Hi, I'm Carli

September 14, 2026

Hello everyone! I'm currently actively tapering from Pristiq and in short, it's been vert difficult - actually the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life. I'm hoping to get support and help during withdrawals and also to help others who are going through similar experiences.

4 Replies

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BasedStaffSep 15

Community AnchorEffexor

Welcome, Carli. Pristiq is no joke, and calling it the hardest thing you've ever been through says a lot. Worth logging check-ins as you go, you'll see the pattern clearly after a few weeks, and it gives you something concrete to show your prescriber if things get rocky. Don't hesitate to jump in on other people's posts either, your experience is worth more than you think. Someone three months behind you needs to hear it.

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaSep 15

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @Carli, welcome! Yes, for many of us this is probably the hardest thing we'll ever have to go through. But we're not alone on this journey, and this community gives us all the advice and support we need to taper successfully. Are you tapering Hyperbolically by no more than 10% each month? If not, you may need to reduce the amount of your cuts and/or hold for a longer period of time between reductions. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Slower really is faster! We look forward to having you here and supporting you on your tapering journey! Catina 💞

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.28 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 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.

FaithSep 15

Pristiq · active

Catina, I'm actually taking MUCH less than 10% because of how sensitive I am to medication changes. Just recently, I only took off .3mg, and now I'm either: 1. Withdrawing from taking too much off previous dose 2. Experiencing protracted withdrawal and going through another wave This journey is HARD HARD. I appreciate your support on this. I'm very grateful I stumbled upon this group. ❤️

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CatinaSep 15

Community AnchorEffexor

Thanks for clarifying! I just want to be sure you're going as slowly as you need to. I'm very sensitive to dose changes too and can only remove one tiny bead each month. And even then I have to hold sometimes. Don't feel badly for having to go slowly. Everyone's nervous system is different and some are more sensitive than others. The important thing is to remain as stable and functional as possible even if the taper takes much longer than we'd like.

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