SBGny- First Effexor now Prozac-the last month has been brutal

[sbgny]

What a nightmare... Effexor for years at 37.5 from my GP then 18 months ago GP doubled it as my ongoing unemployment triggered deeper depression. Now , I started seeing a psychologist who thought my dose was super low for my "textbook" depression symptoms and sent me to a psychiatrist to alter my medication. He said to taper off Effexor by going back to 37.5 for a week then off completely, all the while starting Prozac 10mg to help. The Prozac hasn't helped at all- actually made me physically worse. I finally pretty much stopped the brain flurries from Effexor withdrawal but the nausea, diarrhea, major headache and overall body stiffness and yawning had completely sidelined me. Now, the doctor left me a message to get off Prozac given how I feel. I've been on 10 mg for 2 1/2 weeks. How do I taper? 5 mg for a week. I want out of the pills. How in the world do I get off these pills that make me feel so bad and yet combat the depression?? This is crazy. Which is the lesser of 2 evils? Which drug do i try next?

[dalsaan]

HI SBGny.

 

Welcome to the site. Sorry to hear you have had such a difficult time. To be honest, its completely understandable. The way in which you

were advised to taper is brutal and then to compound that with possible adverse effects of Prozac is really difficult.

 

We advise people to reduce their dose by 10% and hold for a little while between drops to stabalize. That is a lot slower than what you did.

 

From here, I would recommend that you reinstate your effexor, perhaps at the 37 mg mark and see if that alleviates your symptoms. If it does you

can then taper off using the 10% rule. If it doesn't alleviate your symptoms you might have to go higher until you can find a point that your nervous

system can handle.

 

There is a lot of info on tapering off Effexor here My link

 

In regard to the Prozac, I would probably taper at the rate you suggest. Given you havent been on it for long, going off this might be relatively easy and when you are off it you will

be in more of a position to know what you are reacting to - the absence of effexor, rather than the presence of Prozac.

 

I know that you are likely to be saying I dont want to be on any of them. But, reinstatement will enable your nervous system the opportunity to recover from the shock of a relatively sudden withdrawal and you can then taper appropriately (giving your system a chance to adjust incrementally) Your system is telling you loud and clear that its not coping. We know that Effexor is a harsh drug to come off. There would be very few people who could drop it in the way you were advised to and not have severe withdrawals.

 

Read the info on this site and dont be afraid to ask questions.

 

Dalsaan

[xDebbiejo]

Hi SBGny

 

Welcome !

 

I was once put on Prozac, it was not helpful for me either, it made me anxious and jittery.

 

The advice is excellent on this site from people who have experienced the effects of AD

 

I was suffering really bad with WD when I found this site.

I was advised to reinstate, it took a while but I am now stable and on 7mg of seroxat/Paxil

 

Wishing you relief soon

 

Debbie x

[strawberry17]

Welcome to the forums SBGny, sorry you've been taken off the Effexor so fast, that was pretty brutal, why do doctors do that?

[Altostrata]

Welcome, SB.

 

You've been off Effexor for 2.5 weeks?

 

You might be having an adverse effect from the Prozac, or you may be having severe Effexor withdrawal which is not being helped by the Prozac.

 

If I were in your place, I might decrease the Prozac by 5mg while taking 37.5mg Effexor for a week, then drop the Prozac.

 

I hope this alleviates your Effexor withdrawal symptoms.

 

This is a peer support community for going off medications. We can't advise you what drug to take next.

 

As you can see, one can have worse problems than "depression" when the medications go wrong. I strongly recommend you apply yourself to learn non-drug techniques to deal with your depression.