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@gagelle

Were you weaning off the time release version or the regular one? 37.5 is too large a drop. If it doesn't come in a smaller dose, switch to the regular non-time release version. I know they make a 25 mg tablet. Go down not more than 10% a month, which would be 3.75 mg. for your first drop. You would then be taking 33.8 mg. Then go down 10% of 33.8 mg. If you don't have a mg. scale, a compounding pharmacist could show you about how much to break off. The drop to nothing is the hardest. I know because I came off my final dose of Pristiq too quickly. (Pristiq doesn't come in a non-time release form.) The withdrawal wasn't terrible because I was exercising and doing yoga about 2 hours a day, but it was bad enough. I was getting painful mood swings and a weird feeling of disorientation, like when you have a fever. It lasted for about 2 months. The withdrawal symptoms you're getting could be protracted. If you decide to stick it out, keep an eye on your blood pressure, eat high-quality food and try to walk a half hour a day. (The exercise helped me tremendously.) Withdrawing too quickly stresses your body and mind. Try to be kind to yourself.

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Replies to "Were you weaning off the time release version or the regular one? 37.5 is too large..."

On February 1, 2019, I finally completely weened off Effexor XR. It took me about 18 months to ween off 37.5 Mg. I opened the capsule and took out about ten little balls every three weeks or so. Increasing each time. It is March 10 and I still feel quite despondent, but I do have good ... not days exactly, but moments. Sadly, I blame it on my life at the moment. I’m morning the loss of my dad who died almost exactly a year ago, I am not satisfied with my job, I recently moved, and the weather is the pits. I was doing well with exercise but then injured my back and am still recovering. I just feel like if someone so much as looks at me sideways I’ll burst into tears. My doctor (new, because I moved) can’t believe I weened off, since I’ve been on them for almost 20 years. I am not fully in the throes of menopause and hope that the change in hormones kick starts a lesser need for Effexor.

I used to be such a happy person. I want her back.

Doc wants to re-evaluate this June.

Susan