Jessie1122: Effexor Reinstatement

[Jessie1122]

Hi,

 

Been on Effexor 75 XR for almost 17 years. in May, 2018 I started tapering, but I think I have done it too quickly...by August I was on 37.5mg XR (after alternating 75 and 37.5) Prozac to "bridge"...December, 2018 I started taking 37.5mg every other day for 3 weeks and on Feb 8th, 2019 I went to ZERO (per dr. instructions). Memorial day weekend withdrawals hit me like a ton of bricks...high anxiety, some depression, nervousness and fatigue. I am now taking .05mg ATIVAN as needed. I take vitamin B Complex, D3, iron, probiotics, formula 303, cortisol Manager, Fish Oil, Magnesoim bisglycinate. I started taking 800 mg SAM-E last week and I have just started taking 800mg holy basil. I sleep fine at night, bust as soon as I open my eyes, I start feeling anxious. I am thinking about reinstating the 37.5mg XR tonight...is that too much? Any advice? PLEASE?????????????????????????

[Jessie1122]

Been on Effexor 75XR for almost 17 years. May 2018 I started tapering, but I believe I went too fast. By August I was on 37.5 mg XR. Started Prozac 10 mg beginning of September, 2018 to "bridge". Starting December, 2018 started alternating 75 and 37.50, then took it twice per week and on February 8th, 2019 I went to ZERO (Doctor's orders). Memorial day weekend withdrawals hit me like a ton of bricks...major anxiety, some depression and fatigue. I take vitamins B Complex, D3, Fish Oil, Iron, Formula 303, Cortisol Manager, probiotics, magnesium bis-glycinate. Been taking Sam-E for a week and just started taking holy Basil. I have taken my last Prozac 10mg yesterday. I also take .05mg Activan as needed. My doc suggested reinstate 37.5 mg...any advice?

[Songbird]

Hi Jessie, welcome to SA.  I'm sorry to hear you're having a rough time with Effexor withdrawal and that the bridge to Prozac wasn't successful for you.

 

It would be helpful if you could please 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 allows us see your situation easily without having to read your topic from the top every time.   You could look at my signature for an example.  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.

 

It sounds like you've been off Effexor for several months, so it's possible that if you reinstate at 37.5 mg you would be at high risk for an adverse reaction.  We've found that some people are able to get some relief of symptoms by reinstating a very small dose.  Please read our reinstatement topic very thoroughly, particularly the top post:  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. 

 

If you decide to reinstate a very small dose, you'll need a way to measure it, which can be tricky with Effexor depending on what form you have - for more information see:  Tips for tapering off Effexor and Effexor XR (venlafaxine).

 

It looks like you're taking a large number of supplements, which could make it difficult to tell what is causing anything.  Many of those supplements can be very activating, which won't be helpful if you're experiencing anxiety.  Also the body can react strangely to supplements when it is unstable from withdrawal.  What was the reason you added each of these supplements?

 

I'm also concerned that as you've dropped Prozac after several months on it, this could potentially add to your withdrawal symptoms.  I'm going to ask the other mods for their input on this and we will respond to you here.

 

Please post all your updates and questions about your situation here in your introduction topic, and we will try to help you as best we can.

 

[Jessie1122]

Hi,

my protractred withdrawals started about 3 weeks ago. I have reinstated 37.5 mg 3 days ago, still having anxiety and nervousness. I take .05mg of Lorazepam twice per day but still uncomfortable 

[Altostrata]

Hello, Jessie. Do you feel better or worse after you take 37.5mg Effexor? How often do you take lorazepam?

 

Please keep daily notes of times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms. You can post them in this topic with a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right.

 

[Jessie1122]

My anxiety is getting better, but I feel very fatigued. I take .05 Lorazepam around 5:30 pm and around 6:00 am

[ChessieCat]

27 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

Please keep daily notes of times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms. You can post them in this topic with a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right.

 

An example of what Alto is requesting:

 

6 a.m. Woke with anxiety
8 a.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
10 a.m. Stomach is upset
10:30 a.m. Ate breakfast
11:35 a.m. Got a headache, lasted one hour
12:35 p.m. Ate lunch
4 p.m. Feel a bit better
5 p.m. Took 2.5mg Lexapro
6 p.m. Ate dinner
9:20 p.m. Headache
10:00 p.m. Took 50mg Seroquel
10:20 p.m. Feeling dizzy
10:30 p.m. Fell asleep
2:30 a.m. Woke, took 3mg Ambien (NOT "took 1/2 tablet Ambien")
2:45 a.m. Fell asleep
4:30 a.m. Woke but got back to sleep

[Jessie1122]

5;30 pm .05 Lorazepam 

8:30 pm went to bed

9:00 pm 37.5 Effexor XR

slept to probably 11:30pm

Woke up and my body felt nervous

i tossed and turned for few hours

3:30 am .05 Lorazepam 

slept for few hours

6:00am took a CBD capsule

relaxed until 8:00 am

Woke up very anxious 

8:45 went to get my blood drawn

9:00am .075 Lorazepam 

waiting to kick in so that I can go to work

[Jessie1122]

Should I stop the Effexor XR?

[Jessie1122]

5;30 pm .05 Lorazepam 

8:30 pm went to bed

9:00 pm 37.5 Effexor XR

slept to probably 11:30pm

Woke up and my body felt nervous

i tossed and turned for few hours

3:30 am .05 Lorazepam 

slept for few hours

6:00am took a CBD capsule

relaxed until 8:00 am

Woke up very anxious 

8:45 went to get my blood drawn

9:00am .075 Lorazepam 

waiting to kick in so that I can go to work

[Jessie1122]

Or should I just injest 5 to 7 beads