"was so excited to try effexor xl and did for the past 6 years.  well, i didn&#039;t realize that it made me anhedonia, or without feeling towards a lot of things.  i just went on my merry way, but would do nothing....sat and watched tv, couldn&#039;t get anything done.  everything was just great!.....that is what i thought....then i started gaining weight......gradually, but i mean 60-70# over the past 6 years or so.....but just kept on eating.   then i thought i have to do something about this.  i gradually took myself off, but wow the side effects of the withdrawl was unbelievable.  my son told me never to do that again...and i told him see.....this medication has so changed me.....and i will never take that again....!trying to lose this weight now"