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Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (6363)
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@sae38424

Hello fellow writers! I've been on Effexor for over 5 years now, and despite good results in the beginning, the emotional blunting. depersonalization, and malaise side effects have finally outweighed the benefits. I've started a tapering program this week, and am wondering if anyone can tell me what it is like to be completely off of this. Do emotions and connection and energy come back? I really hope I am doing the right thing...

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Replies to "Hello fellow writers! I've been on Effexor for over 5 years now, and despite good results..."
secretwhitepop | @secretwhitepop | Jan 10, 2020

You are tapering first the same reason as myself. First and foremost, taper EXTREMELY SLOWLY to be successful. As I’ve written several times over the years I’ve been in the forum, it took me (on purpose) 18 months to taper off the last 37.5 mg capsule. I did this by opening it up and slowly taking out more and more beads. I had zero negative effects of the withdrawal.

All that being said, I am a person who is bipolar. THOSE symptoms came back after 6 months of being completely off Effexor.

BUT, my libido came back and i feel more myself these days despite being back on antidepressants and other meds.

I do t like being on anything - period. But for my family and life, seroquel and zoloft are working for me and I DO like that combo better than Effexor.

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