feralfarmer: Effexor since 2004, many failed attempts to discontinue

[feralfarmer]

Effexor Aug 2004, tapered up to 450mg in following few years.  Attempts to taper off for years, now at 112.5 mg.  Stuck.

 

From original topic heading:  64 years old

 

Edited September 19, 2017 by ChessieCat
added age

[ChessieCat]

Hi feralfarmer, and welcome to SA,

 

Firstly, sorry for the delay in responding to your post.  This site is moderated by volunteers who are experiencing their own withdrawal and life issues and we respond as we are able.

 

It sounds like you may have been tapering too quickly.  SA recommends tapering by no more than 10% of the previous dose followed by a hold of about 4 weeks to allow the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  What are you current symptoms?  Please post these in a response, not in the signature.  Thank you.

 

Please create a drug signature which will show up each time you post and will allow us to see your history at a glance.  Please follow the instructions below:

 

 A request: Would you summarize your history in a signature - ALL drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly?

• Please leave out symptoms and diagnoses.
• A list is easier to understand than one or multiple paragraphs. 

• Any drugs prior to 24 months ago can just be listed with start and stop years.
• Please use actual dates or approximate dates (mid-June, Late October) rather than relative time frames (last week, 3 months ago)
• Spell out months, e.g. "October" or "Oct."; 9/1/2016 can be interpreted as Jan. 9, 2016 or Sept. 1, 2016.
• Link to Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

One we have some additional details about your taper dates and doses we will be better able to offer suggestions.  Here are some topics which you can read to start with:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Tips for tapering off Effexor (venlafaxine)

 

These helped me to understand SA's recommendations:

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

This is your own Introduction topic where you can ask questions and journal your progress.