May I suggest reading the book "The Anti-Depressant Solution" by Dr. JosephGlenmullen. Dr. Glenmullen has 30+ years experience helping people discontinue Effexor and other medication in that group. He is also an expert witness against the drug companies. The book is helping me discontinue Zoloft. I am in that special 4% of people highly sensitive to Zoloft. Doctor suggested tapers had me in complete misery. One taper had me in the hospital because I was so weak and tired. Thanks to the book I have learned that I can only taper 0.4mg at a time. From the book I learned that slow tapering is important. Brain zaps are a signal that too much is being tapered. Good luck!