I got the worst flu-like symptoms ever..I think the aches and pains were the worst for me.Tylenol and ibuprofen helped some.

I was on zoloft for 2 years and it did not work for me as my mind became very numb - my psychiatrist insisted this was the right medications,and did not want to help me taper off - my mayo clinic neurologist working in the same hospital listen to me and in 3 weeks I was off zoloft - yes he replaced the safe Zoloft with the very addictive Ativan but ONLY TAKEN AS NEEDED - this has now been 2 years and I know doctors may not agree that I get 60 Ativan .o.5 for 3,months but it has changed my life - my neurologist is the chairmen of the Commitee approving drugs for use in thailand and Ativan is strictly controlled and can only be purchased at hospitals -.valium and Librium can be purchased over the counter in most pharmacies.

It really depends on how sensitive you are to meds. If I miss a dose I get very sick.

I decided to get off this stuff after 12+ years. I was on 150's. I asked the doctor if I could have the prescription changed to 2 x 75 daily, rather than 1 x 150 so I could taper. It took several hours of my time plus twelve (12) frustrating, time-wasting phone calls to get this done via my "PBM" (whose name I won't mention other than it starts with "Express" and ends with "Scripts") and they still couldn't comprehend this simple request. I ended up getting 3 months @ 1 x 75 daily. Seven days later. (Whatever happened to the good old days, when the doctor scribbled something on a piece of paper, you took it to the drug store with a few dollars in your pocket and walked away a few minutes later with your drugs? I think we've had too many people trying to "help" us, which I really do wish they would stop).

Needless to day, I was reluctant to try to get my prescription adjusted to 37.5mg when the time came, so I decided on another way.

Once I finally got the prescription filled, I did 2 days @ 150mg followed by 1 day @ 75mg. After a week or so of that, I did 1 day @ 150mg followed by 1 day @ 75mg for a week, then 1 @ 150mg followed by 2 @ 75mg for a week, etc. until I was down to 1 x 75mg per day. No symptoms yet. Probably could have gone straight to 1 x 75 daily.

Then I started going 2 days @ 75mg, one day at 0mg. 48 hours after taking the 75mg, I started to get mild symptoms (mostly dizziness). When I took another 75mg dose, the symptoms would abate.

I did two days on, one day off for a week or two, then went to two days on @ 75mg per day followed by two days off (0mg). That wasn't too bad -- mild dizziness but not much else.

Where I ended up was taking 1 x 75mg only when the symptoms got too distracting, but trying to stretch this out by 12 hours at a time.

So 48 hours pill-free, then 60 hours (2 or maybe 3 times, consecutively). Once I had made 72 hours, I decided it was time. No more. That was 6 days ago. In the last few days, I have had constant dizziness, zaps, some nausea, wild and disturbing dreams, irritability, prickles and rapid mood swings. All of this was, however, much more bearable than trying to work with my "PBM" to try to get 37.5mg doses.

The good news is that the worst of the symptoms are abating. Still some mild dizziness remains, but I believe I'm on the up-swing. I don't know how much longer I will have to wait until I feel "normal" but after enduring the last week, I'm *NOT* going back. As compensation for the remaining symptoms I will say that I like how my brain works now. I feel more like "me", if that makes sense.

This *is* going to work for me, but I would caution against this approach if you have a realistic pharmacist (or pay for prescriptions out-of-pocket) and thus can get smaller-and-smaller doses without having to sacrifice some body part each time.

At some point, you are, however, going to have to stop taking the pills -- there's no way around it for after all that is your goal.

Be strong and don't let a few little symptoms discourage you. You *can* do it and you will be proud of yourself for getting through it!

Taper off Its much safer

Try Maybe 1 week is not enough to be' hooked' Try and see but be careful. Talk to your pharmacist

That sounds borderline' illegal' but big pharma donates billions to congress to get their way So different than when I grew up US policies are so screwed up , greedy, lack regulations and safe guards, cuts in FDA,EPA, our kids education which will greatly help our economy. Its about billionaires and powerful corps who ' bribe ' Congress That Must be illegal. Someday the masses will get that and change our laws to protect We The people as our forefathers meant it to be We are falling far behind in ethics, morals, accountability

Hi, I'm very curious to know what gave you the idea that most doctors have photographic memories? Nothing could be further from the truth. The only difference between doctors and everyone else is that they took and passed college courses that enabled them to acquire a license to practice medicine. Sadly people think they are super powered or demigods (unfortunately even some of the doctors themselves believe that ridiculous idea also). It is so very important for people to NOT give them any extra special treatment as it often goes to their heads and all sorts of problems result including taking advantage of patients. If you ever are mistreated by any Healthcare provider always know you have recourse. All states have Departments of Healthcare Professionals where they have their yearly licenses renewed. It is also in place for patients to keep the professionals working responsibly for YOU. If they have real reports of abusing their power there are consequences that those Departments enforce. Which can go as far as having license revoked.

Hello @asdfqwer and @ccjohncc- Welcome to connect. Thank you for posting! Mayo Clinic Connect is a place where you can meet other people to discuss similar medical experiences and support one another.

You both have posted in a group that is discussing minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor- can either of you share something that has helped you to get through the with drawl?

@ccjohncc I am not sure what/who this is in response to, but I agree with you. I pretty much tell my PCP how I feel about things and I think he respects me for it. I have considered changing doctors because I do not feel he is a very good diagnostician but then I realized that if I really have anything wrong I am heading to Boston, not staying here. I learned my lesson when I waited so long for a diagnosis of non-alcoholic cirrhosis.
I had an appointment last week and I took the opportunity to tell him how negatively I feel about the hospital he is affiliated with. He said he hopes I am happy with the service from his medical group. What could I say? I only said, "I'm still here, aren't I?" I was not going to lie and say I was happy with it and I did not want to voice all of my real feelings.
He actually gave me a hug at the end of the appointment!
JK