ADDENDUM: Although I wrote that "I just continued with EFFEXOR XR rather than create more issues for myself" that was the solution at that moment in time since I had no other recourse. However, about 3 yrs or so later, I couldn't deal anymore with the hallucinations/nightmares/night terrors and the physical, emotional, and psychological exhaustion resulting from all of those attacks on my being. Made an appointment with a trusted neurologist, who was alarmed with what I'd been enduring. She worked out a very carefully planned schedule for weaning me off the devil drug. It took months (as I've delineated elsewhere on this site) and I still did get some withdrawal effects along the way but my neurologist worked with me to tamper them down as much as possible. My brain actually hurt from all the stress and emotional rollercoastering. But I got through it, and finally the devil drug was no longer flowing through my system. I did feel strange for months to follow, but it was a lark compared to what I had endured for years while on the drug, and it was to be expected that there would be effects on my system from no longer feeding and stimulating it with the chemicals, etc. It was wonderful not to have to fear bedtime anymore (when frightening hallucinations would invade the bedroom, and realistic nightmares were what I dreamt). My husband was relieved that I no longer thrashed in bed, trying to fight off the evil and no longer let out strangled screams for him to come to my rescue. We both finally had rather normal nights again. Restorative sleep can do wonders to how your daytime hours play out.
I've said it before and will repeat: Effexor, in whatever form, is a horrendous drug which should be eliminated from the market. It has horrible side effects during withdrawal which should be under the supervision of a medical professional. There are warnings about suddenly ceasing this drug, for valid reasons: it can (among other things) cause cardiac arrest.
To this day, I have issues with high blood pressure (I'm on 2 medications, and at times BP is high), and have an irregular beat. I do not give advice (other than to seek assistance and supervision from a medical professional) to anyone on how to get off this drug. In my opinion, no one should be advising others on that (for any medication). Self-tapering is also a risky venture...

I'm dealing with other medical issues at this time, and am grateful not to have this drug in my life.