I have just been tappered down off sertraline from 150mg to 0 and I am supposed to be starting venlafaxine on Friday. But I have decided to stay tablet free as I believe my tablets have been making me worse I have been diagnosed with health anxiety 4 years ago and have been through four different tablets. Resulting in my mood being really low. I hope that I am making the right decision as the withdrawal symptoms that I have are frustrating especially the brain zapping
Dear Katie
I am deeply sorry that anxiety has been hanging over you like a cloud for the past few years. Nobody deserves this, and most people who don't have it just don't understand nthe ones who do. You can only truly understand when you have suffered with it.
If I told you my background (but I'm sparing you that), I'm sure we would find a lot of similarities. I am on a number of meds for Severe Depression, Chronic Anxiety, and Severe Social Anxiety bordering on Agoraphobia. I take 200mg of Sertaline each morning as a single dose. Though prinipally an anti-depressant, they are helpful to some people with anxiety and depression.
I am presuming the tapering was supervised and your Doctor is aware that you are now clear of Sertraline? Or is this something you decided for yourself? My reason for asking is because you would have had to see a Doctor in order to obtain the Venlafaxine, which I used in the past.
If that is the case, your Doctor must have a reason for starting you on a new drug if he/she already knows that you are off Sertaline and feeling better.
I know you don't say you are 'feeling better', but you imply it in your post. Anti-Depressants in general are non-addictive, so I really would keep an open mind on this one. You won't get 'hooked' on Venlafaxine, and there is a possibility that they will prove more effective for you than the Sertaline did.
The decision of course is a very personal one, and you know yourself and how your body reacts better than anyone, including your Doctor. Just try not to fall foul of false pride in coming off tablets unaided. Many people do, and I applaud them. They are heroes because they go through hell until they are free. But we are all unique. That may not be the right thing to do.
There is no shame in dealing with this problem under medical guidance, just as there is no criticism of individuals that take matters in their own hands and decide to get drug free without it. If by whatever means works for them, a person is in a position to live free of unecessary medication, nothing could be better.
I just get the feeling that you should keep an open mind on this one. It's not a black or white situation you are in. You are between meds. The best advice I can offer, is see how your feel over the next 24 hours, and then reappraise. If it gets too much for you, just accept it and seek professional advice.
I wish you well Katie, and I'm sure you will get a lot of supportive replies from all the amazing people on this site.
Will be thinking of you. :-)
I would say that Venlafaxine can be an extremely difficult drug to come off. Although not addictive it can have horrendous withdrawal symptoms even when tapered. Look at the posts on this forum of people trying to deal with coming off Venlafaxine. I'm afraid there are quite a few.
Thanks for ur advice I am keeping an open mind and I am being monitored by my doctor she has advised that I keep my venlafaxine at the sideline and if I feel as if I am going down that slippery slope again I take them starting on a low dose. I feel I need to try this as I don't have any idea on how I feel now as myself. I return to work tomorrow for the first time in seven weeks where normally I would be worked up about it I feel completely different I actually can't wait. I just want to know who I am now and I think my doctor understands that. I have been sertraline free for 5 days now and I am feeling good but I will be taking it a day at a time.