re: Anyone Here Try Getting Off Effexor?

I haven’t tried getting off Effexor specifically, but whatever you do, don’t quit cold turkey. The weaning process is pretty long. Usually a couple months of steps down, especially if you’re on a high dosage.

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don't feel like I need it any longer

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That's not really a decision for you to make alone. In fact, that's kind of at the heart of the circular problems with mental health treatment:
1. patient has mental health problem, seeks medical help;
2. patient takes the meds;
3. patient resumes normal mental health functions;
4. patient decides that since the ship is righted they don't need the meds;
5. patient quits the meds;
6. patient's mental health issues reappear;
7. rinse and repeat.

FWIW, "I'm on the Zoloft to keep me from killing y'all."

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75 mg every other day right now.

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I've been taking the stuff for about 15 years and don't feel like I need it any longer.

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Question...if it is working and you are just taking small doses, why quit and mess with a good thing? I actually did this with Lexapro, which I had taken for about 15 years. I weaned myself off of it and thought all was good, then about 4 months later I started having all kinds of problems with anxiety, panic, and even a little depression. And jumping back on Lexapro was NOT the answer, unfortunately. It took about 3 months of hell, but I finally ended up on Effexor and I am back to normal. Brain chemicals are a delicate thing. I would advise that you really think this through before you jump off Effexor.

All told, that is actually a small dose and hopefully weaning yourself off of it completely won't be too bad if you decide to go that route. Effexor is supposedly the toughest of that family of meds to get off of without having crazy side effects.

I take 150 mg daily in the morning and have done so for over a year. It works like a charm for me. My shrink told me that 150 mg daily isn't really a heavy dose and that he has patients who take 600 mg daily

So if my 150 mg daily isn't a "heavy dose", then 75 mg every other day should be manageable.

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Coming from someone who has taken anti depressants for years, if you feel so good why get off them?

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I've been taking Effexor since 1999. I've felt fine for years, however. It is possible that I no longer need the medicine, but I'm not too keen on quitting it and finding out the hard way that I do still need it.

As said before, it is best to make this decision with input from your doctor.

another roll call thread disguised as a medical question.