Thank you for that suggestion. I haven’t used this resource in years so I wouldn’t have know who in the group would be good to reach out to here. I mentioned it to my doctor at my last physical and she was strangely silent regarding any of my comments related to chronic pain and depression. This is a new doctor and I was hopeful, due to her bio, that she was more open minded to alternative medicine and listening. However that was not my experience. I have moved A LOT in my adult life and so my medical care has been very inconsistent and poor. The only constant has been my therapist for the last 12 years. While I have done well since weaning off meds (and getting a divorce—one of the exacerbating factors for depression was the marriage), this pain is threatening to pull me down into depression again. Thank you for the recommendation and for reaching out to these other folks. I hope they might have some wisdom to share.

I personally am not experiencing pain, nor chronic pain. I was on Effexor for 18 years, but only weaned off this Spring (last minimal dose was 4/14/18). I will keep my eye out for others mentioning pain as I continue to read/research Effexor withdrawal and how to minimize symptoms of same.

I read that Cymbalta (another SNRI) can be prescribed for aches, pains, fibromyalgia, nerve pain and chronic lower back pain. This is kind of "out there"--perhaps, the Effexor was masking a pain/painful condition you had (or were developing) and now that the Effexor is gone, you have become aware of it. Also, some Effexor users complained that it dulled their senses and reactions to things--they mostly referred to emotional dullness, but some did speak of physical numbness.

@dissidentdaughter -- wondering how you are doing?

I also wanted to mention that you might enjoy participating in our Chronic Pain group as well, if you'd like to check it out: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/pain/.

I actually metastases Effexor XR very fast and now take 450 (3 150'S) to manage when I need it - I have sometimes tried to do down with a 75 mg when feeling better -maybe after this killer virus and trump gone for good and live is back to normal. When I am at my highest my pain is at my lowest. I am taking now only one generic 200mg for Celebrex as can affect my kidneys and my arthritis/auto-immune doctor has had me on Gabapentin 300 capsules that I take one at 5pm and 3 at bedtime. I have to say with pain I am doing really well. I have had my knees replaced and one hip. I have very bad osteoartritis and damages from other diseases so I think I am doing very well. With having a higher Medicare advantage plan since went on SS I am able to see the top doctors and specialists I never got to see under my PPO or HMO plans and am doing well. They help me stay mobile and free of bad stuff from my many meds. My last complete blood tests show I am doing well and I am finally eating well and loosing weight. Just telling you PAIN has always been in my life and will always be. I run with two types of depression in my life and have been on Effexor XR for 20 + years. It definitely is a pain reliever for me. I can see why it is hard right now so look for some alternatives - I always try to use mindfulness and work toward being happy by avoiding those who bring it to you. Even cutting them out of your life. Pain comes from outside as it does from the inside.

I am also noticing more pain.

Hello @dissidentdaughter , I hope you are feeling better now.

I'm so disappointed in our Medical system!

Nobody tells you about these things when first getting prescribed Venaflexatine/ Effexor!

I just took my last dose after weaning off slowly and now I've been experiencing since horrific side effects for about 4 days.

Very disappointed in BigPharma.

Just signed up regarding taking Effexor, I have a ton to digest right now.