How to know if Effexor is still needed.

[Byrdmama]

I have been on Effexor for over 5 years for depression. ...never quite getting the relief I needed. My Doctor added Seroquel and Tramadol -very low dose- and boom...have never felt better. I have taken this combo for over two years. Some days , I forget the Efexxor 35 mg and those are the only days I feel irritated and bad. I really think I need to get this med out of my system, as it never worked well, and because I take such a low dose now, it prob. is doing nothing.  my doctor is fine with a slow taper, but now I dread the withdrawls.......any ideas?

[4Maddie44]

Well as said above you are on a starter dose of Effexor.  Usually it is increased as your body gets used to it.  If you really want to stop taking the Effexor, tell your doctor, and then taper, VERY SLOWLY.  I mean SLOWLY.  It took me months to withdraw, but I had no withdrawals.  If you do it too fast you will get withdrawals, however as you are on a very low dose, it will not take you too long to withdraw.  Yes even it you miss one dose of Effexor, you will feel bad.  

I don't know if you are taking a capsule form or pill form of Effexor.  I went on to the generic because it is in pill form, and was able to cut it up into smaller and smaller doses, as with the capsules this is not easy.  If you look up previous posts about withdrawing from Effexor, they may help.

Let us know how you get on please.

Take care and hope you continue to feel better when you have stopped the Effexor.

[bbaggins]

Tramadol is more for pain, although it does have SSRI effects.Not sure why they prescribed that.

Not sure why your doctor didn't just increase the Effexor. 35mg is a very low, starter dose.