21st Effexor Update - Feeling Fair

March 22, 2026

Yesterday again only 5.5h sleep, took a nap. The day started with brainfog und depressed feelings but i managed to feel well until evening for the Party. And it went great! The difference of being in the right community with old friends is big. We had a great night, lot‘s of talks, lot’s of laughs and met new people. So it had the effect i was longing for and my brain worked fine. It showed again how important interaction with pretty much like-minded people is for me. Today again only little sleep about 4h and a big 3 hours nap afterwards. Feeling fair, would even say good despite hangover and alcohol. It also showed that symptoms of depersonalisation after alcohol, that i was suffering from about 1,5 months ago after a failed taper, have vanished. Despite that, i don‘t drink occasional alcohol to benefit the healing process - with exceptions like yesterday. I need to try sustaining similar meetups. Again hopeful to avoid harsh crashes in the near future and continue soon with (this time only 1 bead) tapering. But let‘s not be overezealous with this. On to the next day.

Steve’s taper progress

Dose (mg)

Mood (/10)

off Stimulants (2000-2013)
off Fluoxetine (2010-2013)
off Lamotrigine (2013-2016)
off Quetiapain (2016-2020)

currently Effexor — 33mg — 13 years (from 300mg) — actively tapering | with clinician

5 Replies

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CatinaMar 22

Community AnchorEffexor

"i managed to feel well until evening for the Party. And it went great! The difference of being in the right community with old friends is big. We had a great night, lot‘s of talks, lot’s of laughs and met new people. So it had the effect i was longing for and my brain worked f..." — @Steve

I'm happy for you that it went well Steve! 😍

"despite hangover and alcohol. It also showed that symptoms of depersonalisation after alcohol, that i was suffering from about 1,5 months ago after a failed taper, have vanished. Despite that, i don‘t drink occasional alcohol to benefit the healing process - with exceptions li..." — @Steve

We can't tell you what to do, but it might be wise to be cautious with alcohol since it can destabilize a sensitive nervous system. Just looking out for you my friend!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

JulesStaffMar 22

Community Anchor

Having the right community is so important - says me, the introvert haha. It is though, it can help us get through the toughest times. Onward, one bead at a time ⚪️

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CatinaMar 22

Community AnchorEffexor

"says me, the introvert haha" — @Jules

Can we be introverts together... but alone?! 😂

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SteveStaffMar 22

Community AnchorEffexor · active

You are sweet and thank you for the kind words! Indeed i need to be cautious.

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CatinaMar 22

Community AnchorEffexor

"i need to be cautious." — @Steve

I'm glad you realize it was coming from a place of love and concern. It's hard, I know. I would love to have a glass of wine every now and then, but I don't want to risk messing myself up.

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