Hello and Welcome,
I am answering this question because I am currently on Effexor. I have been taken off several times in the last 7 years. I went from 300 mg every day to 150mg about 6 months ago because I felt like I was nearing the toxicity of the drug. I went through abdominal pains, sweating, jerking all night, headache, shocks that feel like electricity going off in my head, severe fatigue, chills, flu-like symptoms. I could go on and on, but I made it to 150 mg. That is as far as I could go. I tried cutting down even further but I just could not take it. I know exactly how you feel. But I feel as though I do need the anti-depressant because I do have a chemical imbalance. Most days I am in a great mood and this is a wonder drug, but the withdrawals are another story. About a year ago I was hospitalized for 7 days...I was not able to take my medication at all, and I almost felt like I was going to die. People really should put out a warning about this. But, since you have taken several weeks to wean down to 37.5 mg, you have done great! compared to most people.
If you are only to granules every other day, I would stop altogether. These symptoms will probably last another week without this at all, but it is better than feeding this medication to your body in little doses. I can almost tell you for sure 1 week, 2 weeks at the maximum you will be completely off this drug and should be back to normal without feeling any of the sensations.
I hope I have answered your questions. If you have anymore questions, please don't hestitate to ask. If I have helped you in anyway, please click the ACCEPT button and leave me a short feedback so I know how I am doing.
Thank you,
Pam Russell RN
