@shaker1956

Your side effects should never have happened.
I’m going to say something that many may disapprove of and I think that is because many people refuse to accept responsibility of their medical problems.
Doctors are not always right, they are not Gods, they are human like you and I and capable of making mistakes.
The most common preventable errors made by doctors are medication related. Approximately 400,000+ a year. Approximately 250,000+ patients die each year from medical mistakes. The third leading cause of death. Patients must take at least some responsibility for every aspect of their medical conditions, their medications and treatment.
How many times have you read people receiving the wrong prescription either from the doctor, Pharmacy or a nurse at the hospital.
I was at the ER after an unusual seizure and was told to have a prescription filled and take it all. I refused, telling the nurse that’s a lethal dose of Phenobarbital. After arguing with me she took it to the doctor. She comes back admits I was right but says “The Pharmacy would have caught the Mistake, maybe so but maybe not. I also picked up my Moms medications and and when checked them at home one belonged to someone else. I was irresponsible for not catching the error at the the Pharmacy. Just goes to show how easily errors can occur. My point with all this superfluous jabber is maybe just maybe your doctor may not be giving you the best possible information.

@shaker1956 (more specific to your question)

While on Effexor your body becomes physically dependent on it. When you stop it your body needs at least some of it. You’d be feeling much better if you got some tablets and cut them in fourths and take 3 of the quarters for at least a week then 1/2 of the pill then 1/4 of the pill and stop. Possibly you’ll need to cut your pill into eighths. It depends on you. Everyone is different. God Bless you and the best of health. I’m in your corner rooting for you.
Jake