Help, I need to know I'm not alone

[Astro_potato]

I was on the same two medications for 24 years, effexor and trazadone, and managed my anxiety/depression/panic well my whole life. Long story short, I had a medical episode at the beginning of the year that necessitated I switch medications. I feel like I have been in hell for the last three months. The withdrawal symptoms alone were devastating. I can't tell if the new medications are causing nausea, nervousness, anxiety, irritability - or if I'm not on a high enough dose, or if I'm not on the right medication. Or if I will ever feel normal again. Has anyone ever gone through this? Please, someone tell me that my doctors will eventually figure this out, and that things will get better. I need to hear that I can make it through this and feel normal again.

[gajh]

Hello and Welcome. I want to offer you reassurance. I cannot totally relate, but I do know that it can take time to get on the right meds and the right doses. I do believe your doctors will do their best to help you. Reach out to them as often as you need to. Now you are here with us so you are not alone.

[Astro_potato in reply to gajh]

I'm typing this while tears of gratitude flow. Thank you. I can be surrounded by people all day and yet feel completely alone. Thank you.

[gajh in reply to Astro_potato]

This site is an amazing resource. It has helped me so much and continues to help me so much. I believe it will do the same for you if you are active on it. Keep posting. Reply in other people's posts. Talk to people. Make connections.

[April2024]

Every time i quit a medicine or switch I feel the same way. I wonder if I will ever feel good Again and I regret changing. Then I realize things are getting a little better after a week or two. Withdraw takes forever and can almost kill me. I had a nurse practitioner take me off a med in three days and a week later I seriously thought I was dying. I had to leave her because she told me she didn't know what else to do. I felt so alone. My new doctor assures me every time I talk with him things will get better. I and everyone just needs to keep faith once you find a competent professional. I do believe things will get better for you. Unfortunately it just takes time. Do you know your coping skills?

[Astro_potato in reply to April2024]

I had a second therapy appointment today, I probably should have asked about coping skills, but sometimes talking about what is going on is enough to send me into a panic attack. So far, I haven't been a very productive patient.

[Agora1]

Hi Astro_potato, your having been on prior medications for 24 years is most likely

the problem. It takes time for your brain to readjust to the new chemicals of your

medication. After being on a low dose of benzos for 30 years, it no longer worked.

It took time for me to come off my med and then readjust to a new medication.

For myself, it was so worth it. The results were worth waiting for. However dear,

please work closely with your prescribing physician who knows your health history.

Wishing you my best. xx

[BlueAgave]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I wish medication changes weren't so hard. As long as you have a practitioner who is very competent in psychological medications you will get through this. It may take a while, but it will get better. You have the kind people here to lean on for support. You've got this!! ❤️

[Thor1467]

oh please know this happens so often. I am coming through a major depression and anxiety episode that has lasted for 6 months. We had to try 4 different medications and are just now getting it smoothed out. I had been seeing the same psychiatrist for 20 years. I will say that I went to a new one for a second opinion and it was the best decision. She did a gene testing to see which meds work best for me.

Effexor can cause anxiety but works great for depression. It made me too anxious. But that’s just me. We are all different. I also was taking Xanax for anxiety and it was making things worse because it’s so addicting and when it wore off, my anxiety was even worse. So we are off that and I am on another medication that will eventually wean me off benzos ( anti anxiety family but addictive ).

There is a company called genesight that does the genetic testing. Not sure if your doctor would do it. I’m in US.

I WAS AT MY LOWEST. I lost my job because I couldn’t function. I didn’t want to live. Hang in there. I know it’s so, so hard. Every hour feels like hell. If you’ve been on these medications for over 6 weeks with no improvements, you need a change.

Please keep us updated. Feel free to message me.

[car103]

When I came off of Effexor under my Psychiatrist's care, it felt like it was a detox from heroin type experience.I took capsules. Slow process where at the end I had to open capsules to regulate the medication "beads" to the end.

It was uncomfortable; it worked; and I moved on to a better Rx combo

[Cookie2217]

Hello I am currently taking Pristiq 100 mg and Abilify 10 mg for major depressive disorder. I've been on Pristiq for a very long time probably 18 years and I think it is run its course because it is no longer effective for me. I started to feel that way 2 years ago and added a billify as a booster but that doesn't even seem to be working either. I have been in a depressive episode for the past 4 years which has been the longest of my life and my cousin and friend have had some success with Prozac so I've asked my primary care physician to switch it but he needs to see me first so I'll wait for that appointment and ask for the medication change and hope that it does a good work in me. Believe me there's no magic pill that you can take that's all of a sudden going to make us happy by any means but it levels out our brain waves so that it's not all out of whack. I wouldn't wish major depressive disorder on anyone as it has been very debilitating for me to the point where I can't even get out of bed in the morning and have missed work many many times because of it. Those that don't suffer as we do may think oh they just need to get over it but you just don't get over depression or anxiety you have to work through it somehow either through medication and therapeutic services in addition to other avenues like practicing meditation and yoga and getting out in the sunlight everyday and being active and most of all trying not to withdraw that's a killer for me that's my main problem with depression is I practically crawl under a rock and try to sleep night and day cuz I don't want to be awake if that makes sense and I feel that there's no reason to be awake there's nothing to do and I find no joy in anything which is horrible. I also need to start practicing gratitude more often and be grateful for my wonderful husband who's been so supportive and my beautiful cat Bella and each day when I wake up that I have another day to spend with them right? Try and take time for yourself and realize that it takes time for the medication to kick in and sometimes it takes several different tries before one works for you best. Try also to just give yourself a break, breathe and realize that this won't last forever and just like everything else this too shall pass. It's just once in awhile it takes a lot longer than we'd like it too. Wishing you peace and well-being.

[BrightApril]

I had a depressive episode in October 2023 that resulted in a month long hospitalization. I had been on Mirtazapine successfully for 16 years. It required many different medication combos before I was stabilized. I was released from hospital in early November 2023 and only now in April 2024 am I beginning to feel calm and normal. (Not saying it will take that long for you!) All the responses you have been given above is great. I wish you well.

[Browny71]

I see you’ve gotten many answers here, I love how this community comes to our rescue when in need. I quit Effexor last May. I went into crying spells, anxiety I’d never experienced before. I was on it for about the same length of time you were. I tried different things but I ended up going my back on it. But it took me almost a year to feel stable again. Be patient and know that it’s treatable. I’m on 300 mg and I don’t wasn’t to be off it again. I hope you feel better soon. Whatever meds you end up with they take a while to work.

[Astro_potato]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every person that took the time to respond and share their experiences. I know I am truly blessed to have a patient husband and people who care about me - but it's also extremely isolating because none of them have mental health issues, they've never gone through anything like this. They don't understand why this is like a battle for me everyday. I've been in the hospital, missed tons of work, and truly wanted to die. And none of them understand why. I've read each of your responses, and you'll never know how deeply thankful I am that you chose to share your stories. Thank you all.

[JenniferBut]

Hi, there is a site called "surviving antidepressants". Withdrawal syndrome is real. After 24 yrs it may be necessary to take years to slowly withdraw. I have withdrawal syndrome from 20 odd years on Lexapro. I'm down to 5 mg but from there is very slow and difficult. I will switch to liquid soon and take approx a year to reduce. I developed Severe RLS from this drug. Such a pity as it has been very helpful for OCD , anxiety and depression. Good luck, it's awful business.