BennyMcS Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hello SA. Community , I have never really been into chat posts/blogs etc. so am new to this whole concept, however the last week has not been good for me going from 1/2 a tab to no tab, I went to my local MIND drop in, and decided I couldn't face visiting such a depressing environment to get support! This evening I had a particularly horrible bout of anger that my husband was on the receiving end of, so I searched on-line for reduction symptoms, of anger- to help remind me and Boo (Husband) that it isn't ME that's a crazy banshee- its my neuro-chemicals that are making me ACT like a crazy banshee...I was able to assert some restraint over my behaviour, eventually, and I just need to know other people are managing these symptoms to eventually be free of the antideps. I am pretty annoyed with my GP as she has prescribed me Sertroline to start taking once I'm off the Venlafaxine (which she wants me off of because a)it doesn't appear to be working and I am on meds for high BP, and Venlafaxine is known for raising BP. No guidance or warning about reduction symptoms, no guidance on when to start the Sertroline- which I won't be doing! Seeing her next MOnday for a review (which I insisted on 1 month on from last appt) Herein lies another story involving PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), insulin resistance, betablockers and evidence based medicine- rather than person centred medicine! I shall explore the site further tomorrow, but have already found it a source of support and reassurance. Glad I found it! January 2010-June 2011 Citalopram up to 40mg. June 2011-December 2012 Venlafaxine up to 75mg January 2013 Venlafaxine reduction - currently down to 0mg, although concerned with reduction symptoms. All things come to pass- thank goodness! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus dalsaan Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Benny, Welcome to the site. I had never participated in a web forum before I joined SA. This is a good one. People are helpful, friendly and informative. You have tapered off very fast. Very few people could get away with that and not have significant withdrawal symptoms. We usually recommend tapering off 10% every four weeks or so. Some people can go a bit faster than that if they dont experience withdrawal symptoms. Venlafaxine has a particularly nasty reputation for withdrawal. Do you have any other symptoms other than the anger? Withdrawal symptoms come in a wide range of shapes and sizes so it might be worth thinking about anything that may be different in how you are thinking/feeling. Depending on your symptoms you may need to reinstate and then taper slowly to avoid bad withdrawal. The slow taper gives your nervous system time to adjust. Have a read on some of the topics and also come back and let us know if you have any other symptoms. Dalsaan 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
Administrator Altostrata Posted January 30, 2013 Administrator Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome, Benny. Do you have any venlafaxine tablets left? You might be able to take a small amount -- perhaps a half-tab -- stabilize, and taper more slowly from there. See this topic about tapering venlafaxine http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/ 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 Jemima Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome to the forum, Benny. It has been a lifesaver for me, especially in the early months after I got off Lexapro too fast. Most doctors don't have a clue about antidepressant withdrawal and yours sounds like she's member of the club. What has often happened to people on this forum who quit Venlafaxine cold turkey is that they've experienced horrendous withdrawal symptoms about five months out. Since you're already getting them, please consider reinstating the Venlafaxine and taper off gradually as Alto advised above. A one month taper is far too short and will likely result in a very bad withdrawal that could stretch out for months or even years. Getting the drug out of your system as fast as possible isn't the point, because the drugs make changes in the structure of your brain that remain after the drugs are gone. Withdrawal is your nervous system trying to right itself after having that chemical support removed, so it's best to do it very slowly and let your CNS catch up. Please take a look at some of the stories in this section where people have gone off Effexor too fast. One of our mods is also tapering off Effexor and should be dropping by soon. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus tezza Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Benny, Welcome aboard! I never joined any forums before, either. I'm afraid I'm quite addicted to this one. IMHO, it's the best place you could find anywhere. The people on here are the finest! Alto is my genuine hero! I'm so glad you found us! Tezza http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1644-tezza-risperdal-withdrawal/ Seroquel and Mirtazipine Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus strawberry17 Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome to the forums BennyMcS, there's so much to learn here and everyone is friendly *** Please note this is not medical advice,discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner***http://prozacwithdrawal.blogspot.com/ Original drug was sertraline/Zoloft, switched to Prozac in 2007. Tapering from 5mls liquid prozac since Feb 2008, got down to 0.85ml 23/09/2012, reinstated back to 1ml(4mg) 07/11/2012, didn't appear to work, upped to 1.05ml 17/11/2012, back down to 1ml 12/12/2012 didn't work, up to 1.30ml 16/3/2013 didn't work, bumped up to 2ml (8mg) 4/4/2013 didn't work, in July 2013 I reinstated Sertraline (Zoloft) 50mg, feeling better now. A few months down the line I switched to 5ml liquid Prozac and tapered down to a compromise dose of 3ml liquid Prozac and have stayed there ever since, no withdrawals and no emotional blunting/loss of libido. Link to comment
BennyMcS Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Oh wow, wasn't expecting all the kind words and certainly not so soon! Thank you to everyone who commented. I came off the last 17.5mg last thursday...was expecting the other symptoms that I got incl: Head whooshing, like a pulsing in my head when sitting still, as if its expanding. Feeling out of sync-head/eye movements making me giddy/like I'm a few seconds behind. Dis-co-ordination including my legs(Felt like I joined the ministry of silly walks!)arms and hands (developed ham-fist!) and weirdly my face- when listening to people I felt v unnatural in my facial expressions. Itchyness on legs/feet and back. Extreme tiredness. Difficulty sleeping. Very vivid dreams that merged into visual hallucinations on waking in the dark (e.g seeing a chair floating across the room!) DISINTEREST, particularly socially with other people. Shortened attention span. I just didn't expect the rages- its like being a teenager again. I know I'm overreacting and making a mountain out of a molehill, I am able to tell my husband I am feeling so so angry and it is out of proportion, e.g. last night it was because when I picked him up from the train station he said he would probably need to go into work today, I start crying, but then he tried to touch me to calm me and I cant bear it and shake him off with such force and am holding on to screaming violently,'get off me' in his face, and end up in some odd physical position bent over with my hands wrapped round my head. If I didn't know about the reduction symptoms I would think I'd properly lost the plot. There is such a conflict going on inside with your rational brain fighting these physical emotions. I've been off sick from work since Monday, as I'm worried I'll flip at my manager (there's only 2 of us in a small office!)and I don't want to get the sack-although she has been very understanding re the depression, and has let me reduce my hours to 3/day-I'm not sure anyone who hasn't experienced this would understand the rudeness and aggressiveness that could erupt! From what I've learnt from this site including your helpful comments, I think I shall step up a bit on the V-tabs- although its tricky as they are so hard to cut as they just crumble, and then come off much slower- it was just the GP bashing out the Sertraline prescription and giving no real explanation on time scales- to be honest she probably wouldn't have advised me as this forum has anyway- she is also in the 'take one every other day' club (which never felt right to me, so I didn't do it)! Thank you all so much again. Benny xxx January 2010-June 2011 Citalopram up to 40mg. June 2011-December 2012 Venlafaxine up to 75mg January 2013 Venlafaxine reduction - currently down to 0mg, although concerned with reduction symptoms. All things come to pass- thank goodness! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus areyouthere Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome Benny. As far as finding it difficult to cut up tablets, many of us have had to find alternative ways to taper slowly from these powerful chemicals. It is all possible and I'm sorry that you are having to experience this. Please see the thread above posted by Alto that references excellent tapering tips specifically for effexor ( venlafaxine) than simply cutting up tablets. RU Fall 1995 xanax, zoloft. switched to Serzone 1996- spring 2003serzone/ xanax/ lightbox. b]Fall 2003- Fall 2004? Lexapro 10 mg. Light box /4 mg. xanax.[/b] 2004 - Fall of 2009 10 mg Lex, 150 mg Wellbutrin XL % 4 mg xanax November 2009- Sept. 2011 10 mg lex., 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax [/b Sept.2012- July 2012 20 mg Lex 300 Well. XL, 4 mg Xanax My mantra " go slow & with the flow " 3/2/13.. Began equal dosing 5 Xs /day xanax, while simultaneously incorporating a 2.5 % drop ( from 3.5 mg/day to 3.4 mg/day) 4/6/13 dropped from 300 mg. Wellbutrin XL to 150 mg. Difficult but DONE! Down to 3.3 mg xanax/ day / 6/10/13 3 mg xanax/day; 7/15/2013 2.88mg xanax/day. 10/ 1/2013...... 2.5 mg xanax… ( switched to tablets again) WOO HOO!!!!!! Holding here… cont. with Lexapro. 1/ 2/2014.. tapered to 18mg ( by weight) of a 26 mg ( by weight) pill of 20 mg tab. lexapro. goal is 13mg (by weight OR 10 mg by ingredient content) and STOPPED. Feeling very down with unbalanced, unpredictable WD symptoms. 1/2/2014- ??? Taking a brain-healing break from tapering anything after actively tapering something for 1.5 years. So… daily doses as of 2/2/2014: 18 mg by weight Lex, 150 mg Well. XL, 2.5 mg xanax, down from 26 mg by weight Lex., 300 mg well. XL, 4 mg xanax in August, 2012. I'll take it. 5/8/14 started equivalent dose liquid./ tabs. 5/13/14 1.5 % cut. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Since you're using the tablets, it may be possible to make them into a liquid, which will give you a much more accurate measure. Check out this topic: How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 30, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 30, 2013 Welcome Benny! Did you start with the explosive anger when you stopped venlafaxine? Is it once a day dosing? If so, then the tablets would have an extended release coating which would become compromised when you cut it and could be contributing to your instability as you got under 37.5mg. Venlafaxine also comes in capsules with little beads inside - you can count the beads and repackage them into new empty gelatine capsules. This is the way i am reducing and i can do a whole month at one time which saves me a lot of time each day. You were very wise not to take the sertraline. Some fish oil would be good to take as well. Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
BennyMcS Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Indeed Penny! I have been researching EPA and DHA and their benefits for brain recovery-just being indecisive as to which type/brand to get as there are lots of different opinions out there! I am very keen to explore natural alternatives to support the nervous system and I'm sure there is info about that on here too! January 2010-June 2011 Citalopram up to 40mg. June 2011-December 2012 Venlafaxine up to 75mg January 2013 Venlafaxine reduction - currently down to 0mg, although concerned with reduction symptoms. All things come to pass- thank goodness! Link to comment
BennyMcS Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 Oh yes the rage- and it is rage, not just agitation- is definitely a new behaviour, however, cardio consultant took me off Yasmin (contraceptive pill) last October and many of my PCOS symptoms are back visually (weight gain, acne etc)- so I imagine it is effecting what is going on in my body too-hormonally and with insulin management, so could be related to that too...as with the beta blockers causing fatigue and I recently discovered can also cause disinterest. I got married last April and Boo and I would love to start a family, so if I could get free of artificial drugs it would be ideal. I'm not on a SR-slow release version- I am going to read the link about turning it into a liquid defo. After reading posts on here I deceided to back track and I took 17.5mg this morning and many of the symptoms have lifted-nowhere near as whooshy! I shall take it v v slowly from now on and be gentle on my nervous system as recommended! January 2010-June 2011 Citalopram up to 40mg. June 2011-December 2012 Venlafaxine up to 75mg January 2013 Venlafaxine reduction - currently down to 0mg, although concerned with reduction symptoms. All things come to pass- thank goodness! Link to comment
Kristen Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Benny, Welcome to a fellow SA newcomer! I too am coming off Venlafaxine - what a b*stard of a drug! All the best with it, and it will be good to read from your experiences too Kristen Initially prescribed for depression Currently prescribed for anxiety 2003-2004: Avanza (mirtazapine) 2007- 2012: Effexor XR 300mg (venlafaxine) Tapered off Effexor over 8 months 2013 Relapse 2013 - 2017 Pristiq 100mg 2017 pre and post natal anxiety 2017 - current Pristiq increased to 150mg then 200mg Link to comment
Nikki Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 Hi Benny.... Effexor can have some nasty effects. Rage is one of them along with the other symptoms you mentioned. Honestly I would follow Alto's and the link provided by Peggy to make a liquid. Taking zoloft after effexor may not be such a good idea. There are medication sites that explain the pros and cons, side effects and WD symptoms from most drugs. crazymeds.com and the roadback.org Intro: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1902-nikki-hi-my-rundown-with-ads/ Paxil 1997-2004 Crossed over to Lexapro Paxil not available at Pharmacies GSK halted deliveries Lexapro 40mgs Lexapro taper (2years) Imipramine Imipramine and Celexa Now Nefazadone/Imipramine 50mgs. each 45mgs. Serzone 50mgs. Imipramine Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 31, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 31, 2013 I'm not on a SR-slow release version- I am going to read the link about turning it into a liquid defo. After reading posts on here I deceided to back track and I took 17.5mg this morning and many of the symptoms have lifted-nowhere near as whooshy! I shall take it v v slowly from now on and be gentle on my nervous system as recommended! are you dosing twice a day? morning and night? Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
BennyMcS Posted January 31, 2013 Author Share Posted January 31, 2013 Aha Peggy- indeed- while I was lying awake at 2am this morning I realised I needed to be taking 1/4 tab in the morning and 1/4 in early evening. This would be why when I was reducing earlier in the month I was getting mild symptoms of reduction ie agitation, in the evenings January 2010-June 2011 Citalopram up to 40mg. June 2011-December 2012 Venlafaxine up to 75mg January 2013 Venlafaxine reduction - currently down to 0mg, although concerned with reduction symptoms. All things come to pass- thank goodness! Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus peggy Posted January 31, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted January 31, 2013 Started in 2000 - On 150mg most of the time, (but up to 225mg at highest dose for 6 months in the beginning)Reduced off easily first time - but got depressed (not too much anxiety) 6 months laterBack on effexor for another 9 months.Reduced off again with no immediate w/d - suddenly got depressed and anxious ++ again 3 or 4 months later.Back on effexor - this time for 3 yearsReduced off over a month - 6 weeks later terrible anxiety - back on.Rinse and repeat 4 more times - each time the period before the anxiety comes back got shorter and shorterJan - July 2012 75mg down to 37.5mg;, 8/3/12 - 35mg. 8/25/12 - 32mg. 9/11- 28mg, 10/2 - 25mg, 10/29 - 22mg, 11/19 - 19.8mg; 12/11 - 17m,1/1- 15.5mg; 1/22 -14mg, 2/7 14.9mg, 2/18 - 17.8mg - crashed big time: back to 75mg where i sat for 2 years.... 4th March 2015 - 67.5mg; 31st March - 60mg; 24th April - 53mg; 13th May - 48mg; 26th May - 45mg; 9th June - 41mg; 1 July- 37.5mg; 20 July - 34mg; 11 August - 31mg; 1st Sept - 28mg; 1st Dec - 25.8mg; 28th Dec - 23.2mg; 23rd Jan-21.9mg; Feb 7th- 21mg; March 1st - 20.1mg, March 30th - 18mg Link to comment
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