Effexor XR and rage

I've been on Effexor for at least 6 months. At first it really helped with my depression and anger issues and it sort of curbed my appetite so I was really happy. Then that stopped, I gained at least 20 lbs if not more, I have recently had severe stomach pains and headaches. Also, don't ever drink on it. Even when I have 2 glasses of wine I turn into a crazy person alcoholic even and drink so much (almost obsessive) that I black out and usually loose control of my ability to hold in urine and pee the bed. I was NEVER like this before, EVER. I've stopped taking it and yes the rage is back, but at least I'm not peeing the bed.

I am going on day 4 of stopping my Effexor cold turkey. I was on 300 mg and taking 20 mg of Pexeva. I am stopping cold turkey after being on this medication for three years. The withdrawals are terrible, I don't know why any doctor in their right mind would ever prescribe this medication for anyone. I have those wonderful brain zaps every ten seconds, the only thing that momentarily makes me sane is food, as if the 30 pounds this medication has gained me aren't enough, stopping it is going to pack on another 30. I am a bundle of anger and rage directed at anyone within distance. I am at the toilet every night waiting and praying that I can just throw up. When I finally can fall asleep I am jolted awake in a puddle of sweat having just had yet another nightmare. And when I say nightmare, I mean the kind that have me screaming out loud in terror waking my husband. Minor daily tasks are ignored due to the fact that putting one foot in front of the other is too much to handle. I can't stand this feeling and only pray for the day that it will stop.

I was a completely different person on this medication - different temperament, different likes and dislikes, but the worst part was not having any emotions! When I reported still being depressed to my Dr, she just upped the dosage (from 75 to 150mg) and I hardly remember anything from the time I was taking the high dosage. Coming off of this medicine, I would almost have cravings for it, severe dizziness, the "brain zaps" others have mentioned, and rage like I have never felt before or since. So glad I got off of this stuff!