"i had tried a number of different prescription meds before effexor, none of which seemed to help.  i can honestly say this worked the best, and with it i was able to get out of bed and begin to function again.  it really was one of those medications that did exactly what it was supposed to. i continued to take effexor for three years, after which time i wanted to stop taking it and begin to manage my life without medicines.  this is when the problems began.  i can honestly say that it took me almost nine months to wean myself off effexor.  i no longer have to take medication but would warn anyone being prescribed this that it is not an easy medicine to stop taking."