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☼ MrAnxious: 3 months off Effexor XR (6 years on)


MrAnxious

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On 2/17/2018 at 3:27 PM, sollicitudo said:

So glad to see you are improving! 

 

Is your memory also improving. Your previous descriptions of your memory problems were so accurate. They still concern me 4 years out from effexor

Try biocare Cbd oil , it's from the USA and very effective. I also use omega fish oil and eat plant based, seems to be working :) This takes years to heal, but stay clean and off the poison and you should be progressing over time, all the best :)

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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On 1/6/2017 at 5:42 PM, SquirrellyGirl said:

Hi Mr. Anxious, nice to see you!  I've been away for awhile, myself, but your post made me want to chime in because I suffer from a lot of the same issues as you.  My past is a blur and I have difficulty reaching for words and articulating my thoughts, so I feel like a dolt around my highly intelligent family, both mine and my husband's.  

 

I lost a beloved dog a month ago and have been grieving hard.  He was young and had a future ahead of him as a performance dog, and he was my loyal buddy day in and out.  He was hit by a car and it was very traumatic losing him that way.  I cried hard every day for a month.  Today I feel blunted and unable to feel, numbed out.  I never had children and my dogs were always my kids.  Almost 20 years ago I lost two dogs to cancers and was totally traumatized, but today I can hardly remember them.  It makes me really sad that my memories are so faint, so because I don't want to forget this dog and feel him slipping away into a space that feels like he never existed.  I hate it!  Maybe it's just my way of coping, but my husband tells me he has explicit memories of my old dogs.  I envy him.

 

I was on ADs for 20 years and am still tapering off, so I don't know what lies ahead as far as cognitive recovery goes.  I'm hoping that life will pop more once I am off, and that memories will be better formed and recovered.  It sucks to really only have my present, though I know we are to live in the moment.  I would like to be able to remember my life!

 

Anyway, just wanted to commiserate and say that you sound good overall, strong and committed.  Good for you on the weight loss, too!

 

SG

Sorry about the long delay, sometimes I get so wrapped up I forget to reply. So sorry to hear about your pets , life can really give us some sour lemons sometimes but sometimes it gives up peaches. Focus on the present and let the past be, move forward , better days ahead. You will get better, it just takes time, you will find yourself again. I know it, stay strong , any questions feel free to ask :) Peace and love

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to ☼ MrAnxious: 3 months off Effexor XR (6 years on)
  • 1 month later...

Well it has been a good 6 years since being off effexor and a good 4 years of being off Buspar. I have been med free for 4+ years and it feels great. My question is....

 

I feel like my brain is sleeping and I am mentally fatigued and spaced out at times. I am trying Ashawaghanda and it has helped a bit but nothing seems to stimulate my mind and give it that woken up feeling.

 

I still stumble with my words and still have memory recall problems but what can I do to wake up my brain so I feel refreshed. It is the one thing I have not gotten back and I am afraid it is gone for good...HELP

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi MrAnxious - congratulations on being med-free for four years!  I've added your question to your existing topic. 

 

I would suggest fish oil, but it looks like you've already tried it.  Have you tried krill oil?  Some people find that more effective than fish oil.

2001–2002 paroxetine

2003  citalopram

2004-2008  paroxetine (various failed tapers) 
2008  paroxetine slow taper down to

2016  Aug off paroxetine
2016  citalopram May 20mg  Oct 15mg … slow taper down
2018  citalopram 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg 6 Jul 4.1mg 17 Aug 4.0mg  18 Nov 3.8mg
2019  15 Mar 3.6mg  21 May 3.4mg  26 Dec 3.2mg 

2020  19 Feb 3.0mg 19 Jul 2.9mg 16 Sep 2.8mg 25 Oct 2.7mg 23 Oct 2.6mg 24 Dec 2.5mg

2021   29 Aug 2.4mg   15 Nov 2.3mg

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2 hours ago, Songbird said:

Hi MrAnxious - congratulations on being med-free for four years!  I've added your question to your existing topic. 

 

I would suggest fish oil, but it looks like you've already tried it.  Have you tried krill oil?  Some people find that more effective than fish oil.

Yes I have tried both with little success. 

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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  • Administrator

Hi, MrA, have you been getting regular exercise? Are you getting enough sleep?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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On 5/8/2018 at 1:00 AM, Altostrata said:

Hi, MrA, have you been getting regular exercise? Are you getting enough sleep?

Hey Alto ! Nice to hear from you. How are you doing ? It has been forever. Thank you for this forum, it has been so helpful over the years. As for exercise, yes yes yes alot of it all the time and sleep has been so much better. My eating is impeccable so I am not sure really why my brain is so sluggish still. I have to find a way to wake up my brain. I feel like it has been depressed since going through wd and maybe I just have gotten use to most of it, you know. I never really get too excited about anything now, my emotions are more flat. Yet there are moments I will smile thinking of something but not often. I never had depression before these pills but I know what it is like to come out of a depression. Remind me if you have taken any supplements that have helped you with that please. Other than that I am working, have my own place and vehicle. I am 45lbs lighter since the drug :) would love to hear back from you. 

 

 

Thanks again,

 

Mr.A

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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  • Administrator

Sounds like you're doing well, congratulations. I don't have any recommendations about how you can perk up your brain. You may still be healing.

 

Did you ever try fish oil and magnesium supplements?

 

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Are you eating/ drinking anything that potentially causing this? Such as artificial additives?

Drug free Sep. 23 2017

2009 Mar.: lexapro 10mg for headache for 2 weeks.

2009-2012: on and off 1/4 to 1/3 of 10mg

2012 June--2013 Jan,: 1/4-1/3 of 10mg generic, bad jaw pain

2013 Jan-Mar: 10 mg generic. severe jaw and head pain;

2013 Mar--Aug. started tapering (liquid ever since) from 10 to 5 (one step) then gradually down to 2.25 mg by July. first ever panic attack, severe head/jaw pain

2013 Aug.: back to 2.75 mg; Nov: back to Brand Lex. 2.75mg -- 3mg,

2014 June: stopped PPI, head pressure/numbness. up-dosed 4.5mg, severe reaction mental symptoms added on

2014 Aug--2015 Aug: Micro taper down to 3.2mg, .025mg (<1%) cut holding 2-3 weeks.

2015 Aug 15th, Accidental one dose of 4.2mg. worsening brain non-functional, swollen head, body, coma like, DR

2016 Feb., started dosing 10am through 11 pm everyday 2/13--3.2mg, 3/15-- 2.9mg, 4/19-- 2.6mg, 6/26--2.2mg, 7/22 --1.9mg, 8/16--1.8mg,8/31--1.7m g, 9/13--1.6mg, 9/27--1.5mg, 10/8--1.4mg, 10/14--1.3mg, 11/1--1.2mg, 11/29--1.1mg, 12/12--1mg, 12/22--0.9mg

2017: 1/7--0.8mg, 1/15--0.7mg, 1/17--0.6mg, 1/20--0.52, 1/21--0.4mg, 1/22--0.26, 1/23--0.2, 2/13--0.13mg, 2/20--0.06mg, 3/18--0.13mg, 6/1--0.12mg, 7/6--0.1mg, 7/14--0.08mg, 8/17--0.04mg, 8/20--0.03mg, 8/28--0.02mg, 9/6--0.0205mg, 9/8--0.02mg, 9/17--0.015mg, 9/20--0.01mg, 9/21--0.0048mg, 9/22--0.0001mg,

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  • 2 months later...
On 5/9/2018 at 6:14 PM, Altostrata said:

Sounds like you're doing well, congratulations. I don't have any recommendations about how you can perk up your brain. You may still be healing.

 

Did you ever try fish oil and magnesium supplements?

 

Hey Alto, yes I have took fish oil but stopped it in the past year. Didn't feel like it was doing much. I just started taking a bigycinate Magnesium and so far so good, seems to be helping. 

 

Hope all is well with you, 

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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  • Administrator

Good to hear you're still seeing improvement, MrA.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 5 months later...

Update ! Not sure if anyone still follows me but I am still alive 👏🙌 It has been quite the ride folks but I have been med free since coming off them 5+ years ago. I switched to a plant based diet and that really made all the difference in the world, day and night 🌱🥕 I cut out all meat and dairy and the moment I did things got so much better fatigue wise and mentally. My recovery is coming along great and everyday I am thankful to be here. It does get better folks, it just takes time and some deep introspection and dietary changes. I haven't been back here for a long time because I have been busy enjoying life. Hang in there and stay clean, much love ! Any questions send them by 💙

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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1 minute ago, MrAnxious said:

Update ! Not sure if anyone still follows me but I am still alive 👏🙌 It has been quite the ride folks but I have been med free since coming off them 5+ years ago. I switched to a plant based diet and that really made all the difference in the world, day and night 🌱🥕 I cut out all meat and dairy and the moment I did things got so much better fatigue wise and mentally. My recovery is coming along great and everyday I am thankful to be here. It does get better folks, it just takes time and some deep introspection and dietary changes. I haven't been back here for a long time because I have been busy enjoying life. Hang in there and stay clean, much love ! Any questions send them by 💙

 

Hi MrAnxious, Glad to hear you are doing well. Im also dealing with Effexor withdrawl. Did your brain fog / derealization eventually go away? These are the hardest symptons for me to deal with. Be great to know if they went away and how long it took.

Paroxatine - 2004-2006

Effexor XR 75mg 2006 - 2016 (Discontinued Feb 2016) - Withdrawal for 6 months.

Effexor XR 75mg Re-instated June 2017 (Discontinued Dec 2017)

Effexor XR 2-3 mg Re-instated March 10 2018 - 1 day (Didn't work)

Effexor XR 2mg Reinstated (Again) May 11 2018. 6 Beads

July 2018 - 0.0mg of Effexor. Zilch

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Yes a lot of the symptoms went away, the brain fog is there at times but is getting better and improving but the derealization took like a good 4-5 years, be out in nature, meditate, yoga..it is there for a reason, this journey is yours for a reason, you need to find out more about yourself, it is a experience, not a misfortune, it is all how you frame it, derealization is torture at first but eventually it dissapates. All the best my friend, eat healthy it helps the most ! 

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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@MrAnxious, I am so happy to read that you're better and so excited you got your life back!!!! Yahooooooo!!!!!

-jan14 2016- off effexor!!-

wellbutrin:Jan 25/17;Start to split 100mg in half

-Feb 12/17;100-50mg -Apr 30/17;50-30mg liquid. -June 6/ 17;30-20mg -July6/17;updose to 26mg -Oct 18/17;13 to 12mg -Nov 24/17;12 to 11mg -Feb 21/18;22 to 20mg -Apr 2/18;20 to 18mg -Apr 30/18;18 to 16mg -May 22/18;16 to 14mg -June 18/18;14 to 12.4mg -July 15 /18;12.4 to 11.6mg -Nov5/18;11.2 to 10mg -Dec14/18;10 to 10.4mg

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  • Administrator

Yay! When can we expect your success story?

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 9 months later...
On 2/4/2019 at 11:52 PM, Lloyd said:

 

Hi MrAnxious, Glad to hear you are doing well. Im also dealing with Effexor withdrawl. Did your brain fog / derealization eventually go away? These are the hardest symptons for me to deal with. Be great to know if they went away and how long it took.

HEY, !!! Long time, my memory and finding words is my biggest struggle  withdrawl/drug did this. It is actually unbelievable what I know now after all of this.  How are your symptoms...almost 5 years big pharma free here !!!

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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On 2/5/2019 at 6:40 PM, Altostrata said:

Yay! When can we expect your success story?

Alto 😊 How have you been ? In March I will be 5 years med free, can you believe this, from the struggle that seemed to take my life, 180 now, but still have memory and wording issues, 37 years old now, so many parts of my life are great. Just have social anxiety because my brain seems slower processing now, can't win them all I guess. Success story is coming ! I survived, thank you again and hope your well 

2007-2012started Effexor xr 225mg -150mg- Varied2months of Taper,(March 22/2012 Off Med/in W/D)Currently No medicationMarch 22/2012- August 16/2012 - Totally Off Effexor( Rough Rough time) Reinstatement for a week(didn't work)****** New Doctor******* Very nice/helpful and in touch.Tried Zoloft- No successAUGUST 17/2012- STARTED 37.5 EFFEXOR FOR ONE WEEK - NOT GOOD < STOPPED.Started Buspar Oct 11th 2012----10 mg for the first 7 days and then 15mg a day---- Taking a new route----Racing thoughts - Gone.Oct 9th ( Done Zoloft,wellbutrin week project trial to feel better) - OFFICIALLY OFF ANTI DEPRESSANT !Oct 26 - Raised Buspar to 20mg a day- Tolerating wellJan 2nd 2013-

Reduce Buspar until full off march 20th 2015 Off all medication !

Tried natural supplements to no avail

Gluten/sugar free since december 2013

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Wow, just read your thread, well done! Your initial posts reflect the constant agitation of my own mind sometimes.....during WD. I'm waiting for stabilisation after switching to Venlafaxine. Truly, switching meds didn't really help, just substituted some different problems.

I'm delighted for you.

I'm also getting out into nature/ meditating, and for the first time, really facing up to my anxious brain. The solution is not through meds. And I agree, it's SO important to make meaning from your experience. 

All good wishes for your ever improving recovery 😊

January 2008 to April 2015 Citalopram 20mg to 5mg, reducing in 50 per cent leaps. Jumped off at 5mg

March 2016 used MDMA triggered setback

April 2016 Citalopram 10mg October 2016 cut to 5mg, May 2017 cut to 2.5mg

May 2018 used MDMA triggered setback

June 2018 Citalopram 2.5mg up to 10mg, then back to 5mg

July/ August 2018 7.5mg, then 10mg

June 2019 updosed to 20mg Citalopram

August 2019 cold switch to Venlafaxine 75mg XR

Supplements; 1100mg fish oil daily; also 100mg Magnesium Glycinate. Tried Vagifem 10mcg from mid May 2021 to mid June 2021; caused depression, so stopped.

 

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

MrAnxious has added his success story:

 

Success story:  mranxious-update-years-later

 

As we always do when a member writes their success story this topic will now be locked.

 

Congratulations MrAnxious!

* NO LONGER ACTIVE on SA *

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED:  (6 year taper)      0mg Pristiq  on 13th November 2021

ADs since ~1992:  25+ years - 1 unknown, Prozac (muscle weakness), Zoloft; citalopram (pooped out) CTed (very sick for 2.5 wks a few months after); Pristiq:  50mg 2012, 100mg beg 2013 (Serotonin Toxicity)  Tapering from Oct 2015 - 13 Nov 2021   LAST DOSE 0.0025mg

Post 0 updates start here    My tapering program     My Intro (goes to tapering graph)

 VIDEO:   Antidepressant Withdrawal Syndrome and its Management

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