Posted by Fish on April 19, 2001, at 10:48:54
In reply to Re: New User, posted by Pamela on April 19, 2001, at 8:10:03
First, I want to say that I absolutely support everyone on this thread who have expressed concern and anger over
extreme side effect from this drug. I know from experience that these side effects are real. I have had some really
ugly side effects on this the drug ... but I must, in good conscience, say a few things about anti-depressant drugs in
general. Although I do believe that the side effect of Effexor(XR) are probably more severe than other drugs in
this class, I must state that I do believe all anti-depressant drugs have similar side effect. About 8 years ago, my
mother died (my best friend) and then a number of other unpleasant things followed. I wasn't sleeping and went
into depression. I took Prozac ... didn't help, but still stayed on it for about a year. When I stopped taking it (as
my doctor insisted you don't need to wean so I didn't), I had terrible vertido and nausea for about two weeks.
The side effect from taking Effexor and weaning off Effexor are more dramatic and intense, but the drugs ability to
combat depression is also stronger (in my opinion and from my experience). It actually worked for me. These
drugs have not been on the market long enough to know the possible long-term effects (anyone is welcome to
correct me on this if I am wrong, I welcome the information). Anyway, what I am trying to say is, I think people
need to know what they are up against, in general, if they choose to take an anti-depressant. I want to stress
again, as I did in an earlier message, that when you are in a depression, most people will do just about anything to
get out of it (unfortunately, some people even choose suicide). I don't advocate taking a drug that's symptoms
make you worse, but I do have to say, from what I have learned from other people and through my own
experience, ALL or MOST anti-depressants have side effects and they vary with different people. I am angry that
I did not know the possible side effects of Effexor XR, I'm not angry that I had them (I hope this makes sense).
Taking anti-depressants isn't an easy decision, but I think we need to mention that Effexor XR is an extreme
version of this class of drugs, both in cure and side effects (my opinion), but I also think it is important to point out
that ALL anti-depressants seem to have some level of unpleasant side effects and that people should be aware of
this when making a decision to take them. If drugs are needed to help people get out of a potentially dangerous
and debilitating emotional state, then maybe those side effects won't matter for a period of time, but ALL
information should be available when the decision is made. Just my opinion ... and my observations. Fish
poster:Fish
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010417/msgs/60444.html