@patjen Please read the many posts on this thread. I took over two months to taper off 25mg (taken for 18 years for hot flashes). When a taper is too fast (experiencing withdrawal symptoms), the recommendation is to go back to the dose where you were feeling fine and stay there for a while (weeks, months, whatever) before attempting to taper again to not so quite a reduced dose. Slower is better and more likely to lead to successful cessation of Effexor--especially since you've been on this drug for a long time. Please be aware that Effexor messes with your brain's neurotransmitters--serotonin and norepinephrine; while reducing and after getting off Effexor, it takes your brain a while to figure out how to rebalance serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin is believed to help regulate mood and social behavior, appetite and digestion, sleep, memory, and sexual desire and function. Norepinephrine acts as a stress hormone and is released into the blood when the brain perceives that a stressful event has occurred.

Is your doctor helping you get off Effexor? It is easier to reduce your dose if he changes you over to the tablet form (which can be cut), or gives you a prescription where you can use a compounding pharmacy to make reduced dosages (costs some and may not be available where you live). Click on my name and see my past posts where I explain the "Prozac bridge" technique some have used successfully to get off Effexor; you then taper off Prozac which is supposed to be easier.

For the bruxism, your dentist can help you with an appliance you wear at night to reduce the wear and tear on your teeth and jaws; you "click" these onto your top set of teeth and the plastic material cushions your teeth. I have also seen some over-the-counter ones at drug stores--less expensive and no waiting for the appliance to be custom-made.