I recently got off of Effexor XR. I took 75 mg and weened down to 37.5. I too had the withdrawel nightmare i felt like i was going to die for 3weeks and am still suffering from the electric shock feeling a month later. I was never told about the withdrawel and nightmare is the key word. I also felt like i was having a heart attack and had to go to the ER once because of it. I also have higher blood pressure from it and have experienced Gastric Intestinal problems since i started taking it. I would never suggest anyone to take this medicine