I am from Alberta and have been on Effexor for well over 5 years. the side effects that have come about have made me very sick and unable to have a life. I just learned from a surgen who sees all these side effects on other people. its not funny. why are doctors prescribing things that will damage every thing about your life. ive been so sick with stomach problems and muscle weakness and so many other other the side effects. I want to be on my road to recovery not to being lifeless and weak. not funny at all. I really feel that this drug should not be prescribed by anyone especially anyone who knows nothing about depression, like a general practitioner. only phyciatrist should be able to prescribe pills that alter your brain in these was. I am so sick now I don't know what is in store for me. I hope I can get off this drug . it has taken to much of my life.
Did you ever get this answered? I am curious as well?
My husband was prescribed Effexor for his anxiety in March 2004. This drug completely changed his personality from a loving hard working father into a paranoid depressed man.
He hung himself on June 13, 2005
Count me in. I am building a case myself. There is no excuse behind them not warning individuals of the horrific withdrawal.
Im in. how can I contact you?
I know your pain ! I was given this drug for my depression. After taking it for some time , i developed nervous ticks that I could only controll if I concentrated just on that . Other wise my legs would jump out of control. I got told the doctor , they said I would have to slowly come off it over a long period of time.....BS I wasnt going to wait around for this c**p to ruin me. I quit cold turkey. My doctor was angery said I couldnt do that . I said like hell I did. I had the same "electrocution" problem. Every 5 or ten second it felt as thought I had an electric charge run from my head to my toes...and I would jump! Freaking doctors ! It was a terrible time getting off those drugs, never again will I blindly trust a doctor and their drugs ! Let me know if you get a law suit going I am mad as hell about what I went through getting of this drug !
I've been withdrawing from Effexor for almost five weeks. My doctor told me to stop it and switch to Brintellix. No tapering. It has been the worst time in my life. I'm interested in the class action suit. Is this still happening? I don't know how to get involved. Any info would be appreciated.
My son has had many side effects....swelling, inability to sleep and then when he does, he sleeps for 12 to 15 hours out of complete exhaustion, muscle pain, and in trying to find out what was causing those symptoms, they discovered his liver enzymes are up! He also became obsessive about things...especially eating sugary things and gambling. The doctor is trying to slowly wean him off the Effexor by decreasing it and restarting his zoloft. Even with that, he is VERY irritable and has extremely bad headaches. The gambling obsession has subsided a little, but he's still having trouble with not being able to sleep!
This is exactly what is happening to me! I was on 75mg Effexor three times a day for over five years. I tried to stop and got very very ill caused horrible discontinuation problems. I was so sick for so long! The horrible sickness was more than I could ever explain in words. I was scared and sick and put on prestique that is basically the same as effexor!Finally as of the last 4 months my new doctor was able to take me off effexor with a PROZAC bridge! I was finally free from effexor, but now I have episodes of what they call Raynaurds syndrome Horrible pain in my hands I wake up with swollen fingers and pain all throughout the day in both hands! I never had this before only now about three months after being off effexor! what a terrible medication
I have been on Effexor for 4+ years and have tried to stop for the last 2 years. I'm taking it for depression and started out on 150mg. Took that for almost a year, and reduced to 112.50mg for about another 6 months. Although it initially helped with the depression, I started to feel as though I had been lobotmiised. That's when I tried to get off of them, and like everyone else I suffered excruciating withdrawal effects, including horrible crying bouts, poor coordination, and brain buz. Not to mention the apathy and wanting to check out. I'm in NY and would love to participate in a lawsuit. BTW - I've been down to 37.5 for over a year and if I miss a dose I can't function, I'll cry all day. now im still depressed, but have a numb feeling and suffer from memory loss and forgetfullness. This drug has destroyed my life!
I too have noticed a change in my personality that I really do not like. I was a very nice and considerate person before and now I am angry, irritated and impatient with the people around me and anyone who does anything I do not like. I also now have a blood pressure problem and taking blood pressure medication. Recently I decreased my dosage from 150mg to 75mg and boy did I have a hard time. I really think that doctors are just drug pushers and that is the only treatment they know how to provide now a days.