In the Begining...
A bit of my background:
My doctor prescribed Effexor XR (75 mg daily), for me in August of 2002 when I complained of having uncontrollable crying spells. I wondered if they were associated with the onset of menopause as I had never been one to cry much and these episodes seemed to come without rhyme or reason. He suggested that yes, they were possibly menopause related and that a rather new, mild anti-depressant seemed to be helping other women during the menopause years. As negative information was just coming out about hormone replacement therapy I was not at all interested in taking hormones, and although I was mildly concerned about being prescribed an anti-depressant, since he said it was working for others, I decided I would give it a try.
I was given the starter packages of Effexor XR that day in the office and after filling out a few forms was told that since I did not have insurance I would qualify under the Pharmaceutical Company's income guidelines for FREE refills...3 months at a time! (Since I also take a prescription for hypertension that I must pay for each month, I was delighted to receive the Effexor at no charge).
Over the past year and a half I have experienced many of the (common?) side-effects from this medication. Those include the annoying "brain zaps", the " short moments" of an unconscious-like feeling, (which is very difficult to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it), short term memory lapses, and 30+lb. weight gain, just to mention a few.
I did a bit of research (on-line) about 6 months ago as the problem with my weight concerned me most (you know women :-), and at that time I discovered that others were experiencing the "brain zaps", "unconscious-like moments", and >"short-term memory lapses", too, as well as a host of other side effects.
Just as I was getting enough information to convince myself that I needed to get off of this medication we were transferred with my husband's job so I put my research, (and my journey) on hold. At that same time I was running out of my Effexor and having read that you could not quit taking it cold-turkey I called back to my doctor's office and the nurse ordered my FREE 3 month refill from the Pharmaceutical Company and then mailed it to me.
After the holidays I decided I really needed to re-address my concerns regarding Effexor so I started looking on-line again. This time I have ran into all kinds of new information regarding this drug, it's side effects, and problems that some users are having with WITHDRAWALS. All of this information has now given me an even stronger desire to get off of the Effexor.
From what I have read this is a HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUG so the sooner I get off of it the better! Also, in all of my research, I cannot locate any information about the long term effects this drug has had on anyone...even those who have taken the milder doses. THAT CONCERNS ME!
I am now prepared to take whatever steps I need to free myself from what I feel is an unsafe, addictive drug, which may have been rushed to market without adequate long-term testing. I am looking for a doctor in our new area that may possibly have some experience working in the "withdrawal" area of this medication.
I plan on a good 3-6 months period of tapering-off after the research I have done, but have seen some others that have been able to taper off in 2 weeks so I would be very interested in that possibility.
beach-lover@verizon.net
read and sign the EFFEXOR PETITION
A bit of my background:
My doctor prescribed Effexor XR (75 mg daily), for me in August of 2002 when I complained of having uncontrollable crying spells. I wondered if they were associated with the onset of menopause as I had never been one to cry much and these episodes seemed to come without rhyme or reason. He suggested that yes, they were possibly menopause related and that a rather new, mild anti-depressant seemed to be helping other women during the menopause years. As negative information was just coming out about hormone replacement therapy I was not at all interested in taking hormones, and although I was mildly concerned about being prescribed an anti-depressant, since he said it was working for others, I decided I would give it a try.
I was given the starter packages of Effexor XR that day in the office and after filling out a few forms was told that since I did not have insurance I would qualify under the Pharmaceutical Company's income guidelines for FREE refills...3 months at a time! (Since I also take a prescription for hypertension that I must pay for each month, I was delighted to receive the Effexor at no charge).
Over the past year and a half I have experienced many of the (common?) side-effects from this medication. Those include the annoying "brain zaps", the " short moments" of an unconscious-like feeling, (which is very difficult to describe to someone who hasn't experienced it), short term memory lapses, and 30+lb. weight gain, just to mention a few.
I did a bit of research (on-line) about 6 months ago as the problem with my weight concerned me most (you know women :-), and at that time I discovered that others were experiencing the "brain zaps", "unconscious-like moments", and >"short-term memory lapses", too, as well as a host of other side effects.
Just as I was getting enough information to convince myself that I needed to get off of this medication we were transferred with my husband's job so I put my research, (and my journey) on hold. At that same time I was running out of my Effexor and having read that you could not quit taking it cold-turkey I called back to my doctor's office and the nurse ordered my FREE 3 month refill from the Pharmaceutical Company and then mailed it to me.
After the holidays I decided I really needed to re-address my concerns regarding Effexor so I started looking on-line again. This time I have ran into all kinds of new information regarding this drug, it's side effects, and problems that some users are having with WITHDRAWALS. All of this information has now given me an even stronger desire to get off of the Effexor.
From what I have read this is a HIGHLY ADDICTIVE DRUG so the sooner I get off of it the better! Also, in all of my research, I cannot locate any information about the long term effects this drug has had on anyone...even those who have taken the milder doses. THAT CONCERNS ME!
I am now prepared to take whatever steps I need to free myself from what I feel is an unsafe, addictive drug, which may have been rushed to market without adequate long-term testing. I am looking for a doctor in our new area that may possibly have some experience working in the "withdrawal" area of this medication.
I plan on a good 3-6 months period of tapering-off after the research I have done, but have seen some others that have been able to taper off in 2 weeks so I would be very interested in that possibility.
beach-lover@verizon.net
read and sign the EFFEXOR PETITION
posted by deb | 10:25 AM
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