had to abort at 19weeks due to brain malformations in the past and have always wondered if it was due to me taking Effexor. I won't let that happen again! It's kinda helped me to alter my outlook on my purpose of doing this if I focus on having a healthy little one. So my question is when am I "stable?" I am almost convinced that throughout all of this I'm not going to be myself. I'm on edge, hate going to restaurants and being around other people. I used to be a social butterfly! I loved going out and being with friends! I was hilarious and could make anyone laugh. Now it's the complete opposite. I don't have brain zaps anymore but no matter how long I wait I don't think the old me is going to come out. Or maybe it will? Just haven't felt it for so long! I long for the day that I feel back to the happy go lucky me. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted June 1, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 1, 2016 Hi Nikki, I think you need to step back and look at what your nervous system has been through this year. A long history of Effexor, dosage down-dosing, up-dosing, down-dosing, Lexapro thrown in the mix and then CT[d, then Prozac, then the Effexor changes....you are still destabilized and that is affecting your thinking right now. You will heal and improve, but now is the time to just sit tight and not change anything, and allow the time it will take for your nervous system to settle out. I totally know how it feels. I've had things thrown into the monkey works cause destabilization, and when you are in it your thoughts and concerns feel rational but are really highly influenced by the chemistry mess! It's amazing how the feelings change once stability settles in! So please be patient and try not to let the ruminating gain steam. Self-care is paramount. Double down on your efforts to try self-care strategies discussed in Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms. I understand your desire to get off the poisons so you can get on with having a baby, and it is wise to be med-free so your baby has the best chance at good health, but at the same time you can't rush getting off just because you want it to be so. You also need to be recovered mentally for pregnancy and caring for an infant, healed from being on the drugs. That is a hard thing to accept, I know. We just have to take each day one at a time. SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 1, 2016 Author Share Posted June 1, 2016 Thanks squirrelly girl. I know my thoughts are all over the place right now and you are right, I really got super screwed up from all the med changes. It's so hard to be patient! I was thinking the other night of why I'm not able to accept my symptoms and deal with them instead of fighting them. I'm constantly doing this or trying this or stepping up my Effexor or trying another supplement. My mom called me out and said that I'm afraid of accepting the symptoms because I'm afraid that if I accept them they won't go away. She is completely right! I'm scared to death of feeling like this long term. But I do need to remember I just reinstated the Effexor 5 weeks ago! Just makes me angry to see all this precious time going by and not feeling like myself (mainly brain fog and anxiety). So I promise I'll work harder on coping techniques. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted June 1, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 1, 2016 Smart mom! The irony is, all the mixing up and trying things prolongs or creates new issues. It is hard to do nothing, very hard! And yet, accepting the symptoms and doing nothing are the fastest way to having them go away! Stress prolongs waves. Acceptance, consistency and relaxation allow an environment conducive to healing. You're getting there! SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 Ok friends. I worked out yesterday in the evening and am a mess today. I'm shaking, can barely see straight, anxious. Holy Moses. I won't do that again! Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted June 2, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 2, 2016 Yikes! What kind of exercising did you do? I'd been contemplating joining the gym because I'm sick of feeling like an inactive blob, but the worry has been behind this decision, that working out could go paradoxical. Had you been working out all along or was this after a big break? SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I did crossfit, and it was a very hard workout. I took a week off then went back. I have been doing it basically through all of this but I really had a huge increase in symptoms last night and today and I'm assuming that's what it was from! Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 2, 2016 Author Share Posted June 2, 2016 I have a question. I'm still taking Deproloft HF that contains 5 HTP still along with the Effexor. My naturopath told me that serotonin syndrome could not occur because of only taking 18.75mg of Effexor. However today I'm really uncoordinated and am starting to have a numb tingly feeling on my head. Could this be serotonin syndrome? I've felt weird all day but this just started. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
dowdaller Posted June 2, 2016 Share Posted June 2, 2016 Hi nicki, when I was on effexor I was advised not to.take 5htp till, I was off effexor completly. Because of the increased risk of too much seratonin. My mood can also slump after a workout especially if I am not feeling great before hand. For me it took about 3-4 weeks for me to feel stable after a decrease in dose. I would class stable as more good days than bad. I am off all meds 16 months I had been on olanzapine, Effexor zanex and assorted sleeping meds for approx 2 years. Weaned off 375 mg effexor over two years, I had previously come off xanax, rivotrill and olazapine. Reinstated 75mg of effexor on the 22/12/16 Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SquirrellyGirl Posted June 3, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 3, 2016 At 18.75 mg your receptors are still blocked by nearly 70%, according to the occupancy study: http://ils.unc.edu/bmh/neoref/this.dir.unneeded/schizophrenia/review/tmp/352.pdf So, adding 5-htp to that amount of blockage by the drug could be a problem indeed. I would drop the supplement for now. I think the serotonergic supplements may be fine for people who have never touched an SSRI and want to deal with sleep or emotions "naturally," but for those already on drugs, coming off, or in WD, they complicate things and we can't possibly respond the same way a clean nervous system might. SG Started ADs back around 1995 after bad break-up, starting with Prozac. Switched to Wellbutrin, and then to Effexor in 2002 Effexor XR 2002-2014 up to 225 mg at one point, down to 37.5 mg towards end but back up to 75 mg in 2014; now realize I had W/D as I dropped down, memory very poor about history. Extreme emotions, poor concentration as I stepped back down, didn't connect the dots! Summer 2014 reduced to 0 very quickly, was sick of anhedonia/sexual dysfunction due to meds, depression never controlled if not worse. Didn't recognize WD since symptoms built slowly (thought I had ADD! and menopausal on top of it), starting with severe sweats, very bad cog-fog and memory issues, culminating in weight loss, severe anxiety and depression, panic, severe apathy and insomnia by eight months off. Saw p-doc who put me on Remeron, increased from 7.5 mg/day to 37.5 mg by May 22, 2015; still doing very badly though able to sleep. June 1. 2015 Reinstated Effexor XR 37.5 mg, Remeron dropped to 30 mg PM. Immediate relief of symptoms, like nothing had ever happened! Joined SA and began on advice of friend who recognized it was WD all along! Began tapering in July 2015. Been tapering both meds ever since, focusing on one more than the other or doing no more than 5% of each per month. 12 mg Effexor and 5.8 mg Remeron (mirtazapine SolTabs to make a solution with OraPlus) as of 5/4/2017 Update 3/14/18: 2.9 mg Remeron and 6 mg Effexor; 6/10/18: 2.6 mg Remeron and 4.9 mg Effexor My intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/9313-squirrellygirl-effexor-withdrawal-etc/page-2#entry196679 This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 Thanks to both of you. I'm going to drop the Deproloft for now and keep to easy exercise (even though I love hard workouts!) Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 Ok so now today I feel just as I did when I was completely off the Effexor. I feel like my brain has been thrown on a skillet and scrambled like eggs. I'm at work but don't even feel safe doing my job today. I've taken fish oils today and they didn't help. What should I do?! I felt this way yesterday as well but didn't expect to still feel this bad today. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
dowdaller Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Hang tough, it will pass, just dig in, thats all you can do.It will pass, nothing is more certain, I am off all meds 16 months I had been on olanzapine, Effexor zanex and assorted sleeping meds for approx 2 years. Weaned off 375 mg effexor over two years, I had previously come off xanax, rivotrill and olazapine. Reinstated 75mg of effexor on the 22/12/16 Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 3, 2016 Author Share Posted June 3, 2016 Ok I'm hangin' tough. This makes me want to adjust my meds or something but I know I shouldn't! Now looking back I could see that I am having better days because this is a bad one! Goodness. Deep breaths......I'm ready to sue these pharmaceutical companies. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
dowdaller Posted June 3, 2016 Share Posted June 3, 2016 Ok I'm hangin' tough. This makes me want to adjust my meds or something but I know I shouldn't! Now looking back I could see that I am having better days because this is a bad one! Goodness. Deep breaths......I'm ready to sue these pharmaceutical companies. You can do it. I am off all meds 16 months I had been on olanzapine, Effexor zanex and assorted sleeping meds for approx 2 years. Weaned off 375 mg effexor over two years, I had previously come off xanax, rivotrill and olazapine. Reinstated 75mg of effexor on the 22/12/16 Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 4, 2016 Author Share Posted June 4, 2016 So I'm having a horrible stretch of days. Not sure what to do. I've stopped taking the Deproloft HF and seem to be feeling worse. Also, I feel just as I had with no Effexor at all! Having a hard time functioning. Any advice? Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus KarenB Posted June 6, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 6, 2016 It could be a wave as your body adjusts to not having the depraloft in it. How many days since you stopped it? Keep taking the fish oil, because it will take more than one day to build up and starting helping, and try to keep things as gentle as you can for now. Sorry it's a rough patch - I know they're frustrating. 2010 Fluoxetine 20mg. 2011 Escitalopram 20mg. 2013 Tapered badly and destabilised CNS. Effexor 150mg. 2015 Begin using info at SurvivingAntidepressants. Cut 10% - bad w/d 2 months, held 1 month. Micro-tapering: four weekly 0.4% cuts, hold 4 weeks (struggling with symptoms). 8 month hold. 2017 Micro-tapering: four weekly 1% cuts, hold 4 weeks (symptoms almost non-existent). 2020 Still micro-tapering. Just over 2/3 of the way off effexor. Minimal symptoms, - and sleeping well. Supplements: Fish oil, vitamin C, iron, oat-straw tea, nettle tea. 2023 December - Now on 5 micro-beads Effexor. Minimal symptoms but much more time needed between drops. Symptoms begin to increase. 2024 April - Updosed to 6 microbeads - immediate increase in symptoms for 4 days. Decreased to 5 microbeads. 'The possibility of renewal exists so long as life exists.' Dr Gabor Mate. Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 Well friends, I unsuccessfully attempted the Prozac bridge and did horribly on it. I was a zombie on Prozac-missed two days of work, suicidal, just slept for 4 days basically. It was very very scary! I'm now back at 18.75kg of Effexor but have hearing loss in the left ear. Also, all sounds seem horribly loud! So I have my left ear muffled and my right ear horribly sensitive! I'm guessing from messing with the Prozac. Has anyone ever attempted to use Effexor immediate release as an alternative to wean off the Effexor? A pharmacist suggested that. And as for my psychiatrist? She continues to tell me I can just stop it. Then she told me she can no longer see me. Not like she was doing any good anyways! Just so frustrating. I'm at the point that I may have to take a leave from work this is so bad. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2016 Nicki, people have used multiple daily doses of Effexor IR in their tapers off the XR. Alto mentions it in the first post of the Effexor thread, about 2/3 of the way down that post: Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine) This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 Thank you. What is the advice regarding my Effexor currently. Stay on the dose until I level out? I don't feel like I'm ever going to level out and feel normal again. I had to leave work and am going to have to take a LOA because these symptoms are too much to handle while working as a nurse. Oh, and now that I revealed I'm a nurse I can't believe how many people are on antidepressants. It's few and far between to find someone NOT on an antidepressant. If they only knew... Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus scallywag Posted June 14, 2016 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 14, 2016 Nicki, it is surprising to discover how many people are on ADs and how willing they are to tell after someone else discloses! Do you want to edit out your occupation in the previous post? You've done a lot of bouncing around on different drugs (Effexor, Lexapro, Zoloft, Prozac) and different doses of Effexor in the last 5.5 months. Have symptoms improved, stayed the same or become worse since you reinstated Effexor to 18.75 mg? This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.1997-1999 Effexor; 2002-2005 Effexor XR 37.5 mg linear taper, dropping same #beads/week with bad results Cymbalta 60 mg 2012 - 2015; 2016: 20 mg to 7 mg exact doses and dates in this post; 2017: 6.3 mg to 0.0 mg Aug. 12; details here scallywag's IntroductionOnline spreadsheet for dose taper calculations and nz11's THE WORKS spreadsheet Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 I have not improved. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
Nicki1722 Posted June 14, 2016 Author Share Posted June 14, 2016 Ok, I guess I need to admit that i may not have improved because I am not consistently taking the same regimen of vitamins and have done some messing with increasing and decreasing the number of beads I take. Now that I won't be working and don't have a constant battle to function there everyday I think I may be able to stay on track better. Quick rundown of med changes. Originally put on Effexor in High School. Probably 2002? Got up to 300mg. In 2009 was able to successfully taper off Effexor with no real problems. Went back on 4 months later after a very bad depressive episode. 2010 Started back on 37.5mg Effexor and did wonderfully. Until 2016. 2/9/16 Effexor 75mg 2/12/16 Effexor 112.5mg 3/3Effexor 75mg 3/12 effexor 37.5mg3/22/16 Lexapro 5mg 3/29/16 10mg lexapro4/10/16 started 50mg Zoloft 4/17/16 stopped Zoloft 4/30/16-5/5/16 Prozac 5/7/16 restarted 18.75mg (20 beads) Effexor. 6/6 to 6/13 attempted Prozac bridge again. 6/16 Effexor 12 beads 7/10 13 beads 7/19 20 beads 7/30 14 beads 10/17 started 1mg celexa in addition to 14 beads Effexor 10/18 2mg celexa 14 beads 10/20 5mg celexa, 14 beads 11/4 stopped Effexor, stopped celexa, started 50mg zoloft 2/2 dropped Zoloft 10% to 45mg 2/20 back to 50mg 3/3 75 mg Zoloft 3/23 reinstated effexor 37.5mg Zoloft to 50mg and tapering zoloft 4/5 75mg Effexor, no Zoloft 4/10 150mg Effexor Link to comment
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