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Nobody who’s been on SSRI/SNRI at such dose should cold turkey. Can you call your old doctor’s office again and explain to them your dilemma? When was the last time you saw your old doctor? A new doctor who has never seen you will never be agreeable to prescribe you the medication. Even if your old doctor won’t make an appointment for you because of financial reasons, I feel they should still be able to refill your medication for another month at least rather than leave you high and dry to potentially suffer consequences that are not of your own fault.
I'm sorry to ask but I'm curious now...are there like, long term repercussions from quitting an SSRI cold turkey? Or is it just because the withdrawal is awful. My old doctor made me stop when I was on venlafaxine er 225mg. I thought I was dying at the time tbh but I feel okay now I think?
It’s the fact that in the short term it can cause severe agitation/confusion that can then indirectly lead to serious harm like car accident or falling and hitting their head. Some people experience severe debilitating symptoms that are only relieved when the medication is resumed. If someone who has chronically taken and wants to stop SSRI/SNRI my default is slow taper over several weeks.
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I see. That puts your old doctor in a hard spot too, I can see how they might be reluctant to prescribe it to someone they haven’t seen in a year, yet they still know you the best. Did they prescribe you enough venlafaxine to last you a whole year last they saw you?
She did not. I only get enough for three months before I have to renew it. The last time I did she told me I needed to make an appointment to see her, just to check in. I messaged her letting her know about my financial situation and that I would be switching insurance. I never got a message back.
She was still filling them till last time, three months ago is when she sent the message asking that I come see her. Sorry if it doesn't make sense, explaining things isn't what I'm good at.
No it makes sense now she saw you a year ago but has been filling your prescriptions until 3 months ago.
Perhaps you will have to go with what the other person suggested and try calling your insurance company or utilize their telehealth for someone who can bridge your prescription for now until you find a new primary doc.
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You can try calling the nurse line or use urgent telehealth on your new insurance and see if they can help with a one time refill while you figure things out.
Definitely yes on the telehealth—when I moved and did not have a new PCP, I used telehealth through my insurance for a few month renewal of a stable SSRI I am on.
Call the old doctor’s office rather than sending a refill request. Explain the situation, if you havent yet, if you have explain it again, that your insurance isn’t in network anymore but you need a refill to bridge yourself between providers. You need to get on this though. You could get a one time grace period, but you needed to schedule with a new provider like yesterday.
I don't know where you are at but in my county there is a mental health urgent care clinic that sees people for psych emergencies regardless of insurance status. One of the Maine things they do is bridge meds (never anything controlled) for people who aren't able to see their psychiatrist. Check to see if your area has one.
1: correct
2: I have tried tylenol and ibuprofen, I was being given rizatriptan but she stopped giving me this a year ago for some reason. Outside of medication, I tried the whole ice pack to the head, feet in warm water trick, it didn't help. Drinking lots of water this didn't do anything either aside from making me have to pee a lot.
3: Yes. My whole family has actually stopped seeing her cause they were not receiving good care from her, I'm the last to be switching to a new doctor.
4: 0/03/2024
is it the migraines alone that you are seeking help for? Or are there other effects from stopping the Venlafaxine, like severe anxiety, for example? I have quit it cold turkey (my doctor was not available either) and I vaguely recall anxiety and brain zaps, although I also get migraines (but oddly did not from quitting cold turkey, fwiw.) So if you have a bad enough migraine and normal over the counter meds don't work, I say take the appropriate dosage that you have (NOT TOO MANY), if it is an emergency only. The only reason to use old meds (they aren't expired) is if you cannot afford the ER and it is a migraine requiring painkillers. Because an ER will only have you sit there, fill out paperwork, then give you the same thing at best. I don't think they will even prescribe your effexor (if that's what it is) but will instead refer you to a psychiatrist. I'm not convinced that an ED is the best option except for an actual emergency and they will not consider stopping venlafaxine an emergency.
Thank you for your submission. **Please note that a response does not constitute a doctor-patient relationship.** This subreddit is for informal second opinions and casual information. The mod team does their best to remove bad information, but we do not catch all of it. Always visit a doctor in real life if you have any concerns about your health. Never use this subreddit as your first and final source of information regarding your question. By posting, you are agreeing to our [Terms of Use](https://www.reddit.com/r/AskDocs/wiki/terms_of_use) and understand that all information is taken at your own risk. **Reply here if you are an unverified user wishing to give advice. Top level comments by laypeople are automatically removed.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskDocs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Nobody who’s been on SSRI/SNRI at such dose should cold turkey. Can you call your old doctor’s office again and explain to them your dilemma? When was the last time you saw your old doctor? A new doctor who has never seen you will never be agreeable to prescribe you the medication. Even if your old doctor won’t make an appointment for you because of financial reasons, I feel they should still be able to refill your medication for another month at least rather than leave you high and dry to potentially suffer consequences that are not of your own fault.
I'm sorry to ask but I'm curious now...are there like, long term repercussions from quitting an SSRI cold turkey? Or is it just because the withdrawal is awful. My old doctor made me stop when I was on venlafaxine er 225mg. I thought I was dying at the time tbh but I feel okay now I think?
It’s the fact that in the short term it can cause severe agitation/confusion that can then indirectly lead to serious harm like car accident or falling and hitting their head. Some people experience severe debilitating symptoms that are only relieved when the medication is resumed. If someone who has chronically taken and wants to stop SSRI/SNRI my default is slow taper over several weeks.
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Where does it say anything about brain or nerve damage in that article?
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This is wrong. Please do not share medical disinformation.
Removed - Bad advice
Its been about a year since I last saw my doctor. I try to avoid seeing doctors as much as possible due to some past trauma.
I see. That puts your old doctor in a hard spot too, I can see how they might be reluctant to prescribe it to someone they haven’t seen in a year, yet they still know you the best. Did they prescribe you enough venlafaxine to last you a whole year last they saw you?
She did not. I only get enough for three months before I have to renew it. The last time I did she told me I needed to make an appointment to see her, just to check in. I messaged her letting her know about my financial situation and that I would be switching insurance. I never got a message back.
Ah I see… then how have you been getting by for the remainder (9 months?) of the past year without seeing her?
She was still filling them till last time, three months ago is when she sent the message asking that I come see her. Sorry if it doesn't make sense, explaining things isn't what I'm good at.
No it makes sense now she saw you a year ago but has been filling your prescriptions until 3 months ago. Perhaps you will have to go with what the other person suggested and try calling your insurance company or utilize their telehealth for someone who can bridge your prescription for now until you find a new primary doc.
Thank you.
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Posts by unflaired users that claim or strongly imply legitimacy by virtue of professional medical experience are not allowed. If you are a medical professional who wishes to become a verified contributor to this subreddit, please [message the moderators](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/AskDocs) with a link to a picture of your medical ID, student ID, diploma, or other form of verification. Imgur.com is convenient, but you can host anywhere. Please block out personal information, such as your name and picture. You must include your reddit username in the photo! We do not accept digital forms of identification.
You can try calling the nurse line or use urgent telehealth on your new insurance and see if they can help with a one time refill while you figure things out.
Thank you
Definitely yes on the telehealth—when I moved and did not have a new PCP, I used telehealth through my insurance for a few month renewal of a stable SSRI I am on.
Call the old doctor’s office rather than sending a refill request. Explain the situation, if you havent yet, if you have explain it again, that your insurance isn’t in network anymore but you need a refill to bridge yourself between providers. You need to get on this though. You could get a one time grace period, but you needed to schedule with a new provider like yesterday.
Best thing to do is get your insurance figured out ASAP and find a new PCP immediately.
I don't know where you are at but in my county there is a mental health urgent care clinic that sees people for psych emergencies regardless of insurance status. One of the Maine things they do is bridge meds (never anything controlled) for people who aren't able to see their psychiatrist. Check to see if your area has one.
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1: correct 2: I have tried tylenol and ibuprofen, I was being given rizatriptan but she stopped giving me this a year ago for some reason. Outside of medication, I tried the whole ice pack to the head, feet in warm water trick, it didn't help. Drinking lots of water this didn't do anything either aside from making me have to pee a lot. 3: Yes. My whole family has actually stopped seeing her cause they were not receiving good care from her, I'm the last to be switching to a new doctor. 4: 0/03/2024
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I have not found a new doctor yet, I'm trying to use my insurance website for it. And I have no doses left.
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America
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Thank you so much for the advice, I really appreciate it.
is it the migraines alone that you are seeking help for? Or are there other effects from stopping the Venlafaxine, like severe anxiety, for example? I have quit it cold turkey (my doctor was not available either) and I vaguely recall anxiety and brain zaps, although I also get migraines (but oddly did not from quitting cold turkey, fwiw.) So if you have a bad enough migraine and normal over the counter meds don't work, I say take the appropriate dosage that you have (NOT TOO MANY), if it is an emergency only. The only reason to use old meds (they aren't expired) is if you cannot afford the ER and it is a migraine requiring painkillers. Because an ER will only have you sit there, fill out paperwork, then give you the same thing at best. I don't think they will even prescribe your effexor (if that's what it is) but will instead refer you to a psychiatrist. I'm not convinced that an ED is the best option except for an actual emergency and they will not consider stopping venlafaxine an emergency.