Effexor had been perscribed to me about four years ago (75mg.) At first I was pleased with the effect. My problem being work, things continued to get worse and as they did my doctor increased my dosage. (150mg) - (300mg) My last visit dosage was increased to (450mg)this frightend me and after a few months of 450mg I wanted off, at the time I had know idea how I had changed over the years being on Effexor XR. I made it down to (150mg) a day by myself and could not go any further so I contacted my doctor, at that time I was taken to the (75mg) and then (35mg)believe me like all of you have said the side effects were awful, It has been over a month and I'm having mood swings like you can't believe. Before I went on Effexor XR I do not believe I ever felt this bad, I now experience terrable anxiety, doom, parinoid, I cry quite often, I yell about things that would never have bothered me before. I know in the other questions I have read on the site you say about 15 days of side effects, with such a high dosage how long should I expect this to last. Believe me If I only knew, I would have never taken this drug.