@doorman: I am on a cocktail of drugs which include Mirtazapine and Escitalopram, which I took after stopping Venlafaxine. It worked wonders for me. Stopping Venlafaxine after just three weeks caused me very severe anxiety. I was tossing and turning on the bed; I could not sleep for almost ten days. I had become suicidal. Finally, only Clonazepam 2 mg worked to bring me relief. I got a new life. Hope Effexor works for you.