My doctor told me the same thing--that my symptoms two months after stopping the drug could not be related to withdrawal. My research shows otherwise; that withdrawal effects can last as long as 2-3 years. I just finished reading "May Cause Side Effects" by Brooke Siem (available online through library website), and she points out that research into antidepressant withdrawal has only occurred within the last eight years! Knowing how incredibly difficult it is to wean oneself off such drugs should mean that prescriptions be given as a last resort--and never for an off-label use like hot flashes. As bad as my hot flashes are, being addicted to Effexor for umpteen years is worse. For now, I am back on the low dose (37.5), because I couldn't face two years of extreme anxiety, no appetite, little sleep, etc.