Like many of us, I wanted to get off Effexor, simply because I wanted to get off Effexor. My depression/anxiety were never super problematic to me, it was just kind of life. While I was on Effexor I think its safe to say I was the same moody periodically bitchy lady I've always been. 😉 It was the refill issue that led to a missed day/2 at which point I could actually FEEL what the drug had been doing. Side effects/sympoms that just weren't me. And I started to think, this med gotta be pretty powerful to have a physical reaction like that, and to my BRAIN!
So when I said that's enuff I'm done, I meant it. I met with my PCP today who, of course, wants me to mindful of a low mood returning, but I just don't see it at this point as I was the one that initially told him of my low mood becuz they now make you take the "Distress Test" at Dr. office. He happily and without question prescribed it. If, if, if I need to at some point return to a psychotropic med, it will NOT be Effexor. At the end of the day, I should have entered into my "relationship" a bit more informed. Had I read more, I would like to think I would have just dealt with concentration/irritability problems on my own.
Good Luck to everyone!
Your message sounds as if I wrote it. Be prepared to take your time getting off of it.
I began at 150 mg and, after 11 months, I am at 9.375. Next week I plan to take every other day for two weeks and then OFF. I have very few brain zaps and am still feeling good, in fact, much better.
Good luck!