4 ms·

I have experienced discontinuation effects from Paroxetine, Venlafaxine and Fluxoetine in the past, Paroxetine was by far the worst, but absolutely within the b

I have experienced discontinuation effects from Paroxetine, Venlafaxine and Fluxoetine in the past, Paroxetine was by far the worst, but absolutely within the boundaries of what the doctor and the tab mentioned. With Paroxetine itself the worst effects would be "blackouts" when I would loose all my senses for a split second, just short enough that I would not fall if walking, but long enough that people would notice during a conversation. During one specific Venlafaxine withdrawal, however, I have experienced severe depression, and got close to suicide. What saved me, ironically as it sounds, was a huge dose of Clonazepan I rationally decided to take just so I could sleep the withdrawal over. I'm still on Venlafaxine for a couple years now, I take it for Anxiety/Panic and that was the only time I've experienced severe depression in years. What I've learned from all that is simple: that stuff is messing directly and profoundly with your brain, so take it very seriously: anti-depressants are not your over-the-counter shit. Apart from that, find a doctor you trust and talk to them,every little detail. Never trust a psychiatrist who does not suggest some kind of therapy: the meds won't cure you. Also, I don't know of a single drug that won't give me some kind of discontinuation syndrome if interrupted after continuous use. From nose sprays and anti-acids to hypnotics, all have some rebound effects to them. I believe the bottom line is to be rational about taking any drugs, yet specially the ones messing with your head.

cerrelio 10y ago
I've taken sertraline, venlafaxine, bupropion and fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is the only SSRI I experienced no withdrawal from. I was on a low dose (10-20mg) though, and it mostly worked (went from severe depression to mild/none). I have a standing prescription for this as a fallback, but haven't taken it in 3 years. I avoid taking it because of the sexual side effects. I like having orgasms. Bupropion triggered a seizure after the first dose. Immediately discontinued. Venlafaxine was mostly effective, but I went from depressed to robotic/apathetic. When I stopped taking it, I tapered off, but I had brain zaps and developed acute tinnitus for over a month, alternating in each ear. To this day, 15 years after treatment, I still experience moderate hearing loss in my ears several times a month for about 60-90 seconds at a time. Sertraline was the worst. I got up to 150mg before the problems. It triggered a hypomanic episode that lasted for about a month. I didn't sleep at all for the first three days it manifested. The doctor stopped treatment immediately and put me on risperidone, which is a new level of awfulness. I just quit taking it after a month, and told my doctor I would never take any antipsychotic again. I have a great doctor now. He's not even a psychiatrist, just a generalist, but he's treated many cases of depression over the past 20 years. He figured I didn't have unipolar depression, but bipolar, due to the hypomania. SSRIs are bad, and not recommended, as monotherapy for bipolar. So he put me on lamotrigine and I haven't had a depressive (or manic) episode for over two years. I've also experienced no noticeable side effects. I've found the only thing that matters in the treatment of mental/behavioral disorders is your doctor's skill and knowledge. Don't be afraid to dump a mediocre doctor; it's your wellbeing on the line.
- powmonk 10y ago
  >Sertraline was the worst I had a very similar experience. Tried a couple of SSRIs prior to sertraline and had a manic episode shortly after starting it. I was up for about 3 days and drinking furiously. Felt like I was on coke. Immediately stopped once I realised what was happening but it was so gradual and I was manic so it had to be pointed out to me that I was flying.

cerrelio 10y ago

I've taken sertraline, venlafaxine, bupropion and fluoxetine. Fluoxetine is the only SSRI I experienced no withdrawal from. I was on a low dose (10-20mg) though, and it mostly worked (went from severe depression to mild/none). I have a standing prescription for this as a fallback, but haven't taken it in 3 years. I avoid taking it because of the sexual side effects. I like having orgasms. Bupropion triggered a seizure after the first dose. Immediately discontinued. Venlafaxine was mostly effective, but I went from depressed to robotic/apathetic. When I stopped taking it, I tapered off, but I had brain zaps and developed acute tinnitus for over a month, alternating in each ear. To this day, 15 years after treatment, I still experience moderate hearing loss in my ears several times a month for about 60-90 seconds at a time. Sertraline was the worst. I got up to 150mg before the problems. It triggered a hypomanic episode that lasted for about a month. I didn't sleep at all for the first three days it manifested. The doctor stopped treatment immediately and put me on risperidone, which is a new level of awfulness. I just quit taking it after a month, and told my doctor I would never take any antipsychotic again. I have a great doctor now. He's not even a psychiatrist, just a generalist, but he's treated many cases of depression over the past 20 years. He figured I didn't have unipolar depression, but bipolar, due to the hypomania. SSRIs are bad, and not recommended, as monotherapy for bipolar. So he put me on lamotrigine and I haven't had a depressive (or manic) episode for over two years. I've also experienced no noticeable side effects. I've found the only thing that matters in the treatment of mental/behavioral disorders is your doctor's skill and knowledge. Don't be afraid to dump a mediocre doctor; it's your wellbeing on the line.

powmonk 10y ago
>Sertraline was the worst I had a very similar experience. Tried a couple of SSRIs prior to sertraline and had a manic episode shortly after starting it. I was up for about 3 days and drinking furiously. Felt like I was on coke. Immediately stopped once I realised what was happening but it was so gradual and I was manic so it had to be pointed out to me that I was flying.