Pero13: Effexor only 4 doses.Do I need tapering?

[Pero13]

Hi to all.I'm 30 male/non smoker non drinker.6 months ago I was having high anxiety.Health anxiety.Everyday another symptoms and another pain.Until one day I was all shaking,got nauseous and having anxiety attack.

 

So I visited therapist and she put me on xanax 0.25 x 2per day and zoloft 50 mg morning.

My anxiety become more intense,I developed agoraphobia,dizziness,tremor.

 

I try with higher dose of Xanax and was feeling better only for day or two.So I become addicted to Xanax.After 3 hard months I slowly quit zoloft and xanax and I was switched only to diazepam 2mg x2.

 

I have good day but also developed panic attack and I was no same person.

 

These week I visited my therapist again and she give me Effexor 37.5mg.

 

After 3 dose I was feeling awful, anxious, nauseous,trembling,dizzy.So I want to stop taking them.I thing AD worsening my condition.Did I need slowly to reduce my dose or just quit cold turkey after 4 doses.tnx

 

Edited December 3, 2021 by ChessieCat

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  From what you are describing to me, it sounds as if these drugs do not agree with you, and you are having an adverse reaction to them.  Yes, you can quit cold turkey after only 4 doses.  If it were me, I would get off the Effexor right away.   Your symptoms are probably from a combination of withdrawal symptoms from stopping the previous drugs, as well as the adverse reaction from Zoloft and Effexor.  

 

It's great that you do not smoke or drink.  This will help you in your recovery. 

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise vertical list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper so slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

This link explains about adverse reactions:  

 

Adverse Reaction

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

[Pero13]

Wow thank you for your explanation.Today I didn't take Effexor.I'm feeling little better.

 

Edited December 6, 2021 by ChessieCat
removed blank quote

[ChessieCat]

That's good that you feel a bit better.

 

Please continue to let us know how you are.

 

Please be aware that because of the issues that you have experienced, your nervous symptom may have been sensitised. 

 

Please note that I am NOT suggesting that you reinstate or take a different drug but if you did decide to reinstate Zoloft or take a different drug, then it would be better to start with a very small dose to see how it affects you.  Taking too much of a drug, even one that you took before, might make things worse.  The effect on the nervous system is cumulative and what worked for you before might not work the next time.