@suzy31
Hi Suzie,
it’s recommended by many people who have gone off Effexor, at least the people who seem to have the most problems that you shouldn’t decrease your dose by more than 10% every 3-6 weeks so your brain has a chance to acclimate and isn’t dependent on it. Your doctor is talking about a 50% cut. I have a few choice words I’d like to say about him or her but I’m not allowed. I think by the time he gets through with you you’re going to be a raving maniac. In my unprofessional opinion I wouldn’t take his advice. If your insurance will pay for a Compounding Pharmacy or if they deny it and you can afford to go to a Compounding Pharmacy that would probably be your best option. I have some injectable medication I have to get at that kind of pharmacy but it has to be a sterile compounding pharmacy which is even more expensive. If I remember correctly you’re on the extended release version in the capsule, if that’s correct and the compounding pharmacy doesn’t work out there are people here who have stopped by decreasing the number of little balls inside the capsules. hopefully one of them will be along with their recommendations. There is also a company in the Netherlands which now ships to the United States and they give you a decreasing dose on a daily basis but it's very minimal. if you want to check them out it’s called Cinderella therapeutics. i’m not sure if insurance would pay for it or not and I don’t think they have a price list on their website at least I haven’t seen it. i’ve told this story numerous times but there was a psychiatrist in Europe who was taking Effexor and he stopped taking it according to the instructions he give to his patients and he had all kinds of withdrawal affects. He is now an advocate of the 5 to 10% method. It’s not a fast way to get off this medication but it’s generally effective and withdrawal free
Wishing you the very best of luck,
Jake