Toffee: switching from paroxetine to venlafaxine

[Toffee]

I've been on paroxetine (Aropax), mostly at 20mg, for 20+ years for depression. I learnt early on that it was 'too hard' to stop taking, so have felt stuck with my situation.

 

I visited a new endocrinologist recently, who is the first person to tell me that taking paroxetine is probably causing elevated prolactin levels (a problem that started 15+ years ago and hasn't resolved with medication). Previously I was just told it was a microadenoma on my pituitary gland (I will be having a new MRI soon to see).

 

She wants me to transition off of Paroxetine 20mg to something else. I would like to be rid of it forever, but my previous tapering attempts have been disasters. My GP has prescribed Effexor (Venlafaxine), starting with 37.5mg. The schedule he has come up with is..... reduce to 10mg for 2 weeks... then 1 day off.... 1 day 10mg.....2 days off ...... 1 day 10mg ....... 3 days off ..... 1 day 10mg......4 days off ..... next day start Effexor.

 

I'm up to 2nd day of 3 days off and feeling pretty sh*tty. Emotions are all over the place (easy to cry), dizziness or other weird head feelings, some nausea which is sometimes associated with a churning tummy and need for the toilet. I went to the pharmacy today and they said I shouldn't need to do this on/off thing and having a washout of 2 days is within guidelines. 

 

Has anyone had any experience with transitioning between the 2 medications? Its not that I don't trust the doctor or pharmacist, but I've been told before "oh you'll be okay". 

 

My other question that neither professional could answer (or didn't seem to understand) is if I transition to Effexor will it be any easier to come off of ADs altogether? Or will my body just see it as a continuation of 20+ years of a similar drug and be just as hard to discontinue? Feeling a bit anxious about the whole situation.

 

Edited November 14, 2022 by ChessieCat
added spacing

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Toffee

 

As this is a site for going off drugs, we do not advise on drug switches for therapeutic purposes. However, your GP's schedule

 

On 11/14/2022 at 7:14 AM, Toffee said:

My GP has prescribed Effexor (Venlafaxine), starting with 37.5mg. The schedule he has come up with is..... reduce to 10mg for 2 weeks... then 1 day off.... 1 day 10mg.....2 days off ...... 1 day 10mg ....... 3 days off ..... 1 day 10mg......4 days off ..... next day start Effexor.

 

shows that he does not know anything about tapering paroxetine or switching antidepressants. See

 

 

NEVER SKIP DOSES TO TAPER 

 

Tips for tapering off paroxetine (Paxil, Seroxat)

 

Personally, I would not take advice about psychiatric drugs from your GP. Please let us know when you want to go off your antidepressant.