"i&#039;ve struggled with gad since my late teens which worsened following a tragic and untimely death in the family..which also lead to ptsd i tried numerous anti depressants but most of them slowed me down i didn&#039;t want this. so many years ago maybe 12 years ago i was prescribed effexor since then my dose has gone up and down i&#039;m now on 225mg daily i was able to come off them cold turkey for 3 pregnancies i can only suggest early pregnancy hormones took over as withdrawal effects were minimal. but in general withdrawal effects are horrendous if i miss a day or 2 as i&#039;ve failed to collect them on time i have an upset stomach...sweating and termors...nightmares, feelings of terror, luckily they work fast! i&#039;m a fan they help &amp; make me feel normal"