I am very interested in joining with others in a class action lawsuit against Wyeth and Effexor. I have been on this drug for 9 years and recently suffered kidney failure and psychosis for which I was hospitalized May 17/14 a day before my 37th birthday. 18 months prior my dose was increased from 150mg/day to 300mg/day after I attempted suicide during one of the happiest times of my life. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Effexor, in time, CAUSED me severe mental health problems and side effects. When Effexor is metabolized in the body it turns into a form of methamphetamine which I was not aware of until I began to research what had happened to my mind and my body. During the past 10 years I had begun to drink alcohol heavily, which now new studies with mice show a very frightening connection. Mice medicated with Effexor drank alcohol excessively and dose dependently in comparison to non medicated mice.Even though its only 1 study I believe from reading blogs and whatnot that I am, like others and the mice, not the only one that was strangely driven to drink alcohol excessively. I was alcohol free for 7 months when I had my psychosis therefore I know it was the Effexor that drove me mad and ended me up being psychiatrically certified. I am an RN and I can read and I don't trust doctors or drug companies after this experience. I am beyond angry at the costs I have had to pay with my life because of this meth like drug I've be taking, doctor prescribed, for nearly a decade. I never signed on to take this medication so I could end up sicker and on disability. I have PTSD and my life is safe and better now and once I detox off this drug Effexor, I know I'll be fine. I'm not going to need it. I never needed it, I just needed to stop having panic attacks so I could work and be a functioning member of society which is why I went on it ignorantly in 2005. I have been detoxing off Effexor for 2 months and have been off it now completely for 7 days. I have been using cannabis and it works wonders, it is a safe non toxic alternative for some people for a wide variety of mental health or neurological disorders although most doctors or psychiatrists will not tell you that, they're not allowed to because for most its still technically illegal in many countries. For Effexor detox, I would highly recommend vitamins (health food store person with medical knowledge is important), acupuncture, yoga and physical exercise helped tremendously although I found extreme body pains and aches were relieved by gentle stretching when I was too sick to walk or exercise. Tell your friends and family that you are detoxing from a doctor prescribed METH and it will be difficult for a while but you can do it;, family and friend support is key. If we can afford Effexor then we can afford some form of alternative medicine and if you have internet access you can find out truth that isn't so popular sometimes. Happy healing.
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I'm suffering from withdrawls right now. It's criminal.
Try get your hands on some marijuana, its safe and helps with the side effects, not one single person has ever died from marijuana and thats important to think about. I'm going through it too. 8 days clean, no "MethFexxor" as I like to call this demon drug now:)
Hi Michael, I'm with you and all the others. Whats the latest? I want in on this lawsuit and feel a responsibility to be part of stopping this drug from ruining more lives.
Melanie M
I was supposedly weaned off Effexor years ago...Guess what? still have brian zaps and dizzy spells...daily...so, what should we all do? has Wyeth come up with a way to get rid of the zaps and dizziness? I hope so...I wasn't told about this before it was recommended to me either. I had a problem with this drug within a few weeks and had to get off it. Way too many damaging side effects.
you might have some luck with pot? if you go cold turkey, worked for me after five years at 75mg/per day plus I quit smoking cold turkey too! screw those fascist pigs!
Here is my email, that is all you get for now. I too, have a horror story about this.
I have been on Effexor for almost 14 years and like you my children, husband and career have all suffered. I have tried multiple times to get off the Effexor and can't. I need help getting off this medication and no one seems to be able to help. I feel hostage to this medication physically and financially. What is your private email? I don't want to send my info publicly.
Re Effexor "bad Drug" lawsuit...I was prescribed Effexor 37.5 mg by my oncologist: "If you are depressed by having breast cancer why don't I give you some Effexor, it will help." After the third dose I couldn't breathe right, just couldn't get enough air. Went to ER. Heart rate 180 in intake. Had every test--CT scan, chest x-ray, lab work, EKG, etc. All normal. 2 Liters or nasal O2. The same thing happened again 3 weeks later. Different ER, same tests, all normal.
In total I took 34 doses of that drug, ending last month. I am still feeling side effects--ankle edema, shortness of breath, sweating. Other side effects like bruising and extreme fatigue have lessened.
This drug should never be given unless the horrendous side effects are outweighed by benefit. I would be willing to join in this lawsuit.
I stopped taking effexor in October 2011. I was on this drug for five years. My symptoms have never ceased, mainly the electric pulses. It seems as though only lawsuits for birth defects are validated. I have to ask why is my life worth no consideration against this deadly drug. I would appreciate any info on possible class action suits.
Your post is over a year old, and I hope this process is still going on. I've been on Effexor XR/Venlafaxine XR for at least 8 years, after taking Zoloft for about 10. I had been on the 150 mg dose for most of the time. Recently, I've had so many problems, when I checked the side effects of this drug online, I had at least 10 of them. I emphatically told my psychologist I really needed to go off of this drug, it was ruining my life. He sent a copy of his note for that session to my family doctor. She said it was doable, and had me taper off over a period of 20 days. Well, those withdrawal symptoms were unbearable! The nausea, the hammering noises, fatigue, on and on. I finally called my doctor's office and she said to go back on the 37.5 mg dose for 1 week and then every other day for a while to wean off more slowly. I'm feeling better on the 37.5 mg., but still want to get totally off this poison! I'm determined to be Effexor XR free as soon as possible. If your class action suit is still in the works, can you please let me know.
I attempted suicide multiple times on this drug....you need to get off cold turkey but have someone to babysit you who understands what you're going through or go to rehab. I was lucky
I am with you! If I miss one day, I hear buzzing in my head and see circles in front of me. There is no way I can wean off of this stuff. When you file, Please put my name on the list. Thanks, Ken
I meant I can't wean off this drug!
I have been having huge side effects from this drug. I've been to my Dr. Over and over because of the withdrawal effect after my body gets used to the dose. She said there's no side effects so she ups the dose. I want off effexor but I can't stand the brain zaps and the feeling I'd rather die then with drawl. I'm pissed that my Dr. Put me on this sh*t. I rather be a drug addict then deal with this devil.