HELP Effexor RX to Prozac

[nonothing]

Hi. I'm considering switching from 375 mg of Effexor XR to Proxac. I can't deal with how tired Effexor makes me. I'm going back to college and will not be able to sleep 15 hours in a night(?) any more. Also, being 19 years old, it would be nice to have a libido that isn't non-existant as Effexor as it either. I know that these are both common side effects for all, but ive been through Lexapro, Paxil and Zoloft, and Effexor is the only that has had some type of effect in terms of alleviating the dear depression and anxiety.  

But, I am terrified of the process of switching, I'm terrified that I'll be suicidal all through it. I'm sure if i do it I'll wind up dead. I went down 37.5 once, to try to see if it could help with me sleeping so much,  and was a wreck.
Does anyone have an experience of what it was like? OR If not Prozac, does anyone have any recommendation for meds that have worked for them that didn't leave them tired all the time. Or maybe in addition to the effexor? I know the libido maybe a lost cause, but the sleep is driving me crazy.  I know everyone's different, but anyone better than my doc at this point.  

please help. thankkks

Jennifer

[KatyN]

I have been able to get off Effexor completely two times and after approximately two weeks of being off this drug, I begin to feel as though I am losing my mind.  I asked my doctor if this drug has done some kind of permanent damage to my brain as I become someone I don't even know.  I did not get an answer.  Am I stuck on this poison forever?  It makes my heart pound and raises my cholesterol almost 100 points.  I want off of this drug!

[spikerusty]

Lepraxo but Prozac for a long time gave me the myself back after i had been away for a while and my libido came back. Your right everyone is different, but so is the sexual side effect equation as i'm on effexor now and have worked through the tiredness although i have doubled up with lepraxo to max levels which appears for me to be working pretty ok, with my additionl "vitamins as well" on top. How long were you on the other antidepressants for as the usual bog standard 4-6 week windown doesn't apply to me as well as for many others and they need longer, higher doses and possible exploration of maybe augmenting strategies, as well as possible exploration of alternative therapies, physical activities and general "me time" expression opportunities. Effexoor has a bad rep for withdrawal buty it can be done effcetively with the so called prozac bridge technique. I came off prozac last year as was no where near as bad as seroxat which was horrendous, although cold turkey in a foreign country, America, Prozac i had lorazepam and i commenced another AD to replace it, however never used any lorazepam.

I have read that some AD's sexual side effect profile between the sexes is different as there is a vast range of tablet possibilities. What about another snri or reboxetine hitting the serotonin and neurodrenaline i think as well,as well as slightly the dopamin. What about even adding mirtazapine to your current prescription, the original " califiornia Rocket fuel", it did'nt work for me as well as i had hoped, but supplemented mirtzapine for lepraxo which seems ok

Build a trusting relationship with yer GP, if you feel that your not able to do this or that there are not giving you the time, validation or respect through their consultation with you find another who you are able to relate to as its really important that you establish this to help you fight back against this very painful, isolating and difficult illness.  Knowledge of this area is a must with them as your becoming  more aware of the options through your reading and searching now so stick in there as things will get better.

[dwt7let]

Hi
I believe that Prosac is a good switch from effexor but I am not an expert on it, it's only what ive read. I came off effexor cold turkey 12 months ago my Dr's fault but I am glad now I am not a zombie and don't sleep all the time I was only on 150 mg's I feel for you being on such a high dose I don't know how you function even on 150 mg's I had days were I couldn't get out of the bed, I don't know how I fed my son !!!
When you suffered coming down off effexor you probably did it too quickly Dr's do it too quick. It was not your anxiety and depression coming back it was withdrawal which mimics these symptoms it's very sly.
It might be better to stay on effexor and withdraw very very slowly over along period it doesn't mean you won't suffer but the way Cita do it if it gets too painful stay on what your up to for longer and when you feel things have settled down start again. You are only young and you have this on your side stay strong and decide what you want to do and stick to it. I know you have an anxiety about doing it again as I will when I withdraw from
dolsulipin but hopefully next time we will feel more in control and do it at a slow pace. If you need info to withdraw slowly get in touch.
Good Luck and tell me how your doing !!
Love
Lorraine xx

[AntiHelium]

You could always switch to another drug in the SNRI class like Cymbalta. As long as it's focusing on the same sort of neurotransmitters you should be okay.

I was having problems with Cymbalta, mostly that zombie feeling and went to my psychiatrist and asked him about it. He said that not every type of drug is for everyone so finding the one that works for you is a process of trial and error. I wouldn't give up because one drug didn't work.

So, I switched from Cymbalta to Effexor XR without a problem, but your mileage may vary to your unique needs.

[gofio]

Seems that all drugs have unwanted side-effects. I've been through a lot of them, only the prescribed ones. Am content on Effexor, Prozac didn't work for me, Seroxat did too.Citalapram worked for a couple of years, then failed. Coming off meds. is best done over a long time, cold turkey would bring on an instant relapse.(My experience). All the boxes ticked in the leaflet that came with the meds. Libido does take a bashing, but that's the price to pay to stop freaking out/suicidal thoughts, when you're dead it's unlikely that there's much sex? So, you're decision's to decide if you prefer to be unstable at the cost of unwanted side effects or take pills/capsules/whatever to enable you to cope reasonably well. If you  doubt your Doc's competence you should get another one, unless there's some kind of friendly rapport between you it's unlikely that you'll get well while he/she's treating you. Get a Pharmacist to advise you as to what drugs do, their compatability etc. Always found them to be extremely helpful & much better informed than Doctors. Tiredness also is one of the things you can be cursed with, it's a common effect. I do what I can to ignore the tiredness, being more active than most, but on waking I feel as if I'd died during the night. Sleep's not something I've ever got enough of, in spite of being long term on Zopiclone nightly. Am hooked on it, without it I am very anxious & unable to stay asleep for more than a couple of hours. We are cursed by these things, but we can learn to cope with them if not get cured of them. I hope you get some peace of mind soon. I'm content with my lot, as long as I'm above the grass every day's a bonus. Best wishes, George