Quite a few folks on this thread tried to quit Effexor more than once. If this time is not possible for you, you can try again later. You learned some things and there's a lot of good info here. Take care.

I bought ginger gum today. I didn't notice the nausea subsiding. However, I drink a lot of water with ice and decided to put some lemon juice in the water (as I heard lemons help nausea) I did get some relief.

@marylcamp67, you may want to try something a little stronger like ginger liquid, ginger tablets, or Celestial Seasons Lemon Ginger Tea. I brew the tea and add a half dropper full of liquid ginger. This usually helps a lot.

…sorry ,not following conversation but noticed ginger: if you like hot drink, can buy a piece of ginger root in grocery store and I cut about an inch off, wash and peel and cut in 4 pieces, add hot water. So can have it like that, or add honey or lemon. if you wrap the rest of the root in damp paper towel and put in plastic bag or container it will keep quite a while. A few years ago I did successfully grown some in the garden, sort of like a potato grows, but I read now that they sometimes put a coating on it to stop the growth of the shoots if you buy root in store ?? so I make sure I wash it (they also coat apples and other vegetables so there is no escaping it)… with our cold winters the root cant stay in soil… anyway, just an alternative and it tastes quite nice. J.

We all have a choice to make and yes it is our choice not the medical community of what works for you. ( this is important) If you take Seroquel make sure you read all of those four or five pages of side effects, long term dangers etc that we never read and only rely on our doctors advice. My X doctor told me the good out ways the bad of taking this drug, I am not sure if he meant me or them. Slept pretty good last night around 4 hours maybe. I did spend most of yesterday on the couch watching old movies. I cant even remember much of what I watched but was more just background noise I guess. This morning I will attempt to go to Walmart then back home to work on income tax. time permitting I will get on the roof and work on a few old boards that need to be replaced before I start painting in a few weeks. Last summer I did well working outside the house and yard so much. I look forward to getting outside in my yard enjoying the hot summer heat that most hate. Strange I always loved working in the 100 plus degree heat so much from my oil field days, My depression started while I worked offshore in the Gulf Of Mexico for most of my life. We had to work 2 and 3 days with no sleep all the time being on 24 hour call. I was also a drunk when I was not offshore back then. 1996 father died of cancer and I was able to quit smoking and never drank alcohol again. Then prescription drugs take over with the doctors help. It was to late to save my family and friends as the damage had been done. I will get through this somehow, I am thankful each morning for another day on this earth and for the things I have. I worked hard all my life and was able to keep my home that I still pay for, I love the outdoors and all gods creations so much including my dog Pete. What works for me may not work for you but find something that works for you and never give up. I thank this Mayo clinic group for support and others with many of the same issues of Seroquel or prescription's. My temper was always really bad getting angry over nothing, I could never let go and let things ate me alive. I have not had any issues with anger for the past year of so. Its like it is gone. It was really bad way back. everyone take it one day at a time……

So hard to find the one that might help. I have to say Efexor got me out of that black hole and l am tapering off after about 11 years. Not sure if is going to go well. I am very teary at the moment but l have a son who is at an all time low at the moment so it isn't the best time to do it.
Very sad to see him suffering.

Hold off on your taper until things become more stable. Don’t increase your dose just don’t taper down for a while.

I had to go back to 37.5 and within a day l felt stronger and the zaps stopped. I will have to stay on them for a while l can see. I must say EFEXOR really does keep me in quite a good place but l would prefer not to have to use it.😢🙄

Don’t beat yourself up. Do what’s best for you. If your miserable stay on the lowest dose possible.

Hello there! If you are in a good place and have no issues with taking Effexor (especially such a low dose), are you sure you want to quit? I weened off 37.5 over the course of 18 months. Once I was completely off for 6 miserable months, I am back on meds. Not Effexor, but Seroquel and Zoloft. Not much difference. Well, actually, I’m maintaining a pretty good place, but not quite as good as I was while on Effexor.

What I’m saying is, life is short. None of us is perfect. Whatever gives you happiness, I say go for it!

But all that being said, listen to Sears and don’t beat yourself up. Take it slow. And meditation really helped me through those 6 awful months 🙂

You will be fine.

Not sure if you’re still here or not, but I highly highly recommend acupuncture. And meditation. Nothing fancy or woo woo. If you see an acupuncturist that has a ton of bells and whistles don’t be impressed. If you find an old guy or gal that does it (safely) out of a cheap office, that’s been doing it for years, that’s who you want. Seek out folks who see acupuncturists for recommendations. It’s real. It kept me from needing back surgery and helped me through tapering off meds.

Also, insurance should pay for a big chunk of it.

Don’t give up.

Hello. Anybody knows if Venlafaxine XR can be dissolved in water for tapering purpose??, or is only for the IR presentation??