Effexor Class Action Lawsuit

These stories MUST to be told. Otherwise, we will not be taken seriously enough for anyone who can take action to do so. I went to kill myself many times as a result of Effexor withdrawal. The only reason I fought to stay alive in spite of inner horror was that I have two children who would've never recovered from my suicide.

Doctors don't believe me either, head has NEVER been the same. Even with new drugs, anxiety unbearable.

OH , my gosh. I feel the same. What do we do?

I am in the UK so have no idea if I can be part of a class action law suit but I am experiencing the same symptom ology in relation to withdrawals from venlafaxine. My name is Laura 

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Wish I knew what to tell you. I'm from and live in the US What is the class action lawsuit regarding Effexor I take the generic Venlaxafine. Are both drugs included? Pleas tell me all you know.
Thanks
Warm regards
Mugwort

I've been on 75 MG for over a year and have tried in the past 3 months to taper off of it. The withdrawals are stil affecting me even though I went from 75 to 37.5 to 12.5 then half of that. The last dose I had was almost 3 weeks ago. I feel angry, irritated, brain zaps, crying and just lost. I feel empty with no emotion except anger. I feel on the verge of losing my job and my girlfriend who has taken the brunt of all my anger. It's terrible. This drug should not be prescribed for anxiety it should only be last chance for survival. How do I reach you to give you my information? I see on here it will not allow me to leave my email.

It is best to slowly taper off Venlafaxine and other antidepressants such as SSRI's to experience the least amount of withdrawal symptoms. Check with your doctor first, but I am tapering myself off 75 mg Effexor XR after 20 years of the sh*t. I am finding that (and I have read hundreds of other posts and threads and forums and articles) that taking fish oil (take a good brand such as Nordic Naturals or Jarrow) and also Vitamin B's can really help with those pesky 'brain zaps'. I started experiencing them when dropping down to the 37.5 mg. and I am taking 2-3 1000 mg Ultimate Omegas per day and it really does help. I am also taking Magnesium Glycinate which helps with the anxiety and sleep and Curcumin (Turmeric). There is a really good article at mental health daily about 10 best supplements for antidepressant withdrawal. I highly recommend you read it. You do not have to suffer through this!!

There is also a method of discontinuing using Prozac as a sort of "bridge". The reason the Prozac works to bridge the tapering gap is because of it's long half-life. It takes longer to leave your system and is much easier to discontinue. You use it kind of "overlapping" with the Effexor for a short time and then stop the effexor, taking on the Prozac and then discontinue the Prozac. TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS.....look up information on these methods and take the information you find to your doctor. They don't always know about withdrawal syndrome and try to tell you it's your depression or whatever coming back and that you need to stay on the medication. You probably don't. Don't get stuck like I did taking it for years and years.

It is also very beneficial to watch your nutrition and diet while you are discontinuing...avoid sugar and refined grains (carbs) and make sure you are drinking PLENTY of water and getting rest. Go for light walks or exercise and make sure you are getting your vitamin D!!

Please don't feel alone...you can do this. If you need to, take a few days off work...if you can without causing a problem for yourself at work, talk to a TRUSTED supervisor and let them know you are making some changes to your medication and adjustment might be difficult for a few weeks. Share with your girlfriend this thread/forum and articles so you can help her understand what you are going through. It won't last forever and there are many things you can do to make it easier on yourself.

Good luck and God bless. Keep us posted on your progress. I, personally will watch for your posts and respond if you need some support.

TO MODERATORS: I am curious why, if a person on here chooses to do so, emails are not allowed.

I too used 5 HTP during my ween process from effexor xr 37.5. It was very helpful, although I am definitely interested in the class action lawsuit - as it took 2 years to come off it and I was left with cognitive challenges (Memory, Processing information and recall). My doctor was on Effexor and also had similar issues and was the sibling of a psychiatrist I know. All who have been on the medication and come off had horrible side effects and left with multiple long term issues that were not there prior to having been on.

I feel for you.. My memory and cognitive function declined while coming off and although slight improvements over past number of years I have spent thousands of dollars on medical - western and eastern and holistic, tests and supplements to help the damage and changes the drug created in my system and brain function

For anyone reading how about a facebook page for everyone who has wanted to see a class action suit - and have had the severe problems and challenges coming off the drug and left with either staying on or dealing with the emotional and physiological brain changes. Perhaps there is still recourse somewhere in the world. I came off of it in after two years of weeneing in 2013, had to go back on because of the withdrawal issues and then came off 3.5 years ago leaving me the cognitive conundrum

My name is Randi and I took Effexor for 15 years. I went off of it in August 2012 after a 3 month titration down. I had severe panic and anxiety for 2 years and never fully recovered. If there's a lawsuit going on contact me as I want to be involved and can give you more details about how my brain has had irreversible changes and damage at that time. 

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I am on day 5 of Effexor withdrawal. I was on 220 for 10 plus years, I have been titrating down in increments... 150 x 2 weeks 75 x 2 and 37.5 .... Totally off 5days ago.Never warned by my doctor or pharmacist about these symptoms. Before I took this drug I had depression but NEVER had thoughts of suicide, I have been having them regulalary. No plan mind you but scary thoughts like, driving off the road, or plunging a knife I was washing into my neck. I'm terrified. My MDs advice? Get back on them! If I survive this I will testify in your law suit. does anyone on this feed have any positive experiences? I need to know if there is a light at the end of this tunnel I'm in? Anyone actually get off it with success?

I would be interested in setting up Facebook Page. I am not completely through coming off the Effexor, however. I am down to 37.5 mg and I will not be coming down from there until Mid-June.

I have to say in reading all these posts, I am fearful of what is going to happen. How do you prove "brain damage" and the like? I can barely afford the help I'm getting now to "monitor" and help regulate dosage. I would imagine all kinds of testing, etc. would have to be done to show documentation and proof of injury, suffering, medical bills, etc.

I guess that's what a lawyer is for and I have not contacted one yet. That would be my next step. I will Google research some more and see if there are current suits.

I am interested in a lawsuit as well. Been on effexor 10 plus years. I have tried to stop taking them but one day without them, I start to have horrible withdrawals. I have been in wrecks driving because I seem to zone out. I get lost a lot so I know my memory isn't good anymore. My speech isn't good anymore either. :(