Posted by bossfan on January 27, 2005, at 23:10:28 [reposted on January 27, 2005, at 23:57:06 | original URL]
In reply to Re: Effexor withdrawal symptoms! » bossfan, posted by Jiggitykid on January 27, 2005, at 22:27:42
> As this is still a fairly "new," drug and the withdrawals have yet to be officially noted, the side effects officially recorded. . .we don't know what PERMANENT damage has been done. I know that my VISION was clear before I started taking effexor. I know that I didn't wake during the night with electric shocks coursing through my body before the effexor. Keep in mind, I TOOK MY LAST DOSE of effexor OVER A YEAR AGO, and I'm still having vision problems and shocks during the night. Let's categorize that as, "Permanent-so-far."
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> I'm glad effexor saved your marriage. It nearly destroyed mine, and getting effexor out of my system so that my sanity could return was the only thing that saved it (not to mention the Grace of God, which got me through the horror).
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> I don't think anyone here wants to see the drug company go out of business, and no lawsuit in the world would result in that. A fine is little more than a slap on the wrist to these guys. What we want is ACCOUNTABILITY. We want true patient information. When I began taking effexor, there was NOTHING said about withdrawal. When I began having problems with it, I was instructed to UP the dose, just as the drug company had instructed the doctor. We are asking for INFORMATION, so that patients can be allowed to make INFORMED CHOICES that are right for each person.
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> > The way I found this website was because I WAS having horrible withdrawal symptoms. Horrifying withdrawal symptoms. Then I took the advice I found on this thread and started a taper. I called my psych 2 days later and reported what was happening and he tapered me down gently and off.
> >
> > I take issue with your assertion that Effexor is a drug that "does more hurt than it does good". I, for one, started Effexor when I was in the depths of a paralyzing depression. For 4 years it helped me. Saved me and my marriage. *Poof* it stopped working for whatever reason and I am hoping to find something else that will help me.
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> > In my assessment, Effexor has done me more good than bad - although those few days of withdrawal were horrible! I don't look to put a drug company out of business because of it.
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> > I am in no way trying to diminish your or the others on this thread's experience with Effexor. I respectfully disagree with filing a lawsuit. Stuff happens. Bad stuff happens. Many times there is no voluntary malice involved. I am grateful to the drug companies for their Research & Development departments that are trying to make life better for all forms of life. Filing of these types of lawsuits drives costs up to a point where they (the drug companies) have to weigh whether or not to continue with their research.
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> > And, no, I don't work for or have any close friends or relatives that work for drug companies. And if I were aware of intentional malice of a drug company which resulted in PERMANENT damage to myself or loved one, I would consider legal action.
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>It is interesting that you have noted the vision complaint. My vision was actually better when I was on Effexor. I remember after being on Effexor for about 2 weeks, reading a book to my daughter and thinking, "The page is actually CLEARER".
Just an interesting aside.
I don't think anyone taking brain altering chemicals (serotonin and norepi uptake inhibitors act on synapses in our brains) can expect not to have some type of side effect, etc... That is unrealistic.
Btw, over my years of Effexor my dose juggled around from 75mg to 375mg. All over the map. Only had severe problems when went from 75mg to *zap* nothing. I say "severe" because the side effects I experienced over the 4 years on the drug consistently were constipation and weight gain. I'd get those head zaps if I missed a dose but it was like a sign to me to remember to take my med as it was prescibed to take daily.
Jiggity - I am truly sorry for your long term sequelae. I just wonder how many other of the 7,500 petition signers are one year post-Effexor and are still experiencing side effects. You may be the exception to the rule. Just wondering.
poster:bossfan
thread:448972
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050123/msgs/448981.html