jdj1rn: Awful Effexor and zoloft reactions now that I am 5 months off xanax..

[jdj1rn]

Xanax prolonged withdrawal.  I am reacting badly to my 2 antidepressants . I'm still in withdrawal hell and when I take even 1/2 the prescribed dose they exacerbate my x withdrawal symptoms greatly. 

NOTE: I have been inconsistent with taking my antidepressants due to cognitive fog, stomach issues and life circumstances 

 

 

What should I do? Thanks in advance. I'm bedbound HELP PLEASE!

[jdj1rn]

med history.pdf

[Shep]

Hi, JDJ1RN.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

Please let us know more about what drugs you are taking.

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in setting up a taper. 

[jdj1rn]

6 hours ago, Shep said:

Hi, JDJ1RN.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

Please let us know more about what drugs you are taking.

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in setting up a taper. 

 

[Altostrata]

@JDJ1RN you did not include any information in your post.

 

What drugs are you currently taking, at what dosages? When did you start each of them? What times of day do you take each?

[jdj1rn]

@Altostratamy apologies.  I tried. I'm having some difficulty navigating the site. I will try again. Thank you 

 

[jdj1rn]

Current medications:

March 17. 2021

150 mg Effexor xr daily.

100 mg Zoloft daily

Buspirone  10 mg 2 xs daily. 

Avorvastatin 20 mg daily 

Until October 2020

Xanax 0.5 mg 3 xs daily.

Tapered started August 2020 done October 2020. Via psychiatrist Too fast I believe.  I'm stuck in withdrawal. 😫

[jdj1rn]

August 2020- October 2020

Psychiatrist weaned Effexor xr 300 mg to 150 mg

And Zoloft 200 mg tp Zoloft 100mg at the same time as tapering the xanax to 0. I jumped off 9 days early as I took too many.

[jdj1rn]

On 3/15/2021 at 6:04 AM, Shep said:

Hi, JDJ1RN.

 

Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. 

 

Please let us know more about what drugs you are taking.

 

Please add a signature.  Include drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements in the last 12-24 months. Also include supplements. This will help us give you the most accurate advice we can. 

• Any drugs and supplements prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years. 
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago) 
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016. 
• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses. 
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 
• This is a direct link to your signature:  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

As you provide more information, we can better guide you in setting up a taper. 

Started Effoxor about 2004

Started Zoloft 2000

[jdj1rn]

On 3/15/2021 at 12:58 PM, JDJ1RN said:

 

@Altostrata is my introduction adequate? I'm in need of guidance related to my antidepressants,  greatly appreciated 

[jdj1rn]

21 hours ago, JDJ1RN said:

Started Effoxor about 2004

Started Zoloft 2000

@Shep

[jdj1rn]

I need recommendations as what to do with bad reactions to my 2 antidepressants since being off xanax 5 months. I'm still in benzo hell, not functioning,  bed/house bound with agoraphobic feelings..please help. I am now taking 1/2 my dosage of effexor due to the negative side effects of both. Taking 75 mg Effexor cr and 100 mg Zoloft. Thanks you in advance 

[ChessieCat]

Please ask questions specific to your own situation in your Introduction topic.  That way your history will be in one place and you will not need to repeat yourself.

 

Your Introduction topic is here:

 

jdj1rn-awful-effexor-and-zoloft-reactions-now-that-i-am-5-months-off-xanax

 

[ChessieCat]

Shep is currently taking time off from SA.

[Altostrata]

@JDJ1RN I am sorry for what must look like confusion among the staff.

 

Why are you taking 2 antidepressants? When did you start Xanax? Why did you go off? 

 

What times of day do you take your drugs, with their dosages? Do you feel better or worse at any times of day? What are the reactions you attribute to the antidepressants?

 

Please put all your drugs in the Drug Interactions Checker https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html and paste the report or the link to it in this topic.

[jdj1rn]

@AltostrataThanks you for your response. 

1 I'm not sure why my Dr has me on 2 antidepressants ( I used to know the rationale)

2 xanax started 2000? Approx.

3 I wanted to go off to cleanse my body.

3 Effexor cr 150 mg daily ( only able to tolerate 75 mg) zoloft 100 mg daily.

4 I take my dosages at night to avoid daytime reactions so I can function ( not really functioning)

5. I feel the best in the morning. 

 

6. The reactions I experience are increased brain zaps, confusion and overall exacerperation of withdrawal symptoms. 

 

Should stay on the decreased dose of effexor? 

Thank you 

[jdj1rn]

Can anyone advise? The above post. Ty

[jdj1rn]

Any Admins see my posts?

Thank you

[Altostrata]

On 3/21/2021 at 1:41 PM, JDJ1RN said:

 I am now taking 1/2 my dosage of effexor due to the negative side effects of both. Taking 75 mg Effexor cr and 100 mg Zoloft. Thanks you in advance 

 

Did you just reduce from 100mg Effexor to 75mg Effexor? Did you get any new symptoms after the reduction?

 

What do you mean by adverse effects of your drugs? What adverse effects?

 

On 3/22/2021 at 7:02 AM, JDJ1RN said:

6. The reactions I experience are increased brain zaps, confusion and overall exacerperation of withdrawal symptoms. 

 

When did the brain zaps start? If you have been taking your antidepressants inconsistently, you can get withdrawal symptoms while you're taking them, from the breaks in drug.

[jdj1rn]

Adverse reactions meaning increased cns agitation,  buzzing throughout my nervous system and brain .

I still have these symptoms with the lower dose.

 

[jdj1rn]

Hello, I'm still having reactions to my antidepressants. Symptoms: increased withdrawal like symptoms..lightheadedness, brain saps and so forth after I take my Zoloft 100mg and Effexor xr 150 mg.

As stated previously. I'm off Xanax since a October 2020 ( 2 months taper)

The only difference since my last post is I've been compliant with my antidepressants and take them every evening.

 

In addition,  to the xanax 2 months taper, my psychiatrist also taper the Zoloft from 200 mgs daily to 100mg daily and the Effexor er from 300 mg to 150 mg all at the same time.

 

MY Question! Should I hold my still hold my antidepressant doses or should I begin a taper? I would like to have all.psych meds out of my system.

 

If so. Taper advise is needed.

 

Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!

Jdj1rn 

[getofflex]

Previous post moved to your intro topic to keep your history all in one place.  

 

Please keep you questions and discussion of your situation to this one thread.  Thank you. 

[Kinga]

I see you have issue with your antydepressants due to benzo withdrawal

 

what kind of symptoms ?

[jdj1rn]

Edit.

Edited April 24, 2021 by jdj1rn
Cant find the correct thread

[jdj1rn]

Please advise related to my last Question @getofflexI hope I am responding in the correct thread. My poor brain! I find this site to be very confusing.  My apologies 

[getofflex]

Yes, you are responding to the correct thread.  

 

On 4/20/2021 at 8:08 AM, jdj1rn said:

Symptoms: increased withdrawal like symptoms..lightheadedness, brain saps and so forth after I take my Zoloft 100mg and Effexor xr 150 mg.

This indicates to me that you may be having an adverse reaction to your Zoloft and/or Effexor, since it happens after you take them. 

 

However, I also see that your doctors decreased both of your antidepressants 

On 4/20/2021 at 8:08 AM, jdj1rn said:

The only difference since my last post is I've been compliant with my antidepressants and take them every evening.

Were you missing or skipping doses in the past? 

On 4/20/2021 at 8:08 AM, jdj1rn said:

In addition,  to the xanax 2 months taper, my psychiatrist also taper the Zoloft from 200 mgs daily to 100mg daily and the Effexor er from 300 mg to 150 mg all at the same time.

It seems to me like your doctor made too many sudden changes to your psych meds in a short period of time.  Did he/she do this all at the same time?  When did the doc drop your doses of Zoloft and Effexor?  It would help if you updated your drug sig to include the approximate dates that all changes to your drugs were made.  

 

There is a lot going on here, and I don't know for sure what is causing what.  I will confer with the other mods, and one of us will get back to you. I'm very sorry you are going through this.  I know how hard it is from my own personal experience.  Hang in there, and we will help you through this.  

[jdj1rn]

Thank you @getofflex. The psychiatrist tampered all three at this same time during August and September of 2020. I declined anymore decreasing of my antidepressants in October.  She was going to taper me all the way off. I was in withdrawal hell, so I said no more at that time

 Still holding.

 

Thanks,

 

Jdj1rn 

[getofflex]

In my opinion that was a mistake on the part of your doctor. Have the symptoms improved any since then? What symptoms are you having now?  

[Altostrata]

@jdj1rn, I need to know the times of day you take your drugs, with their dosages -- your drug schedule. If you are taking any irregularly, that could be causing or aggravating your problems.

 

I also need to know if your symptoms are better or worse after you take each drug.

 

Until I see your schedule, I can't even begin to guess where your symptoms are coming from.

[Kinga]

Yes, Klonopin destroyed my nerve system. When starting to have reaction, intense stomach pain with electric shocks going thru my spine and headaches almost like fire in brain. I have even sensitivity to supplements right now. This is pure hell 

[jdj1rn]

On 4/24/2021 at 8:40 PM, Kinga said:

Yes, Klonopin destroyed my nerve system. When starting to have reaction, intense stomach pain with electric shocks going thru my spine and headaches almost like fire in brain. I have even sensitivity to supplements right now. This is pure hell 

 

[jdj1rn]

I am so confused about this thread. I've answered these questions a few times. I dont understand what @Kingastatement is related to.

 

Anyway, I'm still having adverse effects ( as stated) to my antidepressants.  I believe I am going to DC them. In at a loss. @Altostrata @getofflex taper plan please! Greatly appreciated 

[Altostrata]

On 4/24/2021 at 4:51 PM, Altostrata said:

I need to know the times of day you take your drugs, with their dosages -- your drug schedule.

 

What times o'clock do you take your drugs, with their dosages? What is your daily drug schedule with the times o'clock?

 

It is very unusual for someone to be taking Effexor AND Zoloft. Plus, you initially said you had benzo withdrawal syndrome. We need more detail about exactly when you take these drugs every day, with your symptom pattern.

 

Maybe this will make it easier for you: Please keep daily notes of times of day you take your drugs, their dosages, and your symptoms throughout the day. Post 24 hours of notes at a time in this topic, in a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom or drug and dosage) on the right. This can show if your symptoms are adverse effects from one of your drugs, which they very likely are because it's dumb of any doctor to prescribe Effexor and Zoloft together.

 

You take your drugs haphazardly? Another good source of psychiatric drug adverse effects.

 

I have no idea what will happen if you cold turkey your drugs. You have benzo withdrawal syndrome? You're likely to make it worse.

[jdj1rn]

@Altostrata as I stated. 150 mg Effexor xr, and 100 mg of Zoloft at bedtime. I've been compliant 6 weeks as noted. My symptoms are as stated above from the benzo withdrawal. ( brain zaps, lightheadedness, and so forth. )

When I take the 2 antidepressants at night, it appears to magnify my protracted withdrawal symptoms. That's why I take them at night until I get a taper plan. I want them out of my body and I feel they are hindering my recovery from x.

 

I want a taper plan. Can you provide it?

 

Greatly appreciated. 

[jdj1rn]

@Altostrata as I stated. 150 mg Effexor xr, and 100 mg of Zoloft at bedtime. I've been compliant 6 weeks as noted. My symptoms are as stated above from the benzo withdrawal. ( brain zaps, lightheadedness, and so forth. )

When I take the 2 antidepressants at night, it appears to magnify my protracted withdrawal symptoms. That's why I take them at night until I get a taper plan. I want them out of my body and I feel they are hindering my recovery from x.

 

I want a taper plan. Can you provide it?

 

Greatly appreciated. 

[Altostrata]

Please read my questions carefully and answer completely. For example, when I ask "what time o'clock", what I mean is 8:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. or whatever.

 

16 hours ago, jdj1rn said:

When I take the 2 antidepressants at night, it appears to magnify my protracted withdrawal symptoms.

 

What are these symptoms that you attribute to protracted withdrawal and what time do they occur? Are they worse before or after you take your drugs? And what time o'clock do any of the events occur?

 

You may note that I have asked repeatedly for specific times. That is because my method requires identifying time-bound patterns. I need specific times. I cannot just guess at what you should do, you could do that yourself -- or pay a doctor to do it.