Think it's time to switch off zoloft! Effexor vs Remeron?

As I mentioned to you previously I was on Zoloft for over 10 years until it quit. It was the best drug for me, but I had to find something new. I tried Celexa, Prozac, Abilify, Seroquel, Wellbutrin and none of them even touched my anxiety. Started on Effexor about 3 months ago and finally the anxiety is gone. I am still not quite where I want to be - with zoloft I had all kinds of energy, I haven't gotten that back yet, but will be increasing my mgs. next month so that might help. All in all tho - if I had to stay at this point of feeling good for the rest of my life, I would gladly take it. Took a while to kick in, but with each one I have tried I gave my best shot and never quit until I felt there was no hope. That sounds like the point you are at - what does your doctor say? I know what it is like to get up every day and think - maybe today is the day it is going to kick in and it doesn't - I am now on 112.5 mgs. of Effexor but I still have room to increase, which my doctor is quite willing to do. Started off very slowly on 37.5 mgs. - he increased me very slowly, so it took a little longer to kick in.

I understand how you are feeling, more than you will ever know - has the doctor ever mentioned taking Abilify with your Zoloft - it is kind of a booster drug and when I first went on it with my Prozac it helped, but then quit working. A lot of people rave about Abilify. Very pricey tho.

I think a visit to your doctor is necessary as you obviously have no confidence in the Zoloft ever working so he will probably change you to something. I am just happy to be where I am right now, could be better, but I will take it, no anxiety, just a little sluggish - it will get better I know and you will get better too - since my Zoloft quit I have been on an almost three year odyssey - finally I have some relief. Don't think for one minute that nothing will work for you as with each med you have to believe that this is the one that will make the difference and keep that thought in your mind until it starts to work.

Didn't mean to be so long winded, but you will get better - there is something out there for you, don't give up. when you are at your worst go for long walks - that's what I used to do - it changes your brain chemistry and as you are walking you tend to forget how lousy you feel. Good Luck to you. Let me know what you decide.

Wayup, what was your anxiety like? Did you suffer from depression too? Did you have to wean off completely before you started effexor? Did it increase your anxiety? I just can't live like this anymore. I really appreciate your kindness. Where in Canada are you? I'm in manitoba. I feel so bad for my kids because I just can't get past this! I need to be well for them. Sorry so many questions, but I'm just so confused right now. Did you notice any improvements early with the effexor? Ugh sorry. I just feel so hopeless!

Small world - I too am in Manitoba. Yes I weaned off the Prozac while I started off the Effexor at the same time. I really didn't have any side effects coming off the Prozac.

I started off with panic attacks when I started menopause in my 40's, then the anxiety started. I wasn't suffering from depression until much later when they couldn't seem to get a handle on my anxiety and panic attacks. The first drug they put me on was Zoloft and it worked wonders for me, so needless to say, once it quit I thought this is going to be an easy fix, just try another med. Yeah well, almost three years later, I have found another one that seems to be working. Thank God.

I understand what you are saying about being there for your kids - but they are resilient and altho they might not understand totally what is wrong with you they understand when you are not feeling well. For now that is probably all they need to know unless they are older children. I have always been open with my family and friends about what I have had and even tho they would admit they didn't understand it, no one ever thought I was a mental case or treated me like one. It is important to talk to someone who understands - I didn't have that when I first started and it was so hard, ended up in the hospital a few times because I didn't know what was wrong with me and my doctor would not give me any benzos to take at home as he said I would get addicted so I had to stay there and only get the drugs as he would prescribe them. The doctor I have now gave me Clonazepam to take through the hard times and I think I have probably taken total of 10 in three years as I am conscious of not becoming addicted.

Post Edited (Wayupnorth) : 9/10/2013 10:30:13 AM (GMT-6)

I could have written what you just said, only my kids were a bit older when my trouble started. My depression was the result of the anxiety as well. I would go see the doctor and he would say, you don't seem depressed, (usually I am a cheerleader and up about everything) - so even tho I carried a brave face I was dying inside. I know exactly what you mean when you say you thought you would be on Celexa for the rest of your life. I was told also that I would have to be on something for the rest of my life because of the chronic anxiety and panic - and I thought I had found my saviour in Zoloft. I so know how you feel as I never ever expected I could one day be back in the black hole I tried so hard to stay out of. Clonazepam works good for me, but I haven't taken one in probably three months. I try not to. Actually what helped me a lot was when the Zoloft first quit, and oh yes my doctor told me I would probably need to find another doctor because he had decided to do colonoscopies at our local hospital. So here I was in this black hole with no doctor (ya gotta love these people) I had a hard time finding another one so I phoned our local crisis line and they sent two people out to assess me, which started the wheels turning. At this poinit you don't care - ask me anything, just help me. From there they got me another doctor, a psychiatrist and a meds counsellor who work together. I love the meds counsellor as I can e-mail her anytime if something is going on, especially when you are first starting out on these drugs - she tells me to call or e-mail anytime. She works very well with the psyciatrist and they collaborate on what they think I should be on or try. When they couldn't seem to make me better, they took it personally and told me not to worry that they would find something. That was really when everything started to turn around for me. Support is so important. I have a girlfriend that I met in a group that is going through the same thing, so when she first started I used to call her everyday - and if she doesn't hear from me, she calls me, just to make sure I am ok. I will try and be part of your support group until we get you better. When do you see your doctor again. I am just outside of Winnipeg.

I live right on . The people and doctors I am now working with just keep saying "don't worry we will find something that will work , it's just a matter of time. Life is a crap shoot but you don't tell your patient that - that's kind of why I was glad to have a psychiatrist involved because gp's know very little about mental illness and half the time I think there is no such thing. I have heard a few horror stories that people have gone through to get proper help. That is the reason my other doc told me to find another doctor because he knew my problem was chronic and long term and he didn't want to be bothered.

My clonazepam was also.25 and one pill was usually enough for me Mornings were the worst for me as well, I would start to feel somewhat normal about 4:00 p.m. and I would think, maybe tomorrow it will be gone I feel pretty good. Next morning there it is again. I did a lot of crying as well but you know what - it is good to cry, because it is a release of everything that is bottled up. I used to feel that if I didn't cry I would bust. I will give you my e-mail address so you can get in touch with me so I don't filll up the whole board with my chatter.   Look forward to hearing from you.

<Edit>  Sorry for the edit however, we want to do all we can to keep you save while online.  From our rules:7. Do not post offline personal contact information (ie. your home address, phone numbers, email, etc.) and do not ask for personal information from others. This is to protect your security and identity.

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Kindly,

Kitt

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 9/14/2013 1:08:12 PM (GMT-6)

I am on effexor and have been for about
4 weeks . I am really trying to
Give this medicine a chance but its so hard too . I am a college kid and it is affecting the way I study . I feel so tired all the time . It makes me want to do nothing but sleep . A side effect that the doctor won't tell you about is it makes you hotter and sweat more .'i constantly feel hot . Idk what to do . Celexa didn't work and according to my doctor if a medicine doesn't work in that class then it is less
Than likely another med would

Hi SMU25 - I didn't feel like a zombie, but I could have slept all day at the beginning. I stilll have trouble with perspiration, but not as bad as the beginning. I will take perspiring anyday over anxiety. I am now on 112.5 mgs. of Effexor and actually feeling real good. Not back to normal, but my energy is slowly returning and I can get up without anxiety, where as I had it every morning. The change was subtle, but definitely I am feeling better. You will too.

Hello roys 101 and welcome.

I am sorry to hear of your treatment struggles...to come to terms with things, and find what works best for you.

It is a journey for sure, and one that is different for everyone.

If your add on is not giving you the coverage that you need...I assume you are going to be considering another SNRI or SSRI?

Have you made an appointment with your doctor to discuss your options yet?

It is impossible to predict how an individual will do on any given Rx, and therefore hard to recommend anything, other to say you need to try a med in order to know for yourself.

However, during this transition time I can recommend some great coping skill material .

At the top of the main page here, you will find our Resources. They are full of great recommendations for stress reducing self-help that should help you during any start up you ultimately begin...and beyond!

If you stay on with us, please consider starting your own thread of introduction, so more members can welcome and support you.

Best wishes, and post anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat