Long Time Effexor User

Seems like you are trying a very aggressive and quick taper from a high dose after 10 years use. does your doctor know of your plan to taper? if not maybe just let he/she know so they can monitor your progress.

I was on effexor 37.5 mg for 5 years and then attempted a 1 year long taper and that didn't fair so well for me towards the very end at 3mg. I got hit with very bad withdrawal symptoms (all parasthesia issues mostly) even after a very long and cautious taper. I had to reinstate to little over full dose again and sadly am still on it waiting to stabilize before I try to taper again.

good luck to you and just be safe.

There is a fantastic fb page for discontinuation/withdrawal from Venlafaxine/Effexor. I was very fortunate to have found it when I did. I didn't know how to taper and had so many severe symptoms. I was just about to go back to the doctor, knowing full well that he would up the dose again, when I found it and found out that so much of what I was experiencing was from this medicine. Like this forum, it is a great tool to have access to.

I agree with the other posters; this seems a very rapid discontinuation.

I am approximately your age, took Effexor 15+ years and was on 75mg.  I did a taper of approximately 14 months.  I still had marked withdrawl symptoms, although because it was a fairly slow and deliberate taper I was able to continue to work and push on with my life.  I have now been totally Effexor free for 15 months, do not take any other prescription medications, and still experience symptoms that are related to my long term Effexor use.  Omega 3 and avoiding sugary foods was helpful to me during the process, but please consider a much longer taper than what you are describing.

I think you are going about it the right way. Slow decreases in dosage. I was on it for over 4 years at 300 mg per day. It took 4 months of decreasing doses and another 2 months without to start to feel normal again. I suggest that you only do this with the knowledge and guidance of your doctor. He/She may have alternatives to assist that don't have the same downside as effexor. All the best.

i was on 150mg modified release for 5 yrs went cold turkey 150 to nothing , dont do it !! too agrressive same as yours might be, reduce slowly, withdrawal was bad, flu, insomnia, shocks, panic attack, fluid on lungs, stomach pain like a good kidney punch !! so please slow it down i wanted rid of it it is evil drug for withdrawal even now 6 weeks on i am struggling so please slowly monkey xx vits, omega6, alka seltzer 

Just to give you a parallel - I took 2 years to taper off 150mg upon completion of my therapy. I had to wait a minimum of 3 months from the point where i stabilized on each new dosage and before another cut. I remember one of the cuts took 9 months in total once.

The idea is that first  you wait for any withdrawal complaints to abate and then you maintain same dose for at least 3 months to give brain enough time to rewire to accomodate new chemical conditions...

You can do faster, but from experience (and I attempted ballsy drops myself twice in my 13 years of therapy) that is not the best idea. You must always take your overall health into consideration as well. Really, the taper should be closely monitored by a psychiatrist and GP (both!) in your case.

That said, I wish you to feel better. You have been through a lot!

Everyone seems to have capsuls of Venulfaxine. My pharmacy gives me tablets.

I am under the impression Effexor and Venulfaxine are the same medication. Am I wrong?

OK peeps, you the ones wanting me to taper off this stuff slower. So I decided to stay at this level for another week. decreased by 25MG 1 week ago.  So i:ll let cha  all know