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, 2023 Mentor Share Posted August 2, 2023 @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 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 but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmMom Posted August 2, 2023 Author Share Posted August 2, 2023 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, 2023 Mentor Share Posted August 2, 2023 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 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 but in doing so I kindled myself 2024: 1/1: 35.6 mg (-6 beads) | 2/1: 33.8 mg (-11 beads) | 3/1: 32.1 mg (-16 beads) | 4/1: (-18 beads) Reasons for starting psych meds: PMDD/Depression, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Other medications: Levothyroxine 75 mcg Supplements: Dr. Berg's Electrolyte Powder on occasion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmMom Posted August 3, 2023 Author Share Posted August 3, 2023 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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