Posted by Terri C. on June 19, 2002, at 21:09:04
In reply to Terri, what types of activities during blackouts?, posted by KellyM on June 19, 2002, at 20:12:18
Hi folks! After I concluded that my blackouts were being caused by the Effexor (conclusion made after significant research on the Effexor web page), I tried to taper off the drug on my own but tapered too fast. I ended up in the hospital suffering with myoclonus (uncontrolled muscular seizures). The ER doc said that if I hadn't gone in to the ER, it was very possible that my heart muscle would have seized. At that point, I got a new doctor (coincidentally, one whose mother had been on Effexor and had a bad experience), and he tapered me off over three months; 150 mg daily x 3 weeks, 75 mg daily x 3 weeks, 37.5 mg daily x 3 weeks, and 37.5 mg every-other-day x 2 weeks then every-three-days x 1 week. Even then I found the need to take it once a week until the electric shock-like feelings went away. I was not on any other medication, although my doctor did allow Benadryl to induce sleep. The night sweats and horrific nightmares were awful.
While on the Effexor, I experienced three blackouts. On one occasion, I apparently invited my son's father (a very abusive man) to our home, agreed to start over with our relationship, and slept with. In coming out of the fog, I remember seeing him walk away from my bedroom door. I went back to sleep, and when I awoke, I asked my oldest daughter why he had been there. She told me he'd been there all day the previous day and had spent the night. She said he and I were getting back together. I was mortified, as I had no memory of any of that. I had to call him and tell him that I was in a blackout and that we could not get back together. He was not happy, and I had to endure another round of his abuse.
During the last blackout, I was apparently involved in two car accidents within 20 minutes, got a speeding ticket, wreckless driving ticket, and DUI, and spent the night in jail. In cleaning up that wreckage, I spent time additional in jail, paid huge fines, lost my license, etc. I had been job hunting prior to this blackout, and because of the DUI, I have not been able to find a job as the criminal background checks disclose the jail time and DUI.
In closing, my experience with Effexor was very negative to say the least. I've been off the drug completely since September of last year. I've found peace in living my life one day at a time. I prefer not to take medications; this is my personal choice and not a suggestion for anyone. I simply posted this information in case someone out there might be having a bad experience. I've not tried to offend anyone but only want to post my experience for information purposes.
Hope this answers your questions. Thanks!
poster:Terri C.
thread:110267
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020617/msgs/110303.html