Yes I have gained weight which up until I read these posts did not know that effexor can cause it, it\'s not even \"normal\" weight i look bloated. My Dr decreased my dose because i was having sexual side effects-I couldn\'t complete an orgasm, which is frustrating, PLUS when I did I would get a sharp shooting pain in my head, I later learned this is referred to as a \"thunderclap\" headache. I was literally afraid to have an orgasm the pain was so bad! And yes, the \"discontinuation\" symptom are terrible I keep have \"brain blinks\" dizziness, nausea, vertigo, and sweats.