Hi, I'm Cherylll

Hi @Cherylll, welcome to Taper Community! I'm tapering Effexor too, and there are many members who are trying to get off this drug. I think it's best to slowly taper just one drug instead of trying to "bridge" onto something else. We recommend Hyperbolic tapering here at Taper Community - monthly reductions of no more than 10% of the previous month's dose. The reductions will therefore get smaller and smaller as time goes on. The greatest changes in receptor occupancy happen at very low doses, so tapering this way is safer and easier on the brain. For some members (like me), 10% is even too much and they need to taper by 5% or even 2.5%. Everyone is different with what they can handle. The key is to find what works for yourself. I've found that going super slow has been very helpful. I tapered this drug too fast in the past and paid for it dearly, so I never want to go through that again! I'm currently only reducing by two beads each month. If you go to the Tapering Protocols, Symptoms & Self-Care, and I Need Support sections of the forum and click on the Guides tab, you'll find lots of helpful advice and tips. We look forward to supporting you on your tapering and healing journey! Catina 💜 https://taper.community/drugs/effexor https://taper.community/resources/blog/how-to-taper-off-effexor-xr

Thanks for responding back . I have been doing the bead removal but proably not long enough . I’m really not sure if I should just stop as it’s been a whole week now without a dose . I am on Strattera which I was already removing my self from Effexor before I saw my physiologist. Being treated for ADHD which has been a life long struggle at times . My past psychologist was really good and I was being treated for GAD , situational depression. Here I am Older , struggling some Days and wanting to get off Effexor as it been a long time & they say stop working efficiently long periods of time . Now seeing the new behavioral NP n being tested shown ADHD and no stimulus given but Strattera , low dose . Not going to bridge over to another antidepressant , just yet . I’ll see how today goes with symptoms being off Effexor , though my mood isn’t as happy as before . I do think I have progress tapering down n off so far .

HI Cherylll, what did your taper look like? Did you do monthly reductions? And how much did you reduce when you made your cuts? How long was the total duration of your taper? Definitely keep an eye on how you're feeling. If you did a rapid reduction, sometimes withdrawal can hit months down the road. We'd love to hear more details so we can advise you best. Some people choose to reinstate a tiny amount of the drug to stabilize things, but the sooner it's done the better. We will await your response. Catina 💜

Hi , if I recall it was 10 beads then 12 and last time was 14 beads . I do feel like I may or should take it once a week and take Out 17-20 beads . I’m really Not sure . My NP said So you Off it now , I said No , she in the beginning said , take it on the 3 rd day then next week , the 4 day and so on . I started seeing her middle Of August so how she can ask If I’m Off of it Yet was surprising . Stabilize is a good way to put it as I may have to do that . It can be confusing .

Thanks for providing those details. Unfortunately, most healthcare professionals are not trained in how to safely deprescribe these drugs. They don't understand the concept of neuroadaptation and how the greatest changes in receptor occupancy happen at very, very small doses. How you handle things at this point will depend on how you feel. Not everyone gets severe withdrawal symptoms, so maybe you'll be okay. However, doing a rapid taper with a large jump-off at the end could pose issues so I just want you to be informed. I will include the information about Reinstatement so you can give yourself the option of doing that if need be. https://taper.community/thread/affd8e83-2361-4973-8f07-76d16744448a https://taper.community/resources/blog/reinstating-after-failed-cold-turkey https://taper.community/thread/ff7ce496-025a-4391-95b4-cdd0063f092b