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Heart pounding (but not racing)


Abriton

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I successfully tapered Remeron with a liquid taper two months ago, after a fairly short time on it. It was given me in hospital for sleep.  I did not know it was an AD.

 

I wake every night twice at 3 and 5, then do not go back to sleep.  I have strong heart pounding when I wake.  Does anyone know how long this might go on?

 

 I have started EMDR therapy for PTSD after 2 years of physical problems, initially started with one only cortisone shot to an ankle, followed by spiking blood pressure,  anxiety attacks, Ativan, beta blockers, leading me to fall and fracture my femor, surgery to pin this, and then they gave me the Remeron.  I had excellent health prior to all this happening and never took anything!!!   As soon as I found out what Remeron and Ativan was I tapered them both.

 

Any help and advice with the heart pounding appreciated, and if it will go away in time.

 

Thanks

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My guess is that is triggered by the cortisol rise that starts about 3 a.m. You might want to check out the taurine thread. Another theory is that it starts from hypoglycemia in the night that triggers extra cortisol. Some people find that a complex carb/protein bedtime snack helps. It sounds like you are sensitive to things that affect your adrenal/stress hormones (I am very sensitive). Sleeping in complete darkness also helps some people, Good luck!

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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  • 2 months later...

I successfully tapered Remeron with a liquid taper two months ago, after a fairly short time on it. It was given me in hospital for sleep. I did not know it was an AD.

 

I wake every night twice at 3 and 5, then do not go back to sleep. I have strong heart pounding when I wake. Does anyone know how long this might go on?

 

I have started EMDR therapy for PTSD after 2 years of physical problems, initially started with one only cortisone shot to an ankle, followed by spiking blood pressure, anxiety attacks, Ativan, beta blockers, leading me to fall and fracture my femor, surgery to pin this, and then they gave me the Remeron. I had excellent health prior to all this happening and never took anything!!! As soon as I found out what Remeron and Ativan was I tapered them both.

 

Any help and advice with the heart pounding appreciated, and if it will go away in time.

 

Thanks

Paxil 10mg 21/2 years to June 2012 after a 2 month taper

 

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Sorry didn't it take ? I was just saying I wake at 3-330am and 5-530am with pounding heart, sometimes feel like whole body is pounding. Sometimes missed beats. Doesn't last very long. Tends to be worse at the 530am slot . Get anxiety with it too. Understand quite a lot of people get the same. Not nice

Paxil 10mg 21/2 years to June 2012 after a 2 month taper

 

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Meimei gave an excellent explanation above of why this seems to happen and suggestions to cope with it.

What happened and how I arrived here: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4243-cymbaltawithdrawal5600-introduction/#entry50878

 

July 2016 I have decided to leave my story here at SA unfinished. I have left my contact information in my profile for anyone who wishes to talk to me. I have a posting history spanning nearly 4 years and 3000+ posts all over the site.

 

Thank you to all who participated in my recovery. I'll miss talking to you but know that I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines, suffering and rejoicing with you in spirit, as you go on in your journey.

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Cressida, did you mean to post something?

Have a look at the thread Cortisol Mornings in the symptoms section. Lots of people have contributed really helpful info .

Paxil 10mg 21/2 years to June 2012 after a 2 month taper

 

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I`m very familiar with this. When I was hospitalized for 5 days last fall, I had the worst symptoms. Definitely a wd/stress related thing.

 

Meditative breathing has worked the best for me. I still get it sometimes but much milder.

08 Cipralex 10mg for about 6 months. 11-12 Cipralex 20mg. Unsuccesful WD. 12-13 Zoloft 100mg with Diazepam 10-20mg as needed for anxiety.
Fall 13 Tapering Zoloft 100->50->25->12,5->0 in 2,5 months and CT Diazepam. 12/24/13 RI Zoloft 12,5mg
.

1/21/14 11mg

3/18/14 9,9mg

2/18/14 8mg

4/22/14 7,6mg

5/5/14 7,2mg

5/12/14 -> cutting 0,5mg per week, holding when necessary.

8/18/14 -> cutting 0,25mg per week holding when necessary.

10/20/2014 -> cutting 0,1mg per week, holding when necessary.
12/28/2014 Jump!

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I also did EMDR therapy and ultimately I think it helped but during the process I think it brought things up to the surface so don't be surprised if you have worse anxiety during that type of treatment. My heart feels like it pounds off and on too.

I started out on zoloft 50 mg or 20mg (can't remember at that point) and was on it for a few months then decided I didn't want to take it because of the side effects so I cold turkey'd it and then was miserable and reinstated and all my symptoms went away and I felt normal. Stayed on it for a while tried lexapro 5mg for a month or two instead to see if I had less side effects. Then switched back to zoloft 20mg I think and weaned down to 6mg and jumped off too soon because it supposedly wasn't a "therapeutic dose" and was told it would be ok. Then I was going through withdrawal again so I reinstated again after about a month I switched to prozac because it's easier to wean off of supposedly. Weaned off over 9 month from 8mg Prozac. Then two months after stopping it on September 2, 2014. I went into withdrawal.

 

18 months off as of March 2, 2016

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  • 2 years later...

I have a problem with my heart pounding. Not fast like I have been running, but beating really hard. Blood pressure and heart rate are normal, but when laying in bed, or sitting down I can see and feel my chest moving with each beat. It's like I have been running, but without the rapid heart rate, just the heart beating so hard I can feel it throughout my body. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced anything like this.

Prozac 30 mg for many years.

Short two-week taper to 20 mg followed by 5 day washout period. (January 2017)

Lexapro 10 mg for 25 days. Stopped due to intolerable side-effects, notably palpitations and tinnitus. (February 2017)

Two day washout period before reinstating Prozac at 40 mg. (February 2017)

3 weeks later end up in ER due to severe palpitations and dizziness. (March 2017)

2 weeks of insomnia and intermittent akathisia. (March 2017)

Stabilization of Prozac dosage at 20 mg. (April 2017)

Gradual recovery and eventual return to work. (December 2017)

Reinstatement of Prozac dosage back to 30 mg gradually over 5 years. (February 2024)

 

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Yes, most noticeable when I go to bed and try and sleep and when I wake up.  It makes it difficult to get to sleep.  I also experience a strange sort of sensation as well as the pounding, it feels "floppy" like it flops from side to side.  I get better relief when I lie on my right side. I wish you good success with your Prozac taper once you have stabilised.

1995-2007      20mg Aropax/Paxil for pain.  Years of up and down doses

2008                Endep, Lexapro and then Esipram (hell!) CT (oh dear!)

2009                20mg Aropax.  Tried skipping doses for a year (more hell!)

                        2010                10mg.  10% taper.  Lasted 4 months. Crashed again

2011                5% taper. 9mg-7mg (hell got even worse!)

2012                2.5% taper.  6.6mg – 5.6mg (worser still & unbearable)

2013                5% taper.  Big mistake.  5.5mg – 4.6mg  (even worserer)

2014                2.5% taper.  4.9mg – 4.5mg;    2015 2.5% taper 4.4 - 4.0mg

2016                2.5% taper.  3.9mg  Feb 3.8   Mar 3.7  May 3.6   Jul 3.5

2017                2.5% taper.  Jan 3.4;   Mar 3.35;  Apr 3.3; Oct 3; Dec 2.9;

2018                2.5% taper. Jan 2.8; Mar 2.7; Mar: 2.75; Jun 2.7; Aug 2.6; Oct 2.5; Nov 2.4; Dec 2.3

2019                Jan 2.2; Feb 2.1;

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Thanks for the reply grandmaD. Would you say this symptom gets better or worse as you taper down?

Prozac 30 mg for many years.

Short two-week taper to 20 mg followed by 5 day washout period. (January 2017)

Lexapro 10 mg for 25 days. Stopped due to intolerable side-effects, notably palpitations and tinnitus. (February 2017)

Two day washout period before reinstating Prozac at 40 mg. (February 2017)

3 weeks later end up in ER due to severe palpitations and dizziness. (March 2017)

2 weeks of insomnia and intermittent akathisia. (March 2017)

Stabilization of Prozac dosage at 20 mg. (April 2017)

Gradual recovery and eventual return to work. (December 2017)

Reinstatement of Prozac dosage back to 30 mg gradually over 5 years. (February 2024)

 

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  • 2 years later...

Looking for others who have had the tapering side effect of heart pounding.   I'm towards the end of my Effexor taper;  was at 75 m.g. per day in April; am now at .15 mg per day using water titration method. 

My two issues are: 

 

1. I feel my heart beating too hard and am aware of my heart beating all the time.  BPM is fine; usually between 65 - 75 bpm. 

2.  At night, especially in the evenings, I feel like I'm not getting enough oxygen. 

 

I called my doctor a few days ago to get an appointment just to make sure nothing serious was wrong, and they wouldn't let me make a regular appointment and directed me to to the ER.  So I did; EKG, chest x-ray both negative for any problems; they said BP is "perfect" and they ran blood labs including thyroid and all came back normal. 

 

I am getting to the end of my rope with the heart pounding.  It's not really possible to relax when you can feel your heart beating too hard.  First time in my taper that I am tempted to just go back in up in dose, just to make it stop.  Has anyone else dealt with this??

Taking Venlafaxine - generic for Effexor -  have been at various doses over the years, up to 225 mg at one point - for almost 10 years.  Currently at 5 mg; tapering since June 2019.  Stuck at 5 mg; every time I reduce from 5 mg, I experience heart pounding (but not racing) until I cannot stand it and go back to 5 mg. 

Had taken Lorazepam - also for about 10 years - but successfully weaned off slowly;  summer of 2018 through spring of 2019. 

 

 

 

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  • Altostrata changed the title to Heart pounding (but not racing)
  • Administrator

jessie, please see the discussion above.

 

This is such a common withdrawal symptom, I'm surprised there isn't more discussion. If you use search in the Symptoms forum for "heart pounding", you'll see a lot of people mentioning it in related topics.

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.

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10 hours ago, jessie said:

À la recherche d'autres personnes qui ont eu pour effet secondaire d'atténuer les battements de cœur. Je suis vers la fin de mon cône Effexor; était à 75 mg par jour en avril; suis maintenant à 0,15 mg par jour en utilisant la méthode de titration de l’eau. 

Mes deux problèmes sont: 

 

1. Je sens mon cœur battre trop fort et je suis conscient que mon cœur bat tout le temps. BPM va bien; généralement entre 65 et 75 bpm. 

2. La nuit, surtout le soir, j'ai l'impression de ne pas avoir assez d'oxygène. 

 

Il y a quelques jours, j'ai téléphoné à mon médecin pour obtenir un rendez-vous afin de m'assurer que tout ce qui était grave était grave. Ils ne m'ont pas laissé prendre un rendez-vous régulier et m'ont dirigé vers les urgences. Alors j'ai fait; EKG, radiographie pulmonaire négative pour tous les problèmes; ils ont dit que BP était "parfaite" et qu'ils dirigeaient des laboratoires de sang, y compris de la thyroïde, et que tout est revenu normalement. 

 

J'arrive au bout de ma corde avec le cœur qui bat la chamade. Ce n'est pas vraiment possible de se détendre quand vous sentez votre cœur battre trop fort. C'est la première fois dans ma dépouille que je suis tenté de remonter en dose, juste pour que ça s'arrête. Est-ce que quelqu'un d'autre s'est occupé de ça ??

 

@jessie Hi jessie

i have exactly the same thing it is weaning that induces tachycardia have a good day

Deroxat (paxil) 20 mg pour 10 ml

12/14 18 mg réduction de 5% tous les mois 13/01/15 14.4mg 15/08 9,6 mg 16.01 reduction3% 8 mg par mois 16/02 7,8 mg 18.02 3 mg

18.03 2,92 à 3% 5 mai 2018 2,74 mg 3% 5 mai 2018 2,74 mg 3% 5 mai 2018 2,74 mg 3% 5 mai 2018 2,74 mg

 18/06 2,66 mg

26/06/18 2,58 mg en 26 jours

19/03 1,78 mg 15 jours

19/04 1, 64 mg 21 jours

19/05 1,58 mg

24/07/19 1,44 mg

14/08/19 1,4 mg

27/09/19 1,48 mg

10/09/19 retour à 1,58 mg  27/12/19 retour à 1,65mg direct transition to fluoxetine the 11/01/2020 1,65mg

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 10/24/2019 at 3:18 PM, Altostrata said:

jessie, please see the discussion above.

 

This is such a common withdrawal symptom, I'm surprised there isn't more discussion. If you use search in the Symptoms forum for "heart pounding", you'll see a lot of people mentioning it in related topics.

Hi Alto,

In my tapering, I also recently started developing these same symptoms (heart pounding) that everyone else has mentioned in this topic. My doctor is prescribing beta blockers to help. Do you have any thoughts on this or any other area on this site that talks about it. I've been doing well so far managing my symptoms through various naturopathic approaches so this would be the first time I'm resorting to medication to aid with my withdrawal symptoms.

Effexor XR 37.5mg (1st time 2003-2004 / 2nd time 2007-2008 / 3rd time 2010-current) Attempted to get off again in July of 2015 and did a year long taper only to reinstate by June 2016 due to failed taper. By July 2017 started to give this another try.

 

7.01.17 - 37.5mg fast forward to 3.25.18 - 26 mg  / 4.27.18 - 23.4 mg  / 5.20.18 - 21 mg  / 6.24.18 - 18.9 mg / 9.7.18 - 17 mg  / 10.13.18 - 15 mg / 11.10.18 - 13.5 mg 12.24.18 - 12 mg / 2.10.19 - 11 mg  / 3.6.19 - Updose to 13 mg and was better only for a month so decided to continue with tapering process. / 5.18.19 - 12 mg / 6.12.19 - 11 mg  / 7.7.19 - 11 mg  / 8.22.19 - 10 mg  / 10.4.19 - 9 mg   / 11.29.19 - 8.5mg / 12.16.19 - 8 mg / 1.24.20 - 7.5mg / 3.15.20 - 6.5mg / 3.29.20 - 6 mgs / 5.9.20  - 5.5 mgs / 5.23.20 - 5 mgs / 6.29.20 - 4.5 mgs / 7.10.20 - 4.25mgs / 7.24.20 - 4 mgs / 8.18.20 - 3.75mg / 9.1.20 - 3.5 mgs / 9.29.20 - 3 mgs but Horrendous insomnia suddenly appear preventing further tapering.

 

10.9.20 - Effexor Updose to 3.5mg

10.18.20 - Effexor Updose to 4 - 4.5 mg but no relief and insomnia got worse so.....

11.04.20 Effexor jump! with direct switch to Prozac 10mg.

12.4 - prozac 7.5mg 

12.20 - prozac 4mg 

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  • Administrator

@whatshappening, you're tapering too fast. Please update your Introductions topic.

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.

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  • 1 month later...
On 10/24/2019 at 6:18 PM, Altostrata said:

jessie, please see the discussion above.

 

This is such a common withdrawal symptom, I'm surprised there isn't more discussion. If you use search in the Symptoms forum for "heart pounding", you'll see a lot of people mentioning it in related topics.

Oh my gosh I never got a notification that anybody responded to my post, I just logged in here and saw. Thank you for answering,  I am relieved to see/read that others have had this problem and it's not just me.  Not that I wish others misery but  you know what I mean. 

Taking Venlafaxine - generic for Effexor -  have been at various doses over the years, up to 225 mg at one point - for almost 10 years.  Currently at 5 mg; tapering since June 2019.  Stuck at 5 mg; every time I reduce from 5 mg, I experience heart pounding (but not racing) until I cannot stand it and go back to 5 mg. 

Had taken Lorazepam - also for about 10 years - but successfully weaned off slowly;  summer of 2018 through spring of 2019. 

 

 

 

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I've posted before about my heart pounding and not being able to get past the 5mg dose of Effexor and am posting again in hopes that someone has a doctor or an experience that helped them get past this problem.

 

I have been stuck at 5mg of Effexor for months now and am so frustrated that I cannot further reduce/stop taking this damn medicine.

 

At lower than 5mg, I can feel my heart pounding and it's so stressful and uncomfortable.  Who can relax or feel okay when their heart is beating too hard for no reason, hour after hour?  

 

My heart rate and BP are completely normal.  It's just a feeling of it beating too HARD and being constantly aware of my heart beating which obviously is not normal.

 

Has anyone had any luck with this problem, a solution or a doctor who prescribed them something to temporarily get past it so that they could complete their taper off an antidepressant? 

Taking Venlafaxine - generic for Effexor -  have been at various doses over the years, up to 225 mg at one point - for almost 10 years.  Currently at 5 mg; tapering since June 2019.  Stuck at 5 mg; every time I reduce from 5 mg, I experience heart pounding (but not racing) until I cannot stand it and go back to 5 mg. 

Had taken Lorazepam - also for about 10 years - but successfully weaned off slowly;  summer of 2018 through spring of 2019. 

 

 

 

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On 10/13/2014 at 8:15 AM, Abriton said:

I successfully tapered Remeron with a liquid taper two months ago, after a fairly short time on it. It was given me in hospital for sleep.  I did not know it was an AD.

 

I wake every night twice at 3 and 5, then do not go back to sleep.  I have strong heart pounding when I wake.  Does anyone know how long this might go on?

 

 I have started EMDR therapy for PTSD after 2 years of physical problems, initially started with one only cortisone shot to an ankle, followed by spiking blood pressure,  anxiety attacks, Ativan, beta blockers, leading me to fall and fracture my femor, surgery to pin this, and then they gave me the Remeron.  I had excellent health prior to all this happening and never took anything!!!   As soon as I found out what Remeron and Ativan was I tapered them both.

 

Any help and advice with the heart pounding appreciated, and if it will go away in time.

 

Thanks

 

Hi, you posted this a long time ago but if you are still around on this forum -- did you ever find a solution? I have heart pounding/not racing and it's preventing me from completing my taper off of Effexor. 

Taking Venlafaxine - generic for Effexor -  have been at various doses over the years, up to 225 mg at one point - for almost 10 years.  Currently at 5 mg; tapering since June 2019.  Stuck at 5 mg; every time I reduce from 5 mg, I experience heart pounding (but not racing) until I cannot stand it and go back to 5 mg. 

Had taken Lorazepam - also for about 10 years - but successfully weaned off slowly;  summer of 2018 through spring of 2019. 

 

 

 

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  • manymoretodays changed the title to jessie: Has anyone found a solution to heart pounding
On 1/1/2020 at 11:16 AM, jessie said:

I've posted before about my heart pounding and not being able to get past the 5mg dose of Effexor and am posting again in hopes that someone has a doctor or an experience that helped them get past this problem.

 

I have been stuck at 5mg of Effexor for months now and am so frustrated that I cannot further reduce/stop taking this damn medicine.

 

At lower than 5mg, I can feel my heart pounding and it's so stressful and uncomfortable.  Who can relax or feel okay when their heart is beating too hard for no reason, hour after hour?  

 

My heart rate and BP are completely normal.  It's just a feeling of it beating too HARD and being constantly aware of my heart beating which obviously is not normal.

 

Has anyone had any luck with this problem, a solution or a doctor who prescribed them something to temporarily get past it so that they could complete their taper off an antidepressant? 

Hi Jessie, 

I, like you, am trying to get off Effexor. Currently at 8mg. The pounding heart rate that I was experiencing a month ago was transient as well as all my other symptoms. I tried the beta blockers for a week which helped but decided to not take it since it’s just another medication masking the symptoms of another. Best for me was trying to let it pass and meditate with it at night. It’s a form of meditation that allows you to get past pain. What you accept subsides. What you resist persists. 
 

another thing I noticed is how much excitement I’ve had during the day or adrenaline from stressing events that I am currently undergoing. It seemed evident when I had a very stressful school project but now that that’s over the pounding heart rate I was feeling is not an issue at the moment. Not today it won’t return. As I mention with this taper I’ve noticed symptoms being more so transient so knowing that there are windows to these waves helps. 
 

my perception on the pounding heart rate is that it’s not actually pounding any different than normal and when you were actually on your higher doses of Effexor. It’s just that now your nervous system is so heightened that you can feel it and are aware of it 10x more. For my example, there is things I can smell more strongly than those around me. I call it my special spidey senses 😀

Effexor XR 37.5mg (1st time 2003-2004 / 2nd time 2007-2008 / 3rd time 2010-current) Attempted to get off again in July of 2015 and did a year long taper only to reinstate by June 2016 due to failed taper. By July 2017 started to give this another try.

 

7.01.17 - 37.5mg fast forward to 3.25.18 - 26 mg  / 4.27.18 - 23.4 mg  / 5.20.18 - 21 mg  / 6.24.18 - 18.9 mg / 9.7.18 - 17 mg  / 10.13.18 - 15 mg / 11.10.18 - 13.5 mg 12.24.18 - 12 mg / 2.10.19 - 11 mg  / 3.6.19 - Updose to 13 mg and was better only for a month so decided to continue with tapering process. / 5.18.19 - 12 mg / 6.12.19 - 11 mg  / 7.7.19 - 11 mg  / 8.22.19 - 10 mg  / 10.4.19 - 9 mg   / 11.29.19 - 8.5mg / 12.16.19 - 8 mg / 1.24.20 - 7.5mg / 3.15.20 - 6.5mg / 3.29.20 - 6 mgs / 5.9.20  - 5.5 mgs / 5.23.20 - 5 mgs / 6.29.20 - 4.5 mgs / 7.10.20 - 4.25mgs / 7.24.20 - 4 mgs / 8.18.20 - 3.75mg / 9.1.20 - 3.5 mgs / 9.29.20 - 3 mgs but Horrendous insomnia suddenly appear preventing further tapering.

 

10.9.20 - Effexor Updose to 3.5mg

10.18.20 - Effexor Updose to 4 - 4.5 mg but no relief and insomnia got worse so.....

11.04.20 Effexor jump! with direct switch to Prozac 10mg.

12.4 - prozac 7.5mg 

12.20 - prozac 4mg 

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