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[Mawmaw10]

Hello everyone.

I new to this group I've been dealing with anxiety and depression for about 30 years

I'm currently seeing a therapist and a nurse who deals with medications for these symptoms

I'm open to hearing about your experiences and helping me with mine

God Bless

[Agora1]

Hi Mawmaw10 and Welcome to a safe, encouraging support site.I got off 30 years of benzos slowly and safely under the guidance of

my psychiatrist. Never felt better. When meds stop working they can

actually make you feel worse then being off them completely.

Good Luck on your new medication. A fresh start.

I'm glad you are here with us xx

[Mawmaw10 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you I'm quite scared going off the Effexfor and the side effects

[Agora1 in reply to Mawmaw10]

I understand your fears Mawmaw... We settle into a comfort zone when takingmedication for years. Change of any kind is always a fearful step with the anxious

person. But I've learned that we must go forward or we stay stuck in a cycle

of fear that gets us no where.

Keep in close touch with your therapist/nurse and she will guide you through this. xx

[Mawmaw10 in reply to Agora1]

Looking forward to sharing my progress with you if that's okay

[Agora1 in reply to Mawmaw10]

Please do I care xx

[Mawmaw10 in reply to Agora1]

Tomorrow morning I start taking propranolol too help with withdraw of the Effexfor I'm terrified

[Agora1 in reply to Mawmaw10]

I understand Mawmaw...we fear change but unless we try, we stay stuck andthat's no way to live. Do not listen to stories of "I know someone who knows

someone who took that med" That will be your downfall and not the medicine

itself.

Take it, believing in your doctor knowing what is best for you. Believe in the

medication helping you over this hump until Effexor is out of your system.

Do not be afraid. Work with the propranolol in helping you with the withdrawal.

Tell yourself that "You've got this". Plant that seed of confidence within your mind.

We will be here at this end to support you. You are not alone my friend.

It's going to be okay. xx

[Mawmaw10 in reply to Agora1]

I tried the propranolol but couldn't take it the first 10 mg dose did me in blood pressure all over the place heart rate to low thank God I had an appointment with my primary care Dr after I took it So now I'm back at the beginning tomorrow I'm supposed to go from 225 mg of effexfor to 150 but I'm scared I'm still on Xanax but it's not helping waiting for my nurse to tried and figure out another solution she has mentioned adding Buspar as I'm weaning for my anxiety

[Agora1 in reply to Mawmaw10]

Thank you Mawmaw for letting us know how you are doing.I couldn't take propranolol either because of it dropping the pressure.

When I was weaning off my benzos, it wasn't pleasant but I kept focusing

on the goal of being off them.

One day at a day gets you closer to that goal. Hoping the nurse figures out

a solution in making you more comfortable as you wean forward.

Try keeping a positive mind and don't allow your mind to tell you different.

Nothing comes easy in life but the end result is so worth it. xx

[kenster1]

hi welcome aboard.

[Mawmaw10 in reply to kenster1]

Thank you

[kenster1 in reply to Mawmaw10]

it`s a pleasure.

[samack]

Mawmaw, I successfully weaned from Effexor. Wishing you good luck.

[Mawmaw10 in reply to samack]

How long were you on it and what dosage if you don't mind me asking

[samack]

Maybe 6,7 years. I don't remember the dose but it was a common one. I'm actually back on it, due to different med combo.

[Mawmaw10]

I pray you done well on it it worked great for me 23 years

[Good_for_us]

Hi! Good luck with the medicine change. Good for you for making the move! I’m about your age, and have been on Zoloft for like 25 years, and wondered about trying to get off it. Interesting that propanol is being used to stop that Effexor. I used Atenolol (same family as Propranolol) for a long time for heart palpitations, and I think it helped a little with anxiety too. I only stopped taking it because it dropped my already low pressure too much. The drug I would REALLY love to get off is ambien. I started taking it like 15 years ago, at that time the doctors were saying- “oh no problem, it’s not addictive”! 🙄

[Mawmaw10 in reply to Good_for_us]

Best of luck to us all

[Lin1944]

Hi, I have been on antidepressants for 27 years since the Menopause. This last year has been awful as kept getting bouts of anxiety more often. I have been on Duloxetine for 8 years so asked my GP to change them. I am now on Mirtazapine and I feel really dizzy and Spaced out. It’s only been a few weeks so I am going to persever. I felt so dizzy I bought myself a walking stick and it helps to steady me.

I would like to see a Therapist but you can’t see one face to face here on NHS.

This anxiety has been a black cloud since it started and I would do anything to get back to the way I was.

I have read Claire Weeks book,, also the lovely people on here that give the advice but it’s too hard to accept Anxiety and not fight it.

I wouldn’t wish Anxiety / Depression on my worst enemy. Good luck and keep us posted how you are getting on. Take Care x

[Moonira in reply to Lin1944]

Hi Lin. I know exactly how you feel. I wouldn't wish anxiety/depression on my worst enemy either. Loved Dr. Claire Weekes but like you say accepting anxiety is NOT easy. I have found sports especially swimming to be a salvation. Also a brisk mindful walk and spinning on my exercise bike. My psychiatrist also recommended meditation. Not perfect at it but it does help. We live in a verrrrrry stressful world. Not surprising there are so many people suffering from anxiety/depression. Don't give up...the Serenity Prayer...sending you hugs of encouragement and serenity.