When to jump to zero mg effexor? (and being patient!)

@pjs70 Thanks for that!

@kratz5 I’m sorry this has been a bad experience for you. We are all different and medication affects everyone different. I will pray your withdrawal improves. God bless you.

@saliannadana This happens to me as well, except the next day. To me, it is like my brain is 'wooshing'. It isn't a good feeling. It takes a few hours after taking the next dose to feel normal again

I was seeing a doctor for depression. He prescribed Effexor. When I complained about side effects he wrote a new prescription at a larger dose. I immediately visited my Family Doctor as a walk-in patient. He wrote me a prescription for cymbalta and told me to take that instead. It's been over 20 years. Still taking cymbalta at same dose, Not every medication is right for everyone.

You are already doing the hardest part most people find the last few milligrams are the most sensitive. Many tapering experts suggest jumping somewhere around 1–2 mg (sometimes even lower), since stopping at 8 mg is still a big drop for Effexor and can trigger withdrawal.
For the patience part: try to reframe this as active healing, not lost time going slowly now is what protects your future quality of life. It’s okay to grieve the time it’s taking, but you’re not failing or stuck; you are being careful and kind to your nervous system.

@dhoni44551 Thank you for such a supportive response.