For me my doctor reduced 225mg to 150mgs for 2 weeks, then to 75mg for 2 weeks, next week I will begin taking 75mgs every 2nd day for 2 weeks. This is my 4th week and Im experiencing headaches, tummy troubles, pain jabs here and there but all symptoms are the same I experienced when starting on them. The headaches were worse getting the drug into my system than they are getting them out of my system, so far that is. Immense sweating was an awful side effect of Venlafaxine, very stressful, that has stopped now, whew. When I have completed 6 weeks I will return to my Doctor for an update and further direction. I knew with all of me I was ready to go off this tablet. Other medications also I wanted out. including Zopiclone for sleep and Lorazepam for anxiety issues. I started with Zopiclone. After 3 weeks I was off them and could begin the antidepressant the following week. All these meds have served there purpose. I will keep on with Gabapentin. This drug changed my life. After 19 years with fibromyaIgia pain and chronic fatigue this drug rescued my nervous system and pain subsided causing chronic fatigue to subside too.. I anticipate Lorazepam to be the hardest give up
but then again maybe not. My reasoning power has returned so Im tackling this with a positive logical mind. Before I began this tapering off my meds I realized they had served there purpose. Why? Because there effect was dragging me down. When the pills had this opposite affect on me that they were supposed to I knew it was time to give them a miss. I was so ready to live better. Becoming unchained to the weakening effect of chronic trauma was my motivation. My quality of life had sucked for too long. I had to do my best better to withdraw from my drug dependencies now. I am succeeding. You cannot do this on your own. Professional direction from your doctor is a must. Anyway this is my take on my tapering. Wish me well, I've still a way to go.. On 12 November I sail into the last 2 weeks of round 1 before I see my Doctor to get round 2s instruction. I am totally awestruck at how easy it has been especially since I have been on various sorts of these meds for 19 years. We can and we will succeed friends. @-;-