Hello @keola07, Welcome to Connect. I know it must be difficult and stressful tapering off of Effexor. It's good that you have great support to help you through the process. There are a couple of discussions that you might want to look at on the topic.

--- As promised, my successful tapering off Effexor (Venlafaxine): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/as-promised-my-successful-tapering-off-effexor-venlafaxine/
--- Tips on minimizing withdrawal symptoms from Effexor (aka Venlafaxine): https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tips-on-minimising-withdrawal-symptoms-from-effexor-aka-venlafaxine/

In March I started on Zoloft/Sertraline to treat depression, and after noticing it wasn't helping, I was switched to Effexor/Venlafaxine 225mg. After another six weeks, I noticed the Effexor wasn't working, so I decided to go off it, tapering down over two weeks.

Once I was fully off the drug in mid July, I began having the brain zaps, nausea, and other symptoms, but it was all fairly tolerable. Two weeks later these symptoms began to subside just in time for my planned vacation in America. I live in Europe.

Throughout the whole 10-day vacation, I miraculously felt completely symptom-free, but began experiencing symptoms again the very day I returned to Europe (seven days ago).

I was initially hoping it was due to jet lag, but seven days seems quite long for that. I feel generally unwell and mildly nauseous much of the time, which leads to low moods. I'm also very fatigued and sleeping 9-10 hours a day. It seems to be good-quality, restful sleep. No more brain zaps though, but occasional headaches.

I'd really like to know whether these symptoms are more likely to be a continuation of Effexor withdrawal or some sort of (travel-induced) depression relapse. I don't understand how I could feel so well on vacation and then immediately feel bad again.

Thanks in advance for the input!

I am reducing my Effexor from 112 mg to 75 mg per day. I feel shaky and cold. Is that a normal withdrawal reaction?

Has anyone experience, hyperactivity type symptoms, dyslexia, basic any type of concentrating due to the withdrawal of this horrible drug?

You and your doctor may find this article helpful: https://www.madinamerica.com/2019/03/peer-support-groups-right-official-guidelines-wrong-dr-mark-horowitz-tapering-off-antidepressants/

Has anyone converted effexor to compound for reducing slower?

I got down to -15 balls from the 37.5 after 6+ months super slow due to lots of life challenges,

Dr converted -15 to 32 mg, but when i took the compound i nearly fell over with dizziness which makes me think it must have been too high cuz when i reduce i get different side effects--(sore throat/dizziness also)

Was worried its pain in ass to reduce balls each day and sometimes i drop some so was wondering if reducing by .5 mg or 1 mg at a time would be safer--but now i dont know if the conversion was totally off

Has anyone found a conversion chart from white balls to MG? argh!

I've been taking Effexor XR daily for 20 years. My prescription is for three 75mg capsules (225mg total) once a day. I want to get off this medication, so my doctor suggested I try to taper off by only taking two XR capsules instead of the three capsules. I thought this might be too much of a decrease, so she suggested I add a regular 37.5mg Effexor tab to the two XR capsules to make it easier and try that for 2-4 weeks. If no major issues I could then decrease my dosage a little bit more. Does this sound reasonable?

I need encouragement and hope from those who have experienced side effects from tapering off effexor and how long you were on it, how long it took to taper and how long it took for all side effects to go away!
I am struggling to stay motivated and encouraged to push myself to move through the day! I am anxious when I wake and anxious when I go to bed. I am journaling, praying and trying to use MUSE for relaxing/calming my breathing due to anxiousness. I have an appointment with a psychiatrist, but it is a month away due to availability.
I discontinued the effexor after tapering off 75mg after 17 years due to some increased side effects I was concerned about. I was originally put on it when I experienced some peri-menopause symptoms--extreme night sweats, moodiness, anxiety and panic attacks in my late 40's.
After the last day of tapering(a very short taper unfortunately as the doc I saw convinced me my dose was so low all these years that the side effect would be minimal if non-existant.). I experienced terrible flu symptoms--nauseousness, chills, sweats, dizziness, headache, lack of concentration, etc. Luckily the headaches went away and after 8 weeks I now feel like I can concentrate some better. The chills and sweats are lighter and not as frequent. The nauseousness is not good. My husband baked oatmeal scotchies this morning and the sweet surgary smell made me gag! I am mostly anxious--what will go wrong, how to relax? I feel like I need something to tone this down but not sure what to ask for. Doc suggested yesterday, I combined hydrochloride and busipar to relieve the symptoms. Not sure I trust him since he said I wouldn't have any side effects and didn't want to listen to my concerns about withdrawal side effects in the first place. Even the pharmacist I spoke with indicated my dose was so low it would be really easy to taper off. I am sleepy but don't want to go to sleep during the day so I can make sure I sleep at night.
I was crying quite frequently at almost anything sad, even thinking anything sad. Emotions are dysregulated. I am trying to exercise more, drink more fluid, take my vitaming D which is extremely low due to being on the effexor so long.
Today, I filled out a bunch of paperwork and felt pretty good glued to the chair and concentrating on getting it done, but the minute I knew I needed to make lunch or get up to interact with others, or just think about the symptoms of this withdrawal, I become anxious and lose concentration.

@dorothy1914
I have been suffering terribly with protracted withdrawal from Effexor. I am losing my ability to walk as I have no balance. I look anorexic. My tinnitus is so loud that it’s really affecting me. My hair is falling out and my heart palpitations make me feel that I am dying. I don’t know what to do. I no longer have a life.

I was on 112.5mg of XR for chronic pain. I started to taper from it over 20 weeks ago by cutting every 2 weeks. It was changed to IR in liquid form and I split it into 3 doses a day. Problem is I never did the math on how much the psychiatrist was cutting every time. I wasn't having issues at first as soon as I came down to around 60mg I'm getting stomach pain constantly, lost weight because can't eat due to pain, insomnia is horrible 3 4 days no sleep. I'm at 31mg and I can't keep going like this. I did the math and if I ask for an adjustment to cut 10% of the last dose every 2 weeks will take me another year or so to get off this horrendous drug. Is there a way I can ask to be given another medication that can cover effexor so I don't have to take it anymore and taper off that other one then. This is too painful.

Will I face withdrawal if I cross to another antidepressant? Please inform me.