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Hi, I'm a newbie here, started decreasing on Effexor XR 3 weeks ago and realized how debilitating and isolating weaning off AD can be/is. I will copy this post into my 'about me' page also. I am a 41 yo mother of 2 kids, both with ADHD and one with borderline Aspergers so it is much like having a child with special needs. In other words, I got my hands full! Thank God for my loving and supportive husband. Between my faith in God and my incredible husband, I am very blessed. So, what got me to this board? It's a culmination of several sudden and tragic events: 1) Sudden death of 47 yo father caused depression and PTSD at 22 years old 2) Date rape at 23 yo 3) Developed sudden debilitating and painful juvenile arthritis at 25 yo 4) At 31 yo, had coworker die same way father died and PTSD caused severe anxiety so I started on my anti-depressant journey... Cymbalta, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Effexor XR, it's been 10 years of dulled emotions and anxiety-ridden moments with unreal side effects. On September 3, 2015, I mistakenly put the wrong pills in the wrong days. With only 4 pills, I needed a refill and accidentally didn't take any Effexor for 3 days straight and I found myself moments away from suicide. I tried to kill myself because I didn't take my AD for 3 days?! My husband's belt on the ground became a means of ending my life. A belt took on an entire new function and illuminated with an end to my misery, I had never even looked at a belt in that way until this moment! This was ridiculous and it had to stop. Get ready for a major 180 degree turn, and I do want to clarify that I have never taken any drug recreationally and am a very conservative person... On October 12, 2015, my journey with medical cannabis began. And my psychiatrist actually encouraged me to do it.... And it has saved my life in more ways than one. I hope I can post more about that here to help others but I don't want to impose or negatively influence anyone in anyway; we are so vulnerable to quick fixes when we are depressed and hurtng. God bless all of you on this journey to finding peace and joy. - A