The Dr. gave me Effexor xr 75mg for my depression and 0.5 mg ever...

Make sure you talk this over with your Doctor but I would definately get off this drug asap. I am in day 8 of cold turkey withdrawal. I am finally feeling better. I am still having some brain zaps but much better and I feel like I am on my way to recovery. I will never take another drug prescribed until I have completed research. I would never have taken this nightmarish drug if I had known of the side effects. I could live with weight gain but the other side effects are horrible - extreme body temperature swings(too hot/too cold - hardly ever normal), no libido, headaches, brain haziness (can't think of words). These last 8 days have been extreme but I am starting to feel like myself again. Good luck and put your trust in God to pull you through. It can be done. I am living proof.

I will say that I have to thank God for this drug for the year I was on it for Severe panic disorder and post traumatic syndrome. It was the only thing that worked. I am on my 5th day of detox and still feel zaps and some odd things but my mother is a holistic practitioner and has been giving me herbs such as Valerian root to help the sleeplessness. I do recommend this drug but only for a short period of time. It boosted my confidence and helped me ride on an airplane! But I have to get off of it to lose the weight and gain my own moral instead of the drugs. But please be so so careful with the Xanax! I took it 3 times a day for 6 months and I still keep one ion my purse for my "safety net" but have never taken it. I have very helpful hints for panic attacks if you would like them. Please take care and do NOT depend on the Xanax use it only as needed it's not a cure and can make your panic turn into severe depression and dependency!