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Andie

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  • Moderator Emeritus
8 hours ago, Andie said:

I apologise for the negative tone of this post and I am sure many of you can relate to how I am feeling and have had this realisation too.

 

Nothing to apologize for imho Andie. It’s powerful for me to witness you finding a new, more truthful narrative for your life history. I see that as incredibly courageous and it inspires me to continue to stay in my courage too. 

My suggestions are not medical advice. They are my opinions based on my own experience, strength and hope.

You are in charge of your own medical / healing / recovery choices.

My success story |  My introduction thread

 

ZOLOFT FREE - COMPLETELY DRUG FREE 4/28/2019! - total time on 28+ years

BENZO FREE! 4/7/2018 - total time on 27+ years

REMERON FREE! 12/11/2016 - total time on 15 months

Caffeine & Nicotine Free 2014 / 2015 - smoked for 28 years

Alcohol Free 4/1/2014 - drank for 30 years

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Hi @elbee

 

I am not sure if I am having a break through or a break down. This is all very anxiety inducing. 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
22 hours ago, Andie said:

I am not sure if I am having a break through or a break down.

 

For me the two have kind of gone hand in hand and, yes it has felt incredibly overwhelming when the big ones happen.  It's my firm believe that the med drug W/D process amplifies this process. Sometimes the best I can do is hang in there for the bumpy ride, and keep focusing on next best steps with self-care. Inevitably it eases, and if I'm lucky, I realize that I'm perhaps slightly more "awakened" than I was before. ❤️🙏😌

My suggestions are not medical advice. They are my opinions based on my own experience, strength and hope.

You are in charge of your own medical / healing / recovery choices.

My success story |  My introduction thread

 

ZOLOFT FREE - COMPLETELY DRUG FREE 4/28/2019! - total time on 28+ years

BENZO FREE! 4/7/2018 - total time on 27+ years

REMERON FREE! 12/11/2016 - total time on 15 months

Caffeine & Nicotine Free 2014 / 2015 - smoked for 28 years

Alcohol Free 4/1/2014 - drank for 30 years

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Hi @elbee

 

Thankyou. That is so reassuring. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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Hang in there, Andie.  You will get better and eventually heal.  I have no doubt. -Rosetta

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/16629-rosetta-ct-may-2011-too-fast-taper-feb-2017/?page=25

2001-2011 Celexa 10 mg raised to 40 mg then 60 mg over this time period

May 2011 OB Doctor's Cold switch Celexa 60 mg to 10 mg Zoloft sertraline (baby born)

2012-2016 - Doctors raised dose of Zoloft up to 150 mg

2016 - Xanax prescribed - as needed - 0.5 mg about every 3 days (bad reaction)

2016 - Stopped Xanax

Late 2016- Began (too fast) taper of Zoloft

Early 2017 - Trazodone prescribed for bedtime (doseage unknown)

Feb 2017 - Completed taper/stopped Trazodone

Drug free since Feb 2017

2017 - Unisom otc very rarely for sleep

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Thankyou @Rosetta

 

I’ve had a quick read of your thread and I can relate to what you have experienced and are experiencing. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Andie,

 

How are things going?

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hi @Altostrata and @ChessieCat

 

Just in regards to the discussion over at DWebs thread. 

 

I havent been posting as I’ve been struggling quite a lot with withdrawal symptoms and have been finding very it hard to find a place of stability. It’s been like this since I got to around 15mg mark. My doctor and I are looking very seriously at making a switch over to Effexor as it’s going to be much easier to compound and just a matter of redistributing the beads to make smaller doses.

 

I just thought I’d let you know that it has been my experience that where I live compounding pharmacists are very reluctant to compound Pristiq due to the destruction of the time release caused by crushing The tablet.

 

My Pharmacist agreed to do it with full disclosure to me that they didn’t know what the effect on my body would be, and That I would need to find a method of dosing that would work with my own GI metabolism and sensitivity to the medication. They asked me to pay close attention to how I was feeling, and report back to them if I felt unwell in any way, As they were very concerned about dose dumping. Everything was fine with the compounded capsules until I got to around 15mg. 

 

The Pharmacy is currently using an enteric Coated capsule with 40 percent methocel as an additive. Using an enteric coating has made a huge difference but I still have to use divided doses and I am now working towards just taking a AM and PM dose now that the capsules have the enteric coating on them. I also no longer need to eat big meals with my medication to prevent GI upset. I was having a lot of upper GI symptoms. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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I need an official script for each and every dose to be compounded and the quantities. 

 

I can’t take in my own 50 or 100mg  box of proprietary Prtistiq and instruct them what doses and quantities to make up. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

If you have never had an adverse reaction to Effexor, it might be preferable to convert to Effexor XR. You will need to get the type where the capsules contain tiny beads, so you can count them or weigh them for custom dosages (a compounding pharmacy can do this, too).

 

See

 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Alto 

 

Thanks for the feedback. My Doctor gave me a box of Brand Effexor so I could give the bead tapering and weighing method a try. It’s now a matter of trying to work out what the equivalent is dose is going to be. We are looking at just doubling the Pristiq dose. 

 

Ive been offered the opportunity to do the switch in hospital and I will probably take up the offer. 

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

Please read the Tips for tapering off Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) topic. It gives rough equivalencies.

 

Please do not take an arbitrary amount of Effexor XR. You're taking less than 25% of the usual Pristiq dosage of 50mg. The usual dosage of Effexor XR is maybe 75mg per day; 25% of that would be about 18mg.

 

I would take less rather than more, to avoid a kindling reaction, which can be quite severe and last a long time.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi Alto 

 

Agree, I will definitely err on the side of under dosing rather than over dosing. The last thing I need is to go from the frying pan into the fire. 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Just for my own notes- 

 

My symptoms are 

 

• panic on waking 

• vivid and emotional dreams 

• muscle spasm and muscle twitching 

• blepharospasm 

• Fatigue 

 

These are coming and going in a random pattern and usually all occour together. 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
10 hours ago, Andie said:

Ive been offered the opportunity to do the switch in hospital and I will probably take up the offer. 

Take care Andie ,hope this goes well for you .

Total respect .🤝

Alcohol free since February 2015 

1MG diazepam

4.5MG PROZAC.

 

 

 

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On 3/18/2019 at 7:35 PM, powerback said:

Take care Andie ,hope this goes well for you .

Total respect .🤝

Thanks PB. Fingers crossed.

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Can't wait to show this one to the PDoc. 

 

 

Published:March 05, 2019 The Lancet 

Tapering of SSRI treatment to mitigate withdrawal symptoms

Mark Abie Horowitz, PhD

Prof David Taylor, PhD

 

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Out of all the symptoms I am having the spasming and early morning awakening are the most bothersome. Both have settled today. The pattern is so random. 

 

Plan is to compound Effexor XR into custom doses of 15mg, 1mg and 0.5mg and have them ready for the switch over. 

 

Empty gel caps and scale on the way so that I can practice making the doses up myself. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

'When all you have is a hammer in your tool box, everything looks like a nail'

 

Pretty much sums up my experience with Psychiatry. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Found this while reading the news online and it made me very angry. 

 

Dr Brad McKay, an Australian family doctor and science communication, told Mamamia that the most “odd sensation” is often described as “brain zaps… which feels like you’re getting tiny electric shocks in your head. Brain zaps can last a day or continue for weeks.”

But there are ways to minimise or avoid these symptoms altogether, and Dr McKay says the first step is consult your doctor before changing or ceasing medication.

If you’re unhappy with their advice, or don’t feel listened to, then wait until you find a GP, psychologist or even psychiatrist who you trust.

Harvard Medical School also recommend making a plan with your clinician. Keeping things like a ‘mood calendar’ can be a good way to track your progress. It’s also important if you’ve had a history of anxiety or depression, to keep seeing a psychologist, especially as you taper off medication.

“It’s best to cut down the dose slowly. I normally recommend decreasing the dose at the start of a weekend, so if you’re feeling gross, you can take it easy for a couple of days as your body adjusts, rather than push yourself to go to work,” Dr McKay says.

They also suggest staying active, and letting those close to you know what you’re going through, in case you’re unwell or more irritable than usual.

While going off your medication might seem desirable, it’s also important to recognise that for some of us it’s not going to be an option.

Medication for mental health can be a lifeline, and as essential to our bodies as insulin is to a diabetic.

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • Administrator

An e-mail to the author, site administrator, and Dr. McKay is in order.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Absolutely Alto. I will do exactly that and I’ll post the responses should I receive any. 

 

Link to article: 

 

https://www.mamamia.com.au/antidepressant-withdrawal/

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • 2 weeks later...

There was no response from the author of the above article. 

 

The morning 4am panic is driving me insane. 

 

Something was triggered way back in October - November 2018 and I can’t work out what happened. I’ve been struggling ever since. 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Does anyone know if a change from Pristiq to Effexor requires a period of cross taper? 

 

My Doctor has recommended a direct switch over, but he will support a cross taper if That’s the way I want to go. 

 

I am am unsure what to do..

 

I am actually really loathe to change to Effexor but I absolutely cannot keep tapering using the compounded Pristiq. I think there is some variability between capsules and I’m too sensitive now that I am at ‘lower’ doses. 

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

It is better to do a cross taper if possible.  It's less of a shock to your system.  From what I understand with the two drugs is that Effexor / venlafaxine gets changed into desvenlafaxine / Pristiq.

 

And I think it would be the preferable way to go considering you are sensitive at the lower doses.  Anything that we can do to ease into a change is helpful.  I mean, even changing from drug form it is best to cross over.

 

And it also means that if you notice things worsening you can hold at that dose combo for longer or go "backwards".

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

Link to comment
39 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

It is better to do a cross taper if possible.  It's less of a shock to your system.  From what I understand with the two drugs is that Effexor / venlafaxine gets changed into desvenlafaxine / Pristiq.

 

And I think it would be the preferable way to go considering you are sensitive at the lower doses.  Anything that we can do to ease into a change is helpful.  I mean, even changing from drug form it is best to cross over.

 

And it also means that if you notice things worsening you can hold at that dose combo for longer or go "backwards".

Hi Chessie 

 

Thank you. 

 

Makes sense. I am being ultra cautious as I will be using compounded Pristiq and compounded Effexor XR. 

 

Do you happen to know what this would look like? 

 

eg 3/4 Effexor and 1/4 for 'x' number of days, then 1/2 and 1/2,  ending with 3/4 Effexor and 1/4 Pristiq. 

 

Would one week holds be sufficient while cross tapering? 

 

I like my Doctor, but his back up plan is to pump me full of Lorazepam, Diazepam and Zolapidem in case things go pear shaped. I want to avoid these like the plague. 

 

 

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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The other confusing this is working out the equivalency of the Effexor portion of the dose. So I am working with three variables 

 

1. Effexor to Pristiq equivalency. I think it is 2:1

2. Compounded Effexor 

3. Compounded Pristiq. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
1 hour ago, Andie said:

eg 3/4 Effexor and 1/4 for 'x' number of days, then 1/2 and 1/2,  ending with 3/4 Effexor and 1/4 Pristiq. 

 

3/4 P + 1/4 E, 1/2 + 1/2, 1/4 P + 3/4 E

 

1 hour ago, Andie said:

Would one week holds be sufficient while cross tapering? 

 

You'll need to listen to your body.  The longer holds, the easier it will be on your system.  Taking into consider that nobody knows the equivalency of the drugs, a longer crossover would assist with that.  This is purely my own thought on this:  if it was me, I'd be doing 4 weeks for each combo because you don't know if you are making a reduction or an increase.  At least a 4 week hold would help with any dose variance.  It might sound like being overly cautious, but in my opinion if it reduces the possibility of things getting worse and keeping things more stable I'd be going the longer route.  Of course you might be okay doing a fast cross taper, however we don't know what would happen if you did.

 

I'm assuming that you are like me and have experienced enough bad symptoms to last a life time.  Once bitten, twice (or permanently?) shy.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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I am permanently shy. I haven't been well at all, but I have been trying not to make any rash decisions for fear of jumping from the frying pan into the fire. 

 

This is why this forum is so valuable. I didn't even consider holding for 4 weeks at each stage. I think that is a much better idea. 

 

I think I have had it in my head that the cross taper needed to be done quickly- but I was thinking in terms of bridging with Prozac. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Because they are similar drugs it will hopefully be an easier transition than going to a different drug.

 

I think too, that cross tapering to a different drug is generally because there are issues with the old drug so a fast cross over may be needed to get off the old.  And with two completely different drugs, and if at higher doses, there would be more possibility of serotonin toxicity.

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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Hi Chessie 

 

I have to take into consideration that the time release of the two drugs are going to be  different. I will have to have see how it goes. 

 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment
  • 1 month later...
  • Administrator

HI, Andie. How are you doing?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Hi @Altostrata

 

Still struggling along. I haven’t made the switch to Effexor yet. I am having a lot of problems with early morning panic, vivid dreaming and muscle spasms. It’s had a really big impact on me and my day to day functioning. 

 

I still don’t know what sent me into full blown withdrawal in October 2018 despite a slow taper. 

Current Dose

0.5mcg Clonidine and 1.25 Diazepam PRN for treatment of iatrogenic hypertension. 

2010 .Prescribed Pristiq 100 mg in July by GP

2010 .Reduced to 50mg by splitting and weighing. Held at 50mg

2014. Reduced from 50-35 .Held at 35mg. 

2017. Taper from 35mg commenced using compounded Desvenlafaxine

2018. 23/06 13.5mg. 21/07  12.5mg. 25/08 11.5mg. 09/2018 10mg. 14/11 11mg (updose) 21/11 -12mg (updose)

2019. Still holding at 12mg and stuck. 

2020. January 2019 Prozac Bridge-- Prozac 2.5 to 10mg and

Pristiq 23rd Jan 6mg/ 27th Jan 5mg/ 28th Jan 3mg/ 30 Jan 0

Prozac 6th Feb 9.5mg. Vitamin D3 5000iu with K2

Magnesium Glycinate with Glycine and Passionflower  600mg 

Link to comment

Andie,

I just want to say that reading your entire thread last night gives me so much hope.  You can read my story, I’m on various things. I think that tapering Pristiq will be in my future.  It’s ever-present on my mind, and I have been so afraid based on my previous experiences.  I have not known how to tackle a sustained release drug.  I had spoken once with the compounding pharmacist in my town, and he was willing to take on the duty of compounding it with a slow release additive.  I’m sure he will still be willing when the time comes.  Still, I haven’t known anyone, until reading your posts, to do this.  I have been focused on other things and not wanting to face the Pristiq behemoth.

I am sorry you have symptoms at the lower doses.  Just know that you give me great hope.  

Hope

1995-2012 Paxil 20mg, Tegretol 200mg

2012 Gynecologist screwed me up massively by suggesting a quick and easy switch to Lexapro from Paxil.  Eviscerated CNS.  Ended up on...

Paxil 40,  Mirtazapine 15, Lithium 450, Trazodone 50, Pristiq 100, Klonopin .25, Lamictal 125

August 2014 Pax 20,  Mirt 7.5, lith 450, traz 50, Pristiq 100, Klon .25, Lamic 125

April 2016–May 2019

Verrrrry slow, slow tapering of different ones here and there.  Currently sitting on:

Paxil 20, Lithium 225, Pristiq 100, Klonopin .25, Lamictal 50

Quote

Never surprise the brain!

 

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Hey Andie

 

after reading this thread let me just assure you that I know exactly what you are going through as far as symptoms and the suffering. I only ingested Pristiq for two months and I noticed something was wrong within the first few days but got the old "just keep going, it takes 6-8 wks to kick in".....well I tried to tell the doctor that it had already kicked in because I was jacked to the stratosphere.

 

anyway I ct Pristiq after two months........I'm about to hit 20 mths off and I'm in total disbelief how disabled I am. It's a putrid drug. All very similiar symptoms. 

 

Edited by ChessieCat
removed obscenities

Zoloft: Sometime early in 2014 Three days only. Torture!

Lexapro: Early 2015- Mid 2015 10mg

Lexapro: Mid 2015-March 2017 20mg

Tapered too fast, Withdrawal started through April-June 2017. Told by Doctor that it was rebound anxiety and have now developed MDD

Pristiq: July 2017-October 2017 50mg (total 56 days)

Lexapro: October 2017-October 2017 10mg (6 days)

Lexapro: October 2017-October 2017 20mg (5 days)

COLD TURKEY>>>>>>>>>>>>October 11,2017

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  • 2 months later...
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Andie,

 

Just wondering how you are going.  Did you end up changing to enteric capsules?  Did you stick with Pristiq?  We have a new member yogendra who is changing over to Effexor.

 

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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