DavidH888: Hello all. Starting my journey. Need advice.

[DavidH888]

Hello, I have been on and off SSRI/SNRI's for many many years. I honestly don't think they have ever truly helped me. Over the past few years, I've tried Zoloft, Cymbalta, and now I'm on Effexor. I feel so depressed and completely emotionally numb. I never leave my house and have ruined all my relationships because I never want to leave my house.

 

I think I've finally reached the point where I need to not take these medications. I honestly feel they are contributing to my depression rather then reliving it. Are there any good articles, blogs, etc to read about how these meds can contribute to depression? Anything to read for inspiration?

 

I am also very scared because I feel I am addicted to benzos. I don't take them more then I'm prescribed, but I know I'm dependent on them. Especially to sleep. I've been on klonopin for years now.

 

Also, I need help making a solution from 150mg Effexor. I want to try going down by 10% every four weeks. Any help is appreciated.

Edited October 20, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, DavidH888.  It's great that you came here before beginning your taper.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  Please include whether you're taking 150mg Effexor XR (extended release) or immediate release.

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

For inspiration, I'd read through the Success Stories forum.  

 

Success stories: Recovery from withdrawal

 

You can also Google SurvivingAntidepressants.org Effexor success stories.

 

For some reading about the ill effects of these drugs, I'd recommend Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker.

 

Anatomy of an Epidemic

 

Here's a video book trailer by the author.

 

Robert Whitaker, author Anatomy of an Epidemic video (11 minutes)

 

To get down to the mechanics of your taper, as you've likely read, we recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

The following link is specifically about tapering Effexor.  If you're on XR, the standard method is to begin by counting beads and possibly switching to a liquid in the latter stage of the taper.  You can't make a liquid from Effexor XR.  All this is explained in detail in the link.

 

Tips for tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor)

 

Regarding the benzo, don't worry about that now and you should make no changes there.  I'm also physiologically dependent on a benzo. There's no reason to be scared.  They can be tapered off just like antidepressants.  I'm just about done with my Lexapro taper and will taper Ativan next.  We recommend tapering activating drugs, like SSRI's and SNRI's first, leaving the sedating drugs like benzos in place to preserve sleep and to be tapered later.

So you're doing right to taper the Effexor first.

 

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

 

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems. Get supplements that are single ingredient (not mixed with other types of supplements).

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gridley]

@DavidH888

 

I just ran across a new interview with Robert Whitaker, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic, which I recommended in my previous post to you.  I thought it might be of interest to you.

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/has-the-drug-based-approach-to-mental-illness-failed/?fbclid=IwAR01neKgirzCvmg67S05YbWivZLsvxXsW_E5ScBr5PZR8BEdGQtRlqPATfo

 

 

[Krisseyb]

I understand....I have been on and off for 15 years (but on them straight for the last 3 1/2 years) I feel like it's making my anxiety worse than before!!! I am still waiting to get my prescription refilled for the liquid Lexapro...so I haven't even started yet. My plan is to do 2.5% each week..with a 2 week hold. I think my body must know something is about to come because I'm already having trouble sleeping and I haven't even started the taper. Ha!

[DavidH888]

Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I updated my signature. The book, Anatomy of an Epidemic sounds interesting. I appreciate the links.

 

Can someone tell me how to make a solution with 150mg HCL Effexor (not extended release as far as I know). Can I use distilled water? Are there any instructions for this? I'm new here, so I can't reply to that thread.

 

I just feel so empty inside. My depression is the worse it's ever been. I'm a complete shut in and have friends I haven't seen in many years. I'm also a food addict and have gained a ton of weight.

When I think about my life currently, I have no real reason to be as depressed as I currently am. I just feel so numb and the days pass me by. I feel like my life is passing me by. Could some of this feeling be attributed to antidepressants? Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks.

[ChessieCat]

Tips for tapering off venlafaxine (Effexor)

 

how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules

 

1 hour ago, DavidH888 said:

Could some of this feeling be attributed to antidepressants?

 

Yes, quite possibly/likely.  Antidepressants numb us.

 

Good book:  Your Drug May Be Your Problem by Dr Peter Breggin

[ChessieCat]

  

13 minutes ago, DavidH888 said:

Thank you. I looked on the bottle closer and it says in small writing, Zydus Pharmaceutical.

 

This it right here. I guess I'll have to count the beads.

https://www.drugs.com/imprints/za-37-150-mg-17636.html

 

Can I just swallow the beads as is? I've heard you can put them in Yogurt.

 

Would going down by 10 beads every four weeks be ok? Sorry I'm just confused.

 

It will depend on how many beads their are in the capsule.  It will also depend on whether they are of a consistent size or variable.  These issues are discussed in the Tips for Tapering Effexor topic and/or the Counting Beads vs Weighing.

 

You will need to count a few capsules to find out whether they all contain the same number of beads.  Again check the other topics.

 

As for how to take them, please see the topics mentioned.  I think some/most members place them into gel capsules.  Sizes and tips for doing this are in those topics.

 

SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the current dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  The easiest way to calculate the new dose is to multiple the current dose by 0.9.  So 150mg x 0.9 = 135mg.  Now you need to work out how you are going to obtain that dose.

 

If you are taking only one capsule you could request a prescription for a smaller dose and take it and then take the additonal portion in beads.  Effexor is also available as a liquid, so you could incorporate that in your tapering.  Or if you can get immediate release tablets you could make your own liquid.  See the tips for tapering Effexor topic Post #1 of this information.

 

These are just ideas for you to consider.  The main thing is to keep the reduction at or below 10% of CURRENT dose (not the original - calculation will need to be done on the dose you reduced to, so if you only reduced 5% you would calculate on that dose).  AND to get consistent doses.  That is very important.  The brain likes consistency and the more accurate and consistent we can make the doses the better.  It doesn't matter if your dose is less than 10% but it needs to be as close as possible to that dose for every dose.

 

I'll leave it at that for the time being.  Do your research by checking out the topics, do some brainstorming and once you've done that ask your questions.  A lot of the answers are more than likely in those topics.  We don't mind helping members out, and there are members who help other members, but when then information is already available we point them in the right direction and we like members to try to find the answer/s themselves and then ask any remaining questions after they have done than.  It not only saves the mods' time, but it helps the members to be actively involved in and make their own decisions regarding their own taper.