Started on Effexor XR after trying several other antidepressants....

Started on Effexor XR after trying several other antidepressants. Effexor worked the best for me, and I loved it. But the longer I was on it, the worse things became. I started on 37.5 mg, then up to 75mg. Then to 150mg and then 325. By that time, I was completely numb. No emotions. I did not cry for over 3 years. I ended up with severe headaches, heart issues and more. Do NOT stop taking this med cold turkey. It made me sick and nauseas, so I went back on it, gradually lowering the dose until I was off. But even weaning off of it took me a good 4 months before I felt somewhat normal again. My twin sister took it for 4 days and stopped immediately due to it causing severe heart issues that led to an ER visit and now-daily Atenolol, a heart medication. A friend took Effexor XR this summer, and after a couple of weeks, pretty much went crazy on it and ended up in the psych ward on a 72-hour hold because she was a safety threat to herself. There are other medications out there without such drastic side-effects and withdrawal effects. Pay attention to any changes and mention them to your doctor right away. I loved this med cause it worked the best for me, but hated the side-effects enough, that I couldn't stay on it.