[hello89]

Hi, im new here. I thought I would reach out and ask some questions, because I am in a bad state.

Long story short (or as short as I can make it, haha)

I have OCD, Anxiety, some Depression. I was taking 75mg of Effexor XR for 5 years. I never really felt right on it, but continued to take it because it helped with OCD, Anxiety, and Depression. Even though it helped I had a lot of side effects. I had memory issues, brain fog and felt like I was in a bubble. It also made me tired and inactive. I started to taper off the Effexor XR and eventually was off of it for about 1-2 months. At that time, I was using Zoloft to help with the withdrawal effects. I had horrible anxiety and an uptick in my OCD at this time. I eventually had to go back on it.

As I went back on it, I noticed my reading comprehension and fluency had gotten worse, not to mention my memory was bad. I could not process concepts or anything I was reading. I would read a sentence slowly and could not understand it, or have to reread it over and over again. I also would have to look up definitions to a word in the sentence I was reading because I could not process the word (even though I know what they meant, as these are common words, but not while reading it). As I would look up the definition of a word, I would be given examples of the word used in a sentence and then read that sentence, and have to look up a word I could not process from that sentence.

Anyways, I decided to quit effexor xr again and have horrible withdrawals. I began tapering down from 75mg to 37.5mg. During withdrawals, my comprehension and memory are also suffering. When I take a 37.5mg my memory and comprehension become better, because my brain is begging for some Effexor XR, and when I take it I function better and my memory and reading comprehension get better.

Basically, when I was taking my full dose (75mg) of the Effexor XR I had brain fog, memory, and reading problems. When I began to taper off, I had less brain fog, memory issues, and reading problems. But then my brain went through withdrawal and I experienced reading comprehension and memory issues. At which point when I would take a 37.5mg I had better memory and reading abiilty.

I am now taking Prozac, an SSRI and have stopped Effexor XR completely. I have only been doing this for 3 days. While taking prozac I am having the exact same problems when I was on 75mg effexor. I cannot read or even think. I am a walking zombie. When I try to read, I cannot read fluently and have to look up definitions again. It seems to be doing the same thing Effexor did. It is also very hard to tell what current side effects are from starting Prozac and stopping Effexor. Which are withdrawal side effects and which are from starting a new medication?

Anyone have an issue with these meds making things worse?

I am ready to quit all of these meds. Everytime I try, I experience horrible anxiety and worrying. Is this because I am stopping the meds and will it eventually go away? I mean, I know I am going to have some anxiety issues, because thats part of the reason I went on the meds. But will some of that go away? When stopping the meds, I also believe everyone is out to get me, and is against me. Even my neighbors. Its like torture.

I know I probably need some type of medication, but what good is it if I cannot read and have a functioning brain? I am trying to get through school (I took off school until I am straightened out) to better myself, but with these medications it seems impossible. If i dont take the medications, I believe people are out to get me and are against me, I have OCD, anxiety, and depression.

WHAT TO DO?

[glok]

Welcome to the Community, hello89. I am not qualified to respond. Your questions should be directed to a professional.

I wish you well.