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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 10:37:47
There seem to be so many people here, myself included, who have had horrible experiences with Effexor XR, that I would imagine the group outside of this website would be enormous. Has anyone heard of or initiated a class action law suit against the makers of Effexor? Personally, I think one is long overdue. This is a very dangerous drug, even for those who think it is helping, because it will eventually peak out and quit, then hell will be at their door in withdrawal. Any information?
Posted by moose100 on November 17, 2003, at 10:49:32
In reply to Law question, posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 10:37:47
> There seem to be so many people here, myself included, who have had horrible experiences with Effexor XR, that I would imagine the group outside of this website would be enormous. Has anyone heard of or initiated a class action law suit against the makers of Effexor? Personally, I think one is long overdue. This is a very dangerous drug, even for those who think it is helping, because it will eventually peak out and quit, then hell will be at their door in withdrawal. Any information?
Hi; read your post. Have not heard about any class actions but I will check around. I am an attorney and my state of New Jersey seems to be on the leading edge of pharmaceutical litigation. Your post intrigued me. As I have indicated previously, I believe Effexor has helped me. What was your experience? Thanks.
Posted by pixygoth on November 17, 2003, at 14:12:13
In reply to Re: Law question, posted by moose100 on November 17, 2003, at 10:49:32
Read the posts above about the withdrawal symptoms, dude. I'm doing it just now, and it's incredible that the "zaps" haven't been mentioned or researched (as far as I see) by the drug companies. Even if it is a minority reaction, it's severe enough to raise worries that it's happening in others too, they just don't notice it? The possibility is that we are all getting some complicated brain "thing" that no-ones ever studied. Is there not a duty of responsibility of some kind that they should be sticking to?
S
Posted by JonW on November 17, 2003, at 15:39:47
In reply to Law question, posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 10:37:47
>This is a very dangerous drug, even for those who think it is helping, because it will eventually peak out and quit, then hell will be at their door in withdrawal. Any information?
I know several people who take Effexor, and it's a godsend for them. I'd hate to see anything happen to this drug, and deprive them of it. I know how great it is to finally find a drug that works. I'm curious how you can say the Effexor will peak out and quit for people other than yourself. The people I know on Effexor have been on it for a few years now, and it's still going strong. Sounds like you're overgeneralizing a bit. I do think people should be informed of the withdrawal syndrome before going on it, though.
Jon :)
Posted by jiggitykid on November 18, 2003, at 9:37:15
In reply to Re: Law question » Jiggitykid, posted by JonW on November 17, 2003, at 15:39:47
>>I know several people who take Effexor, and it's a godsend for them. I'd hate to see anything happen to this drug, and deprive them of it. I know how great it is to finally find a drug that works. I'm curious how you can say the Effexor will peak out and quit for people other than yourself. The people I know on Effexor have been on it for a few years now, and it's still going strong. Sounds like you're overgeneralizing a bit. I do think people should be informed of the withdrawal syndrome before going on it, though.<<
Respectfully, I don't think I am generalizing because of the others who have posted here. This drug very nearly ruined my life and the withdrawal has been terrible. I know that there are those out there who are taking it and have been for a while now. However, I feel very, very strongly about this. This has been pure HELL for me, and I cannot sit by and let this happen to others. I truly, truly believe that regardless of the success of the drug right now with some, it WILL build up a tolerance and either wear off or need increasing. That is more common than not. For those who do not wish to increase because of the side effects that appear or increase with the upping of the dosage, stopping the drug should be an alternative not filled with all of these horrible symptoms of withdrawal. Taking more drugs to counteract the negative effects of one drug seems to be to be counterproductive. The body has a way of adjusting but will quit trying with the introduction of more and more drugs. This has to be changed, and sadly with the love of money drug companies have, litigation often is the only language they hear. I HAVE to do everything I can to keep other people from hurting and suffering the way I am.
Believe me, I understand what it is like to find a drug that works and the fear of someone who has had a bad reaction taking from me. I have, though, not seen one post that says cessation of the drug didn't result in marked withdrawal. I haven't read them all, of course, and might have missed some, but the majority of the posts are screaming in agony. That cannot and must not be ignored. Those who are "happy" on Effexor need to do some real thinking about the future. Most people do not willingly take medication with the intent of struggling through withdrawal later when the time comes. And it WILL come. If physicians inform patients of the potential withdrawal hell that they may face were they to take the drug, all but the most desperate will probably opt not to take it. But patients are NOT informed, because the makers would lose money.
Posted by JonW on November 18, 2003, at 10:33:20
In reply to Re: Law question, posted by jiggitykid on November 18, 2003, at 9:37:15
> Respectfully, I don't think I am generalizing because of the others who have posted here.
If everyone who ever posted on this board said Effexor ruined their life, which certainly isn't the case, you would still be overgeneralizing. This community is not a random sample, and therefore not representative of the population at large.
>I know that there are those out there who are taking it and have been for a while now. However, I feel very, very strongly about this.
Feeling "very, very strongly" about something doesn't make it true.
>Taking more drugs to counteract the negative effects of one drug seems to be to be counterproductive. The body has a way of adjusting but will quit trying with the introduction of more and more drugs.
Huh? It sounds like you're generalizing your own experience. Do you really have the facts to be making such claims?
>I HAVE to do everything I can to keep other people from hurting and suffering the way I am.
I'm sorry to hear how much you've suffered, and your altruism is admirable. I share your distaste for the drug companies, but I don't understand how you can declare war on a drug that has relieved the pain and suffering of others. It seems to me that being an advocate of patient education would be much more effective than being an alarmist consumer.
Jon :)
Posted by stjames on November 18, 2003, at 11:23:01
In reply to Re: Law question, posted by jiggitykid on November 18, 2003, at 9:37:15
I have, though, not seen one post that says cessation of the drug didn't result in marked withdrawal.
I don't have marked withdrawal, ever.
Posted by jiggitykid on November 19, 2003, at 11:53:21
In reply to Re: Law question » jiggitykid, posted by JonW on November 18, 2003, at 10:33:20
Not going to argue this with you. I am going to do what I need to do. Thanks for the info and the input and I look forward to talking with you in the future.
Posted by Alexander on November 20, 2003, at 9:42:33
In reply to Law question, posted by Jiggitykid on November 17, 2003, at 10:37:47
> There seem to be so many people here, myself included, who have had horrible experiences with Effexor XR, that I would imagine the group outside of this website would be enormous. Has anyone heard of or initiated a class action law suit against the makers of Effexor? Personally, I think one is long overdue. This is a very dangerous drug, even for those who think it is helping, because it will eventually peak out and quit, then hell will be at their door in withdrawal. Any information?
Several law suits including class action against Effexor, as well as several SSRI's. individual suits are usually settled "very quickly" and to "keep your mouth shut" is always part of the deal. If the people would know how many law suits have been pending against Eli Lilly for Prozac... one would seriously doubt the system. But then Prozac is nothing against Effexor. I mean everyone is different and to blame the Columine shootings on Luvox is a bit far fetched, but this has happened in court (but was thrown out).
Posted by JonW on November 20, 2003, at 11:57:34
In reply to Re: Law question, posted by jiggitykid on November 19, 2003, at 11:53:21
> Not going to argue this with you. I am going to do what I need to do. Thanks for the info and the input and I look forward to talking with you in the future.
Do what you must, but I for one would appreciate you phrasing your opinions more appropriately. Please don't overgeneralize as it hurts the reputation of this community. Thank you.
Jon :)
Posted by jiggitykid on November 23, 2003, at 23:19:37
In reply to Re: Law question » jiggitykid, posted by JonW on November 20, 2003, at 11:57:34
Someone else posted this in another thread. I thought you might be interested in reading it. This is the quote taken from the article that caught my attention:
"After collecting data on reported side-effects, Priory Lodge Education Limited has expressed the opinion that because side-effects are more severe than previously thought, Effexor should be used only in cases of depression resistant to other medications."The entire article's URL is: http://depression.about.com/cs/venlafaxine/a/brainshivers.htm
Posted by JonW on November 24, 2003, at 19:20:09
In reply to Re: Law question/Jon, posted by jiggitykid on November 23, 2003, at 23:19:37
> "After collecting data on reported side-effects, Priory Lodge Education Limited has expressed the opinion that because side-effects are more severe than previously thought, Effexor should be used only in cases of depression resistant to other medications."
>
> The entire article's URL is: http://depression.about.com/cs/venlafaxine/a/brainshivers.htmInteresting stuff. Thanks for sharing. It certainly seems that withdrawal with Effexor is worse than any other AD. That's certainly the impression I've gotten. I find it hard to believe that pdocs aren't aware of it, and if it's as common as many of the posts on the internet would lead you to believe, I find it indefensible not to inform patients before prescribing it. I think it's unfair to label Effexor a demon drug, but I can certainly understand why someone might...
Jon :)
This is the end of the thread.
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