Posted by pamina on May 1, 2003, at 11:23:45
In reply to Re: My experiences with Effexor, posted by jtc on April 30, 2003, at 22:42:01
I had to stop Effexor suddenly because I ran out when my new (mail order) prescripton plan didn't get refills to me on time. I called the inaptly named "customer service line," and went through a whole voice mail thing. By the time I got to the part where I was supposed to leave a message, I was sobbing hysterically -- couldn't speak. I called my doctor, but could not get past her tigress of an office manager, who would NOT let me speak to the doctor, because it was a "prescription problem." She kept transferring me to the "pharmacy refill line" -- more voice mail. Meanwhile, I was sick to death with vertigo and headaches, and could hardly use the phone because I could hardly stop crying. I didn't have the wherewithal to keep fighting. I was so overwhelmed and helpless. Luckily, my sister happened to call me that afternoon and recognized that I was a basket case. She got her husband, an orthopedist, to call in an Effexor prescription to a local pharmacy.
I managed to drive to the pharmacy, where they told me they didn't fill it because my insurance company (the ^@#$!! pharmacy benefit manager)wouldn't cover it. I clenched my fists, gritted my teeth, and vowed not to cry in public, but of course within seconds tears were rolling down my face. (As embarrassing at this was, it had its advantages in that they filled it right away, and "allowed" me to simply pay for it myself.) Effexor withdrawal has the added burden of making it overwhelmingly hard to get help for your Effextor withdrawal! I shudder to think what kind of shape I would have been in today if my sister hadn't called.
poster:pamina
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030429/msgs/223633.html