Introduction: Curious how to fix it.

July 6, 2026

Hi, my name is Nicholas. I'm reaching out because I'm looking for a psychiatrist who can help me start a new medication while accounting for withdrawal-induced nervous system dysregulation. Some background: I have a history of trying multiple SSRIs/SNRIs (Celexa, Prozac, Effexor, Lexapro, Trintellix) over several years, with poor response and difficult side effects on most of them. I have a GeneSight pharmacogenomic report showing reduced serotonin transporter function (SLC6A4 S/S) and increased sensitivity to SSRIs (HTR2A G/G) — which may explain why SSRIs haven't worked well for me and caused adverse reactions. I'm currently about 6 weeks off my last medication (Trintellix) and experiencing ongoing withdrawal symptoms: DPDR, dizziness, sensory overstimulation, emotional numbness, and mood symptoms. I've had extensive medical workup (bloodwork, autoimmune panels, MRI) that has ruled out other causes. I'm not looking to taper — I want to start something new. But I want a prescriber who understands that my nervous system is currently sensitized from this withdrawal process, and who will approach a new medication with that in mind: a low starting dose, slow titration, and close monitoring, rather than treating me as a standard new-start patient. I'm currently in New Jersey (through August), then relocating to Chicago, so ongoing telehealth continuity across both states would be ideal. ------------ That is my intro, but I am curious... is this a feasible thing? Or is adding another medication into the mix going to "fuel the fire?" I just feel so incredibly awful a lot that I need something externally to help.

7 Replies

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CatinaJul 6

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi Nick, and welcome! I'm sorry for the withdrawal symptoms you're experiencing. This community normally helps people find deprescribing providers to help people taper off psychiatric drugs. We can't tell you what to do as far as starting a new medication. However, I can say that trying to start a new drug while your nervous system is in a hypersensitized state is not recommended. Many times it does add "fuel to the fire" and oftentimes adds to the drug injury that has already taken place. The best things to help with withdrawal are simple, basic things: proper diet, movement, sunlight, sleep, stress reduction, and TIME! This may not be what you want to hear, but it's what I've personally seen that helps the best with a situation like yours. 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.

DominicJul 7

NavigatorCymbalta · active

The fact that you have reduced serotonin transporter function implies that a different drug may cause long term complications for you. You don't want a substance to interact with something that's already working, otherwise you will really need us. My advice to you is: ride it out; allow time to heal your symptoms, as you only stopped your medication 6 weeks ago. You will feel better in a couple of months!

Cymbalta — 5.2mg — 6 years — actively tapering | without clinician

nick mJul 11

Welcomer

@Dominic Thank you for your response. I think I’m just a super intellectually analytical person where I’m analyzing all of these symptoms and we’re getting any better so it makes me feel a little discouraged. Do you really think that I will get better? With time? It feels way too long.

nick mJul 11

Welcomer

@Catina thank you for your message! I am so sorry that I read this community wrong, and I shouldn’t have posted this here. I really do appreciate your words, but I guess I’m a little different only because the things that triggered me the most are sunlight, nature, and normal things. I can’t really find a rhyme or reason for a lot of of the symptoms, but I just hope it’s from medication’s. I hope I’m not ruined forever, because I’m running down a spiral of looking at Reddit posts.

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CatinaJul 11

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @nick m, You're welcome, and don't worry about what you posted. We're glad you came here to present your situation. Psychiatric drugs aren't for everyone. You already have a history of poor responses, unpleasant side effects, and withdrawal symptoms. It's only natural that we want to seek out something - anything - that can help "fix" things. However, your nervous system is in withdrawal right now, so anything else you try to add could make things worse. Please rest assured that you're not "ruined forever!" I know it may feel that way right now, but things will begin to improve with time. You may want to limit how much time you spend reading horror stories and just concentrate on your healing. You WILL heal, but it takes time and patience. 💜

nick mJul 11

Welcomer

@Catina I am hopeful, it’s just that nothing has really improved yet. I mean, some definitely has but that’s arguably because I stopped TMS which was making it worse. I just get tunnel vision at times and idk. I could go on all day about it. Thanks for your words. Take care.

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CatinaJul 11

Community AnchorEffexor

"it’s just that nothing has really improved yet" — @nick m

It's hard when we're not getting better when we think we should, but 6 weeks in the world of withdrawal is (unfortunately) not very long. It can much longer than we would like to begin to heal and recover. It's a real test of patience, but in the end we'll be much better off. The important thing to keep in mind is that healing will come and at the time when our body is ready for it. Hang in there, it really does get easier!

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