[_C2_]

I'm trying to get off my medication as I've found other ways to treat my depression and anxiety and the side effects have gotten to be too much for me now.

Klonopin. Is by far the evilest of the three. I'm down from 2mg to .5mg but if I don't take it I get confused, get this anxious feeling like some thing bad is about to happen, my face and eyes especially twitch and I shake pretty badly, my whole body is just out of control. I'm wondering, should I just take it if I get that feeling and see how long I can last without it because I can't function at work without taking it.

Effexor has been giving me these shocks in my body it's only been a problem going to sleep and only a couple times did I feel like I had to sit down after having it happen. Should I wait till it goes away then reduce again or how long should I wait?

Geodon hasnt done anything to me so far so I think I'm good there.

I know I should ask a doctor but the doctor I see doesn't listen to me and I don't feel like I can go to him about this so I'm trying to see if I can find another doctor....or maybe perhaps could I just see my regular doctor about weaning off my medication?

[*Laurie*]

Not having a reliable, good doctor is so very difficult. If I were you, I'd continue to find another pdoc.

Whatever you do, taper the meds slllooowwlly. For example, you might need to come off the Effexor by shaving (cutting) a tiny bit off, wait a week, shave off a tiny bit more, and so on.

Does the .5 Klonopin keep withdrawal symptoms away, or at that dose are you still getting the confusion and anxiety?

[Travelinglady]

I agree about getting a new psychiatrist. You can ask a regular doctor to help you, but I think they will say that's out their league.

I agree that Klonopin is the worst.

[AnnabelleLee]

I have gone off of Effexor a few times over the past 15 yrs and for me it was a special kind of hell. The last time I did it was early this year. Each time I have done a ton of research and tried different supplements, but never found a good way to come off of it. If you are only getting the brain zaps with scaling back (I say "only", but I know they are awful!), and can tolerate it, I would continue that. For me, it takes 3 months from the time I absolutely stop before the physical symptoms go away. Because of that, I prefer to do the reductions in as large of amounts as I can physically stand, not to prolong it. Unfortunately, even going from 37.5 to 0 can feel the same as going from 150 to 0. This last time when I went to 0, I took a week off of work for it. I really needed 3 though, and found that at 3 months when the physical symptoms were gone, emotionally, I was still not right. I would recommend googling success stories of going off of effexor and seeing if some of the tips help. Some have had good luck with supplements. Just read up on anything you find to make sure that there isnt an interaction with anything you still take and if possible ask your doctor. I tried quite a few, with no help, but we all seem to be different. Pretty much, I'm replying to say I have nothing to offer of assistance (I'm sorry!). I've been there, and wanted to pass along best wishes though. It's tough, but is do-able!

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[Ocean Swimmer]

I just went off Effexor. I know they say it has to be slow. In my case I left the pills at my other house. At first I was afraid to drive.
Then when I finally went to get the pills it had been 3 days. So I thought, let's see what happens. I didn't take them. Had out of body experiences in the next few days.
I still wanted to just lay around,but I was never helped by the Effexor for that anyway.

[_C2_]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

Not having a reliable, good doctor is so very difficult. If I were you, I'd continue to find another pdoc.

Whatever you do, taper the meds slllooowwlly. For example, you might need to come off the Effexor by shaving (cutting) a tiny bit off, wait a week, shave off a tiny bit more, and so on.

Does the .5 Klonopin keep withdrawal symptoms away, or at that dose are you still getting the confusion and anxiety?

The. 5 MG calms me down a little bit and I don't get confused and all that stuff but occasionally I have trouble breathing and have to take 1mg to make it go away

[_C2_]

Originally Posted by AnnabelleLee

I have gone off of Effexor a few times over the past 15 yrs and for me it was a special kind of hell. The last time I did it was early this year. Each time I have done a ton of research and tried different supplements, but never found a good way to come off of it. If you are only getting the brain zaps with scaling back (I say "only", but I know they are awful!), and can tolerate it, I would continue that. For me, it takes 3 months from the time I absolutely stop before the physical symptoms go away. Because of that, I prefer to do the reductions in as large of amounts as I can physically stand, not to prolong it. Unfortunately, even going from 37.5 to 0 can feel the same as going from 150 to 0. This last time when I went to 0, I took a week off of work for it. I really needed 3 though, and found that at 3 months when the physical symptoms were gone, emotionally, I was still not right. I would recommend googling success stories of going off of effexor and seeing if some of the tips help. Some have had good luck with supplements. Just read up on anything you find to make sure that there isnt an interaction with anything you still take and if possible ask your doctor. I tried quite a few, with no help, but we all seem to be different. Pretty much, I'm replying to say I have nothing to offer of assistance (I'm sorry!). I've been there, and wanted to pass along best wishes though. It's tough, but is do-able!

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Thank you just hearing someone else who's been through it makes me feel like I can do it.

I'm sorry, what were you taking Geodon for? That isn't known for treating depression, that is an AP that really doesn't have any anti depressant properties I believe. I am on it. Abilify is a different kind of AP that does have Antidepressant properties though. I am on Effexor right now. 75mg's I went off it a bit ago, no problem. But I tapered off, it wasn't hell. I plan on going back down to 35.5 again after I balance my new mood stabilizer. I'm just playing it safe for the moment.

I didn't have problems going off Effexor or Geodon. I've never quit a benzo....I think you need a doctor to help you with weaning off Klonopin. Stay safe. xo