Disclaimer: This has been my experience with discontinuing an antidepressant (in my case, Effexor XR) that I was on-this time- for about four years. Since this was my second time weaning off the stuff, I had no idea this would happen. Mayhap the first time I hadn't been on it as long...? Don't know. This is now.
After spending the last couple years fatigued and unable to function in the morning, I decided to wean off Alprazolam. (Yes, xanax) So I did it on my own with knowledge of the process. I had used alprazolam for more than ten years but never more than .5 mg, usually at bedtime. My doctor was never on board with this (weaning off xanax) so after talking to him about it for the third time or so, I did it myself. Actually was pretty easy compared to Effexor XR (venlafaxine generic).
After being off alprazolam for a couple months and nothing much changed--still fatigued, slow mornings, blah blah, I decided it must be the Effexor. So I began weaning off it on May 9 without my doctor's knowledge. I followed the guidelines online advised by doctors. The first three weeks were okay then for the fourth week I had to get a week's worth of the 37.5 mg pills. So far, it wasn't bad. My dr was okay with it because well, it was my choice. Never once did he offer any advice, like mayhap I was doing it wrong.....hello?
Anyhow, after the last pill on June 6, I was expecting to wake up on June 7 feeling okay, at least okay. I should have lowered my expectations.
It wasn't bad: and I thought,"give it a couple more days". Within two days, it was way worse. My head felt like bobble head. I read they are called 'brain quivers'. I had nausea a lot along with that thing that goes with it. I felt spacey. Cried a LOT!! Finally I turned to technology. Yes, I went online to see what I could find. Turns out there is an entire thing called 'antidepressant discontinuation syndrome'. Whodathunk it! Not me! I found a lot of information that I wish I had found sooner.
Useful information that I found too late: at some point you are supposed to take those tiny little beads out of the capsule and take them in some way to continue weaning off. Or some such thing. I didn't pay much attention because I was already past that and had no more capsules. (Don't do this! check with your doctor!!)
Useful info that did help: Benadryl. It helped a lot. Plus meclizine was a great help with the nausea, which was random, at best.
Some people might have called their doctor right away with the weird symptoms seeming to persist. Not me. I'm patient plus I am retired. Laying around was okay because I EXPECTED it to go away soon. I knew I felt horrible because of this thing, ADS. I always say that I can deal with anything as long as I know it's temporary.
About three weeks in, after tapering off, I was still going through the emotional crap. I would get so angry. I would cry just watching baby videos, or reading something inocuous. (Still going through the crying thing-overwhelmed)
So I asked my doctor what I could do. Also let him know about the hard time I was having and he should keep that in mind for another patient. He knew!
He prescribed freaking Zoloft for a two-week period.....which I never picked up.
I am getting stronger. I am not on any prescribed meds except for Fosamax, which I always forget to take anyhow. I don't take Benadryl. That stuff is hard on the sinuses. Yeah. He had given me a script for Wellbutrin but I'm not going to start those. I had wanted to switch up antidepressants simply because I have a history of developing rare side effects after a few years on a med. Usually, somnolence. Yeah.
So, take that, Big Pharma! I quit you!! And I know that soon I will be back to my normal (?) self--melancholy! And when you know your nature and that it is not depression, you can deal.
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