Effexor to Prozac

[Guest Guest_CaptainYaaar_*]

I am currently prepping to make the switch from Effexor XR to Prozac, and I am nervous. My entire experience with Effexor XR could be described as anxious. It makes me climb the walls with anxieties about everything under the sun and to top it off it makes me depressed simulteneously.

I have spent the past week at a lowered dose and the withdrawals have made me miserable. My pdoc has me set to stop the Effexor and switch to prozac in a couple days and I am worried that the withdrawals will be even worse. I dont want to wig out at work!

I also was wondering if Prozac makes you sleepy or if it energizes? I have also heard that you cannot drink on Prozac, and I like to have the occasional glass of wine. Is it true you cannot drink anything?

Sorry for so many questions but I have been thinking about this a lot.

Thanks in advance!

[CaptainYaaar]

I should have logged in before I posted that! Anyways to give more background, I am bipolar, and currently take Trileptal and Risperdone to manage the moods, but I still struggle with depression. I would jump on the Lamictal bandwagon, except i took it years ago and developed that lovely rash......the combo I was on at the time also caused me to gain something like 80 lbs in waterweight gain due to swelling (I was on Depakote as well) and I almost ended up on dialasis (Spellcheck!)

[tryp]

Hey -

Just wanted to say, I know that some people use Prozac as a way to MINIMIZE Effexor withdrawal. They go from Effexor to Prozac, then off of Prozac, so the Effexor to Prozac switch might not be as bad as you fear.

Also, my girlfriend is on Prozac, and she drinks on it - a more than occasional beer - and she's never had a problem.

Obviously, your mileage may vary on both things.

I don't have the personal experience, but I didn't want you to feel ignored.

[olga]

I have a good friend who has been on prozac for years and loves it. (He has anxiety and depression). Like tryp, I'm sorry this isn't first-hand experience, but I can tell you that a lot of people have taken Prozac over the years and it was very effective for them.

olga

[tryp]

You might also like [link=http://www.crazymeds.us/CrazyTalk/index.php?showtopic=5001" target="_blank]this[/link] for personal experiences.

That forum is sometimes more informative for med-related questions, even though I like it here better for general support and questions about psych conditions.

[Maceo]

It's likely that once you're on Prozac you shouldn't suffer the withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. Make sure your doctor knows what withdrawal symptoms you're suffering and the severity. Everyone reacts differently and you may need a slower tapering-off plan. When I came off Effexor-XR 300mg I did it very quickly and felt fine but some people go through hell.

Prozac makes some people feel energized while others feel sleepy. For me, SSRI's don't influence my energy levels much.

Officially it is not recommended that you drink on Prozac or other antidepressants but it's just because they increase the effects of alcohol (so pace yourself, you'll probably get drunk quicker). Also because alcohol can make depression worse, we probably shouldn't be drinking anyway. Ask your doctor, I'm sure he/she will say the occasional glass of wine is fine.

[CaptainYaaar]

Thanks so much for the responses everyone! I am concerned about being sleepy on it because I planned to take it in the morning and then go to work, but I dont wanna do that if Im gonna be zonked at work.

It's likely that once you're on Prozac you shouldn't suffer the withdrawal symptoms of Effexor. Make sure your doctor knows what withdrawal symptoms you're suffering and the severity. Everyone reacts differently and you may need a slower tapering-off plan. When I came off Effexor-XR 300mg I did it very quickly and felt fine but some people go through hell.

Prozac makes some people feel energized while others feel sleepy. For me, SSRI's don't influence my energy levels much.

Officially it is not recommended that you drink on Prozac or other antidepressants but it's just because they increase the effects of alcohol (so pace yourself, you'll probably get drunk quicker). Also because alcohol can make depression worse, we probably shouldn't be drinking anyway. Ask your doctor, I'm sure he/she will say the occasional glass of wine is fine.