My reactions have not been like yours. Insomnia hasn't been an issue, and I only had a couple of moments of surging emotions, so I can't offer much insight into what you're experiencing. I am still having brain zaps sixteen days out, although not as severe or as frequent as the first week or so off the drug.

I feel doctors don't inform patients about how powerful this drug is. I also think it drove my depression, which stems from bipolar 2. The data on using venlafaxine for bipolar depression is weak, and the studies indicate it might flip people into their cycles. I can't prove that this happened to me, but I can say that it hadn't been working for a very long time. My decision to quit was abrupt and not thought through (I made the choice while cycling hard, so it was an emotional response, not an informed one), but I've felt like I've recovered myself. I would consider reintroducing the Abilify, but not the Effexor.