"i&#039;ve been on effexor 37.5mg once daily since september 2006 mainly to relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome &amp; depression. effexor has worked great for both. i tried to get myself off of effexor a few years ago &amp; took st. john&#039;s wort instead. i was lucky not to have any withdrawal symptoms. however, the depression returned, which i couldn&#039;t handle and returned to effexor. i did wean myself off it and had no withdrawal symptoms. experts say if you get off it, have to return to it, it may not work again. that didn&#039;t happen with me.  i just found that effexor raised my blood pressure &amp; cholesterol.  i have to decide whether to stay on it and be sane &amp; preserve my kidneys, or stop it &amp; get depressed again. conundrum."