TaperCommunityTaperCommunity
Steve
SteveStaff

Tapering: Effexor

active

247 posts

Germany, near Frankfurt

50th Effexor Update - Feeling energized and withdrawly

May 15, 2026··
Slept good 8h and had 100% sleep score on my watch. Don‘t think i ever had this. Mini dose cyproheptadine again. Today i felt more withdrawl while still managable. But there was also something else and it felt more controllable: I feel sharp, kind of energized, aroused (want sex) and was searching ways on how to build an app for fun (sadly no API available for my use case), feel like i want to learn and go into competition. I feel my heart more and sometimes have stitches in my blood vessels (typical withdr. symptom). I might add that i also use a lions mane extract (fruit+mycel) since before starting the withdrawl and i should be honest about it, have used it before and had no bad reactions. Sadly some individuals have paradox reactions to it (talks about developing pssd-like symptoms) so it shouldn‘t be in your supplement repertoir when you are vulnerable in withdrawl (esp of many meds) or react sensitive. I feel refreshed on it. I feel an urge to numb/stimulate myself with drugs. I‘m taking this as a reaction to not having a meaningful workproject (for money) to compensate boredom, or a place to meet people without stress (or at least i fear being too edgy now). Sure you could argue biopsychiatric due to withdrawl, but thats too superficial. Played saxophone and exercised. I switch between i feel kind of good/energized and angry/incited/withdrawly. And am surprised how lame i felt after dosing that 1 bead up 2,5 weeks ago. Anyways, still want it to be over soon. Trying to sleep early today. Have a good one 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

3 Replies

Based
BasedStaff4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"8h and had 100% sleep score" — @Steve
Wow youre making me jealous

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Based
BasedStaff4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"feel an urge to numb/stimulate myself with drugs. I‘m taking this as a reaction to not having a meaningful workproject (for money) to compensate boredom" — @Steve
Honestly same. No chemical solution for a spiritual problem tho. You can do it steve. Hang in there and keep it pushing.

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

Catina
Catina4mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"withdrawly" — @Steve
I think you've officially created a new word lol! Thanks for the update Steve. I'm glad you're plodding along the best you can. ❤️

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.

Join the conversation

Sign in to share your experience and connect with others.

Need a clinician who understands tapering?

Browse our map of deprescribing-informed providers worldwide.

Find a Deprescriber