Question: I have been weaning off of Effexor XR. I started off on 225 mg. As of July 23rd, I have been decreasing it by taking 150 mg in the a.m. and 75 mg in the p.m. one day then skipping the 75 mg. the next day (for 2 weeks) hen for the next two weeks I just took 75 mg. twice a day, followed by 75 mg. one day and 37.5 mg the next day, Which is where I am now. I am experiencing headaches, hot flashes, crying spells, anxiety, sleeping problems, and generalized pain. I already have chronic pain which I am on Fentanyl patches (25mg & 12 mg). I am waiting to have bariatric sleeve surgery, and I will not be able to swallow the large capsules, that is why I am being taken off the medication. Are all these symptoms due to the decreasing of the Effexor? And if so, when will they go away? I can't take these hot flashes much longer. And the mood swings and depression are awful. This was all done with my Psychiatrist's instructions. She is very hard to get in touch with, and hard to talk to. But I can't take too much more of these side effects, Any suggestions as to what I can do? I don't have a surgery date yet, just my pre-op is this week.