I am on Effexor (300 mg per day, NOT XR), Viibryd (20 mg per day), Trazodone (100 mg at bedtime) Ambien, and Ativan (.5 mg three times a day). I am getting SEVERE, SEVERE headaches and have SEVERE Lightheadedness (have passed out several times), and PROFUSE Sweating. Which of these drugs are most likely to be causing these side effects? I can't go off all meds and then try them back one at a time or I will end up in a straight jacket in the Psych Ward. If I even miss taking a dose for more than 5 hours I start crying hysterically and don't stop. Would going down on the Effexor and up on the Viibryd help? Have been asking Psychiatrist to wean me off Effexor for over a year because I think that's what's causing the problem, but he keeps refusing to do that. I start with a new Psychiatrist in about a month. Should I ask that dr to wean me off Effexor and increase dosage of Viibryd? The Effexor alone wasn't working; which is why they added the Viibryd. I noticed online that Effexor and Trazodone aren't a good mix but Pyschs keep giving me the combination. Even with Trazodone, Ambien, Ativan, and Melatonin I still have MAJOR trouble getting to sleep and staying asleep. Any suggestions? Tried Seroquel but it didn't work at all.
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Q: Antidepressants causing SEVERE Dizziness, SEVERE Headaches, and PROFUSE Sweating
I'm so sorry you're having such problems with your medications. We aren't medical professionals here, so can't give you advice, but yes, many people have written about the side effects of withdrawing from Effexor so, if anything, I would not try to get off of that until you are under the care of another doctor. It's a shame that your current doctor doesn't appear to listen to you. If you are really, really sick, you could try going to an emergency room and then probably a hospital psychiatrist would try to help you get this figured out. It seems strange to me that you are prescribed both Trazodone and Ambien - they are both sedating, although in different ways. You might try talking with your pharmacist, as well, who should be knowledgeable about the side effects of these drugs.
I wish you all the best and hope your next doctor is better than the one you have now. It's so frustrating and disappointing, to say the least. If you find out what the cause of these problems is, maybe you could let us know in a sharepost - it might be helpful for someone else some day. Thanks for your question.
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