Posted by Leo on March 24, 2001, at 16:27:24
In reply to Re: Effexor for Life! Cam?, posted by Pamela on March 24, 2001, at 13:31:43
Well………………..this certainly has been a very interesting forum over the last 72 hours. I hope that of us who have been fortunate enough to overcome our depression haven’t relapsed and that those of you that are still struggling with the disease haven’t sunken deeper into the abyss while reading these posts.
I have spent the last twenty years as a freelance investigative research professional. I have researched and prepared documents on an enormous variety of subject matter, under contractual agreements, for various agency’s, organizations, corporations and privately funded “think tanks” from around the world. These assignments have lasted anywhere from 6 hours to 6 years, depending on the subject matter. I have undertaken, on my own, and because of my personal experience as it is related to effexor, some investigative research on the drug. Now, when one investigates a subject, it is broken down into two categories: objective and subjective. The objective category deals strictly with the facts that surround the subject matter. The subjective category deals solely with the emotions and opinions that surround the subject matter. 99.9% of any subject is shrouded in emotion and opinion. Focusing emotions and opinions along with personal attacks on a subject, without a doubt, obscure the facts and are extremely counter-productive. However, no matter how one goes about debating the subject or issue at hand, you CAN NEVER DISPUTE THE FACTS.
I’m sure that Dr. Bob established this website to for people to read shared experiences. This is an excellent therapy practice. Mainly because of the support that it offers all of us in one form or another. People come to this website seeking answers, support and help, not to be attacked. They are coming to this website and the others out there because they, like I was, are FRIGHTENED by what they are experiencing. These people, like I was, are suffering from physical and emotional withdrawal so intense, that they are wondering if they are going to make it through the day without some catastrophic event occurring that is going to harm them. No one, including his or her doctor, has an answer. The med supplements that are supplied with the medication DO NOT address the withdrawal associated with effexor, do not warn if its dependency and vaguely address its side effects. Hence, an extremely FRIGHTENING experience for those, like me, who have never been there before. During the initial shock of withdrawal from this drug and well after its being discontinued, there are hundreds of people that are continuing to report experiences with one or more of the side effects from this drug. Why is it that Wyeth-Ayerst has yet to come forward with ALL the facts associated with this drug? Trust me when I tell you that they are well aware of what we know. There are FACTS in experience. No matter how mild or extreme. Those of us that have gotten off this drug and have related our experiences are Wyeth-Ayersts “post trial” studies. When you eliminate the emotions and opinions in these and the hundreds of other sites on the internet dedicated solely to this drug, you find a huge thread of commonalties that allows one to deal solely with facts. Failure of the developer and manufacturer of this drug to FULLY disclose ALL the facts about effexor only forces them to dig a deeper, darker hole for themselves. One that they may very well end up being buried in. This lack of disclosure is my primary concern. All the facts need to be disclosed to a potential user of the drug so they are not broad-sided by its effects. This so they can make an educated decision before they going forward with using the drug. If they know what to expect, then the fear will be lessoned.
Finally, I think all of us will agree that this is an excellent site that offers information and support. Personal attacks on each other are extremely counter-productive and have no positive outcome. I will continue to post my “post” effexor experiences. I feel that this is important and I think that all of us should. We should all be respectful and civil towards the personal experiences related here and try to stay as objective as we can. We all share commonalities in these experiences. We should be helping and supporting each other through our experiences, good or bad, not attacking. I am here to offer whatever help I can, especially with those of you how are going through the withdrawal from the drug. This site helped me survive an extremely frightening and unexpected experience. Now, go do something that will make you laugh!!! It's good medicine. Thank you Dr. Bob.Regards,
Leo
poster:Leo
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57422.html