@mimid0506
Hi!
Before I begin, let me just say that each person is different as to how they feel of Venlafaxine and how they feel coming off. There are no guarantees that either will go well or that there will be no impact.
When I began to take Effexor (Venlafaxine), I began the same way as you. 37.5 mg in the morning then later on 37.5 mg in the evening. It was a rough couple of weeks until my body (and head) adjusted. After it did, I was doing well! I was doing so well, that my PCP suggested I come off the meds. It's been a while, but I did have some sort of weaning schedule. It was not a very good one. After 2 days, it began...…..
I went to a workshop for work. Believe it or not, I was having a great time!!!! Laughing, listening, participating... I excused myself from the table to go to the lavatory. I sat down and it began.... My body started to quiver uncontrollably, I broke out into a profuse sweat and I felt like my body was on fire. I had a grade A, #1 anxiety attack. As soon as I got home, I took a pill, but it didn't help.
At my weekly therapy session, I told my therapist about what happened. She suggested I make an appointment with the psychiatrist to discuss meds. She explained that once you come off the Effexor, you cannot go right back on. Over the next months, I tried 3 or so different meds. None of them worked as well as the Effexor.
About 6 months out, I asked the psychiatrist if we could start the Effexor again. We tried. Although the Effexor helped me a great deal, and I've remained on it, it NEVER worked as well as it did the first time.
Over the YEARS, my dosage has increased. It basically keeps my anxiety down. I am now weaning myself off VERY, VERY slowly. I am NOT looking to quit, just to get down to what I feel is a reasonable dosage.
I was taking two 75 mg in the morning and in the evening (300 mg total). I reduce one evening pill by 1/4 every other day for 3 weeks. If I am fine, I take that dosage every night for 3 weeks. If I am fine, I make another 1/4 pill reduction. I never touch my morning dose, at this time. I am currently at 1-1/4 pill in the evening from 2 pills. This took me about 18 weeks to do. Very slowly!!!!
Hope this helps!!!
Ronnie (GRANDMAr)

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