Hello Finvola.
I apologize for this very tardy reply.
I just found this while searching through old emails...you contacted me in March, 2013.
Did you appear on the telly?
If so, what came of it?
Regards,
Michael.
Canada
Hello again Finvola.
In my last reply, I was trying to say, sorry for my late reply, but, for some reason, the word I used that means 'slow', that starts with 'T' and rhymes with 'Hardy', was removed by the moderator.
???????
Is the Effexor CAL still going? I am in.
Vancouver, BC, Canada
I too cannot get off Effexor XR without terrible side effects that leave me no choice but to go back on this drug. I could write more as I have kept a journal if needed.
i have been on effexor 150 mg once a day for 6 years and can not get off it, i get too sick when i try. let me know how i can help i am a 34 year old mother of a 13 and 6 yr old and sleep almost non stop. i wake up long enough to cook and clean then im back asleep for hours on end.
Please include me in any lawsuits. I was on effesor for over 7 years and still suffer from brain zapping and ringing ears. I now experience TIA(s) and chest pains, along with highblood pressure, which I did not have until I began taking effexor.
I have been on Effexor XR approximately 18 years. I was placed on Prozac to come off the Effexor which never happened. I have read many of the posts on this website and if only I had done something about it the first year after I started taking it maybe there wouldn't be so many of you but I was only one person and had no idea of the implications this drug would have over time.
Very interested in whatever action anyone takes regarding this drug. One of the psychiatrists I used for quite sometime told me "why come off of it if it is working" , well, I guess that all depends on what you consider as working. I feel that not only is the manufacturer responsible but any psychiatrist/physician that was aware of the side-effects of coming off and still prescribed the medication or didn't help their patients get off of it. Either way, it would be hard to prove this scenario.
Bottom line is I feel like a "Lifer". I too have had all of the symptoms listed within this website just shy of the heart attack and trying to kill myself or being committed. I have spent thousands of dollars even with insurance on this medication. I have had to pay more for the actual name brand because the potenancy of the generic also causes problems in that it wears off so much faster. Over 18 years and having one prescription a month at $35 each I have spent nearly $7500 for this medication and I hope to live another 50 years so imagine the cost.
I see all of these drug class action suits on tv but I have never seen one for this drug. I wonder why. Perhaps there is more to this story then we realize. What does your lawyer say and has anyone ever inquired with the manufacturer? I know I haven't.
I am a research scientist, having gathered all of my personal information regarding my experience with Effexor. Briefly, I got brain shivers on a daily-basis while taking Effexor, usually as the medication wore off during the day (this was back in 2004 and my doctor was not familiar with what I was experiencing). After having taken Effexor for about 4 years (2004-2007), I weaned myself off of this drug over a 7 month period (from 300mg to 8mg). Throughout this weaning off period, the brain shivers became more intense and continued. After having totally come off of the drug, I continue to experience brain shivers this very day (over 6 years)! I would love to find out more about any lawsuits pending.
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Thank you in advance,
Alex
I am absolutely interested in joining or forming a class action lawsuit against Effexor. I was prescribed Effexor right after giving birth to my daughter in August of 2012. I did NOT have depression. I went to my doctor for help with anxiety. I was worrying in an unhealthy manner... losing sleep because I was checking to see if she was still breathing, things of that nature. When I discussed this with my doctor and he mentioned antidepressants, which I have always been a bit wary of, I specifically stated that I am not looking for a long term drug. I do not want to be tethered to a drug for all eternity that I will only need, in all likelihood, until my hormones balance out from pregnancy, giving birth, nursing,etc. That was two years ago. I have been trying to kick Effexor for a year and a half. I never went above my 75mcg starting dose. But I have tried weaning... it did nothing for me. I have tried cold turkey (which I am again trying now - like an id**t) and it is absolutely miserable. Brain zaps, nausea, hearing my eyeballs move under my eyelids, cold sweats, muscle cramps, joint aches, and the worst - for me, anyway - the hallucinations, vertigo and dizziness. I have two children and I can't afford to keep feeling this way but there is nothing... absolutely NOTHING... anyone can do for me. The doctor has called in some Ativan for short term use but that does nothing for the physical symptoms. It only relieves the inappropriate sobbing and temper tantrums.
I feel so duped. I was NEVER told about the after effects of this drug. I was NEVER informed that it was as devastating as it actually is. I was told it was a short term solution to a temporary emotional problem. This drug has to be taken off the market. It is not presented in the full light of what it actually is and it makes people so much sicker than they could imagine. Please add my name and email to any petition or class action list that you may have started. We have to prevent others from taking that pill and joining us in this awful purgatory of medication.
I have been going through the (exact) same symptoms and you mentioned in your first three pharagraphs. I thourghly understand the term "Electrocuted ", brain zapped, brain tweeked and im have these symtoms as i write this reply, crying my eyes out. The withdrawls are far worse then the initiall bout with anxiety and minor depression. This was all to be temporary. Kevin
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I took 150 mg of Effexor every day for over 9 years. I remember the night terrors with excruciating leg pain, the panic and anxiety, when I would forget to take the dose. I remember the horrible experience I had while detoxing not only from Effexor, but alcohol as well. I checked myself into rehab for 30 days where no medication was allowed. That was 7 years ago.
Since then, I have trouble sleeping. To keep my legs still, I sleep with heavy feather pillows on top of them. Every step I take, or movement I make, what ECALS compares to electricution, I compare it to pricks and tingles. I sleep walk, grab something to eat, and sleep walk back to bed. My daughter calls it "sleep eating". Shortly after recovery I was diognosed with Fibermyalgia and they wanted to give me Effexor to help the symptoms. I refused. Living with the physical and emotional symptoms is a far better life than ever taking Effexor again. I can't help but wonder if I had Fibermyalgia all along and the Effexor was covering it up, or did the Effexor create the Fibermyalgia to make its purpose necessary.
I am 43 years old. The first 23 years of my life I was healthy. It wasn't until my divorce, when I was first perscribed antidepressants. I do believe many of my health probems are because of them. Any help I can give, or any participation, feel free to reply.
I was on Effexor XR for a while up until I took myself off. I asked for a medicine change and the Doctors ignored me, even after I told them it was giving me suicidal thoughts. They said it was the depression, which was bull. I never had thoughts like that until the Effexor XR. I begged them to take me off, but when it got so bad that I almost attempted it, I took myself off. I wound up in the hospital because of discontinuing taking it. I was there for about 10 days. I had to be reevaluated because I refused to take it even in the hospital. They drugged me when I refused to take it there. I was even locked in a padded room for not doing what they wanted. Anyway, I did get a different medicine then and have been on the replacement one since. I too believe they drug people to get them addicted for the money. I also lost my job during that time, because as my emloyer said, "We don't need your kind here." Mind you I had worked there from 95/96 up until 2006. My employer never had a problem with me until they diagnosed me. I'm not saying my depression didn't play it's part, but the Effexor XR sure as heck did not help matters in any way. It only made me worse.
I dont have time to talk about this right now, but over the last 3 weeks on effexor, clonazepam, Volasitan(for genetic cholesterol issues) i lost my mind, memory, and my family. all while being suicidal. I will give you all more details tomorrow. Scariest 72 hours of my life.' My dad suffered the same things ten years ago. Im walking into my primary care physician with court papers to get my life back
Ross
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I have been in a living hell for years. I would like to be onboard for the class action suit against the makers of Effexor xr. Please reply. Deathly ill ever from the time I started the taper to today years and years later.
I have to same problems. I hate Effexor.