Posted , 5 users are following.
What a long year of trying numerous SSRIs to no relief- well, I shouldn't say no help, as Zoloft was brilliant for intrusive thoughts, but just about zapped any motivation I had left. I had success with Celexa in the past but had been off for a few years and tried to go back on, and it back fired. Next was Prozac, which gave me intense scary bouts of anger. After that was Lexapro, which basically made me able to function yet at the same time more depressed. Terrifying feeling looking back at how irrational it made my thinking. Then the Zoloft. When the Zoloft wasn't cutting it, Wellbutrin was also added. Also wasn't cutting it .
Now my Psych has me on Effexor, and I'm a week in. I kind of agreed on a whim, and after really looking into it, I just don't think the withdrawal one day is worth it. I've dealt with brain zaps before, but those seem like Childs play to an Effexor taper. Thinking I want to get out while I'm ahead. Since I've came to the realization that I do need medical help again, I've been extremely interested in Clomipramine, an older Tricyclic. The newer classes always seem to be pushed first though, which I understand for the SSRIs, but the SNRIs seem like a horror story to get off of. I'm aware that TCAs are "dirtier" drugs, but I'd take a trade of: side effects while I'm on it to less side effects but a horrible withdrawal. Is that a valid reason to want to switch? And also..
Anyone have experiences on/coming off Effexor?
Anyone have experiences on Clomipramine?
Anyone have success outside of the SSRIs with something else?
Thank you in advance to any responders!
1 like, 5 replies
marleen85993 onward
Posted
Hi l am on Effexor at the moment was on it 3 years ago.l have tried numerous ssris and they were useless.l found them all hard to get on and off.I find Effexor the best and if you take it slow coming off l didn't find it any harder than any of the rest.Everyone is different so I wouldn't advice you either way.
Aspinan onward
Posted
Hi, Ive been on Effexor in the past and came off it without any side effects, also been on Clomipramine which was great for deoression and OCD, no side effects starting or coming off. I'm currently back on Effexor just jumped to 150mg from 75mg starting tomorrow, so far had no side effects.
I think I must be lucky with side effects (fingers crossed), tapered of Brintellix 8 weeks ago and guess what... No side effects.
Definitely try Clomipramine it's supposed to be the gold standard.
Good luck Neil
onward Aspinan
Posted
simon13633 onward
Posted
Yeah I was on top dose of venlafaxine for about 5 years then decided I'd had enough of it. Came off it without tapering and got insomnia, nausea and every time I moved my head it felt like my brain was attached to a spring and it seemed to oscillate from side to side. Of all the ssri's and other meds I've been on this was the least harsh withdrawal. Lasted about a month. No anti depressant has ever worked for me and I am highly dubious to their efficiency. A sugar pill/placebo are probably just as effective. A good book to read on this subject is "Cracked - why psychiatry is doing more harm than good" by James Davies.
cfiddy79 onward
Posted
I have been on Effexor for years. I hate the withdrawals, they are brutal, but I hate having terrible anxiety even worse. I pretty much have accepted that I will take medication for the rest of my life and that is ok with me. Mental illness sucks, and I do not intend to suffer because I want to be able to say I managed it all without meds. Effexor is the only med I have taken that has genuinely helped me manage my anxiety. I have tried Celexa, Prozac, and Cymbalta. I do not recall any side effects with those. For Effexor the only side effects I see are trouble paying attention (although this might be just my anxiety rearing it's ugly head) and weight gain. At first I lost weight, but now I overeat like crazy! I haven't tried the Clomipramine. I would ask your doc and tell them your concerns with Effexor.
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