Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine)

I am tapering on my own by counting beads which my doctor doesn't like but he's going along with it. He wanted me to cut my dose in half for 2 weeks then stop. I knew from reading that I would have withdrawal symptoms if I went that fast. I found the site Surviving Antidepressants and I am following their taper guidance that has worked for many people.

@beltonite410
A lady on this forum had a stroke quitting cold turkey.
How much were you tapering?
Jake

I quit cold Turkey. I had to due to a staph infection and the antibiotics I had to take.

Hi. I’m on 150 per day and my doctor suggested tapering with 1 dose of 75mg plus a 37.5 that would be from 150 to 115mg. I thought I would taper it down more so I’m cutting the 37.5 in 2. So 75 plus 37. 5 plus 18. What do you guys think? Thanks

@pitilina
Of course how medication affects everyone is different. I think your wise by reducing more slowly although your doctors suggestion may work since it’s a first cut but as your dose gets smaller make sure your cuts are about 10%, give or take. I’d stay on the 130.5 and all subsequent dosage cuts for 2-6 weeks. I’d wait 4 weeks. Although you might want to experiment with different time periods & percentages between cuts. Preferably I’d use a compounding pharmacy and taper by 10% every 4 weeks. One member waited 6 months between cuts.
Best of luck to you,
Jake

Thank you so much

Hi. You have to taper it very slowly, very.

In addition to very gradual tapering, I found that taking dramatize helps with the dizziness/vertigo.

Dramatize?

Sorry for the typo - I meant to say Dramamine