[Kocsisks]

So I have a question about my new meds that I have just started Monday evening. I just started a mood stabilizer and an anti anxiety medication. The psychiatrist is slowly weaning me off of the Effexor. Today has been a horrible day with my mood swings's and my anxiety. Could lowering my dose of the Effexor and putting me on the new medication because causing this? I have felt so unstable yesterday and more so today. Is this normal when starting a new medication like this and lowering the dosage of the Effexor?

[Kathryn01]

This is just a thought, but could you call your doctor and ask if you can go back to your usual dose of Effexor? That might give you time to adjust to the new mood stabilizer and anti anxiety medication before you taper off Effexor. Every so often, I need to change my medication, but I've always done it one step at a time (e.g., add the new medication and stay on it for at least a month, and then taper off a different medication if I feel well enough to go that route.)

I know it's different for everyone, but it's really difficult for me to add and/or change medications and I HAVE to do it gradually.

All that being said, it's perfectly understandable that you're not feeling well. Mood swings aren't very unusual when you're adjusting meds. But most importantly, listen to your body. If any of the side effects/withdrawal you're feeling becomes unbearable, call your doctor immediately so they can adjust things. Switching around your medication can be uncomfortable, but it doesn't have to be a miserable experience.

Good luck, and I hope you start feeling better soon!

[splitimage]

Effexor is notoriously difficult to come off of. It needs to be done very slowly. So yes, any unpleasant feelings you're experiencing are probably a result of the Effexor withdrawal.

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[Kocsisks]

Thank you all for your responses. I'm taking right now trileptal for a mood stabilizer & fluvoxamine for OCD & anxiety. Are these good meds? It will be a week tomorrow that I've been on them. When should I start feeling like they are working? I'm still having my mood swings & I just had a panic attack earlier today. I'm just so sick of feeling this way!