linnyh Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 what if you're already tapering the benzo? long story short, began taper off 3mg/Ativan per day (6 years) and also taking between 75-112.5 Effexor XR over same period of time. doctor took me off ativan and put me on 10mg valium. such severe s/e the 1st week I started with 20 and of course, ran out early. he refused to give me more. i went to the ER. they gave me 10 .5 tabs of xanax (which I don't even like and still have). meanwhile my doctor fired me as a patient because I was raging at how cruel he was being, etc. And no other low-income psych's available for 6 months in my area (downstate Illinois). I'm still taking effexor (don't dare start titrating that right now). i have about 6 5mg valium left and am now down to 5mg per day and then have to c/t. (or does anyone have experience using the xanax first and saving the v for last.) can anyone help or speak from their own experience or have any advice? (I know it's not medical advice) just desperately need help. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted October 2, 2012 Administrator Share Posted October 2, 2012 See my response here http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3051-linnyh-going-off-ativan-on-effexor-xr/ 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. Link to comment
linnyh Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 Hi, I am forcing myself to titrate by Effexor XR due to I might not be able to get anymore within a couple of months. I am also on 10mg valium. I'm thinking I should stay on the valium until I get off the Effexor. Does anyone have any experience with this and/or what would you recommend? I know you can't give medical advice; I'm just wondering about personal experience, etc. Thanks. Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 14, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 14, 2012 Welcome, linnyh. Thank you for joining us. Have you seen this topic http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/ It's about that very question. Also, tips for tapering Effexor XR http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ You may be able to get generic Effexor for less than $10 per prescriptino, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2411-getting-your-prescription-filled-on-a-budget/ 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. Link to comment
linnyh Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 I am on 5 mg valium and 112.5mg effexor with only about 30 days left and no way to get more. What am I going to do? Am I going to die if I go c/t? Link to comment
Administrator Altostrata Posted November 16, 2012 Administrator Share Posted November 16, 2012 Going cold turkey off Valium is truly dangerous. Do not do this. Going cold turkey off Effexor XR is a little less dangerous but could lead to suffering withdrawal symptoms for a long time. Any MD can write a prescription. Generic medications can be very inexpensive, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2411-getting-your-prescription-filled-on-a-budget/ 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. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted November 16, 2012 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted November 16, 2012 why do you think you cant get any more? Please note - I am not a medical practitioner and I do not give medical advice. I offer an opinion based on my own experiences, reading and discussion with others.On Effexor for 2 months at the start of 2005. Had extreme insomnia as an adverse reaction. Changed to mirtazapine. Have been trying to get off since mid 2008 with numerous failures including CTs and slow (but not slow enough tapers)Have slow tapered at 10 per cent or less for years. I have liquid mirtazapine made at a compounding chemist. Was on 1.6 ml as at 19 March 2014. Dropped to 1.5 ml 7 June 2014. Dropped to 1.4 in about September. Dropped to 1.3 on 20 December 2014. Dropped to 1.2 in mid Jan 2015. Dropped to 1 ml in late Feb 2015. I think my old medication had run out of puff so I tried 1ml when I got the new stuff and it seems to be going ok. Sleep has been good over the last week (as of 13/3/15). Dropped to 1/2 ml 14/11/15 Fatigue still there as are memory and cognition problems. Sleep is patchy but liveable compared to what it has been in the past. DRUG FREE - as at 1st May 2017 >My intro post is here - http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2250-dalsaan Link to comment
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