Alfred1977: introduction, trying to taper after more than 20 years Venlafaxine

February 15Feb 15

@Alfred1977 Have you had genetic testing to see if you are a poor or ultrarapid metabolizer for CYP2D6? I’m wondering if this could be part of the reason you’re having interdose withdrawal.

I am not a medical professional. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

1988-1996 Various AD’s, all classifications. 1996-2019 Effexor XR 37.5mg to 150mg. Jan 2017 onward, 37.5 mg.

2019 Apr 11 - July 24: Trials of Latuda then Rexulti. CT'd off per dr. Jul 24: CT Effexor (per dr) Sep 9-19: Viibryd, CT (per dr). Sep 23-27: Trintellix. CT (per dr). Sep 28 - Oct 24: Prozac 10mg. Oct 24: Stop Prozac, began Pristiq 25mg->50->25mg.

2020 Feb 1: CT Pristiq. Feb 1: Reinstated Effexor XR (10 large beads) gradually increasing to 22 beads (15L+7M) or 9.072mgai on Mar, 2020.

2021 Started Jan w 21 beads (13L+8M) or 8.47mgai ended Dec: 17 beads (7L+9M+1S) or 6.19mgai.

2022 Ended yr w 14 beads (3L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.5mgai.

2023 Jan: 13 beads (2L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.2mgai; Feb: 12 beads (2L+4M+5S+1XS) or 3.9mgai; Mar: 11 beads (2L+4M+4S+1XS) or 3.6mgai, Apr: 10 beads (2L+3M+4S+1XS) or 3.3mgai; Jun: 9 beads (2L+3M+3S+1XS) or 3mgai.

2024 No taper due to cardiact arrest/asystole (caused by ANS instability) & 4 surgeries.

2025 Feb: 7 beads (2L+3M+2S); Apr: 6 beads (2L+2M+2S) or 1.8mgai; Dec: 5 beads (2L+2M+1S) or 1.5mgai

2026 Continue to sort, count, and weigh all doses.

Other meds: Ambien ~~10mg~~ 3.069mg , clonazepam ~~.125mg~~ .104mg, omeprazole, Synthroid, Premarin.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will NOT be shaken. - Ps 62: 5-6

February 15Feb 15

Author

Hi @FindRest,

it can be definitely part of the problem. But I would not do genetic testing with respect to CYPD26. It is only one piece of the system that transitions the drug from the capsule into blood levels in your body. Blood testing is much less expensive and more informative. Beyond plasma levels of the drug testing gets difficult and expensive again (PET scans or testing brain liquor) and so from the perspective of efficiency blood testing is the way to go.

I haven't done it so far since right now tasks are piling up, I am a little bit ill and the dose split is working for me. But I will get 2 or 3 measurements within a day done and see what the situation is like. This kind of blood testing is also a nobrainer imo, if you have difficulties with a psych drug. I don't know what it costs in the US but in Germany one measurement costs around 50€ I think and this gets even covered by the insurance. So 2 or 3 cost you 50€ or 100€.

Have you looked at the study about Duloxetine that I posted. There PET scans showed a difference in SERT occ of 10% over 24h in the case of a single dose administration and a difference of 12% within 48h in the case of continued doses before (60mg standard dose of Duloxetine). Duloxetine is not a super stable drug but it is more stable than Venlafaxine. It has a somewhat longer halflife and the residence time of the drug on SERT is ten-fold the time of Venlafaxine. Furthermore those measured fluctuations were observed on a high dose where the hyperbolic curve reaches its plateau and not on doses that belong to the steeper part of the curve. Not everybody has to have interdose withdrawal on Venlafaxine but I am pretty sure that I am not the only case. I consider interdose withdrawal on lower doses of Venlafaxine to be quite likely and find my way of reasoning pretty convincing.

Take care 💙

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

February 15Feb 15

10 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

it can be definitely part of the problem. But I would not do genetic testing with respect to CYPD26. It is only one piece of the system that transitions the drug from the capsule into blood levels in your body. Blood testing is much less expensive and more informative.

It is only one piece, but an important one, IMO. I had gene testing done years ago, and found I’m a poor metabolizer for CYP2D6. Because I make very little ODV (Effexor’s metabolite), most of what’s in my system is the parent drug, which has a much shorter half-life (~5 h) than ODV (~11 h). This increases my symptoms and affects my tapering strategies — especially in this final leg. Ideally, combining genetics with plasma testing could give more insight, even though neither directly shows receptor occupancy over a full day. I’ll be interested to see what your plasma testing shows.

10 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

Have you looked at the study about Duloxetine that I posted. There PET scans showed a difference in SERT occ of 10% over 24h in the case of a single dose administration and a difference of 12% within 48h in the case of continued doses before (60mg standard dose of Duloxetine).

Yes, I have looked at the study. It measured SERT occupancy at specific time points (~6h, ~25h, and ~53h after a single dose; ~6h, ~49 h, and ~78h after repeated dosing). No measurements were taken more than once per day; the purpose of the study wasn’t to track hour-by-hour fluctuations. Those few time points don’t prove large hourly swings in occupancy — if I’m understanding your point correctly.

10 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

Not everybody has to have interdose withdrawal on Venlafaxine but I am pretty sure that I am not the only case. I consider interdose withdrawal on lower doses of Venlafaxine to be quite likely …

Personally, I’m pretty confident that most normal metabolizers don’t have interdose withdrawals on FDA-approved doses; otherwise these drugs likely wouldn’t have passed the stringent diffusion and other testing required. I know I’m speaking in very general terms, and exceptions exist. However, problems can arise if we’re not careful about how we manipulate the dose while tapering, especially at doses below 37.5 mg. For example, the different sizes of beads in Effexor (and some generics) release at different rates. When I wasn’t including all sizes, I had more symptoms, as I wasn’t getting full 24-hour coverage — or so it seemed.

Edited February 16Feb 16 by FindRest

I am not a medical professional. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

1988-1996 Various AD’s, all classifications. 1996-2019 Effexor XR 37.5mg to 150mg. Jan 2017 onward, 37.5 mg.

2019 Apr 11 - July 24: Trials of Latuda then Rexulti. CT'd off per dr. Jul 24: CT Effexor (per dr) Sep 9-19: Viibryd, CT (per dr). Sep 23-27: Trintellix. CT (per dr). Sep 28 - Oct 24: Prozac 10mg. Oct 24: Stop Prozac, began Pristiq 25mg->50->25mg.

2020 Feb 1: CT Pristiq. Feb 1: Reinstated Effexor XR (10 large beads) gradually increasing to 22 beads (15L+7M) or 9.072mgai on Mar, 2020.

2021 Started Jan w 21 beads (13L+8M) or 8.47mgai ended Dec: 17 beads (7L+9M+1S) or 6.19mgai.

2022 Ended yr w 14 beads (3L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.5mgai.

2023 Jan: 13 beads (2L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.2mgai; Feb: 12 beads (2L+4M+5S+1XS) or 3.9mgai; Mar: 11 beads (2L+4M+4S+1XS) or 3.6mgai, Apr: 10 beads (2L+3M+4S+1XS) or 3.3mgai; Jun: 9 beads (2L+3M+3S+1XS) or 3mgai.

2024 No taper due to cardiact arrest/asystole (caused by ANS instability) & 4 surgeries.

2025 Feb: 7 beads (2L+3M+2S); Apr: 6 beads (2L+2M+2S) or 1.8mgai; Dec: 5 beads (2L+2M+1S) or 1.5mgai

2026 Continue to sort, count, and weigh all doses.

Other meds: Ambien ~~10mg~~ 3.069mg , clonazepam ~~.125mg~~ .104mg, omeprazole, Synthroid, Premarin.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will NOT be shaken. - Ps 62: 5-6

February 16Feb 16

16 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

I don't know what it costs in the US but in Germany one measurement costs around 50€ I think and this gets even covered by the insurance. So 2 or 3 cost you 50€ or 100€.

Here in the US, a single blood test for both ven and ODV runs between $150 and $400 without insurance. I think that would roughly be 126€ - 337€ per test.

Edited February 16Feb 16 by FindRest

I am not a medical professional. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

1988-1996 Various AD’s, all classifications. 1996-2019 Effexor XR 37.5mg to 150mg. Jan 2017 onward, 37.5 mg.

2019 Apr 11 - July 24: Trials of Latuda then Rexulti. CT'd off per dr. Jul 24: CT Effexor (per dr) Sep 9-19: Viibryd, CT (per dr). Sep 23-27: Trintellix. CT (per dr). Sep 28 - Oct 24: Prozac 10mg. Oct 24: Stop Prozac, began Pristiq 25mg->50->25mg.

2020 Feb 1: CT Pristiq. Feb 1: Reinstated Effexor XR (10 large beads) gradually increasing to 22 beads (15L+7M) or 9.072mgai on Mar, 2020.

2021 Started Jan w 21 beads (13L+8M) or 8.47mgai ended Dec: 17 beads (7L+9M+1S) or 6.19mgai.

2022 Ended yr w 14 beads (3L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.5mgai.

2023 Jan: 13 beads (2L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.2mgai; Feb: 12 beads (2L+4M+5S+1XS) or 3.9mgai; Mar: 11 beads (2L+4M+4S+1XS) or 3.6mgai, Apr: 10 beads (2L+3M+4S+1XS) or 3.3mgai; Jun: 9 beads (2L+3M+3S+1XS) or 3mgai.

2024 No taper due to cardiact arrest/asystole (caused by ANS instability) & 4 surgeries.

2025 Feb: 7 beads (2L+3M+2S); Apr: 6 beads (2L+2M+2S) or 1.8mgai; Dec: 5 beads (2L+2M+1S) or 1.5mgai

2026 Continue to sort, count, and weigh all doses.

Other meds: Ambien ~~10mg~~ 3.069mg , clonazepam ~~.125mg~~ .104mg, omeprazole, Synthroid, Premarin.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will NOT be shaken. - Ps 62: 5-6

February 16Feb 16

Author

9 hours ago, FindRest said:

No measurements were taken more than once per day; the purpose of the study wasn’t to track hour-by-hour fluctuations. Those few time points don’t prove large hourly swings in occupancy — if I’m understanding your point correctly.

Measuring at 6h and 25h is more than once per day. But there might be also a misunderstanding. I don't think that there are hourly swings in occupancy. Taking a single dose causes pharmakokinetically a single wave of plasma concentration over time in your system. Depending on circumstances this wave can be steep and short (not good) or flat and long (good). The waves of different intakes superpose each other, so that in cases of flat and long waves they build up a relatively stable baseline on which each new wave "rides". In any case this leads to one single wave in between your dose intakes and not hourly swings. So in my case in the once every 24h regime I had one daily wave. My plasma concentrations would reach its trough around 7 am (my time of intake), then rise until roughly 3pm and then start falling again. Around 4am I usually ended up in withdrawal ("interdose withdrawal"). Now that I take the drug 2x/12h I have 2 waves per 24h, but those waves are flatter. I still notice them, but it is much less severe.

9 hours ago, FindRest said:

Personally, I’m pretty confident that most normal metabolizers don’t have interdose withdrawals on FDA-approved doses; otherwise these drugs likely wouldn’t have passed the stringent diffusion and other testing required

Where does this faith in the FDA come from? But I think you are right. Interdose withdrawal on FDA approved doses (37.5mg and above) is probably rather rare. I made this point before. On those doses the hyperbolic curve is very flat and though plasma concentrations will most likely be rising and falling significantly within 24h, SERT occ will not. Personally I was much more stable on 37.5mg.

9 hours ago, FindRest said:

I had gene testing done years ago, and found I’m a poor metabolizer for CYP2D6.

Usually you would expect that poor metabolization flattens and lengthens those waves mentioned above and is a good thing (you might have to take less than the usual dose though). But I somewhere read that in the case of Venlafaxine it has paradoxically the opposite effect and the pharmacokinetics get even more unstable. But I am not sure about this.

It is insane that blood testing is so expensive in the US.

Take care. 💙

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

February 17Feb 17

16 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

Measuring at 6h and 25h is more than once per day.

🤦🏻‍♀️ You’re right. I even triple-checked that before posting. My poor brain.

16 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

I don't think that there are hourly swings in occupancy … In any case this leads to one single wave in between your dose intakes and not hourly swings

Glad we’re on the same page here — thanks for clarifying.

16 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

Where does this faith in the FDA come from?

Haha, right?! I wouldn't say I have trust in them, but we can only work with what we have.

16 hours ago, Alfred1977 said:

Usually you would expect that poor metabolization flattens and lengthens those waves mentioned above and is a good thing (you might have to take less than the usual dose though). But I somewhere read that in the case of Venlafaxine it has paradoxically the opposite effect and the pharmacokinetics get even more unstable. But I am not sure about this

Effexor is kind of a worst-case example for poor CYP2D6 metabolizers because its metabolite (ODV) helps smooth coverage; with other antidepressants that don’t rely on an active metabolite (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro), slower metabolism can actually work in your favor. In my case, I produce less ODV and can’t rely on its longer half-life, causing sharper drops and more chance of interdose withdrawals. This is one reason I think maybe you’re either a poor metabolizer or an ultrarapid one. Blood work will help you see where your levels are and gene testing could help you explain the numbers you get. Insurance here often covers gene testing — I paid $0.

Edited February 17Feb 17 by FindRest

I am not a medical professional. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

1988-1996 Various AD’s, all classifications. 1996-2019 Effexor XR 37.5mg to 150mg. Jan 2017 onward, 37.5 mg.

2019 Apr 11 - July 24: Trials of Latuda then Rexulti. CT'd off per dr. Jul 24: CT Effexor (per dr) Sep 9-19: Viibryd, CT (per dr). Sep 23-27: Trintellix. CT (per dr). Sep 28 - Oct 24: Prozac 10mg. Oct 24: Stop Prozac, began Pristiq 25mg->50->25mg.

2020 Feb 1: CT Pristiq. Feb 1: Reinstated Effexor XR (10 large beads) gradually increasing to 22 beads (15L+7M) or 9.072mgai on Mar, 2020.

2021 Started Jan w 21 beads (13L+8M) or 8.47mgai ended Dec: 17 beads (7L+9M+1S) or 6.19mgai.

2022 Ended yr w 14 beads (3L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.5mgai.

2023 Jan: 13 beads (2L+5M+5S+1XS) or 4.2mgai; Feb: 12 beads (2L+4M+5S+1XS) or 3.9mgai; Mar: 11 beads (2L+4M+4S+1XS) or 3.6mgai, Apr: 10 beads (2L+3M+4S+1XS) or 3.3mgai; Jun: 9 beads (2L+3M+3S+1XS) or 3mgai.

2024 No taper due to cardiact arrest/asystole (caused by ANS instability) & 4 surgeries.

2025 Feb: 7 beads (2L+3M+2S); Apr: 6 beads (2L+2M+2S) or 1.8mgai; Dec: 5 beads (2L+2M+1S) or 1.5mgai

2026 Continue to sort, count, and weigh all doses.

Other meds: Ambien ~~10mg~~ 3.069mg , clonazepam ~~.125mg~~ .104mg, omeprazole, Synthroid, Premarin.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will NOT be shaken. - Ps 62: 5-6

February 17Feb 17

Author

5 hours ago, FindRest said:

Insurance here often covers gene testing — I paid $0.

Wow, that of course makes CYP2D6 testing also a "nobrainer" in case of Venlafaxine. Weirdly the situation in the US and Germany seems to be very different here. In Germany insurance does not cover this test in case of antidepressants and it costs up to 500€.

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

1

February 19Feb 19

Author

Yesterday the sun was shining and today it is dark and snowing. I continue to get depression and anxiety when the weather is changing like this. The day before yesterday it was also rather cold and dark. Dr. Google says it could be some injury in the hypothalamus which has the task of processing changes in the weather...

Uh man, I really hate this...

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

1

March 27Mar 27

Author

Hey guys,

the community seems to be thriving. This is well deserved and gives me hope and also joy. Even if a lot of people out there don't know yet...this important for everybody.

I have been off for a while....I guess my dose split and springtime are helping. It's not like I am doing great, but I began walking and standing again after more or less 6 months of quite heavy depression. If I mess I up my schedule and miss my dose by only 3 hours, I get punished pretty severely. It's like 7pm dose is due, 10pm dose is taken, 1am brain zaps and at least the next 2 days are a mess.

Take care everybody, I love you guys!

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

1

March 27Mar 27

2 minutes ago, Alfred1977 said:

Hey guys,

the community seems to be thriving. This is well deserved and gives me hope and also joy. Even if a lot of people out there don't know yet...this important for everybody.

I have been off for a while....I guess my dose split and springtime are helping. It's not like I am doing great, but I began walking and standing again after more or less 6 months of quite heavy depression. If I mess I up my schedule and miss my dose by only 3 hours, I get punished pretty severely. It's like 7pm dose is due, 10pm dose is taken, 1am brain zaps and at least the next 2 days are a mess.

Take care everybody, I love you guys!

Hey @Alfred1977

Thanks for checking in! Yes it is growing which is a blessing and curse all at once. Good cos people are finding community, bad because they need the community in the first place.

Glad the split dose is help mate. It is really important to keep those doses consistent everyday. Brain needs that much from us.

Speak soon

Chippy

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

1

April 8Apr 8

On 3/27/2026 at 2:19 AM, Alfred1977 said:

guess my dose split and springtime are helping.

I am really happy to hear that things are going better for you.

Thinking about you. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

2

April 8Apr 8

I am also glad that you are doing better , @Alfred1977. A lovely spring in Germany right now, probably adding to it, don’t you think so? I’m so thankful for the warm and sunny weather. The birds are singing in the buds are growing. It’s fantastic.I’m also very sensitive to weather changes, especially when the weather is turning towards cold.

In my case, I think it has to do with Hashimoto's disease.

I can relate to your problems with taking doses in time. When I was taking Venlafaxine,I was extremely sensitive to forgetting or delaying a dose, which never happened with all the other antidepressants. And in withdrawal all this is accelerated, of course.

I have an app that reminds me of taking my medicine. But you probably have something like that too.

take care!

SA Thread: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/33406-nemina-tapering-escitalopram/

AR Thread: https://antidepressantrecovery.org/topic/14-nemina-tapering-escilatopram-and-zolpidem/

Drug History

2013 - 2025: Zolpidem 5 mg

2015 - Oct 2024: Venlafaxine, Sertralin (Zoloft), Paroxetin (Paxil),duloxtin (cymbalta), Citalopram (Celexa), Escitalopram (Lexapro) and more

Current Drugs

L-Thyroxin 75, Estrogen, Progesteron 200

Tapering Escitalopram

Until Sept 2024: Setralin/zoloft 75 mg

Oct 2024: Switch to Escitalopram / Lexapro 2mg

Then I tapered over a year from 2mg to 0,32 mg (October 2025). 108 days hold without stabilizing. Resumed taper February 2026:

11 Feb 2026 0.314mg

18 Feb 2026 0.307mg

21 Feb 2026 0.302mg

09 Mar 2026 0.297mg

18 April 2026 0,293 mg

18 May 2026 0,285 mg

18 June 2026 0,265 mg

18 July 2026 0,250 mg

18 Aug 2026 0,232 mg

Tapering Zolpidem: From 5 mg to 0,7 mg in 12 months, then just crumbs for several weeks, now 0! (Jan 2025)

Other Supplements

Omega 3, Magnesium Glycinate, Vit D, Calcium, L-theanin.

1

April 18Apr 18

Author

Hey @LostinCanada and @Nemina thank you both for your message.

Overall I guess the last couple of weeks have been good, at least compared to last winter and fall. I am still holding my dose and I still get brain zaps here and there especially when messing with the timing of intakes.

The last 2 days we had a surge in good weather...I woke up each night around 3 o clock with tension, anxiety and compulsive thinking. My left eyelid is twitching. Not sure if I had early morning brain zaps, but I took my doses on time. If I had not learned to be more mindful, I would be in full blown panic attack right now. For me it had been a rather active and stressful week but objectively nothing really bad happened. Still it's quite intense with lots of fearful thinking leading nowhere. And although I am aware now it is hard to stop and renders me incapable of any productive work. Everything around me feels like a psychic mindfield...touch any subject and boom off goes the fear and the useless thoughts and endless varying scenarios of catastrophes. Its like feeling trapped in fear and my thoughts are running to find an escape.

I wonder why this happened now and try to remember how it's been in the past. I guess I always had a tendency towards this...but I am confused...has the week been more stressful than I am aware...is it the weather and my nervous system damaged by Venlafaxine...I don't know...

Hope you are doing well!

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

1

April 18Apr 18

@Alfred1977 I hate these drugs....I just want to get off the merry go round but that isn't an option. Choice was robbed from us. We have to try to accept and move forward. Sending hugs. 🙏❤️

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

April 19Apr 19

@Alfred1977 sorry to read. These drugs can really mess with us can’t they.

Good to see you're able to use your wd tool box to help. It will come in handy going forwards, once you finish your taper and go onto a normal life.

Just a nasty long wave I’m sure. You’ll get there!

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

April 19Apr 19

Author

Thx @Chippy, thx @LostinCanada for your support and being around.

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

2

April 20Apr 20

Author

On 4/19/2026 at 6:32 AM, Chippy said:
Just a nasty long wave I’m sure. You’ll get there!

Yes, possibly simply a wave...and maybe different things coming together...this is all so weird...this somehow reminds me of this old horror computer game "silent hill", where you run around and then suddenly reality shifts, same place but some distorted and sick horror version of it. And then suddenly back to normal. If I recall correctly.

I guess I gotta learn to live with it and get me a toolbox how to work me through the distorted horror parts of the "game".

Edited April 20Apr 20 by Alfred1977

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

April 20Apr 20

1 minute ago, Alfred1977 said:
this somehow reminds me of this old horror computer game "silent hill",

You got me there @Alfred1977 ! Not sure I know this one! Sorry things are tough!

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

May 11May 11

Author

3 days ago on Friday I forgot to take my morning dose and took it around noon. The following 2 days I slept badly and had pretty heavy anxiety. I felt doomed like something terrible was going to happen soon. This is so weird. Somehow I managed to go on and stay busy and this seemed to have helped...or it was going to get better anyway today.

When I had my catastrophic breakdown about 2 years ago, I instinctively wanted to keep on going but I simply couldn't. This made me very passive and cautious over the last 2 years.

Well anyway, hope you are all doing good or at least ok. I might be stabilizing somewhat...unfortunately I am still on 30mg Venlafaxine after 2 years of pain, terror and chaos. At the moment I am tending towards switching to Escitalopram some time in the summer...Venlafaxine is simply too unstable for me.

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

May 11May 11

4 minutes ago, Alfred1977 said:
At the moment I am tending towards switching to Escitalopram some time in the summer...Venlafaxine is simply too unstable for me.

If missing a morning dose caused issues, I would be very careful switching a drug... especially one that is not even the same classification.

Obviously the choice is yours.

I hope it goes well. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

May 12May 12

Author

Hey @LostinCanada ,

how are you doing? I know that it's risky, but I also know that I won't be able to taper Venla. I am torn...today has been pretty bad again actually. There are also external reasons I guess, but I feel nowhere near being stress resilient. On days like this I am thinking about staying on those drugs...at least for the next couple of years. I know that I will break if I reduce Venla further since the daily difference in Max and Min SERT occupancy will increase. And the longer I am ill, the more difficult life feels. This might be partly neuro chemical panic/anxiety but I am feeling existentially threatened.

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

May 12May 12

31 minutes ago, Alfred1977 said:
Hey @LostinCanada ,
how are you doing? I know that it's risky, but I also know that I won't be able to taper Venla. I am torn...today has been pretty bad again actually. There are also external reasons I guess, but I feel nowhere near being stress resilient. On days like this I am thinking about staying on those drugs...at least for the next couple of years. I know that I will break if I reduce Venla further since the daily difference in Max and Min SERT occupancy will increase. And the longer I am ill, the more difficult life feels. This might be partly neuro chemical panic/anxiety but I am feeling existentially threatened.

I understand...I am on paxil ...each drop kills me everytime. I have spun what you are thinking around in my brain....I am so dependent on this drug considering my reactions. I think stopping it and adding another would kill me honestly.

It is always up to us how to move forward. ❤️🙏

I am not a medical professional. My comments are based on my personal experience and information on SA.

Paroxetine-2002 onward-20mg/ Citalopram-2007-20 mg-straight switch from paroxetine-back to paroxetine after a month/ Sertraline -25 mg-Dec 2016- given for a month instead of paroxetine (doctor mistake) Oxazepam -10 mg-2016-twice weekly for a couple months for sleep/ Zopiclone -3.75-7.5mg-2020-2022-once a week for sleep/Paroxetine -20 yr+/ Dec2018-May 2022 20 mg/ May 2022 30mg/2022.07.28-2022.08.24 30mg to 0mg/ Prozac-10mg August 24-29 2022/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.11.28-2022.12.04/10mg-Dec 5&6/22/ Prozac-10mg-Dec 8&9/22/Paroxetine -5mg-2022.12.07 to 2023.07.01

TAPER-Paroxetine-2023-Jul 2-4.9mg/ Jul 21-4.8mg/Jul 28-4.73mg/Aug 4-4.65mg /Sep 21-4.58 mg/Oct 27-4.56 mg/Dec 5-4.54 mg/2024-Jan 2-4.52 mg/Jan 9-4.51 mg/Jan 17-4.49 mg/Jan 26-4.47mg/Feb 6-4.46mg/Feb 19-4.44mg /Apr 4-4.43mg/Apr 28-4.4 mg/May 5-4.39 mg/May 19-4.36 mg/Jul 2-4.34 mg/Jul 9-4.32mg/Jul 31-4.3 mg/Oct 1-4.29mg/Nov 27-4.25 mg/Dec 5-4.22mg/2025-Jan 5-4.17mg/Feb 2-4.1mg/Mar 7-4.07mg/Apr 23-4.04mg/May 23-4mg/Jun 22-3.99mg/Jun 30-3.95mg/Jul 18-3.92mg/Sep 25-3.9mg/2026-Mar 25-3.85mg

9am-paroxetine, 200mg mag bisglycinate/75 mg DGL if needed for refux/150 mg calcium citrate/algae oil for omega 3/ginger 400 mg as needed for nausea

"... your strength will be in keeping calm..."-Isaiah 30:15

1

June 10Jun 10

Author

The last couple of weeks have been pretty rough. There are external stressors and pressure and I am more or less constantly in panic mode and soldier through. Sleep is not good either. Lorazepam really helps but I know I can't use it more than once or twice. It's now 2 and a half years and I am going nowhere. I am thinking about giving up for the moment and increasing my dose. Being a numb zombie feels better than being constantly afraid...on the other hand I feel that a lot of bad decisions in the past were due to my emotional numbness under Venla.

My Earlier Drug History:

Paroxetine 2001 until 2003, quit cold turkey, don't remember dose; Venlafaxine 2005 until Dez. 2023, mostly 75mg xr per day, for about 4 years 37.5mg xr; quite a lot of Antihistamines because of allergy; there were other drugs that I don't remember all, but nothing what I consistently took over a longer period of time, for example Lorazepam 0.5mg prn.

My Crash 2024:

Dez 2023 - 03/13/2024 quitting Venlafaxine 75mg (skipping doses); 04/07/2024 reinstating Venlafaxine 12,5mg; 04/17/2024 Venlafaxine 25mg; 4/29/24 until 5/4/24 Trimipramine, 5mg going down to zero over 5 days; 25mg -> 37.5mg Venlafaxine since Sep 2024 until Mar 2025;

My Venlafaxine Taper 2025 (not every intermediate step included, 1 bead (b) ~= 0.266mg):

3/22/25: 37.5mg = 141b -> 127b; 4/26/25: -> 123b; 5/16/25 -> 115b; 6/6/25 -> 109b; 6/29/25 -> 112b; 8/13/25 -> 109b; 9/13/25 -> 106b; 9/25/25 -> 109b; 9/29/25 -> 112b;

my supplements: here and there magnesium, 100mg aspirin, melatonin spray, omega 3 fish oil, vitamin d

I am no medical expert and I am not giving medical advice. I am dependent on Venlafaxine, trying to find and give peer support in this community and simply giving my opinion. Double check anything said before you take action, in particular with your doctor.

1

June 11Jun 11

Thinking of you @Alfred1977 , be careful about considering increasing your dose, how you felt before is unlikley how you'll feel now on that higher dose. Kindling is very real.

I’m not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. I only offer my thoughts as support. Please speak to your health practitioner about your care. This is a peer site where we support each other on our taper/recovery journeys.

If you are from the UK please make sure you fill in a 'Yellow Card' report for the MHRA. It is you doing your bit to help make a difference.

Please take the time to do it today 🙂 https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk

For US members details here.

2

June 12Jun 12

21 hours ago, Chippy said:
Kindling is very real.

Thats the rub, there just is no guarantee increasing the dose will do anything but kindle you.

When i was in poop out I gave it the better part of a year to stabilize after reinstating, then decided to taper through it and hope for the best. It was long and uncomfortable, but ultimately I recovered.

This really stinks @Alfred1977 and I'm sorry you have to go through this. You will find your way down the mountain, one step at a time.

2011-2015 - tapered off 300mg of Venlafaxine after 6 years of use

2005-2021 - 450 mg Bupropion daily

2021-2023 - tapered Bupropion to zero

2

Alfred1977: introduction, trying to taper after more than 20 years Venlafaxine

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