45th Effexor Update - Feeling Poor

April 19, 2026··

I slept well last night except for one period of insomnia at 4 am. I'm grateful that for the most part my sleep hasn't been affected. I had a few minor brain zaps upon waking. Thankfully, my eyes weren't blurry this morning. I'm still having feeling of dizziness and head constriction. It's not severe, but it's bad enough to make me feel not so good. I'm Zooming a meeting this morning that I normally attend in person. That's it for today's update. I hope everyone is getting along okay! 💜

Catina’s taper progress

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Dose (mg)

Mood (/10)

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.

8 Replies

JulesStaffApr 19

Community Anchor

It sucks when the all important sleep is interrupted. But, I see you're looking at the bright side of things and are grateful that for the most part of your sleep not being interrupted. That's half the battle! Choosing to still go to the meeting, just in a different format is a job well done. Knowing me, I would have cancelled. Glad you didn't. Hugs to you 🙂

⭐

CatinaApr 19

Community AnchorEffexor

Thanks @Jules. This one bead drop is no joke! How did you handle coming off Effexor?

JulesStaffApr 19

Community Anchor

It is no joke! The first time was a disaster. Ended up in the hospital for withdrawal, not that the docs would say it was. I hadn't tapered properly, and ended up going back up on the Effexor after that. The second (and last) time, I had the support of my wife (we've been together for 10 years, so she wasn't with me through my whole psych journey) to help me taper properly. It was smoother than the last time, but was still horrible. Brain zaps, angry outbursts, not sleeping. You know, all the things. I did (and still do) a lot of conscious breathing, meditation, and self care to get through it all. It's been probably 8 years since I tapered from Effexor, so it's' hard to remember everything.

⭐

CatinaApr 19

Community AnchorEffexor

Thanks for sharing your experience. Did you get dizziness and any headaches? I admire anyone that can beat these daggone drugs! I really hope I can....

JulesStaffApr 20

Community Anchor

You're welcome 🙂 I did have dizziness, along with the brain zaps. Don't really remember if I had headaches. These are the times I wish I had journaled my experiences 🙃

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CatinaApr 20

Community AnchorEffexor

"You're welcome 🙂 I did have dizziness, along with the brain zaps. Don't really remember if I had headaches. These are the times I wish I had journaled my experiences 🙃" — @Jules

Thanks. I'm sure part of you is glad you don't remember lol!

JulesStaffApr 20

Community Anchor

Ya, glad I don't remember. But at the same time, it would be helpful to others, if that makes sense?

⭐

CatinaApr 20

Community AnchorEffexor

"Ya, glad I don't remember. But at the same time, it would be helpful to others, if that makes sense?" — @Jules

Yep, makes total sense.

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