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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
Obviously, for all the posts and suffering that so many of us have gone through or are going ... what needs to be done? It is a dangerous drug. Regardless of doctors believeing us or not it is DANGEROUS! Does anyone know of any class action suits started against this drug? I know that a while back I signed a petition against the drug but never heard anything back about it.
Anyways...what do everyone think? This drug has caused me more distress and suffering than literally anything else in my life- not to mention that three doctors told me before I got pregnant and during that Effexor was safe to take while preg. That was a LIE>my son went through dehydration in the womb and withdrawl after he was born. Can you imagine? A baby experiencing what we as adults can hardly handle? I am disgusted by this drug and tired of hearing about these doctors still prescribing it when it doesn't really even help...it might for some but it has never helped for me .. and I gave it an honest effort for my GAD, panic and agorpahobic disorders. I am on Buspar and Klonopin(the klononpin just for the withdrawls to be easier to get through) but Buspar is excellent - hard dosage schedule but so much better than anything else for an anxiety disorder. The effexor is ridiculously dangerous. Does anyone know how to start a class action suit if there isn't one started already? I never want anyone to go through what I have gone through with my little baby. He is okay now but what does it take? A baby dying? What does it take for the doctors or experts as they CALL themselves to realize that they are wrong.
Posted by SDA on May 18, 2004, at 14:41:36
In reply to CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
Well, effexor DOES help some people. I have no problem with it being prescribed, as long as patients are fully aware of the risks involved.
Taking any psychiatric drug during pregnancy is just reckless though. Any drug you take while pregnant will probably be shared with your baby. I can't believe your doctors wouldn't caution you against this.
Posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 14:47:09
In reply to CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
> Anyways...what do everyone think?
I'm sorry that you have had such a bad time with your doctors and medication. I think you should move on to something else if Effexor wasn't the right treatment for you. Allow the rest of us who do respond well to Effexor to continue taking it without interference. Thank you.
- Scott
Posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 15:28:30
In reply to NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 14:47:09
> > Anyways...what do everyone think?
>
>
> I'm sorry that you have had such a bad time with your doctors and medication. I think you should move on to something else if Effexor wasn't the right treatment for you. Allow the rest of us who do respond well to Effexor to continue taking it without interference. Thank you.
>
> I am sorry to offend. I did mention though that it does work for some. It is not the fact that it works or when you are taking it is the problem = it is when you come OFF of it.
Sorry for those I offended. I wish you well when you try to wean off.
> - Scott
Posted by jaby on May 18, 2004, at 16:00:06
In reply to CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
I am sorry for the problems you have had with effexor. I had no problems using it or getting off myself. I know a friend that swears by it. I have seen all of the bad posts here too. I think what everyone really needs to realize is that you are taking a very big risk each time you try any of these medications (that would be about 25 for me). The side effect lists you read are condensed from a huge host of symptoms since we all react diffently. You really need to ask yourself if you're willing to take the risk.
So long as you and your baby are doing okay (I sincerely hope)I would concentrate on continuing to get better rather than letting something like a lawsuit distract you and generate negative feelings. Easier said than done in your case, but now that you guys are out of the grips of effexor, don't let it hold your progress back.
I also think that such lawsuits potentially put the FDA in a tough spot which only slows the approval process of the drugs we need. Unfortunately what could be the silver bullet for some is poison for others. I think we all wish we knew why.
It has taken me a very long time and a multitude of strange side effects to get to where I am now and my life is good, real good.
Wishing you the best.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 18, 2004, at 19:39:39
In reply to Re: NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 15:28:30
> > > Anyways...what do everyone think?
Britan once had a class action law suit against Benzos. Although they failed to win, they successfully altered the thinking of doctors enough that it's nearly impossible to get Benzos if you need them. Can you imagine not being able to have Klonopin or any other Benzo regardless of how much anxiety & panic you are in?
I like Effexor myself, I take it every day, I would be very annoyed if I could not get it. :)
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by Charm on May 19, 2004, at 9:09:44
In reply to CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
Like so many others, I have used a long list of medications and am presently using Effexor combined with Zyprexa. It is the first truly positive combination I have used in years. As some have mentioned, for every medication on the market you are going to find a certain segment of the population who will have a negative response. But because we all respond so differently, I feel the best thing is not to attempt to stop the distribution of a given medication but to continue to support all of the available options so that hopefully everyone of us will find the medication or combination of medications that brings hope to our situation.
Here's to hoping we're all successful in finding that solution!
Charm
Posted by elvenfae on May 19, 2004, at 9:44:54
In reply to Re: NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by Charm on May 19, 2004, at 9:09:44
> Like so many others, I have used a long list of medications and am presently using Effexor combined with Zyprexa. It is the first truly positive combination I have used in years. As some have mentioned, for every medication on the market you are going to find a certain segment of the population who will have a negative response. But because we all respond so differently, I feel the best thing is not to attempt to stop the distribution of a given medication but to continue to support all of the available options so that hopefully everyone of us will find the medication or combination of medications that brings hope to our situation.
>
> Here's to hoping we're all successful in finding that solution!
> CharmJamie: That is an excellent point and I did run off with my mouth about my hate for this medication because it has not the time that it is used that is the problem. It is the weaning off of the medication that needs to be addressed. I realize that my case situation is different and going to be different than other people's situations...that wasn't what I was trying to say. But - I also did not make my post very clear - I was angry and the medication literally scared the living hell out of me when I tried to come off of it. I have also been in contact with so many people - I was shocked by the numbers of people who had had good results on the meds but when the time came to get off of it it was more than a nightmare. I know how the meds work when you are on them- I was on Effexor for over two years. It took the edge off. It did its job. That wasn't the point. The point is... the doctors need to be honest about the withdrawl affects and severity that affects the majority of people coming off of it. It is nothing to play around with and the doctors prescribe it like its candy. I resent that. It is not candy and should not be treated like it is something that is so safe to take. It isn't. And that is factual if you look at the details on the manufactueres side effects. The side effects however do you show you or make you feel what really happens either.
I am not downing anyone that is successful on this drug. Good I am happy for you all and I am happy that it works. It worked okay for me as well. But I am three months now of not being on it and I STILL am having weird side effects and I am not the only one. There are millions out there (even on this forum) that have had the same exact horrible experiences. It debilitates you. It is dangerous for that reason. Maybe my comment about class action suit was hasty and in hindsight - I realize that. I am just saying...that when it comes time to wean off - please be careful. I know that there a few people that mentioned no withdrawl effects and that is wonderful. But it also has to do with what dosage strength you are on and how logn you are on this stuff for.
I really just intially wanted to put a warning out there that these drugs are not always safe ... I am sorry to have offended those who have weaned off with no problem.
But once again..this was not about when you are taking the medicine. This was a warning for when you are weaning off. Keep it in mind. Please.
Posted by Sad Panda on May 19, 2004, at 10:32:34
In reply to Re: NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 19, 2004, at 9:44:54
Hi elvenfae,
Unfotunately there is no such thing as a free lunch with any drug, asprin hurts your stomach, tylenol hurts your liver, etc. Be aware that Klonopin is worse to withdrawl from for some people & has the ability to give rebound seizures.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by elvenfae on May 19, 2004, at 10:57:53
In reply to Re: NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR » elvenfae, posted by Sad Panda on May 19, 2004, at 10:32:34
> Hi elvenfae,
>
> Unfotunately there is no such thing as a free lunch with any drug, asprin hurts your stomach, tylenol hurts your liver, etc. Be aware that Klonopin is worse to withdrawl from for some people & has the ability to give rebound seizures.
>
> Cheers,
> Panda.
>
Jamie; your absolutely right. I am not taking Klonopin everyday though- this was so that I could get off of the Effexor and still be able to function without throwing up and having brain shivers. I have a baby to take care of and fulltime online school...so I didn't have ability to just let it run its nasty course. Anyways, the Klonopin is not like I just said an everyday thing. That was to get over the intital shock of the Effexor withdrawl. The Buspar is what I take now all the time and I am working well with it.
Thank you for your comment and wish you well-
Posted by lgenie on October 17, 2004, at 23:45:13
In reply to CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by elvenfae on May 18, 2004, at 13:12:18
Tonight I have been shocked as I have never been shocked before. After an argument with my boyfriend about psych meds for my daughter and myself, I got online to research the Wellbutrin, Concerta, and Effexor. When I finally got to do a search on "Effexor" I was absolutely floored by what I found.
First there was the Effexor Petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/effexor/petition.htmlThen a posted message on a different webiste at http://www.pandamedicine.com/rt_health/160-34-3.html
In response to this post, someone posted the following web address: www.effexorwar.com which forwarded to this address: http://www.pcalawfirm.com/
Then I searched specifically for "Effexor class action suit" and found this website.
My point is this: action is being taken and now that I know what I should have know back in late 1996 I'm not going to stop fighting and spreading the word about how bad Effexor can be. I have been through the rollercoaster of withdrawl - the full-body shivers, nausea, disorientation, and nearly every other withdrawl symptom described. I started with regular Effexor and after about a year of struggling to avoid the ill feeling I got when I missed a dose or was just late, I talked with my doctor and switched to Effexor XR. This worked great for me for quite a while, until my anxiety came back. (I hadn't had a problem with anxiety for almost 5 years.) It became necessary for me to take a low dose of clonazepam daily to keep this under control. Then a few months after that my doctor told me that I had been having borderline high blood pressure readings for the past year and that I should probably start to take medication for it. I was 25.
I went through my worst withdrawl period when I switched jobs and was without health insurance or cash to pay for my Effexor. I knew I would be ok without my other medications, but I knew that eventually the withdrawl would come. I hoped that I would be able to ride through, but I was at about 300mg a day when this happened. It was during this period of withdrawl that I experienced for the first time the chills and then full-body shivers which were uncontrollable. Within 2 weeks I was fired from that new job, and went home even more depressed. I did not get back on track until I sought state Medicaid just so I could go to the doctor and get back on the Effexor, that was at the beginning of 2003. I didn't know that going back to the medication would ultimately bring me here. For quite a while now I have been doing well: working full-time and no longer receiving state Medicaid (no offense is intended toward anyone who receives state assistance - I have been there).
In light of everything that I have read, I now face the hurdle of wanting to get off of this dispicable medication, but the question is HOW and WHEN. I work full-time. How can I go through that withdrawl again cold-turkey? I wouldn't want anyone to go through that. Tapering my medication will likely take weeks and I know that I will feel disoriented and "out of sorts". So which is the lesser evil?
I encourage everyone who takes Effexor to do their own research. I have benefited by taking Effexor, but I have also suffered - and DAILY take my meds faithfully to AVOID feeling terrible. It shouldn't have to be like this... my decision wasn't an informed decision from the onset because I wasn't given all of the information I needed.
> Obviously, for all the posts and suffering that so many of us have gone through or are going ... what needs to be done? It is a dangerous drug. Regardless of doctors believeing us or not it is DANGEROUS! Does anyone know of any class action suits started against this drug? I know that a while back I signed a petition against the drug but never heard anything back about it.
> Anyways...what do everyone think? This drug has caused me more distress and suffering than literally anything else in my life- not to mention that three doctors told me before I got pregnant and during that Effexor was safe to take while preg. That was a LIE>my son went through dehydration in the womb and withdrawl after he was born. Can you imagine? A baby experiencing what we as adults can hardly handle? I am disgusted by this drug and tired of hearing about these doctors still prescribing it when it doesn't really even help...it might for some but it has never helped for me .. and I gave it an honest effort for my GAD, panic and agorpahobic disorders. I am on Buspar and Klonopin(the klononpin just for the withdrawls to be easier to get through) but Buspar is excellent - hard dosage schedule but so much better than anything else for an anxiety disorder. The effexor is ridiculously dangerous. Does anyone know how to start a class action suit if there isn't one started already? I never want anyone to go through what I have gone through with my little baby. He is okay now but what does it take? A baby dying? What does it take for the doctors or experts as they CALL themselves to realize that they are wrong.
Posted by Dave001 on October 19, 2004, at 19:11:42
In reply to NO CLASS ACTION SUIT NEEDED FOR EFFEXOR XR, posted by SLS on May 18, 2004, at 14:47:09
> > Anyways...what do everyone think?
>
>
> I'm sorry that you have had such a bad time with your doctors and medication. I think you should move on to something else if Effexor wasn't the right treatment for you. Allow the rest of us who do respond well to Effexor to continue taking it without interference. Thank you.
>Very well said. Unfortunately, there is no shortage of people willing to do everything in their power to "protect" you from yourself.
Dave
This is the end of the thread.
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