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BasedStaffJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Hey Lucy! So sorry youre dealing with that. Lots of people have had similar stories which is the reason this site was started. Someone from our team will reach out to you to connect you to a deprescriber in your area if you wish to find a new doctor. In the meantime, if theres something specific I can help you with let me know. Theres also a learn section where you can find out more info! Please keep us updated with how youre doing with check ins!

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

Hi, thank you. I have already reached out to a prescriber. Riding the wave of withdraws seems unbearable right now. I dumped all my previous medication in the trash, as told by the psychiatrist, so I can't take them. I hate, I absolutely hate how uncomfortable the withdraws are making me feel. And I'm just really paranoid on top of the withdrawals. They just told me to quit the previous medication cold turkey after I switched to new medication. It is hell. I don't deserve this. It is hell. I just want this to be over. I don't want to experience the excruciating effects of leaving. I feel like shit and I am afraid of another panic attack. I keep having them every two hours. And then I'd feel severe soaring, and then I crash severely. It's the withdrawal. They said it wasn't.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi Lucy, I'm terribly sorry for what you're going through. Which drugs did you stop cold turkey? Can you go to the emergency room or urgent care center to get these prescribed to you until you can make an appointment with a new doctor?

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.

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

I genuinely thought I was supposed to wait until the symptoms go away. I do agree every time the wave happens it gets worse and worse and I all I can do is scream. I did visit the ER and all they said they can do is to wait until I see my psychiatrist but that's two days from now and I'm having symptoms every like two hours. I am withdrawing from olanzapine 5mg, risperidone 1mg. But I've had bad experiences leaving trazodone in the past and had the exact same withdrawal symptoms last time. I do have some meds I think, just found it. It's the olanzapine and risperidone that I kept in a box. But I don't know if I should take the full dose, or half or quarter. My nerves are fried and I do need relief. The thing with meds is that, I think I developed panic disorder. I keep having panic attacks. And any meds irritate the feeling of free falling. I worry by going back on, would worsen or even elongate the suffering. I'm not sure what to do.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

So you cold-turkeyed Olanzapine and Risperidone? How long ago did you do that? I'm just trying to get a clear picture so we can try to help you the best we can. Thank you. So you think you developed panic disorder FROM the drugs?

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.

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

Yes, I was told to leave cold turkey, after about a month of taking both, because it wasn't helping my symptoms. I quit both about a week ago. They put me on new meds, which is the latuda and propranolol for the panic, but the new meds aren't strong or something. Sorry, it's hard to think right now. I developed panic disorder likely due to the terrible withdrawals, and any disturbance like a few hours after eating even triggers a panic attack. I think withdrawal is aggrevating the panic. I don't know. Any disturbance like blood pressure or blood sugar changes just makes me panic, it's very bad. I'm just unsure if I should go back on the meds or wait. I think anything at this point aggrevates my symptoms.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Your doctor should not have told you to cold turkey. It only takes a few weeks for our brains to adapt to a drug. How long ago did you stop taking them?

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.

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

I agree. They never told me about possibilities of withdrawal and that I am experiencing it. I stopped about a week ago, only yesterday started experiencing withdrawals. I am disappointed in them. I think the new meds would last. I am planning to see a different prescriber so they can get me off the meds, I'm afraid of med dependence I just want a long break from the free falling and fear, I think it damaged my nervous system, just complete exhaustion. I appreciate your advice. I do have a concern, which is that if I take the meds, would I experience the same severeity in withdrawal again. I would take the meds and feel anixety and withdrawal, just at the same dose and not even lowerinf it or anything. I take it in the morning and two hours later I have a panic attack and the meds do aggrevate it. it's all very severe and intolerable at any amount, and I just feel like this is a complete nightmare. I will try my best but it's very difficult.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Yes, unfortunately doctors are pretty clueless when it comes to tapering and withdrawal of psychiatric drugs. I'm glad you found your way here to Taper Community. What new drugs did they put you on after they cold-turkeyed you? Why were they switching your meds in the first place? Any drug taken longer than a month or so can produce withdrawal symptoms. The longer you're on something, the greater the chance of withdrawal because your brain has adapted to it. If you're on new meds, then you may not want to make any changes until things stabilize a bit. When you do eventually taper, you need to be stable first.

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.

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

Sigh, long story. I started having bad panic attacks from the trazodone, and so they switched me to a different med, and the new med (olanzapine + risperidone + propranolol) didn't work and I had an increase in anxiety, and so they put me on lurasidone and. Sorry, it's make me unable to focus and think I can't write a lengthy response. I just don't know how to retake the meds.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

It's okay, thanks for trying your best. I think you explained things pretty well. I myself am having a bit of a problem with thinking clearly. If you're seeing a doctor in a couple days you might just need to white knuckle things. Many drug switches can sensitize our nervous system unfortunately. Since you're already on new meds, I wouldn't try and take the ones they cold-turkeyed you off of. I'm really sorry you're in this situation, but please hang in there. I'm sorry I don't have the perfect answer for you, but please know we're here whenever you need support or to reach out. We'll try to help the best we can. 🩷 Here is some information I hope will help with your panic: https://taper.community/thread/fd801ae1-c066-4d86-ab23-1ee128668fd8

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.

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

I think. It actually made me panic when you told me to just white knuckle through it. Oh man. I just wish this wasn't such a nightmare. I am really struggling

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

I'm sorry it make you panic! That wasn't my intention. I'm really sorry you're having such a hard time. Making direct switches to other drugs doesn't always shield us from experiencing withdrawal from the original ones. And then if we have symptoms, we don't know if it's from stopping the old drugs or starting the new ones. If you're able to, you might want to document everything that you're experiencing, so when you see your new doctor you can provide them with that information. Is this new doctor one that you found yourself? Do you know anything about them?

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.

L

LexaTooMuchJun 27

LighthouseLexapro · active

I see you and hear you. Panic attacks are hell. But they are temporary. I have personally been dealing with them since I was a child and it's hard. Since you are seeing a. Dr 2 days hopefully they can guide you safely bc of the other meds. Taking anything else could cause a worse reaction mixing them without proper guidance. If you ate able to do what you can to distract yourself music, tv, gaming etc), there's box breathing, grounding techniques, and even EFT tapping videos on YouTube for anxiety/ and panic relief in the meantime, also somatic practices by looking around the room to show your body its safe (Peter Levine or a Somtic practioner I've worked with: Luis Mojica on social media might have some videos on somatic practices that can help ground you in the meantime) I really hope you start to feel better soon. Keep us updated.

Lexapro —5mg 1.6 years — 2.5mg —actively tapering/ stabilizing

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Thank you for chiming in LexatooMuch! We're trying to grow this community and appreciate everyone's input.

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.

L

LexaTooMuchJun 27

LighthouseLexapro · active

Navigating panic attacks. https://youtu.be/6YEZaomgKDY?is=o1YRTgFc9py9D4Tr Finding safety in yourself https://youtu.be/bTdkKggrxhk?feature=shared

Lexapro —5mg 1.6 years — 2.5mg —actively tapering/ stabilizing

L

LucyJun 27

NavigatorInderal · holding

I'll document everything I can when I visit the doctor that helps me taper. Thank you Lexa.

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CatinaJun 27

Community AnchorEffexor

Lucy, Please know that you're going to get through this. As LexaTooMuch brought out, there are lots of ways to deal with panic when it arises. Remember that you are safe and don't fight the feelings. The more we fight against it, the worse we will feel. I've had panic attacks too in the past, so I know how difficult they can be. A good book to read is Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes. Therapy in a Nutshell on YouTube also has some great advice about anxiety and panic.

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.

L

LucyJun 28

NavigatorInderal · holding

Thsnk you very much. The panic attacks are unbearable right now. I just don't have good pain tolerance. I could barely get through the previous panic attacks and couldn't sleep the past few days. I also have severe highs that won't go down either, like pleasant happiness but then it's severe. When I fall, it feels as if everyone is out to get me and I lost everything I care about. It feels impossible to stay safe anywhere. It's really really difficult to not panic about the panic attack.

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CatinaJun 28

Community AnchorEffexor

You're very welcome Lucy. You're perfectly safe, even though it may not feel like it. Do you have a history of panic attacks? Is that why you were put on psychiatric drugs in the first place?

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.

L

LucyJun 28

NavigatorInderal · holding

Thank you all for the support. I genuinely appreciate it. Most people I talked to gaslit me and made me feel like a ridiculous person for saying I feel like I was withdrawing. When I withdrew from the trazodone, I remember going to my back yard and being unable to recognize my surroundings, and the only thing that mildly stablized me was pulling the grass. I felt like everyone was out to get me.

L

LucyJun 28

NavigatorInderal · holding

Yes. I do have a history of panic attacks stemmed from events. It was severe, but the psychiatrist told me it wasn't real and gave me meds. But then the meds stopped working and by taking more I am still panicking so they had me quit the meds because it wasn't helping. It caused the first series of panic attacks which exacerbated my fears. Now I just can't exist without worrying about something. I really appreciate your support. It helps.

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CatinaJun 28

Community AnchorEffexor

"Most people I talked to gaslit me and made me feel like a ridiculous person for saying I feel like I was withdrawing" — @Lucy

I'm sorry. There is so much misunderstanding regarding psychiatric drug withdrawal. People mean well, but they're highly misinformed - even doctors. Withdrawal is very, very real and is happening to millions of people around the world. You're not alone Lucy!

"I do have a history of panic attacks stemmed from events. It was severe, but the psychiatrist told me it wasn't real and gave me meds. But then the meds stopped working and by taking more I am still panicking so they had me quit the meds because it wasn't helping. It caused th..." — @Lucy

I'm sorry that your psychiatrist told you that you had a "chemical imbalance" and needed drugs when your panic attacks were simply reactions to situations in your life. And then psychiatric drugs can sometimes cause anxiety and the very things they're supposed to "treat." There are many non-drug ways to handle panic attacks and anxiety. Have you ever worked with a knowledgable therapist about this? You can also do things like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is very effective to change how we think and process things. Here is a free online workbook for that if you're interested: https://taper.community/thread/31d4a5cb-737e-4eec-8449-1894a8a9747c Here are some other links that I hope will help: Claire Weeke's Method for Reducing Anxiety: https://taper.community/thread/cbf196f2-7a92-460e-b78c-419887d02db2 Free Online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course: https://taper.community/thread/ebf43c1f-a3a0-423b-9ac2-537b3183ce70 Trauma-Release Exercises (TRE): https://taper.community/thread/edb83f43-a1eb-443d-9810-9c64f62b84e4 Emotional Freedom Technique: https://taper.community/thread/3c6f1a16-3d21-4077-9ed5-8267209ffca3 Meditation and Mindfulness: https://taper.community/resources/blog/meditation-and-mindfulness-for-withdrawal With anxiety, remember it can't harm you. It's just your body's way of trying to protect yourself from what it perceives as a threat. You're always safe. I really hope that things improve for you soon Lucy. I know how difficult it is to deal with anxiety. Please feel free to reach out anytime. We won't gaslight you here and believe you 100% with what you're experiencing in regards to withdrawal. Hugs, 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.

L

LucyJun 28

NavigatorInderal · holding

Thsnk you so much. It is very difficult to cope. I would wake up at 3am panicking because of how unable I am to self regulate. Death seems to be a relief, i think i would rather be dead because there's no straight forward solution and I keep getting worse. Because multiple stressors are actively happening I just can't cope at all. I just feel emotions so intensely because of unprocessed grief.

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CatinaJun 28

Community AnchorEffexor

"Thsnk you so much. It is very difficult to cope. I would wake up at 3am panicking because of how unable I am to self regulate. Death seems to be a relief, i think i would rather be dead because there's no straight forward solution and I keep getting worse. Because multiple str..." — @Lucy

I'm so sorry Lucy. Right now you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms so that's making your anxiety, panic, and fear feel much worse. Plus, you might even be having side effects of the new drugs. It's hard to say for sure. Remember that it's only temporary as your body adjusts. There are things we can do to regulate our nervous system: https://taper.community/thread/ec72f5e5-39fe-4f0e-b3c9-083b3e99d1c3 We're here for you, and you're not alone. Try to hang in there because this won't last forever. I think if you can address the root cause of your issues - unprocessed grief - then you're going to feel so much better. It's worth holding on for. 💜

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.

Hi, I'm Lucy

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