Switching antidepressants

@imfu, Let me say you're welcome on behalf of everyone who has offered advice, support, or simply encouragement. There are a lot of very compassionate folks who come here every day hoping to help someone else when they likely need some themselves. I know that is what keeps me coming back - we actually cover a good part of the globe, but it feels like a true neighborly community. Take care, Gary

Hi Gary / All- I have an update I'd like to share. I reduced my Effexor generic, Venaflaxine HCL ER, from 275 mg (3, 75 mg capsules) to one 75 mg capsule and am just today trying to go without that one 75 mg capsule. So far (at mid-day) am not showing any of the horrible withdrawal symptoms but some shaking, slight headache but nothing unbearable. So, if I can get through the day/afternoon/evening without it I will try it again tomorrow. I read one person took Ativan for withdrawal and if I need to I will take (I have some that was prescribed as an adjunct through my mother's downward spiral up to her death in August.

So for my next issue: can any speak to how long it takes the body to purge this poison and how long I should wait to introduce another antidepressant medication if needed. I see my Dr. tomorrow afternoon and am hoping will be completely off the Venaflaxine HCL ER by the time of my appointment and considering asking my Dr. about Lexapro or Clexa generics. (I have anxiety issues -always have- and feel I do need something to aid). Thank you.

RE: Effexor reduction.
I want all of you to know that I was give permission by healthcare professional to try the method I am using to get off Effexor and have a follow-up with my GP tomorrow. I do not recommend anyone do this without your Dr. approval.

I am also under a doctor’s care. Getting off of many years of Effexor & switching to Paxil. I’ve been through debilitating anxiety in the past year. He has me taking Effexor (150) in am, 12.5 mg Paxil with lunch, and skipping nighttime 150 nighttime Effexor. I have been opening capsules at night & pouring out 1/2. Also taking 1 mg of Xanax at bedtime. Is it ok to mix small dose of Paxil with Effexor while tapering off? I remember the last time I got off of SSRI, I got down to taking a few “balls” out of capsules for months. Still had headaches & head chills.

Welcome to Connect, @stillwater,

It sounds like you are taking all the right steps – the decision to switch or go off or prescribed medications should be carefully considered with the support of your physician or therapist to make sure you don't risk recurrence or significant side effects.
You may also wish to view this discussion on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor, taking place on Connect:
– https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/

I'm tagging @linda4 @imfu @gman007 @doxyjune @kdo0827 as they may have some more insights for you. While switching antidepressants, in my personal experience, my doctor gradually lowered the dose for Effexor XR (which I had been on for 9 years), while simultaneously starting Cymbalta. With regard to taking Effexor and Paxil at the same time, it would be best to seek your doctor's advice.

@stillwater, may I ask why you are weaning off Effexor? Do you feel it contributed to your anxiety, or other symptoms?

Not sure if I’m doing this right. I went through a terrible bout of anxiety. I’ve been depressed & worried for years, but this anxiety threw me for a loop. We tried different things, but only Xanax worked. He didn’t like my using that “as needed.” Personally, I don’t see why not. Then we tried Abilify & the anxiety disappeared. After a few weeks, I started feeling restless, muscles twitching, etc. Stopped Abilify. Then he wanted me to increase Effexor to two caps (150 ea) in morning & one (150) at night. I refused to take that much, so here we are trying to get off Effexor & onto Paxil. Oh, I forgot to mention that my blood pressure, which has always been normal, was suddenly high. Now I’m on Beta Blocker also. One other time that I weaned off of SSRI, I had terrible headaches, and something that someone told me was “phantom smells.”  Scary!! I’m very weary of all this nonsense, and to top it off, I am moving to another state in a few months, and have to find a new doctor. Thank you for caring.

Hi @stillwater,

It does get tiresome, I know! While the Effexor helped me tremendously, my doctor at Mayo Clinic did mention that it could cause high blood pressure...which it did, but that has been well controlled with medication.