I am there now, too. I was prescribed Effexor for hot flashes umpteen years ago. I weaned myself off once four years ago, I thought successfully--but after a period of weeks or months without it, I felt such overwhelming anxiety that I begged to be placed back on it. My mother had died, and I thought that was the reason for the anxiety; now, having weaned off Effexor a second time and feeling the same overwhelming anxieties with no real "excuse," I believe the anxiousness and feeling fear about every little thing was and is caused by the drug. I still had/have hot flashes--with and without Effexor. I think the hot flashes are better controlled by exercise and deep breathing/calming myself. I suffered many of the side effects of Effexor (muscle aches and pains, constipation, insomnia) without realizing that they were side effects. I still have tremendous trouble sleeping. I can't seem to turn off my anxious brain! I refuse to go back on Effexor. Would love to hear from someone who got past this horrible stage of withdrawal anxiety.