HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Med change anxiety

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 4/6/2017 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hoping for some insight and guidance!
Been dealing with anxiety for years - in remission for the most part for last 8 or so. Decided to wean off Lexapro last year - big mistake in hindsight. Anxiety came back with a vengeance in January and slowly recovering ever since. On effexor 150mg for last 2 months with reasonable success but host of side effects and no consistent relief from chronic GAD.
I'm hoping to transition back to Lexapro and met with psychiatrist today. He supports the effort and offered the following plan: reduce Effexor dosage to 75 mg for 1 week, then 37.5 for the 2nd week. He also prescribed 15mg Remeron during the transition period. I would then start on 10mg Lexapro in week 3.
So it's a plan, but honestly my anxiety ramps up thinking about potentially getting worse again and facing a number of weeks ahead until I hopefully get better. I know I've learned a lot during this period and feel I have some good tools, but still really concerned.
Has anyone made this transition of meds before? Any suggestions or reassurance on the process? The other option we discussed was going to brands name Effexor as he claims he has seen instances where the side effects are lower than generics. Not sure if anyone has experienced this themselves.
Thanks as always for the help and support!
Posted 4/6/2017 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I was scared out of my mind for 2 or so years to change my old med ( Paxil) as I read so many horror stories about coming off of it. I finally took a chance and did it! I am now on Celexa and have not felt better, my change was easy and no icky side effects! I am so glad I did this. Know that your doctor will not cause you pain on purpose. So trust you have the skills and your doc knows how to do this and will always help.
Posted 4/6/2017 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi G.F.,

No experience to share...but did want to send my encouragement to stay hopeful and positive during your transition.

Your P-doc sounds like he has a couple of solid options for you, so trust that together you will find the plan that helps you to get back on track again. smile

Post updates, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.
Posted 4/7/2017 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for the kind and thoughtful replies. Really makes me thankful that I found this forum. I know it's the anxiety talking as far as the unknown of changing meds. I need to remind myself that I have my p-doc, therapist and family behind me as I make the transition and that I'll be in good hands. I will definitely keep you all in the loop as I start this new path. Still hopeful that someone on the forum may have been on the same meds and transitioned. Thanks for your support!
Posted 4/7/2017 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Sounds like you pdoc has came up with a good plan for you.

I have been on all 3 of those medications and did find Effexor a hard one to stop and I also got a lot of side effects whilst I was taking it.

Keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 5/4/2017 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Circling back - had a separate post but wanted to get Hibee's take on Effexor given his comment. I had a very smooth transition from 150, to 112.5 in week 1, 75 mg in week 2 to 37.5 mg in week 3 (also added 5 mg of Lexapro). For week 4 did 37.5 mg Effexor every other day and 10 mg Lexapro. Fwlt great and finally stopped Effexor last Friday. Fwlt great until suddenly this past Monday afternoon I had a mild panic attack or off nowhere and immediately felt the negative self talk starting. Had to be the withdrawal effects completely overwhelming the effects of the Lexapro. Called pdoc and he had me start back on 37.5mg Effexor and 10 mg Lexapro everyday again. This was a tough decision to start back on the Effexor - I really hate that med and noticed my anxiety decreasing every week my dosage dropped. That said, curious to hear how Hibee was able to finally wean off of it. I know everyone is different but trying to get a rough frame of reference. Starting to feel less anxious each day this week but would like to start weaning off again sometime in the next few weeks. Thanks!
Posted 5/4/2017 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
I only have experience weaning off of Zoloft (currently in the process of doing that), and what's helped me the most is high intensity interval exercise-- it does the best at keeping my anxiety and panic at bay. If you're in good physical health, and get the all clear form the pdoc to do rigorous exercise, I highly recommend it!
Posted 5/4/2017 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Blu's Mama - probably a good idea. I used to be a regular runner and am still in decent shape. Just let busy work and family life (and laziness) get me off track last summer. I hate exercise but there is no doubt that you feel better after doing it.
Good luck with the Zoloft - hopefully will continue to go smoothly for you. I understand now it takes time and you need to listen to what your body is telling you. My told me it was too soon to completely stop. Scaredy Cat had recommended titration to wean off the Effexor - may try that on attempt 2 in a few weeks. For now just hoping to get level and lose the nagging anxiety that is plaguing me since this past Monday. Feel a little better each day but still waking up with heightened non directional anxiety. The joys of GAD.
Thanks for the suggestion and good luck to you!
Posted 5/4/2017 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi GF
I also want to encourage you to stay positive,
Practice your coping skills.
Hope you feel better soon
Posted 5/4/2017 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Prew - I appreciate the very kind words. I am doing my best to stay positive through this. It does get disheartening though as it is definitely a 2 steps forward, 1 step back recovery process. I do give a prayer of thanks for those times/days when my mind is quiet. They truly are a gift.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply