Switching antidepressants

Hi, @imfu -- I know that many of our Connect members have experienced switching from one antidepressant to another. I know that is a delicate process. Some members who might have some thoughts or suggestions for you include @gman007, @doxyjune, @maplegrove, @linda4, @godsgirl1969, @bren1985 and @jeannegordon4.

What is prompting you to leave the venlafaxine hydrochloride extended-release (Effexor XR)?

I was put on Wellbutrin but I simply couldn't tolerate it. I was then put on Remeron and Lexapro and I'm very pleased with how I'm feeling!

Hi @imfu. I take a lot of medications and of course docs always want you to take the newest, most expensive ones so I use discount cards supplied by the manufacturer's to help you cover your copay. If you will go to https://www.effexorxr.com/, you can sign up for a discount card that will allow you to pay as little as $4 for a thirty day supply. As long as medicare or medicaid is not your primary insurance, you will receive a significant discount and these are available for most drugs and if you still can not afford any drug prescribed, most of the pharmaceutical companies have programs to help you get the medicine you need. I hope this helps with this or any other medication you need until you can manage to get some insurance, but these help either way. Take care, Gary

What were your symptoms with the Wellbutrin?
Jane

Hi! After 2&1/2 months on Effexor, my triglycerides tripled, I am diabetic after having NEVER been before in my life, and I gained 15 lbs.. but my doctor has asked me to try to get the numbers and weight down thru diet until my next blood work in May because the Effexor is working so well for me.I have cut out wheat and sugar, as well as excess salt, and am measuring all my food. I have lost four pounds and my sugar was down yesterday to 116 from 143 at blood work time. BUT, my doctor promised me if there wasn't no significant improvement by May with everything, he is going to explore other anti depressants. Yeah well I want back on Prozac. I was on it for 27 years and had no problems when last fall it stopped working and I went into what the psychiatrist called Prozac poop out. I am hoping that after six months off of it, I can return to it. I do not want a trade off of failing health just because I am not depressed..

Thank you Lisa.

Thank you Gary, I'll check into your suggestions. I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

Hi Lisa, I want off for multiple reasons. It does work but not that well and instead of allowing me to switch meds. Also, the great weight gain (almost 40 lbs in last two years). And rather than helping me to switch meds, per my Dr. my dosage keeps increasing so that tells me it is not working as it should (??). I'm currently taking 225mg in capsules form so have no idea how to reduce intake slowly. My Dr has shown lack of empathy or concern and I have no confidence in him any longer. I did insist on another practitioner but unfortunately is a shared practice here in rural SC. I just feel the risk and issues of dependency outweigh the benefits and feel that there has to be another product that will work on my GAD. I never have liked the "itchy/crawling" scalp and shakiness- and am constantly being asked about it, but the weight gain and inability to lose it has put me in the obese category and am now dealing with those issues as well. From my recent research am learning this particular med is highly addictive and extremely difficult to get off of-as true for me also.- and can aid in huge weight gains. I am concerned and want off of it completely.

I'm not a doctor but there are posts here, I wanted to mention, imfu, where someone is on Effexor and experiencing severe side effects from it and is desperate to get off Effexor.

Thank you so much. I'm so glad I found this site. I truly was feeling alone , lost, desperate and sat at my laptop in bed for hours scouring the web for help and so far this has been the best source for me. I have read through many of the posts and am still reading so I appreciate that. I gained a lot of helpful insight from one in particular regarding dietary changes, etc. Things I have been doing already but probably more in a moderate way. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I can't tell you how much everyone's posts have helped me through the day.