Serotonin Syndrome fear

[Frankie24]

I have been taking Effexor XR for over 30 years. My psychiatrist recently decided to try me back on Prozac , as I am going through major health problems along with being Bipolar with major depression. I take several other psych. medications. My concern is that I am being slowly weaned off Effexor and taking a low dose of Prozac. I worry about serotonin syndrome. Anyone with any experience with this. They say it is not safe to just stop the Effexor. I won’t be speaking to psychiatrist again till Monday.

[Laurennnnnnn]

I don’t have experience with that but try to remember that this is your psychiatrist’s speciality. If doing this was risking serotonin syndrome I’m sure they would let you know and find another plan 💙

[Hidden]

Hi Frankie24

I can tell you from experience, never stop taking be Effexor cold hearted or tapper off of them, let be the doctor ween you off. I went through hell and back having terrible withdrawal systems. It took 3 weeks to feel the full effect of Effexor.

[Hidden]

Effexor is a very strong drug. You have to be super careful when weaning off. It made me extremely sick to the point that I just wanted to end it all.... I HATED my life.

I also do not like Prozac. It is probably one of the worst meds to be on. It messes you up so much in the head and turns you into a zombie. Not to mention how fat it made me and how it destroyed my hair. Prozac for me was like " take this drug if you want to be ugly inside and out" .... I will never take Prozac ever again.

Honestly though, if you do what the doctor says and wean slowly and then slowly introduce the new meds, you will be fine and won't get serotonin syndrome.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hey I just started effexor and i’m a bit worried once I have to go off of it. I won’t be on medication my whole life but i’m worried! Everyone is telling me u get awful symptoms even being weaned off of it?

[_Alex_ in reply to Hidden]

It does have a reputation for brutal withdrawal symptoms. Some people have an easier time of it than others; but yeah, I pretty much refused to take the stuff and this is part of the reason why.

[Hidden in reply to _Alex_]

what are the symptoms

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I had really bad symptoms being on effexor so I didn't stay on it very long. The symptoms I had were nightmares, night sweats, high blood pressure, anxiety, dizziness,etc.... My doctor helped me wean off. I think I just slowly decreased the dose each week. If you do it slowly, you will be able to tolerate it a lot better.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

okay thanks!

[_Alex_]

Yeah it's an increased risk to whatever degree, but you are talking about something that is a relatively rare condition. It's a small risk.