Tapering: Pristiq

active

34 posts

Australia

2nd Pristiq Update - First day back at 30mg from 20mg

April 20, 2026··

taper update

Feeling okay, I had issues since going to 35mg of extreme fatigue, inability to focus and initiate tasks and some signs of mild depression, which seemed to become worse going from 25mg to 20mg 10 days ago. Today I received my new compounded desvenlafaxine and opted to go back to 30mg, to see if these symptoms improve over the next 30 days. So far I feel a little more alert, with a side effect being some GI Upset and very mild Nausea, it does improve after eating even though the symptoms make me feel like I don't want to eat.

Roy E’s taper progress

Dose (mg)

Mood (/10)

Pristiq — 30mg — 17 Years — holding | Seroquel — 400mg — 17 Years — holding | Valium — 2mg once or twice a week — 10 years — supporting others | other — Modafinil 200mg — 3 Months — supporting others | with clinician

10 Replies

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CatinaStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"to see if these symptoms improve over the next 30 days" — @Roy E

Thanks for the update Roy. I do hope things improve for you. You're doing the right thing with listening to your body. Keep us posted!

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 17.92 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Levothyroxine - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

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Based PsychiatristStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Hey Roy welcome back! Let us know how it plays out after the nect couple of days. Where did you get the meds compunded at?

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

JulesStaff3mo ago

Community Anchor

I hope the compounded version helps you out. Hang in there, you've got this!

Roy E3mo ago

LighthousePristiq · active

@Based Psychiatrist I get them compounded at a pharmacy my doctor recommended, in Australia we don't have 25mg tablets available, so everything below 50mg needs to be compounded unfortunately for desvenlafaxine. The pharmacy adds their own time release compound to the medication also instead of having it as instant release, to replicate the original medication as much as possible.

Roy E3mo ago

LighthousePristiq · active

I'm now getting night sweats I've noticed after sleeping last night on the first night of increasing the dose, something I haven't had since first starting the medication, it's the start of winter here and I'm using the aircon at night to stay cool but still sweating, definitely related to the increased dosage.

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Based PsychiatristStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Night sweats are the worst, i feel for you. Hoping this wave of symptoms passes soon my friend

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"I'm now getting night sweats I've noticed after sleeping last night on the first night of increasing the dose, something I haven't had since first starting the medication, it's the start of winter here and I'm using the aircon at night to stay cool but still sweating, definite..." — @Roy E

I'm sorry you're struggling with this Roy. We have some information about sweating if you'd like to take a look: https://taper.community/thread/59b6f333-6159-4616-8286-c7c14fb40172 I hope things improve soon. 🩷

Roy E3mo ago

LighthousePristiq · active

Night sweats have resolved now, they lasted for about 7 days. Still no significant mental improvements, but emotionally I feel somewhat more positive. It may take another week before I can judge the positives, negatives and neutrals of the extra 10mg reinstatement, and make a decision from there.

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CatinaStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

"Night sweats have resolved now, they lasted for about 7 days."

Glad to hear that!

"It may take another week before I can judge the positives, negatives and neutrals of the extra 10mg reinstatement, and make a decision from there."

That sounds like a reasonable plan. Giving the body enough time helps with decision-making. Keep us posted!

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Based PsychiatristStaff3mo ago

Community AnchorEffexor

Glad to hear the night sweats are gone my friend !

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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