Posted by Susan115 on February 13, 2004, at 0:43:02
In reply to Re: Anyone NOT had trouble getting off this med?, posted by chase9 on February 12, 2004, at 18:47:02
Dudes- I am totally pissed that no one mentioned the severe symptoms that may accompany withdrawl. I was placed onto Effexor, against my better judgement and although my intuition advised me against it, because I have Hypothyroidism due to an Auto-Immune Disease. I do not have depression.... and I do not have anxiety. I have low energy due to my disease and also because I work at a high-impact physical job. HOWEVER.... Like most physicians I have encountered.... my doctor was adamant that I "....must be suffering from depression because you are tired and wish to stay in bed..." uhhhhh??? First of all, I feel that it is a degradation to depression/anxiety sufferers to be written off so simply as people who "just wish to stay in bed". It is the sufferers DESIRE to reclaim the selves that they "see" inside of them and to regain the ability and power to return back to their lives... that is their wish. The wish is not to remain in bed, although, like myself, is where we normally end up because we feel...like....crap!
BE WARNED and BE INFORMED..... As a collective whole we Do Not Feel Good.... unfortunately we have to depend on other PEOPLE to make us feel better. (Isn't THAT in itself a loss of self-empowerment?) We depend on other people to prescribe to us.... MAN-MADE pills. Think about prescription drugs from their "flip side".... WE as people have no idea what is used to manufacture these pills... their ingredients... etc...etc... They twist our mentality and inhibit our "sensors". Is this so different from using narcotics and becoming hooked? It's all man-made... and it is difficult to trust what you cannot see.
Be informed of the withdrawl symptoms... I advised my doctor in December that I was to be removed from my Effexor treatment because I no longer felt like myself. I had no change in my energy levels, however I did notice a change in my creativity. I could no longer cry, write songs, feel passion, paint pictures, feel compassion towards others, play guitar.... I felt nothing. So, I did the systematic half-steps and I have been Effexor free for 2 weeks now.
Unfortunately, I am now coming face to face, blow to blow with withdrawl symptoms. Severe electric shocks (imagine placing a bare "live" wire to your head every 30 seconds) mild seizures, blackouts and to be honest... I'm feeling pretty pissed off. (I think the man-made term for that is "hypomania"...at least that's what they WANT you to think... because, hey- it's one more thing that they can treat, right? ... it's all just money in the bank to them) I left my keys in the ignition of my car with the battery turned on while I was at work today and I also ran into a co-worker's leg while I was operating some "heavy machinery". Wouldn't that be ENOUGH to piss a person off? Do we really need to be called "hypo-manic"?!?
Look- I firmly believe that this medication works for many people out there. I believe that if you are seeking an inhibitor to assist and ease symptoms, then by all means, you should work with your doctor to find the correct and best treatment for you. However ... BE INFORMED... You are your own best ADVOCATE. Research a chemical drug and THEN decide if it is what's best for you. Don't allow a doctor who is in reception of bonuses from drug companies to decide for YOU.
God Bless... and wishes for you to find peace of mind.
poster:Susan115
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040210/msgs/312697.html