Hi @Hollyann, welcome!
Sorry to hear about your predicament. Your NP is very reckless - first with prescribing benzos long-term, and secondly with rapidly taking people off them. Tapers should always be patient-led, not doctor-led. You are the one going through this, not them. Since your symptoms are severe, that's a sign you're going too fast and need to hold your dose before even thinking about making another reduction again. And when you do, you may need to reduce by a smaller amount. We don't want to keep pushing through symptoms.
If it were me, I would reach out to my primary doctor and see if she will work with you on this. Your NP sounds like most of the NPs I've ever met - they are pushy and don't listen.
Let us know your thoughts.
If you need help with discussing the need for a slow taper with your primary doctor, here is some information that will help:
https://taper.community/thread/dbb2cdbb-bb3d-4bb9-93ab-b33de4a3fd0b
https://taper.community/resources/blog/how-to-talk-to-your-doctor-about-tapering
If you go to the Symptoms and Self-Care section of the forum and click on the Guides tab, you'll find lots of helpful information and tips on how to handle withdrawal symptoms.
Hang in there and take things slow!
Catina 💜
Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.
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