Granted, each person has to define and go with what is best for him/her.

Addendum: To be clear, there are countless accounts of people who have had hellish experiences with Effexor, and quite a few are within the pages here on mayoconnect. Also within articles in medical publications, written by people who struggled to shed the drug but were plagued by symptoms that made them RE-START the medication as a means to end the torturous pain. The journey is indeed harder the longer one has been on that dreaded drug. So definitely not just in my case. I had been on Effexor XR for about 12 to 15 YEARS. Indeed my body fought to not have it shed, and my road was torturous, all while teaching secondary and graduate school, caring for an elderly mother, and raising three children. One of its lingering effects: My brain would suddenly short circuit, such as when driving on the highway and suddenly forgetting where I was going, having to pull off the highway, CALM DOWN AND TRY TO THINK, and when remembering my destination, TOTALLY NO CLUE HOW TO GET THERE. Or having my brain go blank during a teaching assignment...not knowing where I'd put handouts for my students. Wanting to just "shut down" and do nothing (not an option). My prayers for everyone who struggles to stop taking drugs that have affected their lives...pray, stay focused, get guidance from a trusted doctor, and do not give up! There is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, and the Golden Key of freedom from the drug is so worth it!👍🏼👏🏼