Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)?

Thanks, Jake. Yes, I decreased by 50% as per my doctor’s orders, but I agree that I wish I had tapered more slowly. Good advise- I don’t generally care what others think; that is why I think this type of sensitivity may be related to the chemical changes as I taper down. Thanks for your feedback! I welcome all opinions.

I weaned off 2 years ago and I'm still confused, lack concentration, have no patience with activities that require attention to detail, etc. I have never been like this in my life!
I went thru a year of the "brain zaps". Now I just have zero power of concentration. My life is ruined.

I don’t believe your life is ruined. What dose were you, how many months/years did you take Effexor and how long did you take it?

Yes correct.

6 years on Effexor. I felt fine, then started getting extremely pessimistic and cynical. 150mg, I think. My brain can't even remember, and I'm a PhD! My brain is totally fried.

@linamend
As @sears says your life isn’t ruined although that's a choice you'll have to make.
If you don't want to be bothered with the taper process you can get a prescription from your doctor, preferably a 10% cut every 14-21 days. Then take it to a compounding pharmacy and they will do all the detail work for you.
Jake

What???? I've been off it over 2 years! Why in the world would I want to go back when I had bad side effects while ON it?

@linamend
Obviously I forgot that fact. What does your doctor say to do? Did you ask them
Jake

Of course I asked my primary care physician, my internist, my neurologist, and my psychiatrist. It was an hysterical round-robin of: "That's not my expertise, ask so & so". Losers. All of them. After a bunch of "Tsk, tsk, never heard of that happening to anyone before..." I presented all 4 of them w PubMed literature from NIH (where I worked in 1980s w Anthony Fauci).
That got me nowhere, except for offers to change my Rx....have I mentioned they're LOSERS?!

You’re correct. Most are MAJOR losers. You’re certainly not alone in this battle.