Untrace: struggling after 5 weeks

[Untrace]

hi everyone, i have been on a rollercoaster for 5 weeks and am worried this will never end. I can't live like this and am tempted to just take one of my 75 mg pills i have here in hopes of feeling less anxiety and depression. Of everything i've read so far it seems to be a process that i'm not going to be able to endure, with most people not feeling better for 6 months or even years. I'd love any advice on what to do, should i take the 75 and taper my dose over a longer period of time?

[SquirrellyGirl]

Stop, don't do it, Untrace!

 

I am glad you have found SA!

 

You surely are in withdrawal and realize it was from coming off too fast, but sadly that kind of taper is often prescribed by doctors!  Thank you for filling out your signature block, BTW!

 

You are like me, a long time user of Effexor, and we unfortunately, must take it much slower.  Our nervous systems have become wedded to the drug, and coming off too fast leaves us with all the changes un-opposed.  See the following:

 

Introduction to AD Withdrawal Syndrome

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms
Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Have you included all your meds in your signature?  It is important that we have your full med history, Rx and OTC, so that we know the full profile we are dealing with, here.

 

So, when you read the topic on reinstating, you will see that when a member has been off for awhile, your case being 5 weeks, a large reinstatement such as 75 mg could be very problematic, perhaps triggering an adverse reaction in the worst case scenario, and being above and beyond your level of healing in the lesser scenario.  We recommend starting with a very small dose, like dipping your toe in the water.  If you were taking the extended release with little beads inside the capsules, you might take the equivalent of 2-3 mg.

 

Count the number of beads in 3 capsules, total, and divide by 3 for your average number of beads per capsule. Divide the dosage, 75 mg, by that number to get mg/bead.  Now, take as many beads as needed to equal 2-3 mg.

 

It takes four days for a reinstatement to reach a steady level in the body, so it may take a bit longer than that to see if you are benefitted.  Hopefully you will feel a difference right away.  IF you feel a lot worse right off the bat, don't continue - your may have become sensitized.  After a week, if there has been no improvement, you can up-dose again.

 

In the meantime, are you taking any supplements?  Many find Magnesium and Omega-3 Fish Oil helpful. You can look through our Symptoms and self-care forum for helpful tips to deal with withdrawal symptoms.

 

Meanwhile, your Intro is the place for you to ask questions about your situation and give updates.  Bookmark it so you can find it more easily.  Click Follow above so that you will be notified when someone responds in your thread.

 

Come back with questions!

 

SG

[Vonnegutjunky]

Untrace - I reinstated and then doubled my dose - big mistake - I should have reinstated the way squirleygirl is telling you - I didn't listen and I have paid for it for over a year in the form of akathisia - also after I initially reinstated i didn't give my brain time to level out - it will take time - a lot of time for you to get stable so don't give up after a few weeks or just go willy nilly upping your dosages - your going to feel like crap for awhile but remember it can always get worse so be patient!!! Please I wish I would have listened but I thought oh no, not me, I'll be fine- I wasn't until now - I had unnecessary suffering for a year ( read my 10 page intro if you like )

 

Just remember you will be ok- I promise you that ❤️