Withdrawel

Hi cat
I have started withdrawals from Effexor XR and I am taking it very very slowly. I have had so many problems in the past with side effects from meds, I don't care if it takes me 12 months to wean off, I'd rather do it slow and steady than have set backs and get depressed from that.
I am decreasing my doses by 37.5mg at a time. I decreased my first dose about 8 weeks ago, I have had to major stressful events and am still ok!! I was ready to go to the 2nd decrease dose when one of these events happened so have delayed it, but I feel ready to go to the next level, which I will discuss with my doctor on Wednesday.
I would imagine that any effects you have would relate to the amount you decrease your dose by - I know if I have missed a dose in the past, by mid afternoon I'm feeling it, but with this small decrease, I've only felt very vague and non-threatening effects.
Best wishes with your withdrawal - I hope you are being monitored by your doctor to be safe.
Cheers
Deb

I recently had to force myself off Effexor due to the lack of insurance and a job, I can only say this...These types of drugs effect people differently, some have no problem at all weaning off while other people (like me) had a difficult time with it. I was taking this drug for a better part of 4 years. It's been about a month since I had my last dose. I still have some withdraw effects.
If you don't think you need this drug anymore, then don't worry about any withdraw effects you might have. Just worry about getting on with your life. :)
I've been told that the drug should be out of your system with in 4 or 5 days.

THanks everyone.
It's my 3rd day on my lowered dose and all i've had to deal with was an upset stomach. Perhaps it will worsen when i lower it even more in 2 days. My doctor is only giving me five days on each dose. I'm not sure if that is considered fast or slow.. but we'll see how it goes.