1968creative: Tapering advice needed

[1968creative]

Valium - 5mg twice daily

 

Effexor - 35mg twice daily

 

Seroquel- 25mg twice daily (was taking 50mg twice daily as of 3 days ago but have cut back)

[1968creative]

Currently on 75mg of Effexor, but my A&D is still bad. I don't want to up my dose of Effexor due to the ultimate pain of tapering off.

I've heard comparatively good things about Lexapro, and wondered if this might be worth considering, and what the process of switching over entails.

Thanks

Adam

Edited November 21, 2016 by scallywag
merged from new topic started in Off-topic

[scallywag]

Adam, Lexapro is one of two medications we would strongly urge you to AVOID, the other being Paxil.  I've moved your post/question to your introduction topic so that all your information, questions and answers are in one place.
 
It is a very potent anti-depressant. There are many members of this site who have taken Lexapro and are having great difficulty while tapering it.
 
Clicking on this link will produce a list of introductions that have the tag for Lexapro's generic name, escitalopram.
Introductions tagged with escitalopram

Also, Tips for tapering off Lexapro (escitalopram)

[1968creative]

Effexor - 37.5 x twice daily

Valium - 5mg twice daily

Seroquel- 25mg twice daily

[1968creative]

Could you please let me have a link to my into post. (Where you've moved it)

 

Thanks

 

Adam

[scallywag]

Links to your threads in

- Introduction & Updates Forum: 1968creative: Tapering advice

- Member's only Benzo Forum: 1968creative: 20 years on benzos

 

 

Link to post that I moved from Off-topic to your intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/13403-1968creative-tapering-advice-needed/page-2#entry258743

[JanCarol]

Hey 1968creative, how are you going?

 

What have you decided to do?

 

It looks like you've tapered off the quetiapine, how is that going for you?  Could you please update your signature?

 

Note: Tramadol is marketed as a "light" painkiller, but it's serotonin based, so can be just as sticky as any antidepressant.  We have members who have been tapering off of it for months, even years.  If you can do without it, you are better off.

 

Please let us know how you are going?

[1968creative]

I’ve been on many different A/D’s for over 20 years.  Currently on 150mg/Venlafaxine XR for the last 2 years.

 

I’ve also been on benzo’s for the same amount of time. (Mainly Valium).

 

I’d like to come off the Venlafaxine first,  but have a couple of questions. 

 

1. What is the recommended taper regime?

 

2. Accepting we’re all different, what can I expect by way of withdrawal reduction symptoms?  My anxiety is already Sky-high, and my mood is not good.

 

3. Bit of a controversial question... but is it reasonable to say/think that possibly the people in this group are the ‘unlucky’ one’s?

And for the purpose of explaining what I mean... Is it possible that 90% do it without serious bother, and this group is for those understandably struggling? 

 

I don’t know.  The only reason I ask is that whilst it’s acknowledged as one of the harder A/D’s to come off, some people can’t praise it enough, and others are going through hell, often having to reinstate.

 

4. I don’t know whom to turn to re. Supporting my withdrawal, as the general consensus amongst psychiatrists is that you can come off in say 5 weeks or so, and at the other end of the spectrum, you’ve got people saying take one bead out a week etc.

 

5. Finally... I’ve heard about something called the Prozac bridge.  Has anyone tried this?

 

In summary, I’m scared!

 

Thanks 

 

Adam

 

Edited May 9, 2019 by ChessieCat
reduced font

[crashcourse]

I have just started tapering from Effexor XR 5 days ago. I have started with a reduction of 16%. You can see my updates on my thread here 

 

[peng]

Adam,

I have 20 years experience of venlafaxine - it is almost certainly the hardest SSRI/SNRI of all to wean off.

If you are already having sky high anxiety and low mood, you are tapering too quickly (10% or less/month is best) and are not ready to go much further at the moment without good guidance.

 

You may be able to bridge to Prozac with the guidance of the mods on here, and get off the benzo, too.

 

Just now, I would stay put and wait to hear what the best plan is for you.

 

Best wishes.

 

 

 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Adam,

 

I've moved your post to your Introduction topic.

 

Please update your drug signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Withdrawal Symptoms

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

It's generally better to taper the drug you are currently taking.  Switching to a different drug may not cover the withdrawal symptoms from the current drug.  You could also experience start up/side effects/adverse effects from the new drug.  It would be difficult to know what is causing any issues.  Please see the information about the Prozac bridge/switch in this topic: the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac

 

[ChessieCat]

On 5/2/2019 at 9:10 AM, 1968creative said:

I’d like to come off the Venlafaxine first

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?
If you're not having an adverse reaction from the other medications, taper the most activating drug first. This is usually an antidepressant or stimulant (ADHD drug).

 

are-we-there-yet-how-long-is-withdrawal-going-to-take

 

On 5/2/2019 at 9:10 AM, 1968creative said:

I’ve also been on benzo’s for the same amount of time. (Mainly Valium).

 

Q:  Are you taking a daily dose of benzo?

[1968creative]

Sorry for the late reply.

 

Yes, I take 2x5mg of Diazepam at night.

 

Adam