Hello everyone from QLD Australia...I was prescribed Effexor 75mgs 16 years ago at the age of 45...reflecting...I would now hazard a guess that many of my symptoms then could well have been managed with prudent hormone replacement therapy...my GP made the idea of commencing this drug no more harmful than taking a couple of Panadol...nothing was mentioned re possible side effects or the difficulties associated with withdrawal...so on the plus side...this medication helped me greatly with my social anxiety...my short fuse (particularly at work)...my insomnia...and I just felt generally much happier and much less anxious...Over the last 16 years I have attempted to wean myself off this drug with nil success...currently am withdrawing from it again and feeling terrible...not sleeping well...headaches...intermittent suicidal ideation...I now have chronic issues with teeth grinding and jaw clenching from this drug which is quite distressing..so someone out there tell me...are there any success stories from people who have been on this drug long term and have ceased taking it ??...everything I read on the net seems to state otherwise...will the withdrawal symptoms gradually wane if I hang in there ? Will this mandibular dystonia and bruxism ever right itself ? Thank you all for your posts...it has been very helpful to me to know that I am not alone here...but can this nightmare ever be resolved? God bless you all...my kindred spirits... Apologies for my sideways profile piccie...have tried to correct this without success...even though piccie was right way up when uploaded 😉 Oh...and I didn't mention the effect this drug had on my sex life...from having a very satisfying physical relationship with my husband...that changed to a total loss of libido/inclination and total disinterest in the whole scenario...fortunately I am blessed with a very patient and understanding partner.