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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5266 to 5290 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by zeldas on September 24, 2003, at 6:02:39
In reply to Re: sinus headaches and noise from Effexor?, posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 5:35:32
> > OMG! I was on Effexor for a week at 75mg per day, before my current meds......and I had TERRIBLE sinus pain right between the eyes and above and around them. Didn't think for a minute it could be the Effexor! Didn't go away until about 2 weeks after I stopped it. That has solved a mystery for me.
> > Hope you are doing better now!
> Have been on Effexor 75xr for over 2weeks now, and the sinus pain, is def not my imagination..also the buzzing in my head is extreme....I really hope this goes away, also I thought the Effexor would have started working now for bad depression...but it hasn't...how long should I give it?
>
>As has been said several times before here: I found that effexor kicked in after 3 weeks. 75 mgs. may not be a therapeutic dose. Ask your doc about raising it. Side effects like headache generally diminish.
Posted by zeldas on September 24, 2003, at 6:04:03
In reply to How long should I give Effexor?, posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 5:38:11
> Thought Effexor was for Anxiety and depression...ummm feeling anxious and depressed on it!!!
See your docs about being sure you are on therapeutic doses AND give it some time!
Posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 6:25:34
In reply to Re: sinus headaches and noise from Effexor?, posted by zeldas on September 24, 2003, at 6:02:39
thank you Zeldas
Not going to raise it as yet, as not so keen taking it anyway, so I'll give 75 extended realease a little more time..just hope the head pain diminish, as didin't feel physically so strange on Prozac or Seroxat!
Posted by skp on September 24, 2003, at 9:22:34
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR? YES! , posted by Shel on July 18, 2000, at 1:35:45
Has anyone had metal taste in mouth, like youv'e been sucking a coin..on Effexor...it's weirrrddd?!
does it go after a while?
Posted by jagxkr on September 25, 2003, at 8:09:35
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 9:19:51
I know the original post is a bit old, but I have just joined this group. This is an extract from a guardian article 2 years ago. :-
Venlafaxine, which has the brand name Effexor, is second. A British man, Steve Whiting, secured legal aid to bring a case over addiction to Effexor in this country against its manufacturer, Wyeth-Ayerst.
The URL is http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,547606,00.html
I have tried to find out what happened in the case, (if it ever materialised), and could find nothing. The guy also had a web site, but that has been taken down. Hmm, I wonder if they settled out of court.
> I saw a recent posting from a person who is interested in suing Wyeth Labs for the withdrawal they are experiencing from quitting Effexor. I’ve done some research and haven’t seen an active lawsuit against Wyeth yet for this reason, even though many people report debilitating symptoms like brain shocks and vertigo that follow for weeks after quitting.
> However, I think anyone interested in taking action on this subject should file a report with the FDA. They will open an investigation for every consumer complaint they receive, look into the practices of Wyeth and compare them to what is required by law, and if they get enough complaints may make Wyeth start providing more information on the number of cases of ‘discontinuation symptoms’ and how serious they are.
>
> File a report with the FDA. They regulate Effexor (which is made by Wyeth Laboratories Inc. in Philadelphia.).
> You can submit a complaint to the FDA online at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/
> You can also sign the petition: http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.html
>
> Good luck quitting
Posted by MIDNIGHT on September 25, 2003, at 9:38:37
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
I'VE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS ON PROZAC FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO FEELING ON EITHER OF THESE DRUGS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING DRUGS. I'VE HAD PSYCHOTHERAPY, SAW A PSYCHIATRIST AND TRIED DIFFERENT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS HYPNOSIS TO NO AVAIL, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, ETC. I REALLY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND COME OFF DRUGS AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE. LIBIDO - WHAT'S THAT. I HAVE NONE. NO DESIRE. HAS ANYONE FOUND THE MAGICAL DOSAGE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?
Posted by zeldas on September 25, 2003, at 10:02:48
In reply to EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by MIDNIGHT on September 25, 2003, at 9:38:37
> I'VE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS ON PROZAC FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO FEELING ON EITHER OF THESE DRUGS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING DRUGS. I'VE HAD PSYCHOTHERAPY, SAW A PSYCHIATRIST AND TRIED DIFFERENT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS HYPNOSIS TO NO AVAIL, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, ETC. I REALLY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND COME OFF DRUGS AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE. LIBIDO - WHAT'S THAT. I HAVE NONE. NO DESIRE. HAS ANYONE FOUND THE MAGICAL DOSAGE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?
There is no magic dosage. There is no magic. Each person has a different biology/chemistry. What is good for one may not be for another. There are some antidotes you might want to talk to your doc about concerning lack of sexual desire.Recently I went on serzone -- which for most people--has no sexual side effects. It works fine. It also can be added to other medications as an antidote.
Psychotherapy is not going to cure a biological brain illness like depression. But, it can help you cope. Frankly, I would much rather kill the disease than cope with it!
Posted by EmmaL on September 25, 2003, at 11:38:56
In reply to EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by MIDNIGHT on September 25, 2003, at 9:38:37
> I'VE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS ON PROZAC FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO FEELING ON EITHER OF THESE DRUGS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING DRUGS. I'VE HAD PSYCHOTHERAPY, SAW A PSYCHIATRIST AND TRIED DIFFERENT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS HYPNOSIS TO NO AVAIL, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, ETC. I REALLY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND COME OFF DRUGS AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE. LIBIDO - WHAT'S THAT. I HAVE NONE. NO DESIRE. HAS ANYONE FOUND THE MAGICAL DOSAGE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?
Hi, Midnight!!
I am tired of feeling 'numb', as well. Darn! I hate this!
I am on my second week weaning off of Effexor. I have been on it for 2 years and 5 months. That is probably more like a walk in the park, compared to what you have been going through.
Since I have been on the weaning-off stage and the no-med stage, I cry, go on cleaning binges (i.e. shampooed my carpet, and washed the walls - I live in a 1380 square foot condo {without counting the basement area} - no more excessive sweating, finally!!!)and have way more energy, than I remember, and am feeling much more like myself, plus I have lost weight without really attempting to do so.
I have, with my new doctor's guidance (she is awesome and she listens!!), decided to try no meds for awhile. However, my sleeping schedule is TOTALLY out of wack, and I have experienced lots of diziness and nausea (getting better as the days wear on - was not near as bad as I thought it would be). I think I was just lucky. I will see my new doctor next week, and we will see where I decide to go from there. She has suggested Celexa, if I decide I still require anti-anxiety meds, afterall (I think I just might still need to be on meds, but I really do want to experience the real me and try to access the effects that I was experiencing on Effexor XR (former doctor attributed my fatigue and weight gain to not being on a schedule and feeling more relaxed so I might tend to eat more; these conditions were also, supposedly, related to my heightened cholesterol and high blood pressure. Wrong! She just did not hear what I tried to tell her so many times). After our conversations, I pretty much believed that this is how it had to be for the remainder of my employed life.
I really hope that you have a good doctor who really listens to you. Also, I am seeing a counsellor who is just as awesome as my new doctor. Have you had a second opinion? If not, you do need to do this for yourself. Anything you are seeking will not happen overnight. I am talking from experience.
From my first appointment to my physical exam with my new doctor, it took 3 months just for that, plus all of the follow-ups which are still ongoing. Plus, there is also the question of TMJ and other probable diagnoses from my ear-nose-throat specialist, my dentist, and my new doctor. My new doctor spotted an ear wax build-up, instananeously, which was not diagnosed by my former GP (had a physical in March and saw her again in June) or by my ear-nose throat specialist (had appointments in June and August.) I had been having plugged ears for quite some time.
It was worth the wait, however! Go figure! I highly advise a second opinion from a doctor who is still accepting new patients. Check it out!
Anyone have any advice about Celexa?? Or Welbutrin?? I specified that I could absolutely not take a med that will make me tired, and my new doctor suddently really hedged away from Wellbutrin. Please send any advice or experiences from these meds. I will really try to go it alone, but you never know. I just have a feeling that when I return to work, I will need some anti-anxiety meds.EmmaL
Posted by BJL on September 25, 2003, at 12:17:31
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by EmmaL on September 25, 2003, at 11:38:56
Today is my second day off Effexor. I had weaned down to 37.5 mg and had a few dizzy days at that drop and am feeling a little dizzy, heavy headed, but not too terribly bad so far. I did take Clarinex to try to offset the symptoms (because Benadryl causes drowsiness and Clarinex has a non-drowsy formula). Anyhoooo, I am on 150 mg twice a day of Wellbutrin and had been on it before. I like the Wellbutrin personally and feel like it helps my depression a lot.
As for weight loss, I haven't been trying and weighed myself this morning and have dropped 4 pounds since last week. I just haven't had as much of an appetite. I hope being completely off the Effexor will help the rest of my weight fall off. In spite of the yucky feeling I'm having from withdrawals, I'm VERY glad I've gone off Effexor!! (Now I hope my sex life returns too!)
Posted by msdibbs on September 25, 2003, at 15:57:26
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by zeldas on September 25, 2003, at 10:02:48
> > I'VE BEEN ON EFFEXOR FOR AT LEAST 6 YEARS AND PRIOR TO THAT I WAS ON PROZAC FOR ABOUT 8 YEARS. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO FEELING ON EITHER OF THESE DRUGS. I REALLY DON'T LIKE TAKING DRUGS. I'VE HAD PSYCHOTHERAPY, SAW A PSYCHIATRIST AND TRIED DIFFERENT RELAXATION TECHNIQUES, SUCH AS HYPNOSIS TO NO AVAIL, BREATHING TECHNIQUES, ETC. I REALLY WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RELAX AND COME OFF DRUGS AND GET ON WITH MY LIFE. LIBIDO - WHAT'S THAT. I HAVE NONE. NO DESIRE. HAS ANYONE FOUND THE MAGICAL DOSAGE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS AND MAKES YOU FEEL ALIVE?
>
>
> Hello,It's been only a few weeks of weaning off for me....I'm down to 37.5 every second day. And I feel like crap. Dizziness is the mild part. I'm sweating like crazy and basically feel like I'm in a fog. Reading these posts has reassured me somewhat that this is normal (whatever normal is). I did go to my Doc earlier this week and was told to either go back on effexor or to tough it out a while longer until the withdrawal subsides.....
I feel worse now than I did before going on this. Will it get any better? The lack of sex drive is my main reason for wanting off.......I feel like I'm stuck between the lesser of two evils - I keep taking the meds and never have a normal sex life again, or I continue to perserve with the weaning and hope that this passes.
Any comments?
Posted by BJL on September 25, 2003, at 16:44:31
In reply to Re: EFFEXOR - DOSAGE, posted by msdibbs on September 25, 2003, at 15:57:26
I spoke too soon, because I am feeling AWFUL right now. (Second day off of the Effexor.) I feel like I could pass out at any moment. I dumped a 75 mg tablet down to about 1/4 to try to help out, and that was about 1/2 hour ago and no luck so far. I have 1-1/2 hours of work, and I want to die! As soon as I'm done working, I'm going to take a couple of Benadryl and go to bed! I hope tomorrow is better. YUCK! I really don't like this and have a very low threshold for discomfort. Someone shoot me!
Posted by Nina83 on September 26, 2003, at 1:43:58
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hi everyone. I started effexor about two weeks ago. I started on 35mg twice a day for a week then went to 75mg twice a day. The first day I took it I felt terrible. I felt like I was going to throw up. My heart was racing like crazy and i felt like I was going to have a heart attack and die. I was getting really worried about all these side effects I was getting. I went onto this site and read all the bad experiences people were having and started getting really scared. Id been on anti depressants a few times before, but came to realise that i did need them. I don't like the idea of taking drugs, so after a few months of using them I would think that I didnt need them anymore because I was feeling fine. But it was the anti-depressants keeping me sane. My doctor said to persist and to take the night time tablet earlier. So I take them at about 6pm. This has helped the insomnia alot. To everybody out there who is worried about the side effects. Of course it is better for your body not to be ingesting drugs, but if it helps you function properly and think rationally-then i think the positives outweigh the negatives.
I haven't felt this normal for a long time. I had to break up with my boyfriend because the depression was controlling me. I would read into everything too much and worry about things-the result of too many negative thoughts cluttering up my mind. I couldn't function properly at work-i would get so anxious that i had to just get out of there. So, HANG IN THERE!!! IT WILL GET BETTER!!! I'm back with my beautiful boyfriend and everything's going great. I can actually sit still without my mind going crazy with negative thoughts.
Posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:43:29
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by Sean9 on April 7, 2003, at 9:19:51
While I do recognize that Effexor XR helped my anxiety, and I acknowledge that for some people that know that they will have a problem with anxiety and depression their entire lives (chemical imbalances and other diagnoses), I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm. The pharmaceutical companies are thriving and making a fortune with these drugs, while for years, the complaints of the side effects and withdrawals go unanswered. If they really wanted to clean up their mess, they would take this crap back to the drawing board and find a way to correct the extreme side effects of not only taking the meds (outrageous weight gain, ringing in ears, nightmares, sinus headaches), but the withdrawals that come with ever trying to wean off of it, (brain shivers, excessive sweating, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, chest pain). I'm sorry I know that there are people on this medication that have suffered with depression and anxiety for so many years in their lives that feel like this medicine is a God-send, and maybe these side effects are okay with them, a decent trade-off for a little relief from the anxiety and depression, but for a short-term medication for anxiety and depression, my personal opinion, IT IS WRONG FOR A DOCTOR, PHARMACIST, OR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, to encourage a desperate person to take this medication and not advise that person what their life will become, or what will happen if they ever miss a dose or try to wean off of itlater. I have been sick as a dog for the past week, absolutely to the point of wishing death would stop flirting with me and just go on and get it over with! This medication has debilitated me to the point that I am not able to function at all during this period of withdrawal. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It can't be healthy for the body, and I'll lay money down that eventually when Wyeth Labs wakes up and realizes they are culpable in this and they are forced to do some research and testing, we are all going to find out that there has been perm. damage done somewhere, just like with the rogue drugs Meridia and PHen Phen (and yes, I am aware they are weight drugs, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, there are way more in the same category as Effexor) and others where serious investigations were not performed until AFTER thousands of people were suffering. If ever there were a justifiable reason for a class action lawsuit to force pharmaceutical companies to do more research on these drugs before marketing them, this would be the case. For those people who feel like they are having success on Effexor and have no complaints, just wait until you miss a dose by accident, or you try to get off it, then you will understand how severe the problem is with it. I personally intend to take the pharmaceutical company to task on this and as soon as I can stop holding the walls to walk and feeling like death warmed over, I will begin the business of collecting the horror stories and will find a law firm that will assist in bringing justice to the sufferers of this medication.
Posted by oeps7 on September 26, 2003, at 8:20:59
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:43:29
Kcg33,
I know you feel awful right now kcg but I promise you will feel better.
I have been off effexor xr 300 mg for almost 4 weeks it gets better at 2 - though I am feeling a little depression setting in. The dizziness and nausea seem to go away. Benadryl helped me with the nausea and flu like feelings, check with your doc before you take it though.
Let me know how you are. I know it stinks and is not fair - I can relate to what you are feeling.
Mary
Posted by BJL on September 26, 2003, at 9:25:50
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:42:41
By searching the web, I see that people have been experiencing these severe withdrawals as early as 2000. I know that my psych honestly didn't expect me to have any withdrawals and was actually surprised by them. Maybe everyone doesn't have them, but those of us who do are suffering terribly, and these withdrawal effects should clearly be listed in the drug information that is given at pharmacies, as well as doctors being informed of them. Paxil was just as bad. I imagine other SSRI's are, as well.
Posted by eric.fr on September 26, 2003, at 9:35:06
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by oeps7 on September 26, 2003, at 8:20:59
Salut,
As one wrote, it has no rules. The pharms companies will find as much satisfied customer as disappointed. my own experience with EFFEXOR 75XR is excellent since years. I stopped already twice slowly and stood out during few months without any problem. Presently I'm again with it, but begin to wonder if it is so important to try to stop ? If you feal well, so what's the matter ?
Is it not worse passing the time fighting against depression (and perhaps a longer life, but of which kind?) or beeing fine, enjoying.
Remeber Shakespeare: "All I like is immoral, illegal or feathering" (Falstaff) !
For the sexual lack: take Viagra 50mg. It works!
Eric.fr
Posted by stjames on September 26, 2003, at 11:09:37
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:42:41
I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm.
I've been on it sonce 1995 with no probelms.
It is the only one that works.
Posted by J9 on September 26, 2003, at 11:13:19
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by eric.fr on September 26, 2003, at 9:35:06
What about the sexual side effects in women? Is there anything out there to help increase the libido in women who are on effexor? I am on 75mg of effexor xr until next week when i go up to 150mg. I have no energy or libido. When will this med start working?
Posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 12:14:40
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:42:41
>
While I do recognize that Effexor XR helped my anxiety, and I acknowledge that for some people that know that they will have a problem with anxiety and depression their entire lives (chemical imbalances and other diagnoses), I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm. The pharmaceutical companies are thriving and making a fortune with these drugs, while for years, the complaints of the side effects and withdrawals go unanswered. If they really wanted to clean up their mess, they would take this crap back to the drawing board and find a way to correct the extreme side effects of not only taking the meds (outrageous weight gain, ringing in ears, nightmares, sinus headaches), but the withdrawals that come with ever trying to wean off of it, (brain shivers, excessive sweating, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, chest pain). I'm sorry I know that there are people on this medication that have suffered with depression and anxiety for so many years in their lives that feel like this medicine is a God-send, and maybe these side effects are okay with them, a decent trade-off for a little relief from the anxiety and depression, but for a short-term medication for anxiety and depression, my personal opinion, IT IS WRONG FOR A DOCTOR, PHARMACIST, OR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, to encourage a desperate person to take this medication and not advise that person what their life will become, or what will happen if they ever miss a dose or try to wean off of itlater. I have been sick as a dog for the past week, absolutely to the point of wishing death would stop flirting with me and just go on and get it over with! This medication has debilitated me to the point that I am not able to function at all during this period of withdrawal. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It can't be healthy for the body, and I'll lay money down that eventually when Wyeth Labs wakes up and realizes they are culpable in this and they are forced to do some research and testing, we are all going to find out that there has been perm. damage done somewhere, just like with the rogue drugs Meridia and PHen Phen (and yes, I am aware they are weight drugs, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, there are way more in the same category as Effexor) and others where serious investigations were not performed until AFTER thousands of people were suffering. If ever there were a justifiable reason for a class action lawsuit to force pharmaceutical companies to do more research on these drugs before marketing them, this would be the case. For those people who feel like they are having success on Effexor and have no complaints, just wait until you miss a dose by accident, or you try to get off it, then you will understand how severe the problem is with it. I personally intend to take the pharmaceutical company to task on this and as soon as I can stop holding the walls to walk and feeling like death warmed over, I will begin the business of collecting the horror stories and will find a law firm that will assist in bringing justice to the sufferers of this medication.>There are too many people, like myself, who have been downright saved by effexor to be anything but basically grateful for it. Side effects--what antidepressant doesn't have side effects?--You wanna get rid of them all? You may have had a very unpleasant side effect profile from it--but not everybody does. I too had to really taper off slowly to avoid "withdrawal syndrome". None of these are reasons to talk about lawsuits and taking the product off the market. That is just too extreme. Why would I sue them? Because the drug is not perfect and maybe another is better for me??? I don't think so. I am grateful knowing that effexor is there should I ever have an intractable depression again. At the time, it was the only thing that worked and it worked well. The side effects, like sleeping problems--I was aware of, and it wore off.
Posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 12:18:44
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by stjames on September 26, 2003, at 11:09:37
<I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm>
Could I at least have a say?
Posted by BJL on September 26, 2003, at 12:21:03
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by zeldas on September 26, 2003, at 12:14:40
But I do agree that people should be informed of side effects and possible withdrawal effects. When people have to work, and they go off Effexor, this can cause problems. If they at least know what to expect, then they can be prepared.
Posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
In reply to Effexor Lawsuit, posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 5:43:29
Yes, I agree that you should take someone to court over this situation, but it should not necessarily be the pharmceutical companies in their marketing, manufacturing or insufficient scientific research into the effects of these drugs upon human life, but rather the individuals that promote the need for these drugs within our society in the first place. The very ones that argue, that without these valuble aids many people would suffer moreso! The true drug-lords and barons of the industry - Psychiatrists.
Now you'd have to look into this a bit deeper than just who made the drug(s). If you take the psychiatrist out of the picture here, with all the trappings - labels, etc., then the drug companies wouldn't necessarily have their cash cow available to them any more. Yes, maybe the government would intercede on behalf of the psychiatrist and manufacture its own labels, hence insuring the billion dollar cow keeps turning.
But if you handle the individuals that prescribe the drugs in the first place, sueing them for incompetence due to misinforming you of the effects of the drug, plus with-drawal problems, then this will inhibit mis-application of this drug as well as put the ethics in on the companies that manufacture it - forcing them to take a look at what it would cost them to have it stopped through your law suit.
But most of all it get the ethics in on the psychiatrist, who in general, takes it for granted that these things happen and will slap-happily prescribe another one to solve the first ones problems without doing right by you and finding out why this occurs in the first - re: the side-effects, withdrawal symptons, etc, etc, etc.
Side-note: You need to take some Cal-Mag formula to handle the withdrawal effects that you're feeling and going through. You also need to shovel down your Vit B group Sup's to handle any spin outs.
______________________________________
> While I do recognize that Effexor XR helped my anxiety, and I acknowledge that for some people that know that they will have a problem with anxiety and depression their entire lives (chemical imbalances and other diagnoses), I am not in favor of this medication for anyone, not temporarily or perm. The pharmaceutical companies are thriving and making a fortune with these drugs, while for years, the complaints of the side effects and withdrawals go unanswered. If they really wanted to clean up their mess, they would take this crap back to the drawing board and find a way to correct the extreme side effects of not only taking the meds (outrageous weight gain, ringing in ears, nightmares, sinus headaches), but the withdrawals that come with ever trying to wean off of it, (brain shivers, excessive sweating, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, chest pain). I'm sorry I know that there are people on this medication that have suffered with depression and anxiety for so many years in their lives that feel like this medicine is a God-send, and maybe these side effects are okay with them, a decent trade-off for a little relief from the anxiety and depression, but for a short-term medication for anxiety and depression, my personal opinion, IT IS WRONG FOR A DOCTOR, PHARMACIST, OR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY, to encourage a desperate person to take this medication and not advise that person what their life will become, or what will happen if they ever miss a dose or try to wean off of itlater. I have been sick as a dog for the past week, absolutely to the point of wishing death would stop flirting with me and just go on and get it over with! This medication has debilitated me to the point that I am not able to function at all during this period of withdrawal. I wouldn't wish this on anyone. It can't be healthy for the body, and I'll lay money down that eventually when Wyeth Labs wakes up and realizes they are culpable in this and they are forced to do some research and testing, we are all going to find out that there has been perm. damage done somewhere, just like with the rogue drugs Meridia and PHen Phen (and yes, I am aware they are weight drugs, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head, there are way more in the same category as Effexor) and others where serious investigations were not performed until AFTER thousands of people were suffering. If ever there were a justifiable reason for a class action lawsuit to force pharmaceutical companies to do more research on these drugs before marketing them, this would be the case. For those people who feel like they are having success on Effexor and have no complaints, just wait until you miss a dose by accident, or you try to get off it, then you will understand how severe the problem is with it. I personally intend to take the pharmaceutical company to task on this and as soon as I can stop holding the walls to walk and feeling like death warmed over, I will begin the business of collecting the horror stories and will find a law firm that will assist in bringing justice to the sufferers of this medication.
Posted by arachne on September 26, 2003, at 14:36:54
In reply to effexor xr seems to have stopped working, posted by dandelion on August 11, 2003, at 14:31:03
The same thing happened to me. I started taking 37.5 mg of Effexor XR in April, went up to 75 mg about a month later, and it was working very well for me. I felt great. About a month ago, I started to have days here and there when I felt depressed or exceedingly irritable. About a week
ago, I began having typical Effexor withdrawal symptoms (brain shock, aching muscles and joints, fatigue). It feels as though I'm not taking any of the medication at all. Called Wyeth, and they suggested that some herbal suppliments I'm taking could be interfering, or that my pharmacy had the drug sitting on the shelf too long, and it lost its potency. I'm going back to my doctor to get a sample pack of Effexor, and see if that makes a difference. I'm also discontinuing the herbal stuff. Has anyone else experienced this?
Posted by J9 on September 26, 2003, at 15:00:11
In reply to Re: effexor xr seems to have stopped working » dandelion, posted by arachne on September 26, 2003, at 14:36:54
That seems to happen to my father. He has been on for 8 years now. I just started 3 weeks ago at 37.5mg increased to 75mg two weeks ago. He was telling me that when he feels that it is not working he decreases for a couple of days, until the side effects start, then he increases again to his usual dosage. For him it has a way of building up in his body and he has to rid himself of some for a few days. This is how it works on him. For me, I do not know yet as I am not yet up to the theraputic dosage. I have not noticed anything different than before I started. Hope it works soon.
Posted by kcg33 on September 26, 2003, at 15:58:30
In reply to Re: Effexor Lawsuit, posted by O'Ryan on September 26, 2003, at 13:44:56
Bless you, O'Ryan, for the suggestions. I've been taking 3 Benedryls at night, but the nausea is so bad that even when it does finally give me some relief and let me sleep through the dizziness, I still wake up by midnight - and those nightmares, GEEEEEZ!
I know I sound like I am just full of myself for all my rage, and I'm sure a lot of it is how sick I feel that I carry on like I do, and I certainly don't mean to offend anyone, but I have honestly heard, read and researched more on the negative side of this drug than I have been able to locate any good. There may be a dozen people who are really happy with this medication compared to 1000 others that are not. I fully acknowledged in my previous post that I'm aware that some people truly feel liberated by the help it gives them with their depression and anxiety, and it did work for me on those symptoms as well, but for me PERSONALLY, the side-effects and now the withdrawal symptoms FAR FAR outweigh the benefits. All I want is a little accountability in the drug market. Not everyone is a walking PDR - I certainly don't know everything about every drug, that is why I pay "the big bucks" to the people that studied and earned the degrees in this area. I agree the psychiatrists should be held accountable for irresponsible scrip writing, (unfortunately for me, it was my general practitioner- who likely doesn't know squat about these side effects, BUT WILL NOW) When I sit back and think about the population of people out there that trust their doctor's and psychiatrists and pharmacists, etc., etc., because we expect them to KNOW what is good for us, and then we end up suffering more than the anxiety or depression was in the first place, I visually see us all as lambs being led to slaughter. OKay, maybe that is a little graphic, but still, shouldn't someone have to answer for these kind of foul-ups in the medical industry? Be it the pharmaceutical companies and scientists that "discover" and test and market these drugs, the FDA that finally sticks their seal of approval on them, the marketers that advertise their "wonderful" benefits all the way to the pharmacists that forget to tell you what happens later, and the doctors who prescribe without giving all the information (assuming they even know what they are prescribing)....... etc., If you are going to be given the power to "help" other people's lives improve with medicine, it seems to me you should be taken to task if you cause more harm than good.
(Just for a little clarity on my situation, my husband, myself and my two small children were hit head on 2 years ago by a drunk driver. My husband is now completely disabled after 6 surgeries and walks on a steel rod, my little boy has brain damage and has to be seen by multiple doctors for the many surprises in his cognitive development that we have coming to us as a result of it. I am the rock of my household, the one everyone leans on and needs. When the pressure became a little too much for me, and I needed some help, I went to my general practitioner who decided I had "Generalized Anxiety Disorder" and put me on this medication. Eight months and 35 pounds later, massive migraine headaches, etc., I have decided the anxiety was not as bad as this medicine, hence, the reason I chose to discontinue. So you understand a little better where I come from, and why I would be so angry over a medication that was meant to be prescribed as a short-term solution for my anxiety has turned this "rock" into a soggy sponge. I am no good to my husband or my kids right now and it PISSES ME OFF)
OKay, that's enough of my soap box, I'm outta here. Thanks for listening.
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