"i have been taking venlafaxine for about a year now. it has helped greatly with my anxiety. i take 37.5mg twice a day. i weaned myself off of it after taking it for the first 3 months because i was losing my medical benefits and wasn&#039;t able to afford the cost of it. the side effects were bad, extreme dizziness and nausea. i have had a lack of libido also which definitely puts a damper on the love life. i&#039;ve also gained about 30 pounds but i&#039;m actually happy about that side effect since i&#039;ve been a 5&#039;10 twig most of my life."