Posted by Janie on March 23, 2001, at 18:44:15
In reply to Re: Real or Mindset - Janie » Janie, posted by Seraphim on March 23, 2001, at 16:54:29
> Janie,
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> 1."OR...to go one step further, the mere "anticipation" of an experience can lead the mind to play dirty tricks...oh, the power of suggestion." - Isn't that statement not very close to the definition of psychosomatic?
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> 2."engage in Effexor bashing, as if being FORCED to swallow the "lethal" drug by some strange habit or compulsion." - Maybe I'm wrong here too,(although I doubt it) but I do believe that people taking Effexor become physically addicted to the medication, ergo... the hateful withdrawal symptoms.
>
> 3. "If Leo is representative of the majority of Effexor users, then we may all look forward to basking on the beaches of the French Riviera, enjoying our award from the class action suit."
> - I don't even know Leo and I feel the need to defend. Whether it is Effexor or any other prescription medication, we all have the right to full disclosure of ALL of the potential complications, long-term effects, and WARNINGS of the fast on-set of withdrawal and ensuing danger signs. To imply that the motivation is monetary, self-serving and rewarding in some way ... I believe is offensive, largely inaccurate and very cynical of you. This isn't like suing McDonald's because some idiot spilled coffee in his lap and thought there should have been a warning. (and no I have no intention to sue, but will try to get this information out in any way possible) People NEED TO KNOW what may happen to their body, mind and spirit on this medication. I was taking 300mg a day. Just maybe there is a difference between the severity of withdrawal symptoms at different dosages. Point being - I should have been told to always take the medication on time and to never, ever miss a dose. I wasn't! And yes I am resentful of the fact. It was a nightmare after missing two doses. It was very hard for my husband to witness, and I am very thankful to have someone there for me.
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> 4.Just to reiterate - "I do think we should all try to go into life experiences with a positive mind-set" - I do agree with you on at least one point.
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> P.S. - I'm sorry, but I fail to see what your debating skills have to do with a serious issue involving informing as many people as possible of information that they have the right to know, and should have already been aware of (whether everyone will experience it or not).
> It sounds as if you find this an amusing past-time. How very, very sad your life must be.
___________Seraphim
Whether an individual's side effect/effects on Effexor are clinically based, psychosomatic or unrelated is not my decision to make. I prefer to leave that up to the drug trials, hopefully carried out under the most stringent protocols. I believe we do a disservice to anyone reading these posts to imply otherwise.
You conveniently failed to address the major issue here which is we all approached our health care provider in search of medication to alleviate some problem. We all took the medication voluntarily, not knowing in advance how we might react to the drug either psychologically or physiologically. No? If at some point over time, be it day one or 5 years later, we begin to experience adverse side effects, we have choices. We can continue to take the drug and ignore our inner self, or we can call the doc and discuss alternatives. This, of course, assumes that one is not a masochist, bent on self destructive behavior. To continue on ANY elective medication to the point of debilitation, excessive weight gain, crippling disease, etc. falls into this category IMHO.
For me, personally, I made the CHOICE that the benefits of Effexor outweighed the side effects for a 9 month period. I was free to discontinue the drug at any point, so I take the responsibility for enduring the lethargy and drowsiness which I experienced.
As for the addictive potential of Effexor, I have no experience with other SRIs; therefore, I cannot address similarities of withdrawal. Yes, coming off the drug is quite inconvenient, but as I have stated several times here, manageable if done carefully and over time. Your choice.
My life is NOT very, very sad as you suggest. It's very, very rich actually...mainly because I live my life under the philosophy that, "I am cause to my own experience."
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poster:Janie
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010319/msgs/57313.html