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Steve
SteveStaff

Tapering: Effexor

active

247 posts

Germany, near Frankfurt

77th Effexor Update - Feeling Bad

June 21, 2026··
Thought i had 2 good days. Went out dancing on friday, met a lot of people that recognized me. But no fire to approach a women. What should i tell her, even when feeling okey i feel like a shell. Saturday meeting with old friends. They through old stories about me, how i organized the biggest and best parties, how i was smart kind and hot and every women in school wanted to fuck me (thats not even a lie), that i wasn‘t the kind of asshole those guys typically were. Also the quiet part that this isn‘t the case anymore. And they don‘t even know how my last 16 years of unenjoyable sexless and painful life were after the pills. It was nevetheless kind. But times changed and on those parties are no women anymore, or unapproachable. Also i‘m not funny anymore, just struggling. Had to leave earlier as i was unbelievable tired suddenly. Today is horror. I‘m in pain and i feel like only halfway conscious and feel inflamed. I cried. I would do anything to stop this. But it‘s not fair i should trade my again slowly increasing sexuality for it. Psychiatry has destroyed my youth, my options and the kind person i were. I can‘t go out in this condition also i look like shit, crazy and sad. God this i no life anymore! I‘m in rage mode, i feel like this is a punishment for the perceived „luck“ i had in my early life. Luck that i barely enjoyed, because yes, i was sensitive. Fuck that. I‘m not sure what to do next. I so much want a kind prostitute with me now. I want to go out but i‘m not funny kind or even really conscious in this condition. I don‘t want to repell the friends still inviting me. I practiced and exercised. Slept at least okey. Guess i just lay in bed now as i know there is nothing i can do but wait it out. Fuck.

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

6 Replies

Steve
SteveStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor · active
i‘m feeling better again. damn that was horrible.

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
Catina2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Steve, I went to reply to you and then saw your update saying you felt better. I was relieved to see that. What you're dealing with is not your fault in any way. You are still an amazing person underneath of it all. We see how every day you are fighting to stay afloat with your tapering and dealing with a roller coaster of symptoms and emotions. Please be gentle with yourself right now. Don't beat yourself up and show yourself some kindness and compassion. Your situation in life has temporarily changed, and sometimes just fully accepting that can really help our mental state. Comparing ourselves to how we were in the past is only going to make us feel terrible. You're doing the best you can right now, so give yourself some credit for enduring something that few people have the strength to endure. Sometimes going through adversity can teach us some important lessons like how to become more caring, humble, and compassionate - not only with others, but with ourselves. Adversity can make us stronger and better people when we go through it. I know you're going to come out of this whole ordeal being a much stronger, loving, and kind person than you already are. Please remember that every wave recedes and lessens if we give ourself time and patience. Keep fighting and know that you are an amazing person who is going through a difficult time right now. The right people are going to stick by you no matter what. Sending you some healing vibes right now. Take some deep breaths...it's going to be okay. You're going to make it through and be glad you held on through the bad times! Catina 🩷

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
SteveStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor · active
Thanks for caring so much Catina, shedding a tear while reading this. It‘s so unfair. I try to get a grip again.

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
Catina2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"Thanks for caring so much Catina, shedding a tear while reading this. It‘s so unfair. I try to get a grip again." — @Steve
Steve, put your arms around yourself and give yourself a nice long hug. You're going to get through this. I'm so sorry you're having such a difficult time. It's not fair, but there's nothing we can do but just focus on getting better! Hang in there my friend. We're here to support you through these dark times. 💝

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.

W
Wolf2mo ago
Community AnchorProzac · researching
@Steve "When life is hard, start a rebellion and try to make it easier"

Prozac — 40 mg — 6 months — holding | Zyprexa — 20 mg — 6 years — holding | Depakote — 600 mg — 8 months — **tapering** | Buspirone — 20 mg — 8 months — holding | with clinician
"If life is painful, start a rebellion and make it good."

Steve
SteveStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor · active
Yes my friend, i’m sorting things :) Also speaking about the problems of withdrawl and med harm, the existence of this platform, is part of the rebellion and i‘m grateful for it.

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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