Hi. My beyond-beloved husband died a sudden horrible death in 2004, and I spent 16 years on Effexor XR. Then in April 2020 I got Covid, and with it seratonin syndrome (extremely scary combination!) So, I HAD to get off of Effexor. I went EVERYWHERE for help, and was told repeatedly that "Effexor is harder to get off of than heroin!" And apparently there are countless practitioners who refuse to prescribe Effexor because of withdrawal difficulties. That being said, I found a way off. I read a blog from the UK where a woman said that she "wished her doctor had just handed her a pair of running shoes instead of Effexor." I had never run in my life, but I was desperate. At the age of 64 I bought my first pair of running shoes, and I ran my way off of Effexor and out of depression. Of course, this is not as easy as just swallowing a pill or two. I was running for my life. I also had migraines and that terrified me, as well. I ran my way thru horrible withdrawal symptoms and off of Effexor. And I will never look back. I'm 66 now and I ran four miles this morning. I'm running my way off of my last 1 mg of Ativan. I know that this is not easy, and at times you are terrified. But, any journey starts with a single step. I'm 66 years old and I went from 205 lbs to 160, and I will NEVER swallow Effexor again as long as I live. Being free from pills AND depression is really worth the effort. Put on your running shoes and GO!

- Eileen

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