2 posts

Hi, I'm Emily

March 30, 2026··

I started SSRIs at 14 years old. I was a sensitive kid with GI issues and experienced panic attacks. As a teen, I experienced depression in response to some tough life events. All things I grew from and outgrew the need for meds, but was stuck on automatic refill with doctors who resisted deprescribing. I failed 3 tapers starting in my early 20s. The first self-directed, the second with a physician who took me off too fast, and the third with another misinformed physician. Metabolic interventions helped, but I wasn't aware of the interactions with meds that followed. Happy to share my insights on ketogenic diet & other metabolic interventions. I have a scientific background and love learning with others. I'm on my 4th taper attempt, this time with Outro, where I've finally found informed clinicians. I'm here for support and learning.

4 Replies

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Catina5mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi Emily, and a warm welcome to you! It seems so many are started on SSRIs at such a young age. It's good you at least tried to taper off, even if it wasn't successful at the time. Many of us wish we had been properly educated about Hyperbolic tapering, which is the key to tapering off successfully. That's great you're working with Outro! They're doing great work. We'll support you the best we can too. Feel free to create a signature for yourself with your drug and taper history so we can best help you. Glad to have you here, and let us know if you have any questions about anything! Catina 😍

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

JulesStaff5mo ago

Community Anchor

Welcome, Emily, happy to have you here. I’m sorry you had such a bad experiences with the doctors and tapering off the drugs. As for the previous tapers being “failures”, maybe look at them as practice runs? We’re here with and for you. One bead at a time ⚪️

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Catina5mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"As for the previous tapers being “failures”, maybe look at them as practice runs?" — @Jules

I love this! That's a great way of looking at it. 👍

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SteveStaff5mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor · active

Hello Emily and welcome to the taper-family! It‘s sad to hear about the attempts by misinformed doctors, it‘s a common story. But very great you have a medical background and do know better aswell as getting help from Outro. Grateful you found to this Community 👍

off Stimulants (2000-2013)
off Fluoxetine (2010-2013)
off Lamotrigine (2013-2016)
off Quetiapain (2016-2020)

currently Effexor — 33mg — 13 years (from 300mg) — actively tapering | with clinician

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