I have heard more people say they had difficulty tapering off of Effexor than any other AD. In the best of worlds, it is something practitioners should counsel their patients about when they prescribe it and the individual can decide if they want to give it a try.

Good for you Rose for doing your research and making your own decision. Plus, you are not in the doctor/patient relationship to make the doctor happy. You are there as a team to find an approach to your issues that hopefully works AND feels right for you.