Restarting Effexor and Struggling

Hi, @njp1013 - I've also had the experience of going on an antidepressant and just having to wait it out and wade through some not fun side effects as my body got used to an antidepressant. I almost gave up on bupropion (Wellbutrin) while in that process, as I was agitated and didn't like it at all. Thankfully a pharmacist told me it might take multiple months till it all settled down and it would be a good place to analyze if it was working well for me. That was so right. Doesn't make it any more fun to have to go through the process, however.

I think that @grandmar @brightwings @sandij @guener @sundance6 may have some thoughts about going through the sometimes unwelcome ups and downs of getting used to an antidepressant.

Is there anything that seems to calm the agitation down so far for you, njp1013?

Often I think about the relative dosages of medications I take, whether or not to change them, to stop or to continue with the status quo. It takes me quite a while to adjust to new or to changed medication levels, and pretty much nobody likes what it feels like to go through the physical or emotional stress associated to it. I remember wanting to change (up) the amount of one of my prescriptions to try to accelerate the good effects it was having for me, but really I was failing my own patience. Fortunately my psychiatrist coached me into giving it another number of weeks, and I'm happy that I didn't end up on a higher dose than where I am now, based upon side-effects. When I am experiencing distress over starting a new medication, waiting on changes to happen, or if I'm just generally OFF, I use my CBT techniques to remind myself that it's partially illusory. (It's hard to get past the physical aspects of side-effects, I know.) Scheduling my time during these episodes is important to me for staying occupied for much of the time, in an environment that is as comfortable as I can make it. There's no getting over the truth that it's hard to do these things regularly, and we are going to experience some discomfort. Pharmacology in the realm of antidepressants has not changed much since I started taking them for the first time many years ago, but at that time I didn't have a group like this one to turn to for input and care outside of the doctor's office. Back then I quit taking the drug, and I suffered a lot for not having developed a long-term plan for addressing my depression and anxiety, like I have now. The ball of wax is a big one to curate, isn't it?

@lisalucier hi! for me it helps to know that i've done this before, i have somewhat of a roadmap to know how to expect to feel at what point in starting the med. i know that generally week 1 and 2 are no fun at all, but i do find that having the experience calms me down a little. secondly it helps to whenever i can to accept the feelings that i have, for example last night me and my son were ballboys for the high school football team my brother coaches, it felt great because all this adrenaline cortisol etc in me actually had an outlet and everyone around me was as revved up as me, so much of this feeling like i *shouldnt* be feeling a certain way so it was great to feel like it was ok to feel like that for a little while. whenever i can accept my feelings it helps so much. walking and exercise helps a lot too i walk 5 miles a day.

@guener thanks for your advice as well, reminding myself some of the agitation and anxiety is illusory and will pass as i adjust to the med was helpful...i read your post while sitting in traffic yesterday and it actually calmed me down quite a bit 🙂

Hi, @njp1013 - since you mentioned the experience of coming off of benzodiazepines (benzos) previously, I thought you might be interested in this Connect thread on that topic https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/protracted-benzo-withdrawal

Hello all, I'm on day 11 of Effexor, it's still really tough. I know from experience these first couple weeks ramping up on a new med are really hard and this time is too, its like it makes me feel worse at first. I emailed my doc on Monday to give him an update on how I'm feeling and he said I would need to be on the med for at least 2 weeks before feeling any benefits and mornings are especially tough. i guess im just looking for some support 🙁 thanks.

thanks @lisalucier reading other peoples stories is invaluable to me. makes me feel so much better.

Little by little. One day at a time.

@doorman that is great to hear, for me klonopin helped over a short period of time and i didnt feel like a drug addict having to pop it 3 times a day due to its long half life. i am so glad to hear you are starting to feel better, today is the first morning for me since i started that has not been 100% awfulness, feel somewhat human (day 12). little by little, brick by brick.

I’m currently taking Klonopin (Clanazopan)....but at a very low dose...... .25 mg/2 times a day. I will get off them slowly, and don’t think I will have much trouble. I’ve done it before. Like I said, I’m in my 7th week of Effexor at 75mg./day. Starting to feel better! It’s misery at first, but it DOES get better. Oh, and I never stay on benzos more than 2 weeks. I’ve learned my lesson.

@doorman are you taking a benzo? those are tricky..they help. alot. however i think when i used them i became overly reliant on them and i felt bad, like i was abusing the xanax prescription my psych gave me. i called him in tears one day and was like 'im so sorry ive been taking the xanax more than i should can you please help me get off' sure enough he raised my dose of effexor and weaned me off the benzo with a higher half life one (klonopin) and getting off the benzo was so much easier than i ever thought it would be. if you work with your doctor and be honest with them it can be done but talk to your doc so they can recommend whether you should be off it or not. this must be done very slowly.