FarmMom Posted April 27, 2021 Share Posted April 27, 2021 Hello all, I have suffered for now 3 months to day, I have no appetite, hard to eat, down 26 pounds in 3 months, and terrible insomnia. I am seeing my doctor today and I am desperate. I don't know what she will recommend, all blood work is normal. I never had any problems tapering until January after receiving the COVID vaccine (Pfizer). Not sure if the stress of the vaccine threw me in withdrawal, but the suffering isn't improving. I wish I had never gotten it, but I can't change that. Looking for recommendations for my PCP. Should I attempt the smallest dose of prozac, increase my venlafexine dose, or ask for soemthing to help me sleep. I really need my appetite to return. I am so weak and I must be able to work. Effexor 75mg 2007 2014 dropped to 37.5mg per MD. Back to 75mg in 4 days. February 2020 began slow taper 7-10% monthly 75mg-12.20.20 23.75mg 1.7.21 22.45mg, 1.28 21.1 mg, Received COVID vaccine Pfizer- had increase heart rate which led to panic attack, nausea, lost appetite. 5 days of severe panic/anxiety after 1.31.21 increased 22.9mg, 2.25.21 increased 23.25mg, 3.14.21 22.5mg 3.23.21 22.125mg, Had a sudden loss of family member. Loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea 3.25.21 Increased 22.5mg, 4.8.21 increased 23.625 mg, 4.19.21 increase 24.75 mg 5.1.21 Increased 31mg (had a few good days and felt hungry) 5.15.21 Increased 37.5mg (emotional numbness set in) June 5.21 Increased 43.75mg June 15.21 Increased 50mg Since 2007 I have also had alprazolam 0.25mg prescribed, but use infrequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Catina7 Posted August 2 Mentor Share Posted August 2 @FarmMom, how are you doing now? Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg (due to insomnia from Cymbalta) 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg I have been holding in order to stabilize. I will resume my taper in January 2024. Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: I sporadically take Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder, Magnesium Glycinate, Fish Oil, & Vitamin D3/K2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmMom Posted August 2 Author Share Posted August 2 Hi @Catina7 I slowly increased back up and am at 68mg right now but am glad to say I am doing well and enjoying life. It was so terrible what I went through that I'm not sure I will attempt to taper again 😭 I am very grateful for where I am today! How are you? 1 Effexor 75mg 2007 2014 dropped to 37.5mg per MD. Back to 75mg in 4 days. February 2020 began slow taper 7-10% monthly 75mg-12.20.20 23.75mg 1.7.21 22.45mg, 1.28 21.1 mg, Received COVID vaccine Pfizer- had increase heart rate which led to panic attack, nausea, lost appetite. 5 days of severe panic/anxiety after 1.31.21 increased 22.9mg, 2.25.21 increased 23.25mg, 3.14.21 22.5mg 3.23.21 22.125mg, Had a sudden loss of family member. Loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea 3.25.21 Increased 22.5mg, 4.8.21 increased 23.625 mg, 4.19.21 increase 24.75 mg 5.1.21 Increased 31mg (had a few good days and felt hungry) 5.15.21 Increased 37.5mg (emotional numbness set in) June 5.21 Increased 43.75mg June 15.21 Increased 50mg Since 2007 I have also had alprazolam 0.25mg prescribed, but use infrequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentor Catina7 Posted August 2 Mentor Share Posted August 2 Just now, FarmMom said: Hi @Catina7 I slowly increased back up and am at 68mg right now but am glad to say I am doing well and enjoying life. It was so terrible what I went through that I'm not sure I will attempt to taper again 😭 I am very grateful for where I am today! How are you? I'm glad you're doing better 😊. I went through a similar nightmare with the Effexor. I'm currently at 37. mg and am scared to taper any further, although I desperately want to be off of it. Disclaimer: This is not professional medical advice but is based on personal experience only. 1994 - 2017: Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Seroquel, Buspar, Lorazepam, Xanax, Ambien 2005-present: Trazodone 50 mg (due to insomnia from Cymbalta) 2017: Effexor XR 37.5 >> 75 mg 2020 (March): Began 10% monthly taper of Effexor XR (got down to 12 mg) 2021 (September): Completely crashed. Went back up to 37.5 mg I have been holding in order to stabilize. I will resume my taper in January 2024. Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: I sporadically take Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder, Magnesium Glycinate, Fish Oil, & Vitamin D3/K2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmMom Posted August 3 Author Share Posted August 3 I wish I had stopped going up but was desperate. I often think of getting back to 75 since I'm so close and I don't have to count anymore. Glad to hear you're doing better also. The crashing most definitely causes a traumatic response. I never had an issue tapering until I did. Effexor 75mg 2007 2014 dropped to 37.5mg per MD. Back to 75mg in 4 days. February 2020 began slow taper 7-10% monthly 75mg-12.20.20 23.75mg 1.7.21 22.45mg, 1.28 21.1 mg, Received COVID vaccine Pfizer- had increase heart rate which led to panic attack, nausea, lost appetite. 5 days of severe panic/anxiety after 1.31.21 increased 22.9mg, 2.25.21 increased 23.25mg, 3.14.21 22.5mg 3.23.21 22.125mg, Had a sudden loss of family member. Loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea 3.25.21 Increased 22.5mg, 4.8.21 increased 23.625 mg, 4.19.21 increase 24.75 mg 5.1.21 Increased 31mg (had a few good days and felt hungry) 5.15.21 Increased 37.5mg (emotional numbness set in) June 5.21 Increased 43.75mg June 15.21 Increased 50mg Since 2007 I have also had alprazolam 0.25mg prescribed, but use infrequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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