Have been on Effexor XR on various doses for three yrs. for Major Depression and Bi-Polar II (which was just diagnosed last year after years of anti-depressants alone not working but Lithium didn\'t help either!)and have tried to get off numerous times as it doesn\'t work well anymore and my personality has changed. Was also on Neurontin at first but got off due to severe memory loss and feelings of disassociation from my body. Have been battling brain deterioration but think that both of these meds have done it, not just the Neurontin. I am on my 2nd week of being off after going down from 150 to 75 to 37.5 in a month or so to nothing and had night terrors and the electric shocks but then hell kicked in on Tues night! This are my list of symptoms for those who think they are nuts but this medication is like heroin!

severe depression, uncontrollable crying

suicidal thoughts

electric shocks in brain

\"electricity\" crawling on face

copious sweating with chills, uncontrollable shivering (body temperature fluctutating as much as every minute from freezing to drenching sweats.)

nausea, vomiting

anxiety

headache

nose running constantly

low grade fever

heart palpitations

insomnia, night terrors.

Took Benadryl and it helped me to relax a little and Dr. is putting me on low dose Lexapro for a few days as well as starting Depakote.

Anyone have luck getting off with Lexapro? I am leary as I have taken this and it did not work for me so I got back on Effexor to stop the withdrawal once again.

Please don\'t give up on quitting! The more that is exposed about this drug and its effects the better, and we have to get ourselves back!!