@mammy
Chest pains? Call 911. Go to the emergency room.

@mammy
CALL 911.
GET TO THE ER!!!!!
NEVER fool around with chest pains!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

I agree with the posters who told you to go to the ER for your chest pains. Better safe than sorry, plus if you find out your heart is ok, that's one less thing to worry about. I don't know how quickly you're tapering, but you may be trying to go faster than your body can handle. Slow . . . slow . . . slow . . . slow. There's plenty of time to get off it; no rush. Regarding the anxiety, if it's an issue for you, Wellbutrin may not be the best choice because one of its possible side effects is increased anxiety. After I'd been off Effexor for several months, the anxiety returned full force. My dr had me try Wellbutrin, which made it worse, so he had me try Celexa -- I take its generic, citalopram, 20mg daily; started with 10mg and increased to 20 after a week -- and it has definitely done the job. I feel better than I have in years! I also take 25mg daily of metoprolol, a generic beta blocker (at the suggestion of the ER doc, to slow any adrenaline rush. (BTW, one of my friends takes Wellbutrin for depression, but she also takes Celexa for anxiety and she says she can tell when she misses a Celexa dose because she starts feeling anxious again. Also, Lexapro -- generic is s-citalopram -- may be a good possibility for you.) Please try to be gentle with yourself and keep telling yourself that this will pass. I know it's much easier to say that than to do it -- when I'm anxious, I get anxious about the anxiety and afraid, too. But you WILL find relief!!! Please keep us posted.

OMG skipping a dose immediately brings on all of the worst side effects for me: dizziness, brain "zaps", louder ringing in my ears, nausea. For me, I have been able to reduce under guidance from my psychiatrist by 20% with only a couple of brain zaps and stay at that for 2 weeks before reducing again. Early days yet, May have to reduce at a slower rate as I go along. Everyone is different. Listen to your body, you shouldn't be miserable while you go through this. Go as slow as you need to. You can do it.

I’m so sorry you’re feeling like this. Anxiety is the absolute worst! Please make sure you’re not tapering too fast. This isn’t a race and withdrawal is real. Doctors tend to rush the taper, too! There are lots of things out there that can assuage some symptoms, too. I am on nothing by choice. But here are a couple things that help.

First, you are not alone. Not just us in the forum, but millions of us suffer from anxiety and depression. (That helps me k owing I’m not alone. ) Next, revel in your good moments. (Helps me realize it isn’t all bad!). Something I find interesting is LET YOURSELF CRY! It might seem a little “woo woo” but it really lets stuff out when you cry. And if you’re like me and others, it’s a different kind of crying. It just comes on! If it’s inappropriate, just excuse yourself and cry. I cried at a work conference, on the subway and on a commuter train. And that was just today! But I can honestly tell you it helped! And lastly, I just downloaded an app called The Daily Calm which is a meditation. There are many. And even sitting quietly for ten minutes a day will help.

Please be careful with your ween. Go slow. And I hope your symptoms improve.

@mammy
How are you? Did you get your chest pains checked out? Let us know.