Hi and welcome to the Forums, SeahorseSubmarine. I am so sorry that you are struggling with debilitating brain fog and loss of energy as well as depression. I have taken effexor xr for 4 years (worked really well for hot flashes and mood). I switched to Paxil CR which works almost as well, but after my hyster, could feel like borderline hot flashes. I took Effexor XR 150 for close to 10 years. I have been totally off this drug for 5 weeks. It was torture. I tried many.The brain zaps, body twitching , brain fog, confusion, etc. made me continue taking it. I would love to get some input from others here; I have been on effexor and than eventually effexor xr since 2004 at 150 mg. Shortly after I originally went on it i experienced an upsetting feeling, ( I guess the best description would be a brain fog) that lasted a good week or so. Effexor side effects (and this would include other antidepressants as well as Effexor) may cause permanent brain damage. Psychologist Gary Greenberg expressed his concern, citing studies that showed high doses of these drugs cause changes in neurons. Does long-term use of Effexor lead to memory loss, brain damage and/or dementia? I know it inhibits platelet aggregation and leads to bleeding and severe bruising resulting from a very slight impact. Effexor (Venlafaxine), I feel like I'm in a fog now - posted in Brain Health: I started taking 75mg effexor (venlafaxine) a few days ago, in conjunction with 150mg wellbutrin (bupropion) which I've been taking for months. The effexor kinda makes me feel fuzzy, like I'm in a fog, or going through my days in a daze. I feel kinda cold and a little. I tried too antidepressants for brain fog: Effexor XR (venlafaxine) and Wellbutrin XL (bupropion). None of these helped with brain fog. Effexor XR basically did nothing for me except getting me sleepier. Generally they would increase the brain fog because they increase brain activity, thereby increasing the demand for ATP, thereby depleting ATP, which is cell fuel. Symptoms: memory pproblems, trouble focusing, brain fog, brain zaps, muscle twitches all over my body, balance issues, mood swings, and bone crushing exhaustion and body aches. I am just now thinking that all of this started within two months of coming off Effexor XR, I;ve been off for 9-10 months and it;s not getting better. Blood work was normal except low Vit D. Lyme test came back clear.