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Steve
SteveStaff

Tapering: Effexor

active

247 posts

Germany, near Frankfurt

37th Effexor Update - Feeling Okay

April 16, 2026··
Slept over 6 hours the last days, slept earlier then before, great! Have problems with constant ear infection, it’s annoying, aswell as the energy drops in the evening. Practicing the instrument about an hour per day (bought a looper, excited for it), working in the garden, excercising. It feels great getting stronger and gaining a little weight. Struggle points are the feeling of FOMO: likeminded people in person, intimate and emotional closeness, job perspective, money. Need to start an education soon, hard to choose. Also i fear an apprenticeship would break me (early start in the morning, i’m completely out of this, just so glad when i slept well enough - but i think blue collar work has big future), while university jobs seem to get quickly replaced in many professions and i don‘t really see me on campus again. Feeling constantly conflicted about this and what to choose, maybe the main stressfull point every day. Okey but thats not taper related. Thinking about this stuff tells me i‘m well enough again and i should really taper 1 bead again soon. Propably at 25. Juni after a small gig. I‘m a little anxious after the last taper-crash cost me meanwhile more than 4 months with about 2,5 months feeling just really mentally and physically ill. That was harsh but i guess i‘m well enough again now. Gosh i really want to be off the ADs and independent again. Have a good night y‘all!

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

4 Replies

Catina
Catina5mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Reducing one bead sounds reasonable since you feel stable enough. Glad you're taking good care of yourself, but I'm sorry you're having an ear infection. I've never had one, but I know they can be really painful. How are you treating it? Hope you sleep well tonight!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 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.

Steve
SteveStaff5mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor · active
Sadly the infections reoccur regulary to a point where only antibiotics/antimycotics work. I have these problems since childhood, but it got annoying in the last 5 years (while only outer ear canal, so glad not middle ear anymore!) Still hopeful i‘m getting a grip on it soon, it‘s not as bad as it used to be 🤗 Thank you, have a good night as well!

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

Catina
Catina5mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"Sadly the infections reoccur regulary to a point where only antibiotics/antimycotics work. I have these problems since childhood, but it got annoying in the last 5 years (while only outer ear canal, so glad not middle ear anymore!) Still hopeful i‘m getting a grip on it soon,..." — @Steve
Oh man, that's terrible! I know that antibiotics are effective, but there is also the concern of the overuse of them by doctors. I hope things improve soon!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 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.

Steve
SteveStaff5mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor · active
yes you are right, i indeed have some antiobiotic resistances due to early overuse meanwhile 🙄 thank you 🤗

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

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