I have been on Efexor capsules for 5 years, initialy on a very high dose then reduced over a two year period so that I am taking 75mg every two days. I am ready to come off them and have spoken to my doctor, but she say she is worried about the discontinuation side effects. She sugests that I should take them twice a week for a month and then quit. I felt fine about stopping (not worried about my depression returning) but now I feel anxious about the side effects. I have felt the brain shocks and dizzyness, before, when I was on a higher dose and I forgot to take them. I was wondering if anybody could tell me how long these withdrawal side effects last when the drug is stopped?