@farmboy
Yes. In years past, I used to joke that sleeping was my hobby--not anymore. I loved weekends because I'd get to sleep, sleep, sleep--not anymore. I loved holidays because I'd get to lie in and sleep--not anymore. I was fine for 6-6.5 weeks out from the last tapered dose of Effexor before my withdrawal symptoms began. They started with my having trouble sleeping--had fear/reluctance about going to sleep, circling thoughts wouldn't let me slip into sleep, couldn't sleep for very long and if I woke, the whole cycle began again--the fear, circling thoughts, difficulty dropping off. Looking back, I also had a lot of all over body aches (vague) that made me generally uncomfortable--I don't have arthritis, carpal tunnel, or anything else.

I used Ben*dryl (2 x 25mg) and supplements (kava kava, glycine and L-tryptophan). I dislike tea of any kind so never tried chamomile tea. Melatonin and valerian are supposed to be helpful, but I did not try those.

My withdrawal symptoms began mid-June; nine months out, no body aches and my sleep is much better. I am only still using L-tryptophan.