Posted by NancyDenver on June 19, 2006, at 23:12:20
I've done alot of research since I first discovered I was suffering from effexor discontinuation syndrome. I had to diagnose myself (thank God for the internet) on April 29, 2006. I started taking effexor in 1995. I reduced gradually down from 150mg over a period of 4 months (Jan-Apr 2006). I had no idea what was happening to me! In March, I became so sick, I had to quit working. It's been 8 weeks since my last dose (April 27) and I'm still too sick to work. I've seen no improvement at all. This is not your grandmother's withdrawal people--this is something new entirely. With heroin withdrawal, for example, you go through a week of hell and you're free--and it's the same for everyone. EDS (effexor discontinuation syndrome)is "individual." Some go off with no problem, and some--no one knows what percentage--can't even reduce their dose without a severe, debilitating, and sometimes fatal reactions (see serotonin syndrome). The only proven cure for EDS is keep taking the drug. But what about those suffering severe side effects? They are stuck between a rock and a hard place as they say. It appears, I am one of the unlucky ones. I suffered a little known and easily misdiagnosed side effect: very heavy, prolonged uterine bleeding (up to 6 weeks at a time).
EDS (effexor discontinuation syndrome)is difficult to understand because it's "individual." Some people are able to reduce their dose and discontinue with no problems, but some suffer unbearable, debilitating, and potentially fatal reactions. Reducing "gradually" as Wyeth and many doctors recommend, is not a scientifically proven method for avoiding severe EDS. That some can reduce gradually with no symptoms does not prove all can. In Wyeth's recent effexor label (updated June 2006), they claim that for most, EDS is "self-limiting," meaning it will eventually go away, but for others it is "serious"--what does this mean? If it's not self-limiting, then it's permanent. (Unfortunatley, it will be years before permanent damage can be proven.) Horrible isn't it, but not unprecedented. It has happened before to patients on anti-psychotics in the the 70s--PERMANENT and debilitating brain damage from an FDA approved class of drugs. I'm afraid I may have suffered permanent brain damage. What concerns me, is that I continue to be sick 2 months after taking my last tiny dose and that I have no improvement in my symptoms. EDS boggles the mind because it challenges established ideas about addiction and withdrawal. At least with heroin addiction, you go through cold turkey and a week of hell, then you are free. EDS is something all together different. Doctors are in denial. I haven't found a doctor yet who has even heard of withdrawal symptoms from taking antidepressants--(apparently, they are just too busy to read the 47 page effexor drug label). I don't blame the doctors as much as the manufacturer, Wyeth. For years, they denied EDS existed until they were forced to include it in the drug label (in 2004?). Wyeth has suppressed negative studies, stalling as long as they can so they can continue to make the big bucks on the second best selling antidepressant in the world. Did you know that babies are being born addicted to effexor? Again, you have only to read Wyeth's recent label update in which it reports "complications" "arising immediately upon delivery" which are "possibly" caused by "a drug discontinuation syndrome" (p 24) These babies are suffering from EDS! Imagine the poor mother who tries to stop taking the drug during pregnancy, but can't because of the severe withdrawal symptoms--which are often misdiagnosed as relapse. People get upset about the relatively small number of babies born addicted to crack--this is worse!! Addicted by prescription with FDA approval, and in the case of these poor babies, there is no "informed" consent. They have no words to write their suffering only their "constant crying" (all quotes are taken directly from Wyeth's drug insert). I cried too when I read this, and I have promised myself, I will not rest until EVERYONE knows about this the same way everyone knows about the horrors of crack babies. I'm on a mission from God now. Thank God, I can still sit in front of the computer if I don't move my head and eyes. I'm going to write my congresswoman, Diana DeGette, and I hope you will too. (Sen Charles Grassley of Iowa is another one who cares.) I was so happy to see DeGette giving it to the FDA, threatening to pass a law banning antidepressant use for anyone under 18 (England has already done this.) Maybe when she learns about effexor addicted babies, she will act to ban this drug.
poster:NancyDenver
thread:658961
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060617/msgs/658961.html