My PA-C prescribed Viibryd for me after having a discussion at my physical. She said if Effexor Xr wasn’t working any more, I could try a new med that sounded promising. I few weeks later I called the nurse and left a message. Without talking to me further, she went ahead and prescribed Viibryd and my mail pharmacy filled it and charged my credit $100. They refused to take it back. I have been on Effexor for almost 20 years so I know what it feels like when you are off this med for 3-4 days because you run out and the doc is lazy getting back to you. I have also tried decreasing from 150 to 75 and I was in a total fog, I just sat and stared at my computer at work and cried. My brain could not function! I was dizzy and off balance. I even tried Prozac at the same time which did not help one bit.
I called and left a message. I got a call back stating I am to quit Effexor at once and start the starter pack of Viibryd and with the 21 days of Prozac. Really? I called back again and I tried to explain I cannot do this without having some serious issues and basically getting sick. The nurse said she had never heard of this happening! She put in another message about my concerns and that I need to go off Effexor slowly from past experience but the same reply cane back! Ugh! Why put myself through that hell and risk my job when I already know what is going to happen? I’m supposed to just go ahead and then if I have symptoms to call back….
Been there done that. No I don’t want to suffer and wait for a response. I want to be proactive and know ahead of time. I am not comfortable doing that. I literally cannot function!
I do medical coding so it’s not like I can work like that. Why are Fam Practice doctors and PAs so much in the dark about this? Anyone switch from Effexor to Viibryd after being on it many years? Did you taper or cut cold turkey?

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