jcd07 Posted May 28, 2017 Share Posted May 28, 2017 I'm a 31 yr old female. In November of last year I began tapering my off of Effexor. I have taken 225 mg for 10 yrs. I also stopped taking birth control. I decreased 25 mg every two weeks and this was under the supervision of my dr. My withdrawal symptoms were quite bad so I asked my dr to take Prozac as I had read it can relieve the withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. Unfortunately I had awful side effects from Prozac (dizziness, excessive sweating, nausea etc) so I weaned of off Prozac after a month. Over the next few weeks I had to stop working due to how sick I was. I developed severe acid reflux and heartburn, nausea, disoriented, gained a significant amount of weight, severe headaches, etc. I went to emerg and had a ct scan, bloodwork, etc. Everything was fine. I should mention I have hashimotos disease (an autoimmune disease) and had my thyroid levels checked and they are normal. I'm still feeling awful. When will I be feeling better?? I've started to take vitamin b, d, c, fish oil, probiotics, and have cut dairy out of my diet in an attempt to feel better but nothing yet. Is there anything else I can do to feel better?? 225 mg Effexor 10 yrs / 40 mg Prozac 3 months Effexor free 3 months / Prozac free 1 month Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus SkyBlue Posted May 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 29, 2017 Hello JCD; I want to welcome you to the SA site. You have come to the right place. One of the awesome moderators will be along shortly and give some more information. People definitely do get better and recover. There is more knowledge on this site than what doctors have to offer in terms of withdrawal. <3 2020: After 18+ years (entire adult life) on Paxil, a dangerous doctor-led "taper" in 2015, and four years tapering off the last 1 mg thanks to SA and the Brassmonkey slide, I AM COMPLETELY FREE OF PAXIL! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Forever. 2021: Began conservative, proper, CNS-respecting taper of Zoloft, led by the only expert on me -- me. Making own liquid. 5-10% plus holds. 2022: Holding on Zoloft for now. Current dose 47 mg. Hanging in, hanging on. Severe protracted PAWS, windows and waves. While I may not be doing "a lot" by outside standards, things are graaaaadually getting better. Yoga (gentle to medium); walks; daily breath practice; nutrition, fruits/veg; nature; water; EastEnders (lol); practicing self-compassion, self-care; boundaries; connection; allowing feelings; t r u s t ing that I, too, will heal. (--> may need to be reminded of this.) "You are not alone, and this is not the end of your story." - Baylissa Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted May 29, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted May 29, 2017 Hi JCD, I am so sorry to read that you have been advised this very risky taper by your doctor, sadly they do not know anything about tapering these drugs. You are suffering from withdrawal and it is possible that a very tiny dose of effexor could help. Just 4 beads from a capsule could be enough to relieve some of the awful symptoms for you. I also tapered effexor too fast and those 4 beads made a huge difference. If it helps, you can then start to taper off those 4 beads when you have been stable for a few months. No-one EVER wants to reinstate, but it is the best option for a lot of people. It takes 4 days for the dose to reach a steady level in the blood. Here is the topic on reinstatement http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/ Most people find that fish oil and magnesium help with the symptoms http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/?view=findpost&p=100596&hl=magnesium http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/ **I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge. Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem) 1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat 2002 effexor. Tapered March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads. Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013 Restarted taper Nov 2013 OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015 Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014 Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg July 2017 30mg. May 15 2018 25mg Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33 Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible Link to comment
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