Posted by ivamcgoo on February 10, 2004, at 9:52:02
In reply to Effexor In The Courtroom (nm), posted by ivamcgoo on February 10, 2004, at 9:44:01
I have been on effexor xr for a approximately two years. However, the side effects have kept me from returning to work and have isolated me from family and friends. Under the "supervision" of my doctor, I have gradually reduced my daily dose to 37.5mg (from 150mg). Hot flashes, constant shock sensations, nausea, appetite loss with weight gain (figure that one out), hair loss, inconsistent and painful bowel function, increased incidence of migraine attacks, general body pain, frequent and intrusive violent dreams, insomnia, tremours, mood swings, tingling sensation in hands/feet, eye burning and twitching, sexual dysfunction (for which my doctor wanted to prescribe yet another drug), irreversable tinnitus, daily changes in vision ... and the list goes on. My life has literally been put on hold until I can purge this poison from every organ in my body; a long and tedious process. Withdrawal is deadly. My doctor is becoming unresponsive as though she is growing bored and weary of my constant complaints about the aforementioned side effects. She appears to be offended that I am researching (via internet) effexor and other drugs that have been suggested, ie: wellbutrin, remeron, etc. and tells me (with a straight face!) that she is unaware of these side effects/severe withdrawal. I am convinced that doctors, supported by drug companies, do not know, or do not care, what they are prescribing to patients in the mental health system. Due to the stigma associated with "mental health patients", our voices are weak and disregarded as though we have no worthy input of our treatment. I have been sent to psychiatrists who fall asleep before me, only to awaken asking "me" where we left off? I may be a patient of mental health, but I am not stupid. In the movie "The Hours," Virginia Woolf said, "The meanest patient, even the lowest, is allowed some say in the matter of [his] her own perscription ..." Perhaps this drug (effexor) has merit for some. But I have read too many postings on too many messages boards like this (as well as other venues), indicating that this drug is "problematic" at best, deserving of a "second look" if you will. Given the opportunity (and financial resources), I would welcome the courtroom arena!
Best regards to ALL - ivamcgoo@go.com
poster:ivamcgoo
thread:53462
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/311643.html