I too wanted to get off effexor xr and did in May. I went through...

I too wanted to get off effexor xr and did in May. I went through 2 weeks of he@@. The worst of the side effects were the brain zaps,sometimes running down into my stomach. I felt like i was dying but I still worked and took care of my family. I quit cold turkey!! Just give it time the side effects will go away. I am so much happier now less the nightmares, wanting to sleep all the time. And a huge bonus, I have lost about 25 lbs. in 3 months!! Any one wanting to take effexor xr.....DON"T!!!! I was on effexor for 7 years!!