Coming off Venlafaxine - was given it for hot flushes. I have started taking 1 every other day (75 to 37.5). I have been irritable - that has been the worst symptom until the last week. Dizzy, nausea, emotional, tearful out the blue - very poor focus - and just tired. I'm here because I just want to get to the other side and get off the chemicals.
Effexor — 75mg — 2 years — actively tapering | with clinician
Hi kitkat, and welcome! I'm really glad you posted here because I have to tell you to stop skipping days to taper. It's exactly why you're experiencing so many distressing symptoms. I don't know why doctors advise people to taper this way, but it is not recommended. Our brains need as much stability while tapering, especially with a drug like Venlafaxine, so taking a consistent dose is very important.
The other issue is that you are making a very large reduction, going from 75 mg to 37.5 mg. It's recommended to taper no more than 10% each month of the previous month's dose. Do your capsules contain tiny beads inside? How do they look? I have to break open my capsules and count out the beads inside.
I'm tapering Venlafaxine too and have been at this a long time, so I'm speaking from my own experience and that of others.
Please keep us updated on how things are going for you! I think once you make these adjustments you'll be feeling so much better.
Catina 💜
Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 18.24 mg Trazodone - 50 mg Levothyroxine - 25 mcg “Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”
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