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Steve
SteveStaff

Tapering: Effexor

active

247 posts

Germany, near Frankfurt

66th Effexor Update - Feeling Poor

June 2, 2026··
5h sleep yesterday. So this midday was ugly: aggression and i think this is the akathasia, a feeling like being torn apart from the inside. This went on some hours until i took my (sure carefully reduced) Venlafaxine capsule and laid down - after an hour suddenly i got calm again and felt quite okey! I have occasional flare ups of strong sexual urges begging for relieve - and the „relieve“ greatly helps to calm down, it kind of feels like there is no other way or i get torn apart kind of similar to the akathasia/rage feelings. It’s quite uncomfortable to talk about but i think it‘s interesting, somewhere there is still this kind of enjoyable arousal in me, not only superficial and kind lf blunted. I had some quite calm, even good hours in between. Then the dizzy/spacey feeling started in the evening with a little brainzapp, a little vertigo and also sounds suddenly were uncomfortably loud. And i got a little confused, making it hard to prepare for a gig this week. Now another 2,5 hours later i feel quite okey again, no outstanding symptom but maybe fatigue. It‘s such an evil rollercoaster! The kind of quick changes in symptoms is not new to me but very unusual, normally these episodes are longer. Am a little unsure about this. In my experience this wasn‘t the end but let‘s see how tomorrow will be! But i really need to mention: The days before i felt unusual clear minded, organized and motivated in between. I really enjoyed that and i hope it comes back. 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

1 Reply

Catina
Catina3mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"It‘s such an evil rollercoaster!" — @Steve
That's the truth, isn't it? I'm glad you're doing better at the moment Steve. Good night!

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.

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