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Catina
CatinaStaff

Tapering: Effexor

1555 posts

USA

Are Long-Term Antidepressant Benefits Overstated?

June 3, 2026··

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.

7 Replies

W
Wolf2mo ago
Community AnchorProzac · researching
Can't say because I did not use them long term. All I know medium term they are working okay for me despite the disadvantages.

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."

Catina
CatinaStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
Thanks for your input Wolf! I'm someone who has been on them long-term and don't feel as if they have benefited me. The only thing I have to show for it is being physically dependent on them.

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
@Catina I think mine is a best-scenario case. There are as many as, perhaps, 33% people who are incredibly "treatment resistant" to any of these drugs. I met someone who had to take electroconvulsion therapy because of great treatment resistance. Now I think I should take good care of my body as it is exceptionally well responding to drugs, treatments, illnesses, good weather etc.

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."

Catina
CatinaStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"There are as many as, perhaps, 33% people who are incredibly "treatment resistant" to any of these drugs. I met someone who had to take electroconvulsion therapy because of great treatment resistance." — @Wolf
Sometimes people get labeled as "treatment resistant" due to the effects that the drug is having on them. I've read a lot about this. It's not always the patient's fault; sometimes it's the drug's fault. Not everyone reacts well to antidepressants, but doctors tend to put the blame on the patient themselves without considering any negative effects that the drug might be having. Just my thoughts! I'm glad to hear that you respond very well to things...that definitely helps!

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
Ah, I do not see it as blame on the patient. It is still blame on the drug's ineffectiveness, simply on a very broad class of them.

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."

W
Wolf2mo ago
Community AnchorProzac · researching
Well on the other hand it is an euphemism and the way it is worded suggests blame on the patient. This branch of medicine is notorious for making it hard to tell what is going on at any time. Whether it is resistance or a side effect.

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."

Catina
CatinaStaff2mo ago
Community AnchorEffexor
"This branch of medicine is notorious for making it hard to tell what is going on at any time. Whether it is resistance or a side effect." — @Wolf
Very true.

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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