XL or XR? I've been on Effexor XR for at least five years. I credit it with keeping me alive. It's the only a-d that's really worked for me.

I've heard people talk about the crackle, but have never experienced it. I have the heartburn thing going with another med, though. I discovered that if I take that med with milk, instead of water, voila! no heartburn. Maybe give that a try.

BTW, max dose of Effexor XR is 375. I'm on 450, "because that's what you do when nothing else is working," according to my pdoc. Good to know I'm a permanent headcase, ain'a? ;-)

Candy