Anyone tapered off Effexor and used Prozac as a bridge?

I know there are several of you who have used Prozac as a bridge when tapering off Effexor, but I would appreciate reading more input/advice. I am starting my taper off Effexor XR 75, and doc want to add 10 mg Prozac. Would you please share your experiences?

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How long had you been off Effexor when you started Prozac? I am 3 months into withdrawal (0mg) and want Prozac asap. I can't deal with the darkness in my head - mega anxiety and fear. Please let me know. I need some hope.

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Hi, so I've recently decided to taper Effexor XR. I've been taking it for almost 6 years. Took Pristiq for a few months before that and Lexapro for over 3 years before that. At the moment I am also taking 0.25 mg (0.5 split in half) Rivotril (clonazepam).

Anyways, I am currently taking 37.5mg of Effexor XR. The last time I reduced was in January 2020 (from 75mg). The method I am using to taper is by counting the beads and removing it bit by bit. My Effexor capsule has 180 beads. I removed 10 beads (5.5%) last month and had side effects for after 2 days that lasted for a couple days. They weren't severe, it was mainly feeling low and maybe a bit nauseous.

Then just 5 days ago, I decided to remove 10 more beads, making my total 160. Again I experienced side effects, but they were slightly different this time - bad nausea for 2 days and dizziness. Also, last night I woke up mid sleep with an electrical sensation (seizure??) on the back of my neck. Now this was different to brain zaps as I've already experienced those when I've tried quitting cold turkey in the past (HORRIBLE IDEA). So I'm just curious if anyone's had this type of symptom during their tapering process. I'm feeling so scared right now and am not sure what to do.

Please help and give me any hope! I'll be very grateful

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I've posted several times before, in response to the question of getting off Effexor...
I'll be brief.
Primary doctor prescribed Effexor XR, and I was on it for way too long, about 10 - 12 yrs or so.
She never informed me that my blood pressure could be affected, and it sure did. Eventually, I had seriously HBP, but figured it was due to high stress related to my job (high school teacher, and school administration was unbearable with everyone). Had the added stress of having an elderly parent who had to come live with us. Fast forward: I had horrid side effects from the medication. Night terrors, hallucinations, dreadfully draining dreams. Confusion, brain fog, and increased depression. Yes, the very medication that was prescribed for depression was instead making my situation worse. After I discovered via speaking with a few trusted people, I confided in a neurologist. She created a schedule for tapering off the medication. Took months, and throughout she was helpful and kept tabs on my progress (and any problems that came up, like headaches, nausea, anxiety). I finally got to the last dose of the dreaded Effexor, and I can't recall what the quantity was, but it was such a triumph knowing that it would be the LAST. There was no "bridge" antidepressant that went along with the Effexor while tapering off. In my situation, that would have been another hell altogether since I learned in the past that I had serious reactions to Paxil, Serzone, and several other medications. I shudder to think what Prozac would have done. I'm even highly sensitive (with horrible reactions) to many others, including pain medications.

I just don't comprehend the rationale for taking a dose of another drug while tapering off something as strong as Effexor. I am equally baffled by members who have posted that they created their OWN plan for tapering off, and do so with no medical guidance. A few have said that either they (on their own) went back to taking a mid-way dose due to withdrawal symptoms, or their DOCTORS told them to restart the medication....From my experiences, I would not do either. And you cannot just go COLD TURKEY. I'm glad that my neurologist was knowledgeable and so supportive. I have more related episodes that I could share, but I've done so elsewhere within this mayo connect group within the last few months.

My heart goes out to all people who are struggling to take back control of their lives. It was not an easy road. What am I taking for my depression now? Nothing. I won't put myself in the situation again that is created by the grip of those drugs. To me, that is scarier and more challenging than the depression itself. And the clincher: The drugs did NOT ameliorate the depression, only exacerbated it! Thankfully, I do have a few creative outlets. And not all days are as difficult as others. But no more antidepressants for me...

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Hi, I have recently tapered off 75mg Efexor XR. It took roughly 6 months and I am on Topiramate 100mg for migraines which I believed helped with the initial taper (anti epileptic properties- reduced brain zaps etc) BUT it has been a month since I discontinued and I feel like I have fallen into a black hole of despair. Sometimes I honestly am not sure who or what I am.. and then it passes and I feel ok for a moment. Generally though, the joy is gone. I was considering taking Efexor again at 37.5mg, but I have been advised that Prozac 10-20mg is the antidote. Seeing my doc tomorrow, happy to be the Guinea pig and will let you know how it goes

Jump to this post

How long had you been off Effexor when you started Prozac? I am 3 months into withdrawal (0mg) and want Prozac asap. I can't deal with the darkness in my head - mega anxiety and fear. Please let me know. I need some hope.

Jump to this post

I've posted several times before, in response to the question of getting off Effexor...
I'll be brief.
Primary doctor prescribed Effexor XR, and I was on it for way too long, about 10 - 12 yrs or so.
She never informed me that my blood pressure could be affected, and it sure did. Eventually, I had seriously HBP, but figured it was due to high stress related to my job (high school teacher, and school administration was unbearable with everyone). Had the added stress of having an elderly parent who had to come live with us. Fast forward: I had horrid side effects from the medication. Night terrors, hallucinations, dreadfully draining dreams. Confusion, brain fog, and increased depression. Yes, the very medication that was prescribed for depression was instead making my situation worse. After I discovered via speaking with a few trusted people, I confided in a neurologist. She created a schedule for tapering off the medication. Took months, and throughout she was helpful and kept tabs on my progress (and any problems that came up, like headaches, nausea, anxiety). I finally got to the last dose of the dreaded Effexor, and I can't recall what the quantity was, but it was such a triumph knowing that it would be the LAST. There was no "bridge" antidepressant that went along with the Effexor while tapering off. In my situation, that would have been another hell altogether since I learned in the past that I had serious reactions to Paxil, Serzone, and several other medications. I shudder to think what Prozac would have done. I'm even highly sensitive (with horrible reactions) to many others, including pain medications.

I just don't comprehend the rationale for taking a dose of another drug while tapering off something as strong as Effexor. I am equally baffled by members who have posted that they created their OWN plan for tapering off, and do so with no medical guidance. A few have said that either they (on their own) went back to taking a mid-way dose due to withdrawal symptoms, or their DOCTORS told them to restart the medication....From my experiences, I would not do either. And you cannot just go COLD TURKEY. I'm glad that my neurologist was knowledgeable and so supportive. I have more related episodes that I could share, but I've done so elsewhere within this mayo connect group within the last few months.

My heart goes out to all people who are struggling to take back control of their lives. It was not an easy road. What am I taking for my depression now? Nothing. I won't put myself in the situation again that is created by the grip of those drugs. To me, that is scarier and more challenging than the depression itself. And the clincher: The drugs did NOT ameliorate the depression, only exacerbated it! Thankfully, I do have a few creative outlets. And not all days are as difficult as others. But no more antidepressants for me...

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In follow up…. I have commenced 20mg Prozac daily after tapering off Efexor 75mg (see my post re: horror story discontinuation side effects). The first week I had daily headaches, but after 1 week the headaches subsided and I haven’t had one since! My mood is slowly leveling out (not up but not down). It’s been almost 2 since I started Prozac. Well worth a try… will keep you posted.

Jump to this post

I've posted several times before, in response to the question of getting off Effexor...
I'll be brief.
Primary doctor prescribed Effexor XR, and I was on it for way too long, about 10 - 12 yrs or so.
She never informed me that my blood pressure could be affected, and it sure did. Eventually, I had seriously HBP, but figured it was due to high stress related to my job (high school teacher, and school administration was unbearable with everyone). Had the added stress of having an elderly parent who had to come live with us. Fast forward: I had horrid side effects from the medication. Night terrors, hallucinations, dreadfully draining dreams. Confusion, brain fog, and increased depression. Yes, the very medication that was prescribed for depression was instead making my situation worse. After I discovered via speaking with a few trusted people, I confided in a neurologist. She created a schedule for tapering off the medication. Took months, and throughout she was helpful and kept tabs on my progress (and any problems that came up, like headaches, nausea, anxiety). I finally got to the last dose of the dreaded Effexor, and I can't recall what the quantity was, but it was such a triumph knowing that it would be the LAST. There was no "bridge" antidepressant that went along with the Effexor while tapering off. In my situation, that would have been another hell altogether since I learned in the past that I had serious reactions to Paxil, Serzone, and several other medications. I shudder to think what Prozac would have done. I'm even highly sensitive (with horrible reactions) to many others, including pain medications.

I just don't comprehend the rationale for taking a dose of another drug while tapering off something as strong as Effexor. I am equally baffled by members who have posted that they created their OWN plan for tapering off, and do so with no medical guidance. A few have said that either they (on their own) went back to taking a mid-way dose due to withdrawal symptoms, or their DOCTORS told them to restart the medication....From my experiences, I would not do either. And you cannot just go COLD TURKEY. I'm glad that my neurologist was knowledgeable and so supportive. I have more related episodes that I could share, but I've done so elsewhere within this mayo connect group within the last few months.

My heart goes out to all people who are struggling to take back control of their lives. It was not an easy road. What am I taking for my depression now? Nothing. I won't put myself in the situation again that is created by the grip of those drugs. To me, that is scarier and more challenging than the depression itself. And the clincher: The drugs did NOT ameliorate the depression, only exacerbated it! Thankfully, I do have a few creative outlets. And not all days are as difficult as others. But no more antidepressants for me...

Jump to this post