Posted by Joanna27 on July 20, 2004, at 21:05:11
I am 27 and have taken Effexor XR since I was 24. I was originally prescribed Paxil by my primary physician for GAD. Paxil worked well for my mother. I had the same symptoms she did, so I gave it a try. It seemed to help somewhat, but I still felt abnormal. So, I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed Effexor XR. I gradually went from 37.5 to 300.
Whenever, I missed a dose I would get a headache and nauseous. After about 6 months of use I would have cold night sweats sporadically. I have had them up to four times a week. After much testing, my doc and I concluded it had to a side effect of Effexor. The drug alleviated my anxiety and depression, but I felt it made me weak with low energy when I took 300. Over time, it decreased my sex drive. I have been married a year and decided to try switching to Wellbutrin because of its lack of sexual side effects.
My psychiatrist has tried to help me taper of slowly from the Effexor onto Wellbutrin.
The process seemed to work. I did not notice any new side effects as I decreased. But, once I stopped the 37.5, on a Friday, by Sunday afternoon I could not bare it any longer and I took a 37.5 dose. My symptoms made me unable to function. I had headache, nausea, crying, sadness, fatigue, irritability, insomnia and more night sweats.
Will I have to be institutionalized to come off this shit?My biggest concern however is having children. I really don’t want to take the chance of negatively affecting a child. However, I feel depression/anxiety during pregnancy could be worse than exposure to the drug.
Why are people not informed about withdrawal difficulties? I am sure if informed many would choose an alternate route—particularly me.
I am so angry. I can’t help but to wonder if the drug was designed to be addictive. After all addiction=$$$. Cigarettes are a prime example.
Does anyone have knowledge of lawsuits concerning the pharmaceutical companies’ addiction cover up?
poster:Joanna27
thread:368407
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040719/msgs/368407.html