@ndeshy @breds1968 @kimba @glosrobbo

There are so many threads and pages related to this subject, that your head can spin. There is one theme throughout, I believe is that you should taper off VERY, VERY slowly.
I am not in the medical field, but I am in the process of tapering off Effexor. I am doing this VERY slowly, on my own. My psychiatrist left her practice so I thought it would be a good time. It is NOT my goal to go off, but to be on what I consider to be a 'reasonable' dosage.
I've been on Effexor for more years than I can remember. At my highest dosage, I was on 300 mg. I take two 75 mg in the morning and the evening.
I started by cutting one of the evening 75 mg pills into 1/4s. I took the entire dosage every other night and took 1 3/4 of the dosage on alternating nights. I did this for 3 weeks. I felt fine so I started taking the reduced dosage every night for 3 weeks. Again, I felt fine.

After that, I started taking 1 1/2 pills every other night for three weeks. I felt fine so I went to 1 1/2 pill every night. I will do this for 3 weeks. It's been 2 weeks. So far, so good. The only withdrawal I am having is my inability to sleep. If all continues to go so well, I will go to 1 1/4 pills every other night for 3 weeks then every night for 3 weeks.

I think you can see the pattern. Slow and steady! I am letting my body dictate what I do. If I don't feel well, I will continue longer (at least 1 full week). The reason I am doing it this way is because several years ago my PCP told me SHE THOUGHT it was time for me to come off. She is a great doc, so I took her word. The reduction was quick. During the first reduction, the anxiety attacks came back full force! I tried to get back on them, but it didn't work. The psychiatrist said it wouldn't work. She said I needed to wait several months before trying again.

Well, the best I can advise you is to take it VERY slow an LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!

Best of luck!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)