samanthajane: Effexor withdrawal

[samanthajane]

i am currently two weeks into withdrawing from Venlafaxine 225 mg ER and i am in excruciating pain. i am on prozac for the aid but it barely helps. I feel trapped by this, I can't work and my psych refuses to write a note excusing me due to this so i have lost my job. I am constantly out of it now and forget where i am frequently. I have horrible light sensitivity and can't stop sweating. I was a drug addict for several years and have gone through severe withdrawals from narcotics in rehab and this is very similar if not worse. My brain doesn't feel like mmine and I don't feel supported by the doctor who i should be able to trust. feeling very lost right now and need suggestions

[Songbird]

Hi samanthajane, welcome to SA.  I'm sorry to hear that you are in such pain.  Why did your doctor decide to switch you from venlafaxine to prozac?

 

It would be helpful if you could create a signature containing a summary of your med history, including all drugs, doses and dates (starting and stopping).  Your signature appears below every post you make, and helps us see your situation easily without having to read from the top every time.   Instructions for creating your signature are here: Please put your withdrawal history in your signature.  You can edit your signature here: edit your signature in Account Settings.

 

Doctors often switch meds around without realising that they often do not cover for each other very well.  When you change quickly from one med to another you can get withdrawal from the first med along with start-up effects of the new one.  While some people manage to switch meds successfully, for others it can be a disaster.  It may be possible to switch back to the first med and restabilise, and then later taper it very slowly. 

See:  about reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Is it possible you could find another doctor?

 

 

Edited July 3, 2018 by Songbird