@tshere95 if you can discontinue them and manage to live a normal life that is definitely the thing to do, I just suspect that is not possible for some people.
JK

First....Do Not Go Cold Turkey. It's not pretty. I've reduced my dosage from 150 to 37.5 by removing a number of the beads inside the capsule every day. There are approx. 125 beads in the 75mg capsule and 60 in the 37.5. Divide that over at least 30 days. I absolutely agree with you about these drugs. There has to be a program or method or herbal remedy to help with anxiety and depression. I've been on these drugs for over 15 years and I'm so glad to be getting off. I've also lost 10 pounds as a benefit. So that's something to look forward to. Good luck and keep the faith.

Wow...I didn't know there were beads inside the capsules. I figured it was powder. Well, this is going to help me tremendously! Thank you @arachel for that information. I had a few 100 mg tablets left that I was splitting but the rest is the new capsule prescription I just got. They're 150 mg. Now that I know they're beads, I can start dividing these as well. I am going to try to go off slowly if possible. I just got so sick and tired of the side effects that I just wanted off. Now, after reading about all the withdrawal symptoms, I'm scared of what may happen if I do go cold turkey. It just angers me that a doctor would prescribe me this knowing all of the side effects as well as the hell that people go through to get off of it. I guess that's how they make their money though.

@arachel Hi Rachel, forgive me for repeating myself, but I really would like to know what the negatives are when taking these drugs that makes everyone want to get off of them so much. Isn't that risking a return to whatever caused them to be prescribed in the first place? I am totally ignorant of these drugs but would like to understand better because I do have people close to me who are on some of them.
Thanks.
JK

drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous;
strange dreams;
increased sweating;
blurred vision;
dry mouth;
changes in appetite or weight;
mild nausea, constipation

These are listed as possible side effects of Effexor. I have ALL of these!! I stay sleepy and feel like a zombie most of the time. It's just not worth it. I've dealt with it because I thought I needed this drug but I've finally realized there are other ways to deal with my depression and anxiety.

@tshere95 Oh my goodness, with all of those side-effects it's no wonder you want to get off of effexor. It really is not worth it at all. You sound like a very determined person so I am sure you will find other ways to help you with your depression and anxiety. I will be looking forward to hearing how it's going for you.
JK

Everyone's experience is different. I'm sure you understand that. For me, I have had enough with being dependent on a drug for my mental well being. I have gone through long periods of my life where I did not take any anti-depressants and got along just fine. After my husband died in 2001, I went into a deep depression for 2 years. It was horrible. Effexor helped me tremendously, but I feel that now that my life has stability, I want to do it on my own. I let the Effexor run my life for way too long. I also know how difficult it is to get off this drug and I want to do it now while I have the presence of mind to make my own decisions. Not to be gross, but my chronic constipation is a huge reason to get off this drug. Having to be dependent on laxatives is no way to live. Also, I was experiencing extreme dry mouth to the degree that I could not fall asleep without a cough drop in my mouth to ease the choking sensation. I gained 15 pounds while on Effexor and now after 4 months of weaning off, I'm down 10 of those pounds. My mind feels clearer and although I do deal with occasional panic attacks, I am able to talk myself down. Hopefully, things will level off in time and I'm willing to wait. I do hope my thoughts are helpful.

@tshere95 I am experiencing the same symptoms. Effexor is by far the worse medication I have ever taken. I am currently tapering off of it and the withdraws are not comfortable at all. I made the decision to come off it because I am in a better place in my life than I was when I allowed my doctor to talk me into this medication. I understand the “ zombie “ feeling! I feel that way everyday and just really have NO energy. I am currently taking 37.5mg. I was on 75mg and recently just decreased it and toughed it out. I am on day 3 of the decrease and I’m actually doing better than I expected. I have been taking Effexor for a little over a year and I truly wish I would have never started. I know there is light at the end of the tunnel so I am pushing forward and asking God for healing! I am a woman of God so I know this too shall pass.

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @blssed81. Thanks for your encouraging words for @tshere95 and also sharing some of your story.

Wondering how it's going today with having decreased your venlafaxine (Effexor)? Are you still seeing side effects?

Good luck on your journey. I've gone from 150 mg down to 50 mg for about the past week. It's not as bad as I though. Yes, there is absolutely no energy whatsoever. There's more to life than this. I fully believe that. Yes, this too shall pass.