OzAnnie: hoping for freedom from Effexor

[OzAnnie]

I think this is where I introduce myself.

I am planning to get off effexor-xr/ Venlafaxine. I've been on 37.5mg for maybe 10 years (could be 15). I've tried before, with super-slow tapering (counting out beads) over months, but couldn't tolerate taking none at all.

I had given up and decided I'd be on this med for the rest of my life, but I have given up alcohol 5 months ago (yippeee!!) and now want to tackle effexor.

I did some reading and have decided, with my doctor, to go onto Lovan/Fluoxetine in the hope that it will be easier to taper off effexor with Lovan in my system. I started Lovan/ Fluoxetine/Prozac 4 days ago- it's been ok except for feeling a little bit fuzzy.

I'm very pleased to find this site and hoping for some support and information from others who know what it's like.

OzAnnie

Edited September 30, 2019 by Sassenach
drug name

[OzAnnie]

Hi- I"m replying to myself as I'm not sure where to add to this post.

On day 4 of taking Lovan I felt so awwwfffuuull. And I was reading info on this site, thinking that perhaps adding another drug was not necessarily a good idea.  The result: have stopped Lovan after 4 days and hope this hadn't taken hold in my brain enough for there to be too much disruption.

 

My plan now is to give it a week or 2 for the Lovan to leave my system, then commence taper of Effexor as per the instructions on this site.

OzAnnie

[Sassenach]

Hello    OzAnnie   and welcome to SA.

 

This site is run entirely by volunteer Administrators and Moderators, all have been through or going through withdrawal.

There are no commercial interests or influences  involved .

 

I am sorry you are having such a rough time but you are now in the right place.

 

To begin we need information regarding your drugs.

 

What dose of Lovan were you taking?

When did you start taking Lovan?

20 hours ago, OzAnnie said:

I felt so awwwfffuuull.

What symptoms were you experiencing?

What symptoms are you experiencing now?

When did you take the last dose of Lovan?

Were you taking both drugs concurrently?

 

On 9/28/2019 at 3:20 AM, OzAnnie said:

I have given up alcohol 5 months ago (yippeee!!)

Well done on this.

 

In the meantime DO NOT MAKE ANY CHANGE TO YOUR CURRENT MEDS please.

Please feel free to browse the site, it is a wealth of info.

Other members threads will give you an insight and the opportunity to share experiences.

 

Again welcome.

 

Sassenach

 

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi Sassenach- thank  you for getting in touch with me.

 

Regarding the Lovan- I took it for 4 days only (25th to 28th September), at 10mg each day. My plan was to overlap Lovan with Efexor for a month and then discontinue Efexor whilst remaining on Lovan. I have thrown that plan out the window as going on Lovan was so unpleasant.

The awful feeling was on day 4 of Lovan- I felt disconnected from reality and very vague. I was reportedly repeating myself. 

Now I am feeling normal, although a bit tired- it's 3 days since I had any Lovan.

 

I remain on 37.5mg of Efexor and I would like to discontinue this as I really don't think I need it, but have been stuck on it for more than 10 years.

I have been reading other people's posts and will try to reduce my dose by 10% perhaps in a week, to be sure the Lovan is out of my system.

 

Any tips before I start?

 

OzAnnie

 

 

 

 

[Sassenach]

Hi Annie

 

The link below will explain what your doctor was hoping to do.

the-prozac-switch-or-bridging-with-prozac/

 

Effexor is one the more the more difficult drugs to cease.

On 9/28/2019 at 3:20 AM, OzAnnie said:

I've tried before, with super-slow tapering (counting out beads) over months, but couldn't tolerate taking none at all.

The pros and cons of the the Prozac brige are explained in the link above.

22 hours ago, Sassenach said:

What symptoms were you experiencing?

What symptoms are you experiencing now?

Please answer the questions above.

 

7 hours ago, OzAnnie said:

perhaps in a week, to be sure the Lovan is out of my system.

There is a popular misconception that once a drug is out of your system it no longer has en effect.

This is not true of antidpressants.

The drugs immediately start working on and changing our brain chemistry.

The changes take much longer to undo than the time we were on the med.

Planning tapers is not a good idea you need to go at the speed your body can cope with.

I would suggest you wait at least one month and see how you feel before beginning a taper.

7 hours ago, OzAnnie said:

will try to reduce my dose by 10%

 

why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

Please read this link.

You will see we recommend a 10% max taper of current dose.

Current dose is very important.

This is because if you taper by 10% of starting dose, the percentage drop actually becomes higher the lower you get, which is why many tapers fail.

the-brassmonkey-slide-method-of-micro-tapering/

Contact us before you begin your taper so we can ensure you begin correctly.

 

In the meantime if you you require any further info please get in touch.

 

Sassenach