[pescador]

Hello, first post here.

After 14 years of taking antidepressants and Xanax my doctor has closed his practice. The new doctor I found ordered me to stop Effexor and Xanax immediately and replace them with Zoloft and Klonopin.

I have gotten so sick I thought I would have go to and ER but have sweated through two weeks of horrible withdrawal symptoms from fever like feeling, to hallucinations, to vertigo, etc.

I had to stop both new drugs because they cause me to have acid reflux big time. Not even Zantac could stop it.

Now..weeks later I have resumed a small dosage of the Xanax I have left but I am not taking an antidepressant. I continue to have withdrawal symptoms! Day after day I have swishing noises in my head, dizziness, and nausea.

This doctor refuses to prescibe Xanax...ever. He says it kills people. My father at 85 has taken it for over 20 years, so does my brother...we all have serious panic disorders.

Do you think I have permanently been damaged by these drugs and this is why weeks after cessation I am still withdrawing or does withdrawal just take much more time than I realized?

Thanks.
jb

[Direction]

Well then WELCOME!

I take klonopin...I've heard xanax withdrawals are bad...

Have you talked to your doctor about stopping both med's and changing?

I'm starting to hear stories about xanax...so your withdrawals and wanting to keep taking it seems to be a trend lately...klonopin I really like and from what I hear is a safer choice...

[Cheri]

I don't think you've been permanently damaged; Effexor is a bear to withdrawl from, especially if your doctor made you go cold turkey, and the flu-like symptoms can last for weeks, or sometimes up to a couple of months.

You might consider looking for a "new" new doctor.

[tranquility]

Welcome to the site! It sounds like you have been feeling horrible. From what you have posted it sounds like you need to find a different doctor right away!

-Tranquility

Hi,
I took Effexor and it was horrible when I tried to get off of it. I even did the tapering down thing...I couldn't imagine going off cold turkey! I think it is horrible that your new doctor told you to do that!!!

I got the brain zaps and vertigo when I stopped Effexor. I would seriously find another doctor. I take Xanax for my panic attacks but I only use it when needed. Your doctor sounds like he thinks everyone abuses it therefore, he won't write for it. Some people do abuse it I guess, but for some of us, it is a blessing during those attacks!!

[okiedokie]

Klonopin is a much better choice than Xanax because it has a longer half-life. Not as much interdosal anxiety.

Zoloft is a good AD for people who suffer from anxiety also. But, if you can't tolerate it, there are lots others out there to try.

I hope you feel better soon!
Okie

[OliviaC]

I would be extremely upset if I was forced to stop my xanax against my will. I think if it were me I would look for another pdoc. All the advice I have ever read says that if you need to cut down on a benzo, do it at your own pace, if you want to but you should not be forced to change benzos either! This type of doctor really makes me angry!

I have taken xanax in small doses for many years and my doctor agrees it is fine. I saw a psychopharmacologist who told me I was fine and recommended that I not come off the xanax and to stay on it at the small dose I am on.

Besides for me it lasts up to 10 hours between doses, especially with my A/D. But even alone, I could go that long no interdose withdrawal.

I think it is cruel for a dotor to abruptly d/c any drug such as the two you were on Lord, effexor and xanax are two well known to produce w/d sx. and you are never supposed to decrease them or quit them at once especially together! I would switch doctors, find someone who will prescribe your meds and if you need to taper down, do it very gradually, one a a time. even the switch he made is not covering your anxiety/depression, so obviousy not working!

Best wishes,
Olivia

[Direction]

I canned my pdoc a few months ago as he announced he was moving away from benzos - I was to meet with him in two weeks to discuss the further. upon refill, he cut my dosage before we talked so I cut him - never went back...

Sorry Olivia's post made me want to vent...

Did you ever have a chance to talk to pdoc today?

[sunrise]

pescador, I hope you can find a new pdoc who will work with you to find the solutions you need, instead of arbitrarily making medication changes with extremely negative consequences. He should be acting in your best interest, and I just don't see that, from what you have written. I think the ideal situation if finding an MD who will work with you as a team to get you set on meds that work for you. This pdoc does not sound like a team player at all.

[pescador]

Thank you all for the understanding. I had to take a small amount of Zoloft to ward of the vertigo yesterday and feel better today. Yes, I am attempting to stop all psych meds for the first time in 14 years. I can tell though I am so agitated I am ready to snap a head off if anyone irritates me.

Yes, this cold turkey stop of Effexor and Xanax is totally unprofessional and I can't believe myself that this guy had me do it.

If I continue to be so on edge I may give Celexa a try and maybe Klonopin one more try to see if my stomach can tolerate it. I want so to quit them all but I may be just fooling myself to think I can function without them.

[BigSurKay]

I feel what your psychiatrist did was very unprofessional. I would fire him/her immediately, even file a complaint with the state medical board. You really need to TAPER off any medication you take, esp. psych meds. Everyone knows this.