Effexor XR Withdrawal

HELP! I am in withdrawals now...WHERE ARE THE LAWYERS? I tried the doctor and Now I desperately feel the need to save anyone from EVER going through what I feel now!!!!!

I ran out of medication on a Monday and called the pharmacy to refill. No refill was available- they faxed the doctor for a refill. His staff states that they never got the fax from the pharmacy- it was after hours and NOONE would talk to me because it is a routine medication and it would have to be called in the next day.

I even called the after hours line to speak with a doctor on call (who obviously thought I was a nut) He said he would call it in since my pharmacy stays open until midnight. I drive to the pharmacy and it is closed.

The first day wasn't so bad (maybe someone will have called in my script- NO!) Well this isn't so bad (I was thinking) day two came along still with no script and I decided that maybe I should just come off of it- I seemed to sleep all the time anyway while using it and now I am more awake.

Well little did I know that by that evening my hell was about to start.. Today is Friday Dec. 9, 2005 and this started on Monday of this week.

Day two consisted of alot of emotional ups and downs and crying at eveything on the sad news station or even little things that would just go across my mind. Still, I can deal with this.

ay two showed me that I can't deal with anything- I had shakes, sweats, tremors, and what I describe as neuro synapses. After reading online I know that these "little strikes of lightening" have a name and that they are normal for someone coming off this stuff.

I got the jitters or should I say shakes from hell, my skin was crawling so bad with ants that pulling my hair seemed to be the only way to hold onto myself to have some sort of control.

The cold skin and inability to breathe at a normal rate scared me- I AM A NURSE!!!!

Let's not forget the clay colored stools that were runny, and hanging over the toilet or garbage can puking everything up that went down. Let's go on...

Thursday came (yesterday) everything seemed fine. I thought "phew thank God I made it through that!" Lastnight in the night I began to shake uncontrollably in my sleep and couldn't stop.

I ended up in the ER waiting... They saw me as a drug user I suppose because after an hour and a half in a room waiting there was NO ONE to be seen. ER's are usually filled with people and have a long wait-- not this one I walked right in- there was no one else. They even asked me after I explained what was going on at the start of my pointless venture if It was okay to put my name on the board for others to see. Underneath it was a warning mark that read something to the effect of "name warning." They never came in to see me or the only other person in the ER, I decided that since it was 3:00 in the morning that I could wait this out at home and still get my kids up for school. I walked out and no one even noticed.

I returned to my doctor today because at 10:00am I still couldn't stop shaking and crying (not because of depression but because I couldn't control my own body) My doctor decided that since I decided to withdraw (MY FAULT NOT THEIRS- afterall the pharmacy didn't fax the request and the doctor who was on call the same night couldn't leave a script because the pharmacy closed a few minutes earlier than midnight.) It was my decision after trying so hard to get a refill not to use anything that was going to make me feel this way EVER AGAIN IN MY LIFE.

My doctor put me back on this crap and swears that it will help me. Since it is the lowest dosage I can taper up and then back off of it.

He said it would stop the shakes. THE SHAKES ARE WORSE RIGHT NOW! I feel hopeless and scared but somehow relieved that all that I have went through happens to alot of people.

As a nurse I feel so stupid and have been officially put in the place of a person with an addiction. I know now why people steal, borrow, kill, and even neglect their families because of a problem because you will do anything to make this shit stop!

If I could have gotten into that pharmacy that night I would have only stolen one thing- a 150 mg EFFEXOR XR. Only one. I have a new respect for addicts and that is so sad to say.

The only difference is that I did not choose my drug- it was chosen for me. Please excuse me if my writing is scatter brained- I am slightly euphoric (out in space).

I am sorry for EVER referring this medication to friends and family and Pts. I guarantee this will not happen again! If someone AN ATTORNEY would step forward I swear I would step up to bat with him. This needs to be addressed and taken off the market. I am in Alabama. If the email address posts- please contact me. Somehow I think this has just begun and I thought it was over. I may be missing work this weekend due to this fact. I am not competent right now- I can not care for pts in my state of mind.

This pharmaceutical company needs to pay for the damage they have caused people to endure. No amount of depression is worth this torture. If you lose a loved one or two (like me) cry about it, talk to a counselor, priest, or someone.

Do not go to this drug because I can only imagine how many people did not have their husband take the pistol and put it in his truck to keep them from using it.

How many people other than me- have felt this way and could NOT control it. I am a fighter, I will be damned if this gets me and if it does-- you all know the cause.

In addition to reading this horrible story of withdrawal, it's also important to understand the underlying causes that would lead someone to such a painful place.

I almost feel guilty because my life has become so enjoyable and so easy. Especially since I remember how miserable I used to be.

Basically it comes down to making one slight shift in what you do everyday, and you can watch in amazement as your life slowly begins to start working out in almost every way.

It's such an important change that I've written a complete e-book about it. And I'd like to give you a copy for free. All you have to do is write your first name and primary email address into the space below, and you'll be receiving a link to download the e-book right away.

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