Harmonica: Coming of Effexor/Venlafaxine and Moving to Sertraline

[Harmonica]

Hi,

 

I have been on 150 mg Effexor/Venlafaxine for 9 years and it has helped my anxiety attacks. But my psychiatrist doesn't want me on effexor anymore as he feels that it is not really doing much for my depression and OCD symptoms. He has prescribed me to start taking 50 mg a day of Sertraline combined with my 150 mg of Venlafaxine. After a month he will see how it has been for me and will then begin tapering me off Venlafaxine.

 

He was just going to half my dose to 75 mg of venlafaxine and I had to insist that he hold his fire because I had heard so much about how difficult Venlafaxine can be to come off especially when done quickly. I knew this was coming so for the last two months I actually started counting out one bead a day. Today I counted out 62 beads. Tommorrow it will be 63 and so on....Thus far I have not experienced too many side effects other than some headaches and a bad gut but it's early days.

 

Has anyone taken Sertraline with Venlafaxine? Does anyone find Sertraline useful? The capsules that the beads are in are referred to as being extended release hard gelatin capsules. I want to use the beads I have removed to use later in my taper but where do I get these type of capsules? Thanks

[mammaP]

Hi Harmonica, I haven't heard of switching to sertralene before and think you are right to be reluctant.

It is common for anti depressants to 'poop out'  and cause problems after a few years, 

 

Taking one extra bead out each day will accumulate and you will find yourself hit by withdrawal symptoms

before very long. Venlafaxine is a nasty drug for withdrawal and needs to be tapered very carefully.

It would be best for you to hold for 3-4 weeks for and then start to taper slowly. 

I would avoid the sertralene, altogether and try non drug methods for coping with anxiety and depression.

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/ 

 

Here is the topic for tapering venlafaxine http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

 

It would be helpful if you could list your dose and time on the AD, plus any other medications and supplements

into your signature strip, here is how to do that. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

I am glad you are here, many of us arrived here in withdrawal and suffering, hopefully you will be able to avoid that by careful tapering

[Harmonica]

Thanks MammaP. These quacks really worry me. They're supposed to know what theyre doing but I had to tell him that just cutting my dose in half would be madness. He's a consultant for Gods sake. I can't quite make out what you're on regarding venlafaxine. Are you just taking 3 tiny beads each day now? Does such a small dose make a difference?

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Harmonica.

 

It's up to you whether you want to stay on one of these drugs or a combination for the rest of your life. Psychiatric diagnoses can be very inaccurate, and I question that doctor's judgment in pushing you into polypharmacy.

 

See our Symptoms and Self-care forum for non-drug ways to cope with symptoms.

 

Please take care about tapering during a time of stress. You may wish to hold on the tapering for a while until work is calmer.

[Harmonica]

 

I question that doctor's judgment in pushing you into polypharmacy.

 

 

Me too. Very much so. Thanks for the advice.

[Harmonica]

I've been tapering at one bead a day for about two months now but because I was doing fine I got cocky and started taking out two beads a day. That was a big mistake. Now after a week of doing this I am getting some withdrawals. Lightheadedness and stomach cramps. I will not reinstate because although they are unpleasant, so far they are tolerable. However, I will hold fire now and will not take anymore beads out for at least three weeks so that my system can stabilise. Does that sound like a plan?

[mammaP]

That is the best thing to do, hold until all symptoms of withdrawal have settled

and then add a couple of weeks!  

 

You would be amazed at the difference even 1 tiny bead can make, down to 4, then cut one more bead to 3

and get withdrawal symptoms, waiting to settle before considering another drop. 

 

When you restart your taper, it is best to reduce no more than 10% of the current dose, and allow  3-6 weeks

before the next drop. It takes time but there is no rush and has to be better than being on them for life!

[Harmonica]

You are absolutely right. I got so confident. I was taking one out a day and feeling absolutely no ill effects. Those beads are so small so I thought, how could taking two out a day make any difference, especially when the doctor wanted to just cut my dose in half in one fell swoop (I stil can't believe they think this is a good idea). Two beads a day makes a big difference and now for the first time I am definitely feeling withdrawals. My stomach feels like it has a bag of nails in there but I can handle it. I will now stay put here for at least 3 weeks and see how I go. Thanks again.