Posted by DepNYer on March 10, 2004, at 9:16:28
In reply to Re: Any long term Effexor-free survivors? » MeggE, posted by jiggitykid on March 9, 2004, at 21:41:16
My post was in no way meant to cast doubt or indicate that the symtoms you are describing in this thread are not real. I was merely trying to provide some balance to the discussion regarding the use of Effexor, or indeed any AD, so that readers understand that the effects and and possibility of withdrawl are not universal. I am not sure how this is not the place to discuss these issues, as this site deals specifically with the use of these meds.
Every medication carries risk. There are those on this site who take APs, which have no been found to increase the risk of the development of diabetes. Others take Lamictal knowing there is a small but real risk of developing a skin reaction so severe as to possibly be fatal. Depakote and Tegretol can lead to siginificant liver damage. Consider that non psych meds such as ibuprofen, used by millions with arthritis, kills several thousand people a year from sudden GI bleeding. All these medications are clearly beneficial to most, yet carry risk for some. Does tht mean we should deprive anyone from treatments that can reduce the morbidity of their illnesses? Reboxitine, a medication that could benefit many depressives, including those on this site, may not be released due to the suicide of one person involved with it's testing. Relying on that one event, which as yet has not been explained and mey be unrelated to the medication, may deprive many of the relief they need now. This may mean that public relations and fear of lawsuits will derail this medication, not science or good practices of medicine.
Coming back to the question that appears as the subject of this thread, namely, are there long term Effexor free survivors, I believe the answer I was trying to present was that yes, there are. I am one of them. I do not speak for others, but I do believe that an open and honest dialogue is needed regarding these potent medicines.
poster:DepNYer
thread:12459
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040308/msgs/322850.html