I am breaking out in an itchy rash for the second time this year. It starts on my left hand, then around my face, ears, and in my hair. If it continues like last time, it will also go up my arms and on to my stomach. I would attribute it to a side effect of the effexor but I wasn't taking that when I broke out in January. Have any of you had a similar experience? It is absolutely horrible! I also wondered if anyone else is taking effexor xr, and if they went through periods of increased anxiety and depression while starting out on it. I've been on it and coming off zolft for the past couple of weeks. Thank you.