Prozac bridge : My experience while being psychologically and physically dependent to Venlafaxine.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Just a brief story about my experience trying to bridge taper from Venlafaxine to Prozac during the weaning, tapering process. I talk a little about the potential pitfalls of this tapering strategy, and how it affected me greatly during my attempt. Hopefully you find it helpful or informative in some way. Thanks.
I hope Dr. Josef can one day do an interview with Cole, so more people become aware of this channel. Seeing the journey documented over 4 years with such openness, vulnerability and honesty makes me feel I am not alone in my experience. Seeing that Cole was able to come out the other side gives me hope I can get through this as well.
So good to see you in a healing green space. I met you via utube when you took your last drop of this terrible drug that lots of us are on. Can hardly believe it is almost two years ago. My Effexor hyperbolic tapering journey continues, if all goes to plan mid next year will be the last bead. Looking at you today I feel you have achieved so much and I thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us…be well. Mx
Thank you Cole, you’re a beacon of light 🤍
Thank you so so much for sharing as always. These drugs are more dangerous than the pharmaceutical and medical institutions want people thinking. I’ve been injured by antidepressants, and have had akathisia for 10 months, and am still recovering over a year out. Sending love to everyone; stay so strong while you’re going through this. We do heal over time, but it takes time. Can’t wait for the reckoning to come to places that knowingly allowed this to continue without any precautions or informed consent about the dangers. Love you all
How long did u take meds?
@@mitch5222
It was one pill for me; my system was sensitive to the drug. 50 mg of sertraline
@@mitch5222
One 50 mg pill of sertraline; my system was sensitive to the drug 😢
Replies aren’t adding for some reason sometimes.
It was just one 50 mg sertraline that did it to me. My system was sensitive to the drug.
@@mitch522217 years
So glad when I hear you say the words “I beat them”. I know that it hasn’t been easy and the injury was and still is severe but to hear you say that gives me incredible hope. You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, to go through this and come out the other end. Sending you love from Canada.
❤️🙏
I've watched all your videos over the past week. Thank you for making them and speaking out. I am 33F and was put on desvenlafaxine at 26. Stopped this year C/T because my doc said it would be fine. Now in protracted withdrawal and reaching the 6 month point. It's been hell on earth. It's indescribable but hearing others stories and seeing that we can heal is so helpful. We can and will heal - I have to believe that or I won't be able to go on. Thank you for your videos
❤🙏. All the best. Just take it one day at a time.
Everytime I’m afraid about tapering off I visit your videos and am emboldened again thank you man
@@SKELETMANE any time bro. 😎
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849my friend do u feel low mood and empty please answer
Thanks on new video it so so nice to see you! Wishing you healing and recovery! You are light of this world now!!!
Thank you sir, everyday we are healing.♥
You actually beat Effexor Cole….its incredible what you’ve achieved.
Thank you for doing these videos to raise awareness and help others.
I still am so terrified of this drug and must try again to get off but not stable enough at all yet. I hope I can do this like you have. I too feel completely alone in this, no one can help me get off it, only me.
You give me hope it is possible.
Thank you and I wish so much for you to keep healing as I know you are still suffering so much in protracted right now.
Good video about the bridge to Prozac - extremely important that we are aware of the risks involved.
how r u now? I am in the same boat am in the uk
@@angeladavis-qi6kb I’m trying to stablise from severe Akathisia last year and got a lot of neurological symptoms
Got to wait maybe another year or two before I can attempt to taper as I can still feel the Akathisia under the surface and any changes could set it off at the moment
I have a lot of issues with my hormones making Akathisia symptoms increase a bit and other neurological symptoms
But there are days I can function well in between all the more difficult days
The last three days have been awful for me, but I know I’ll get some better days again and it’s just up and down all the time
Unable to predict it really
How are you?
@angeladavis-qi6kb Hi Angela lm in the UK as well the support from the medical profession is non existence in my area.
@@celticwarrior7217 hi where abouts r u? I am in cambridgeshire. which anti depressant r u on. I belong to a tuesday and wednesday evening venlafaxine support group on zoom which is in the uk, and i have coaching sessions on thought, which is really helpful
@angeladavis-qi6kb Hi I'm in Scotland and it is venlafaxine too. What dose are you currently on?
Looking better! Thank you, nice to see you. Hope you are doing better. See you again soon. Two years and two months for me since ritalin. Doing a lot better. Got some ways to go still, maybe another year, but I have hope.
Thank you, Cole. It's good to hear your updates. I've had 3 friends commit suicide at different times during antidepressant withdrawal. I've never seen anything like the arrogance of doctors, none of whom can tolerate hearing my problems both on the drugs and getting off.
They are in a world of their own aren’t they. I’m sorry to hear of your losses. Stay strong. 💪
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 Thank you. Means a lot.
Thanks for your thoughts, as always.
You're an inspiration. Thank you👍🙏
Just raising awareness and sharing my story. Thanks.
What you are doing here is very precious. Thank you, it really helps people. If you can make videos more frequently, that would be very helpful.
Still fragile and in early recovery stage. The more I heal, the more videos I’ll put up. Thanks. 🙏
to all my fellow wounded warriors, i love you all, sincerely. let's keep on living for our souls, or just out of spite. take the beauty, peace and joy wherever we can find it. for me, my glimmers are my dog, the sky, birds and my mom.
feel free to share your glimmers. :-) much love from my heart.
We definitely need more people out there offering affordable withdrawal services for those coming off of psychiatric medication. Thanks for sharing your story.
someone help me.pls..on short dosage of ssri and polydrugged due to ct and insomnia..totally bedridden...brain hearing random words, songs and images..jerks..insombia..
Thank you for taking the time to raise awareness of this important issue. My hope is that it will make patients think twice about believing there is a magic bullet to coming off these drugs. Slow hyperbolic tapering needs to be the approach used by every doctor and dangerous practices like tapering by dose and bridging to other antidepressants needs to be abolished.
Thank you for sharing this info !!!!
It's 2 years from me too.. still tinnitus and fatigue and other symptoms. Sux but we ll get through. Was on lexapro 😢
Thanks Cole. You are looking so much better ❤
Trying my best.
i Think i was on 275mg of venlafaxine at which point i had hellish nightmares multiple times per week, i could only poop 2-3 times per month. I told my doctor i need to stop taking venlafaxine and i proposed dropping 30% dosage per month if i remember correctly. It was tough and i had to take burana 3 times everyday to deal with the pains. It was absolutely worth getting off it. SSRI's are good when used for max 3 months with small dosage in my opinion, unless you can actively make your life better and work on things all medication will fail in the end. Everybody reacts differently to withdrawals so everybody has a different battle in front of them. Also i felt like i had to struggle through some very dark years with not seeing much hope, but i just kept on going, not stopping and in the end, slowly things got much better and i was able to grasp life again. Know you can do it aswell even though its impossible for you to see it right now !
I am glad that you feel some subtle improvements. I am 14 months off xanax, and I get hope and positively from your videos at the times when I feel doomed.
Does anyone know about Patrick's update, I was watching his channel and videos about his benzo withdrawal and healing journey, but now I couldn't find them.
Hello, I’m ok. Thank you for the videos.
Thank you! Hold on!❤❤
Sending love bro! 🙏🙏
Thank SSRI's now i have PSSD over depression
But at least i in remission (depression only because MAOI) anhedonia is same no better not worse, this is terrible because SSRI's prescribe for no reason
Got off venlafaxine 6 years ago and it was horrific, felt new things i never felt before, was like that for 5 months before getting back on the med, for all that time until now the uncomfortable feelings I got in withdrawal has stuck with me since. I’m trying to get off again but with the prozac bridge, so far so good, on 37.5mg alternating days 20mg fluoxetine, the days I didn’t take it I still get WD but its less. I’m hoping to feel better. Biggest worry is this head feeling is going to be around forever.
All the best on your journey.
Thanks 💛
That's the attitude I had. I wasn't going to let some doctor write down the cause of death was suicide from long term mental health problems. 2 years off yesterday and healing continues from the drugs. Can only get better.
How long did u take meds?😊
@mitch5222 Over 31 years
@@celticwarrior5646 keep fighting.
Please make interview for "Moral Medicine" this also really important
I have been tapering effexor for 5 1/2 yrs at the end of next month. I was on 150mg and at present am on 39.60mg, holding there at present due too thyroid issues, hope to start tapering again in november, at present i can only decrease by 1 bead every 3 to 4 weeks.
How long were u on meds?
@@mitch5222 34 years
I had 3 years on Zoloft, but I stopped 12 months ago, I'm still not myself but trying every day, just started TRT three weeks ago and that's helping, but my anxiety is worse now. Feel a bit lost. I see my GP again in two weeks, I've been there 16 times in three years. They are sick of the sight of me now.
🙏
Would love to hear an update of how you have been doing 2 years free!
I’ve been prescribed escitalopram but been too scared to take them. Been really depressed still are but keep thinking I can get through it. Honestly scared to take them based on previously trying another and reacting badly. Man I wish they would invent something better than Ssris etc
Smart for posting. I think I can scare you to not take that- EVER. See Dr. Josef's videos on PSSD. It is a very, very real side effect that many get when they come off a SSRI. Basically it is a chemical castration. Many people saw they wish they never took a SSRI. That by contrast, their depression was minor compared to their life now. Honestly, I would look into KETO. See Dr. Palmer. He talks about depression happening when our brains are tired- they run out of fuel to work well. Maybe look into exercise, get some sun, new hobby, etc.
been in the exact same place as you. I started the medication 7 years ago, unable to get off of it due to extremely fast tapering which was initiated by uninformed psychiatrists. 1 Suicide attempt due to horrific withdrawal. Anxiety and depression worse than even before the drug.
Tapering on my own since 3 years and almost off of it, but the journey only starts when you get off of it completely.
I don’t want to scare you but believe us, it’s the definition of hell. If you can find a way to deal with your depression and anxiety without medication you will thank yourself in a couple of years.
The medication does work, but you pay with your soul.
If haven’t already take a look at what you could change in your environment, friendships, diet, relationships in general and try to find a therapist who supports to get through this phase without meds.
@@marissaakosua1389 Thanks for sharing that.
@@marissaakosua1389 Good tips. I hope you are doing ok. Are you well enough to work?
@@marissaakosua1389I’m so stuck and so desperately depressed with chronic insomnia too that I don’t think I can go on much longer, I’ve tried healthy eating etc. i might have to start taking them. I was already in a psch ward in Feb because of feeling sui cidal
I'm dying every day. I was on many drugs for my OCD and then they misdiagnosed me with bipolar put me on many other drugs my life is over. It's been nine months. I am off my meds, but it's like nightmare😢 Akhatisia,anhedonia, cognitive impairment, insomnia, DPDR, racing thoughts, and severe mood swings،Hyper sensitive nervous system. Hyper salivation,horrofic loping thoughts24/7flash back images from past bad memories. I'm getting worse every day. I can't take it anymore 😢😢 I really want to live, but I can't take it anymore.
I was first severely injured over 7 years ago bro by an abrupt cold turkey attempt off of Effexor after 12 years of psychiatric drug use. Now I still struggle every day of my life with a host of horrible symptoms, pain. 9 months is still very early. The longer you give yourself time free from the drugs, the more you will improve. It may be subtle, but you will slowly see improvements. Hang in there for now.
@livingunderachemicalinflue5849
Hi Cole glad things are improving for you. Did your racing thoughts settle down ? And did your sleep improve?
@@celticwarrior7217I had severe racing, looping thoughts on my first attempt to come off in 2017.
Now, my brain feels hollow, it feels completely fried. I don’t get much thoughts anymore and I can’t visualise things. I
presume this is permanent, I’m not sure at nearly 2 years off.
I haven’t had a permanent home for the past year, living out of short term rentals and air b and bs, so my stress levels have been extremely high on top of dealing with my drug injury.
My sleep patterns have suffered as well as a consequence of this.
I hope you are seeing improvements in your healing journey. ❤️🙏
@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 Hi Cole l hope your living situation gets sorted out soon. I've also had the racing thoughts but it's settled down now. I'm currently on 5mg daily of venlafaxine since February. Don't think I'm ready to drop any further at the moment . I just wish there was more help from the medical profession to tapper.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 is there any chance l could WhatsApp you Cole ?
So great to hear from you Cole. Thx for the info. Is your dp/dr and cognitive stuff better? I’m 3years off. Still feel so lost 😢. Sending love from California P
Very subtle improvements, but still very bad. I was on these drugs for 17 years, I’ve got a long road ahead for recovery. Hang in there, you will continue to improve over time.
Listen. Don't let anyone tell you what to do. You do your own plan and you tell them what you want. Shrinks have no idea what your going thru. Don't trust them!
Cheers man. If I listened to doctors i wouldn’t be here to tell my story. My own intuition kept me alive during this process.
Yeah man, I know what your going through, I wasn't on them for as long as you, but I myself contemplated suicide many times. People are wicked man, they don't know what we went through man and it pisses me off. Don't ever show them your suffering they will only rub it in. Open yourself only to those who love you like your dog. Best wishes man, I know where your at. Take care and do your thing, don't trust them idiots.
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Do u feel any differnt sence u stopt the drug. 2 years is not alot, but do u feel any progress? keep fighting🙏💪
@@borivojbanic5758 cheers bro. For the last year I haven’t had the best living arrangements, stability, so it’s been hard to heal properly. Constant stress and instability is the worst thing a person with an iatrogenic drug injury needs.
Despite having to live out of short term rentals and air b and bs for the past year, I’ve noticed some small improvements. My neurological crashes aren’t as severe, brain burning 🔥, head pressure has improved a little, ability to moderately exercise has slowly improved without brutal crashes, and cognition is a little better. As soon as I have stability in my living arrangements, I’m positive I’ll see bigger improvements in my recovery. It’s worth holding on for. 😊🙏
I have no choice because depression+PSSD extremely deadly combo
Hi Cole how are you doing?
Still healing, a long way to go but noticing subtle improvements.
Do you feel like you have healed at all since coming off? Is life more bearable?
I came off incorrectly unfortunately and I’ve been badly injured on a neurological level as a result.
I’m noticing subtle shifts of improvement though at nearly 2 years off, which is promising for me not to give up.
The freeing feeling of not having to take the drug anymore is something I enjoy the most. It’s been very liberating.
Cole can u help me to figure my dose out please? I ingest 132 beads of effexor xr daily, I have no idea what this is in milligrams, many thanks
You’d have to get a good quality jewellery scale and weigh this out yourself to get an accurate measurement. If I recall correctly, a 37.5mg Effexor XR Pfizer capsule had about 130_140 beads per dosage, so you’d be very close to this amount in milligrams.
Again, this is just an estimate and you’d have to weigh the beads yourself to get an accurate measurement. 😊
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 thank you very much
Hey have you read or listened to Baylissa Fredrick ?
Baylissa is a retard.
There is always catch with every shortcut, not a fan of bridge method.
what neurological damage did you have coming off Effexor? has anything help with improving that damage? You look very healthy but i know its an invisible illness.....do you spend your days alone in bed or are you able to work and socialize?
Neuronal damage, serotonin receptor site damage and down regulation. Electrical and chemical brain damage essentially. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is something I’d like to try soon. Eating properly with whole, non processed foods is something I also try my best to do daily.
I’m pretty much house bound, can go out and socialise for an hour or two, but I end up in bed for days in a severe neurological crash. I never knew this sort of cruelty existed. Hopefully 🤞 things improve with time.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 so sorry to hear your suffering ..I’m going thru something very similar but for me it’s caused by anxiety ptsd depression ..it’s brutal to survive and get thru the days .l.ldo you have a dr that duagnised yiu with chemical brain damage ? It’s good you go out ..li tend to become agoraphobic with my issues
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 for me I have those symptoms from my illness ptsd anxiety depression …I’m sorry the meds caused these symptoms in yiu ..scary !
@@markpatrick5246nope, the majority of doctors don’t even know how to diagnose PAWS or akathisia.
DR Peter Briggins book, psychiatric drug withdrawal was the book I read and realised what had happened to me as a result of long term usage. I still hold onto the belief that the brain has neuroplasticity qualities and can adapt and evolve, heal over a long period of time.
@@livingunderachemicalinflue5849 it sounds like what I’m enduring and I black out with my anxiety .. do you have agoraphobia
Are u completely healed?
Nope, far from it. I’m noticing improvements, so that’s enough for me to keep going.