NewBeginning: my withdrawal story

[bubble]

I'm so sorry to hear you are struggling (and sorry I didn't reply to your post on my benzo thread but was planning to).

 

I'll share with you current developments of my story. There are some similarities I believe. A long 9 month hold on xanax after having tapered it too agressively helped me a lot. I cut Lexapro in September and October and then cut xanax again in November and December (all 2 % cuts). Despite those cuts my baseline improved significantly until the middle of December when I felt like I was in a melt down. (It was a very busy period at work but still I felt pretty sure these were tiny Xanax cuts that caused it).

 

Then I took a break and escaped winter for a warmer and sunnier climate and after a week of jet lag I was better than in a long long time! Winter and short days make so many of us feel so much worse... how does it affect you? Have you tried the light lamp and vitD?

 

Sorry for talking so much about me...It's this part of my story that might be relevant. I also made another Lex cut on 1 Jan (I cut sooo little in the whole of 2016 that I just had to do it plus I felt great). Like you I also felt even a bit better for a few days after the cut and after that was just waiting...It happened on day 8: vivid and intense dreams reliving the death of my father and grandmother followed by day of very high and mentally and physically painful anxiety. Day 9 and 10 were with the anxiety raging at the same and even higher level with DP/DR thrown in. The reason I wrote this long story is that today is day 12 and this constant and dreadful 24 hour jump-out-of-my-skin anxiety is abating!

 

So how about you give yourself a few more days of trying to tough it out with the use of as many coping tools from your coping tool kit as you can? I became very diligent in both my formal and informal mindfulness practice. I'm still on my break so I spend lots of time in bed and go out to just sit in nature. I watch Mooji videos (can't think of any in particular now but I just find his voice so soothing). What works for you?

 

At one point I felt like I can't take this any more and could updose but I personally feel so good that I'm moving down that I don't do it. But that's an option too. I tell myself: ok, if this continues for another 5 days I'll updose.

 

I believe this will get better and it's just a matter of a few more days. I also think this gives us an answer on what to do in your situation: although it seemed that long holds didn't do much for you it turns out they did after all... There were times in those 9 months (many, many times) when I also felt completely stuck. But I somehow felt that holding was my only option. I went from a complete dysfunctional wrack in December 2015 to back to enjoying my high-demanding job 9 months later. (I got back to work after a month and a half and struggled badly over the next few months while stabilising was happening).

 

We are all different so I don't know if my experience will be in any way helpful but things do get better.

 

Times like this are a great opportunity to practice our coping skills. Shep and JanCarol have great ideas and videos so I always browse through their threads if I need new ideas.

 

Hang in there and let us know how you are doing. 2 drugs in the mix makes our situation more complex but we will make it. Hugs

[scallywag]

I'm sorry that your recent decrease has destabilized your CNS (central nervous system). When you say you decreased your Effexor by 5%, do you mean by one bead from 17 to 16 beads?

 

If I've got that wrong, please post the details and also update your signature to show your current doses. While you're updating your signature, you could also delete your taper information from before 2015. If you'd like to keep a record of what you have now as a signature, you could copy the whole set of information and paste it as a new post here in your intro thread.

 

It's beyond frustrating that we can only find out how much is too much to decrease until after it's happened.  Unfortunately the best solution now is probably to keep your dose stable and to ride the wave of symptoms.

3KIS: Keep it slow. Keep it simple. Keep it stable.

[bubble]

A video for you:

 

[Newbeginning]

Thank you Bubble and Scallywag for the ideas and support!

 

The last few days the anxiety is not as extreme, but it's still pretty high. It lasts about 7 hours every day. What worries me is that it's day 16 after the cut and it's not abating that much.

 

For those 7 hours every day, all I can do is distract. I've started meditating, but not doing it daily yet. It is very difficult to think during those 7 hours. My mind is confused and I get intrusive thoughts that fill me with profound grief and anxiety. I distract from them, but they get triggered again and again. The worse part is that the things that worry me are very real. If I don't get better enough to get a part time job this year, I will lose my apartment, separate from my best friend and have to quit my PhD when I'm almost done. I'm looking at losing everything that has given any meaning to my life the last 5 years. It's realistic rational fear that is constantly torturing me.

 

There's no way I could work or do anything other than try to cope with the anxiety the way I'm feeling every day. I can't stay in this state for weeks or months.

 

If I knew long holds would allow me to be better, I wouldn't have a problem doing that. In the past, I've struggled with extreme apathy that disabled me, and this apathy started before I ever tapered. It does not seem to be affected by cuts or holds. When I held for 5 months, I did after I had a window from the apathy. I wanted to give my body a break, but after 5 months the apathy returned during the hold.

 

So basically, I'm struggling with disabling symptoms whether I cut or hold. The apathy is constant. The anxiety/depression only comes when I cut. Both are disabling.

 

I'm lost and so hopeless right now. I know it probably will end, but I'm going to lose everything if it doesn't get better this year...I just want to be able to function to some extent. Not looking to feel great. I know that will take a few years.

 

Are you able to work part time Bubble?

[Newbeginning]

I'm sorry that your recent decrease has destabilized your CNS (central nervous system). When you say you decreased your Effexor by 5%, do you mean by one bead from 17 to 16 beads?

 

If I've got that wrong, please post the details and also update your signature to show your current doses. While you're updating your signature, you could also delete your taper information from before 2015. If you'd like to keep a record of what you have now as a signature, you could copy the whole set of information and paste it as a new post here in your intro thread.

 

It's beyond frustrating that we can only find out how much is too much to decrease until after it's happened.  Unfortunately the best solution now is probably to keep your dose stable and to ride the wave of symptoms.

3KIS: Keep it slow. Keep it simple. Keep it stable.

 

Yes, Scallywag. I only cut 1 bead to 16 beads. I will edit and update my signature as you suggested, but could you please tell me how to create a link to the post where I put the history prior to 2015 so I can add it to my signature? That way I can find it easier when needed.

[scallywag]

Here's a link to this post: Medication history 2000-2016

 

You can copy and past the above link into your signature.

 

NewBeginning's full signature as of today, 15 January 2017:

 

SSRIs 3-4 times in the last 14 years; would take them for 6-8 months and then taper off under dr supervision with no problems.

2011: Zoloft (Sertraline) 200mg for 1 year and 10 months. Withdrawal symptoms when decreased dose to 150mg: dizziness, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, worsening depression. Went back to 200mg

01/2014: Started Effexor. Quit Zoloft (no withdrawal). Took Effexor 75mg one week, then 100mg one week, then 150 mg for 4 days. Went back to 100mg and stayed one month

02/2014: Effexor taper: Started at 75mg.

02-04/2014: cut down effexor to 37.5mg; experienced withdrawal symptoms when cutting down: chronic headache, flu-like malaise, severe fatigue/sleep disruption: need 12+ hours of sleep, still hard to wake up and feel tired/drowsy during the day. Eventually stabilized at 37.5mg

04/2014: Added prozac 20mg to cross-taper. Tapered effexor down to 18.5mg with no problems.

05/2014: quit effexor. 4 days later cut down to prozac 20mg every other day. Withdrawal came back: bad flu like symptoms. Difficulty thinking. Very tired.

9 days later, went back to prozac 20mg daily. A week later, symptoms were getting worse. I went back to effexor 18.5mg.

06/2014: effexor 18.5mg, prozac: 20mg. Still have withdrawal symptoms.

06/14/2014: quit effexor (after taking 10mg for few days). Taking 20mg prozac only. Very tired, apathetic, depressed

06/2014: reinstated effexor 18.5mg; continued prozac 20mg. Stabilized.

07/2014: cut effexor to 15mg over 6 week period; continued prozac 20mg

09/18/2014: Started effexor 12 mg; continued prozac 20mg

Continued decreasing effexor xr by 10%/month through January 2015; continued prozac 20mg-stable

Update 04/2015: Prozac decreased to 15mg over last 3 months; effexor held steady at 8mg; current effexor XR: 20 beads of a 75mg capsule per day (about 8mg)

06/2015: Prozac: 10mg; effexor XR: 19 beads (about 7.5mg); 07/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor 18 beads; 08/2015: Prozac: 7.5mg; effexor: 17 beads

End of August: withdrawal: depressive symptoms, crying spells, sensitivity. Realized I was measuring prozac dose wrong for the last 2 months. Reinstated Prozac 8.5mg; Kept effexor at 17 beads. Stabilized in 5 weeks.

10/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor: 17 beads

11/2015: Prozac: 1.9ml (7.5mg); effexor: 16 beads

12/2015: Prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: 16 beads. Withdrawal: neuroemotions

01/2016: prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: reinstated 17 beads, withdrawal improved; 02/2016: Prozac 1.5ml; Effexor: 17 beads; 03/2016: Prozac 1.3ml(5mg); Effexor: 17 beads (7mg)-withdrawal (flu-like malaise, lightheaded, drowsy) started end of March. April 15: reinstated Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized. 2 weeks ok. End of April: Withdrawal (neuroemotions).

[bubble]

I work full time at a pretty demanding job which among other things involves giving presentations and travelling. Sometimes I can't do it and sometimes I manage better. It's always a struggle but I'm good at what I do and have been working there for 8 years so my boss and colleagues got used to my 'working patterns' and my 'ill health'. I don't mention mental health, psychotropic drugs or withdrawal. I just have stomach issues, UTIs and stuff like that. Sometimes I take a sick leave, sometimes I basically sit at my office struggling with my anxiety and various cognitive impairments just like you describe. So far I have managed...somehow.

 

Looking at your history now what I can see is lots of changes, cutting before you were ready and as soon as you felt a bit better. No wonder your CNS is very sensitive now.

 

Although you say that you think holding didn't help much it seems that cutting definitely makes you a lot worse...

 

I personally think that it is a great thing you see abating of your anxiety. My personal framing of that situation would be: great! It's not getting worse. It's even getting better. I would focus on that with all my might and ignore the fact that I'm still not well overall. I believe this kind of perspective on my situation enabled me to survive all these years...

 

I do body scan with a mindfulness meditation app called calm. A lot of the content is free and I can choose to do only a 3 min practice if I feel like I can't do more. I started with 3 mins and over a few months built my practice to 30 min although I'm not that dilligent when I feel well...

[Newbeginning]

Here's a link to this post: Medication history 2000-2016

 

You can copy and past the above link into your signature.

 

NewBeginning's full signature as of today, 15 January 2017:

 

SSRIs 3-4 times in the last 14 years; would take them for 6-8 months and then taper off under dr supervision with no problems.

2011: Zoloft (Sertraline) 200mg for 1 year and 10 months. Withdrawal symptoms when decreased dose to 150mg: dizziness, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, worsening depression. Went back to 200mg

01/2014: Started Effexor. Quit Zoloft (no withdrawal). Took Effexor 75mg one week, then 100mg one week, then 150 mg for 4 days. Went back to 100mg and stayed one month

02/2014: Effexor taper: Started at 75mg.

02-04/2014: cut down effexor to 37.5mg; experienced withdrawal symptoms when cutting down: chronic headache, flu-like malaise, severe fatigue/sleep disruption: need 12+ hours of sleep, still hard to wake up and feel tired/drowsy during the day. Eventually stabilized at 37.5mg

04/2014: Added prozac 20mg to cross-taper. Tapered effexor down to 18.5mg with no problems.

05/2014: quit effexor. 4 days later cut down to prozac 20mg every other day. Withdrawal came back: bad flu like symptoms. Difficulty thinking. Very tired.

9 days later, went back to prozac 20mg daily. A week later, symptoms were getting worse. I went back to effexor 18.5mg.

06/2014: effexor 18.5mg, prozac: 20mg. Still have withdrawal symptoms.

06/14/2014: quit effexor (after taking 10mg for few days). Taking 20mg prozac only. Very tired, apathetic, depressed

06/2014: reinstated effexor 18.5mg; continued prozac 20mg. Stabilized.

07/2014: cut effexor to 15mg over 6 week period; continued prozac 20mg

09/18/2014: Started effexor 12 mg; continued prozac 20mg

Continued decreasing effexor xr by 10%/month through January 2015; continued prozac 20mg-stable

Update 04/2015: Prozac decreased to 15mg over last 3 months; effexor held steady at 8mg; current effexor XR: 20 beads of a 75mg capsule per day (about 8mg)

06/2015: Prozac: 10mg; effexor XR: 19 beads (about 7.5mg); 07/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor 18 beads; 08/2015: Prozac: 7.5mg; effexor: 17 beads

End of August: withdrawal: depressive symptoms, crying spells, sensitivity. Realized I was measuring prozac dose wrong for the last 2 months. Reinstated Prozac 8.5mg; Kept effexor at 17 beads. Stabilized in 5 weeks.

10/2015: Prozac: 8.5mg; effexor: 17 beads

11/2015: Prozac: 1.9ml (7.5mg); effexor: 16 beads

12/2015: Prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: 16 beads. Withdrawal: neuroemotions

01/2016: prozac: 1.6ml; effexor xr: reinstated 17 beads, withdrawal improved; 02/2016: Prozac 1.5ml; Effexor: 17 beads; 03/2016: Prozac 1.3ml(5mg); Effexor: 17 beads (7mg)-withdrawal (flu-like malaise, lightheaded, drowsy) started end of March. April 15: reinstated Prozac 1.5ml. Stabilized. 2 weeks ok. End of April: Withdrawal (neuroemotions).

 

Thanks Scallywag. I will edit my signature using the link and add the new information. I appreciate your help.

[Newbeginning]

I work full time at a pretty demanding job which among other things involves giving presentations and travelling. Sometimes I can't do it and sometimes I manage better. It's always a struggle but I'm good at what I do and have been working there for 8 years so my boss and colleagues got used to my 'working patterns' and my 'ill health'. I don't mention mental health, psychotropic drugs or withdrawal. I just have stomach issues, UTIs and stuff like that. Sometimes I take a sick leave, sometimes I basically sit at my office struggling with my anxiety and various cognitive impairments just like you describe. So far I have managed...somehow.

 

Looking at your history now what I can see is lots of changes, cutting before you were ready and as soon as you felt a bit better. No wonder your CNS is very sensitive now.

 

Although you say that you think holding didn't help much it seems that cutting definitely makes you a lot worse...

 

I personally think that it is a great thing you see abating of your anxiety. My personal framing of that situation would be: great! It's not getting worse. It's even getting better. I would focus on that with all my might and ignore the fact that I'm still not well overall. I believe this kind of perspective on my situation enabled me to survive all these years...

 

I do body scan with a mindfulness meditation app called calm. A lot of the content is free and I can choose to do only a 3 min practice if I feel like I can't do more. I started with 3 mins and over a few months built my practice to 30 min although I'm not that dilligent when I feel well...

 

I will give it more time Bubble, but it's pretty unbearable. I will give it at least until the 21st, which is 21 days after the cut, but if I see improvement, will give it longer.

 

I think the most disabling symptom for me is the apathy and the anxiety. I could push through other symptoms to work, but those two I'm unable to. If they are less severe, I can to some extent--but right now they are severe.

 

Have you seen improvement with meditation? I also do the body scan and sometimes a mantra. I've been doing it for 30 min few times a week, but trying to make it a daily practice.

 

I always waited to be stable for a month before cutting. The only time I didn't was this last time, because I was convinced the 1 year hold on Effexor was affecting me negatively. I thought my symptoms were due to that and that a cut would help. Looking back, I should have waited longer before cutting. The anxiety and depression did not seem to be improving any further and I thought it was because I needed to cut. Instead of improving they got worse.

 

I'm holding for at least 2 months once I stabilize from this. As I said, the apathy that never goes away is what makes me want to keep tapering and avoid long holds. But I don't think I have cut before I was fully stable in the past (other than this last time). I always waited a month of being stable before cutting. Was that still too fast in your opinion?

 

I appreciate all the tips. I hope one day soon I can work like you. It would help me a lot if I could. I'd feel more in control of my life.

[Newbeginning]

Feeling awful. Don't know how much longer I can take this. I can't even explain it. Just feel nauseous about life. Everything in it. Severe depression, anxiety and just feeling awful about everything and unable to do anything. Not even eat much.

 

19 days since cutting 5%

 

I meditate every day. I pray with all my heart.

 

Things not improving. Desperate. Hopeless...I don't understand why I reacted so strongly to a 5% cut. And why it's not settling.

 

I can't do this much longer...

[scallywag]

NB -- Sometimes it's helpful to identify the cause of a wave of symptoms, and sometimes it's an exercise in futility. Do what you can to "chalk it up" to the mysterious process of CNS adaptations.

 

Some people find the technique AAF helpful:

... AAF, Acknowledge, Accept, Float.

 

Acknowledge that the symptom is there and it's real, explore the symptom and get familiar with it.

 

Accept that it is happening and that there isn't anything you can do about it.

 

Let the symptom Float away as you go on about your life. It is a lot like having an unwanted house guest. ...

[Newbeginning]

NB -- Sometimes it's helpful to identify the cause of a wave of symptoms, and sometimes it's an exercise in futility. Do what you can to "chalk it up" to the mysterious process of CNS adaptations.

 

Some people find the technique AAF helpful:

... AAF, Acknowledge, Accept, Float.

 

Acknowledge that the symptom is there and it's real, explore the symptom and get familiar with it.

 

Accept that it is happening and that there isn't anything you can do about it.

 

Let the symptom Float away as you go on about your life. It is a lot like having an unwanted house guest. ...

 

 

Thanks Scallwag. You're right. I don't know for sure this is from the cut. I started getting destabilized with anxiety/depression in October. I just didn't think the cut would make it worse. Looking back, I should have stabilized more before cutting.

 

I understand the AAF. Some symptoms I try to live with best I can, but other symptoms are unbearable. I'm holding on for a few more days.

[Newbeginning]

This week anxiety and depression improved some, though still affecting me a lot. I went to get blood tests suggested by a holistic practitioner on Monday. They took 15 vials of blood!

 

I've felt so drained and headachy since. Sometimes I feel lightheaded. Other times more tired than usual. Could this be caused by the blood test?

[Newbeginning]

Less drained a week after blood tests. Anxiety still bothering me a lot. Daily meditation, prayer, etc., but no further improvements in anxiety for the last 10 days.  PMS might be making anxiety linger longer. I will wait for my period to pass to see if I updose or not.

[Lexy]

Hi

Sorry to hear you are going through this.

My main symptom has been anxiety for the past two months as well.

When I decreased it was the same day I had vomited. I'm not sure if it was both the vomiting and the decrease that brought on high anxiety. I had fear, paranoia, anxiety for two weeks straight. It eased up slowly.

I am still having the anxiety however it comes and goes throughout the day. For some reason mine is higher in the evenings.

I try to distract myself and mindfulness.

I hope your anxiety dissipates soon.

[Lexy]

PS

When I am on my period I also have worsening of we symptoms. I would not updose until your cycle is over and then I would wait a couple of weeks after that.

[Newbeginning]

PS

When I am on my period I also have worsening of we symptoms. I would not updose until your cycle is over and then I would wait a couple of weeks after that.

 

Thanks Lexy. It's getting unbearable the anxiety. I'm exhausted. I saw in your signature you added Brintellix. Did it help? My dr keeps suggesting it to bridge, but I'm on Prozac too.

 

I'm glad you've managed to decrease quite a bit in spite of micro-dosing. Are you working with a compounding pharmacy?

[Newbeginning]

It's been 51 days since I did the 5% cut, and still struggling with a lot of anxiety. It gets better at night, but other than that lasts all day.

 

Started L-theanine 12 days ago, hoping it will help.

 

I'm really worried I won't stabilize from this. Really depressed and hopeless right now.

 

I started counseling (individual and group). Also trying to distract as much as I can. Problem is things are piling up that I need to do so when I distract I feel anxious about time passing and me not doing what needs done.

 

Praying really hard now.

 

Is there anything I can try for anxiety in addition to L-theanine? Should I try Mag glycinate again? Last time I tried it made me drowsy, but maybe dose was too high or I was not stable enough to try new supplement, so was thinking of trying again. Just don't know if I should try now or first give more time to L-theanine.

[scallywag]

When do you take the Effexor dose?

 

Have you been keeping track of your symptoms? If not, please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s). This post has a useful format for a daily log:

Take notes of doses and symptoms.

[Newbeginning]

When do you take the Effexor dose?

 

Have you been keeping track of your symptoms? If not, please keep notes on paper of your symptoms and the times of your dose(s). This post has a useful format for a daily log:

Take notes of doses and symptoms.

 

I take it at night (together with Prozac). I do keep track of symptoms when I have withdrawal. I had some improvement in the anxiety, but for the last 2 weeks it stalled. It wasn't much improvement though.

[Newbeginning]

I forgot to mention: I take it around midnight. Anxiety/depression starts soon after I get up at 10AM, gets somewhat better after 3PM, but only improves significantly after 8PM. This has been going on for 50 days.

[scallywag]

The pattern you describe sounds like a wave. Sometimes waves last for many weeks. You didn't have this pattern 51 days ago, it WILL go away just as mysteriously as it started.

[aberdeen]

Hey! I just sent you a  pm then came by to check in on you. I agree, sounds like a wave. Its a pattern I am familiar with as well, morning anxiety and no major improvements until after evening comes around. I always feel better at night. It will pass.

[Newbeginning]

Thanks Scallywag and Aberdeen. Anxiety has finally decreased. It's still there, but not as bad. I was hoping this meant I was adapting to the cut I did 2 months ago, but I'm getting new symptoms too: drowsiness and some days worse depression. Depression improved a bit too, but not as much as anxiety.

 

I'm in PMS and hoping these symptoms will also improve in the weeks following my period.

 

I have been getting energy healing, and I think it may be helping. Hard to tell what is from time to adapt to the cut and what is from energy healing, but after each healing session I see improvement. I get the healing once a week. I also didn't notice improvement until I started the healings.

 

If I benefit from it, I will certainly post more about it in the group.

[Newbeginning]

It's almost 3 months since the last cut. Anxiety much better but depression worsened as anxiety improved. With depression it's up and down the last 2 weeks (some days better, but still depressed; some days depression is really bad).

 

I never thought 3 months after a 5% cut I'd still be this bad. I know there were a few changes since October, but even with all that it's been 3 months of stable dosing.

 

Does this mean I've reached a new level of instability?

 

As anxiety is better, I'm thinking of trying a new probiotic and later a new brand of fish oil to see if it helps my mood. Will wait to try Magnesium Malate because it can be activating and don't want to risk anxiety returning. 

 

Still in therapy and started exercising again, but so far mood is not improving.

 

Dr. suggested TMS. I reviewed the thread here discussing that, but there were not many experiences in withdrawal. I'm considering it since my symptoms are all emotional (other than drowsiness), but it's scary... 

[Altostrata]

Are you reducing bead by bead now?

[Newbeginning]

Yes Alto. The last few cuts of Effexor I was doing it by 1 bead a month, which was less than 10%. The last time I decreased 1 bead it was just 5% of my dose. I was on 17 beads. Now I'm on 16 beads. 

[Lexy]

Hi how are you doing now?

Hope you are much better.

 

Do you feel you were in a wave or were the symptoms coming from the last decrease you had made?

I've been in such a deep dark depression since last Wednesday. I had been doing much better before that and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had made a decrease of one bead on march 29. I'm beside myself, it had taken me so long to have gotten to that point of feeling just a little normal. I was even looking forward to the future and it all came crashing down.

How do you know if it's a wave or symptoms of the decrease? I'm at 7mgs of Effexor.

[Newbeginning]

Hi how are you doing now?

Hope you are much better.

 

Do you feel you were in a wave or were the symptoms coming from the last decrease you had made?

I've been in such a deep dark depression since last Wednesday. I had been doing much better before that and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I had made a decrease of one bead on march 29. I'm beside myself, it had taken me so long to have gotten to that point of feeling just a little normal. I was even looking forward to the future and it all came crashing down.

How do you know if it's a wave or symptoms of the decrease? I'm at 7mgs of Effexor.

 

Hi Lexy,

 

I'm not really better. Anxiety had improved, but depression didn't. Then I drank coffee (1 cup/dayfor a week and anxiety returned. I used to tolerate coffee while tapering but seems I don't now. It's been 10 days since I stopped coffee. Anxiety has improved, but still higher than it was.  Depression still severe. It's been 3 months since I cut. I can't believe how long it's taking me to stabilize!

 

I think if symptoms start within days or a couple of weeks from a cut then they're likely caused by the cut. So in your case and mine it seems the cut caused it. Stress can make it worse too, which is a factor in my case right now.

 

Another thing to consider is how long you were stable (or at your withdrawal baseline) before you cut. I made the mistake of cutting when I felt better, but I needed to be better for at least a month before my body tolerated the cut, no matter how small the cut was. This might be playing a role with you too.

 

I'm so desperate for relief from depression that I'm considering trying 2.5mg Brintellix or TMS. If it makes me worse, I'll stop it and endure a few more weeks of being worse, but staying in this state is unbearable. Depression is severe and I have suicidal thoughts almost daily.

[Lexy]

Thanks for your reply. Same here...

I've been on brintellix since sept 2014. I don't know if it's helped much. Dr prescribed 3mg it because of the longer half life than Effexor. It's just made me dizzy and nauseous.

There are so many variables in my situation that might have caused this:

1) The micro decrease

2) stress that might have triggered a wave

3) had two alcoholic drinks 5 days before

Regarding caffeine my dr said to stop all caffeine as I was drinking a lot of ice tea.

I know we are all different in our wds however I've been trying to read other people's effex tapering process. Flong's posts mention that after a cut he felt the physical symptoms for a week then the psychological ones for another week. Are we just more sensitive?

I too should have waited longer in between cuts. How long had you waited in between cuts?

I hope this ends soon for the both of us.

[Newbeginning]

In my case, I need to wait one month after I'm stable. If I'm not stable, I seem to need to wait as long as needed.

 

In the past, small updoses helped me stabilize within a couple of weeks (3 at the most), but that is no longer working.

 

I seem to have reached a new level of instability.

 

It's very frustrating because I see others doing slow tapers but feeling less side effects or being able to get off. Neither of those things is happening for me, even though I've been tapering for 3 years AND I'm taking Prozac! I should technically be able to get off Effexor easier because of the slow taper and the Prozac. I should also be having less apathy because I've cut my dose so much. It's exactly the opposite: apathy is relentless (other than a window of a couple of months once a year). Prozac is not helping but just making the taper harder. because I get withdrawal when I cut that too. I even get withdrawal if I increase the dose now.  I can't even tolerate 5% cuts of Effexor and after 3.5 months I'm still unstable from the last 5% cut.

 

Alcohol and stress can definitely be increasing how long it takes your body to stabilize (or get back to your baseline). Some people benefit from a long hold where you just let your body get a break from tapering for several months. It can help you tolerate future cuts better. Have you considered it? I know it's the last thing we want to do, but sometimes a pause in the taper makes things quicker in the long run.

 

It sounds like you've kept cutting before your body was ready, and a break may help your body catch up.

 

I'm sorry the Brintellix didn't help. At least it didn't make anxiety worse. Why have you stayed in it this long if you noticed right away it didn't help you taper Effexor or reduce withdrawal?

[Lexy]

I've been tapering since Jan 2013! I was on 150mg for 7-8 weeks, it's frustrating to have to taper all this time while still having so many wd symptoms.

 

I will put a longer hold on my tapering. It just feels like I have to carry my ball in chain everywhere all the time. It's growing heavier and I'm getting weaker. I don't get a break. Even prisoners get to have a few minutes out of their cell. With me if it's not one symptom it's another.

[Lexy]

Per your sig line you state you have been on 17 beads of effex for almost a year. Were you stable before you decreased to 16 beads?

I've stayed in the brintellix because I really don't know if I would be even worse off without it. Brintellix has a longer half life than effex as well as Prozac, hence my dr's reasoning for prescribing it.

I've also been trying to taper brintellix however much slower than effex. Have you thought about holding on the Prozac as well?

[Newbeginning]

Per your sig line you state you have been on 17 beads of effex for almost a year. Were you stable before you decreased to 16 beads?

I've stayed in the brintellix because I really don't know if I would be even worse off without it. Brintellix has a longer half life than effex as well as Prozac, hence my dr's reasoning for prescribing it.

I've also been trying to taper brintellix however much slower than effex. Have you thought about holding on the Prozac as well?

 

Yes I was holding Effexor and tapering Prozac in 2016. I also held both for about 5 onths when I had surgery (also in 2016).

 

I was not completely stable when I cut Effexor to 16 beads. I had a bad reaction to Macca root. That had improved over 3 weeks, but looking back it was not completely resolved. I should have waited longer before making changes in Effexor. 

 

Bintellix has a shorter half life than Prozac though. When you taper Brintellix do you do it at the same time as Effexor? I would not do them together. 

 

I am holding Prozac. I have not done any changes to either Prozac or Effexor in the last 3.5 months

[coldturkmama]

Cutting 10% a month is too fast, I think...

[Lexy]

Hi Newbeginning

I have a question, how do you taper;do you count beads or weigh them?