Effexor issues...What can I do?

[chs6639]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I waned off of Effexor and my life was torn apart by the severity of the symptoms. Blackouts have happened while driving. I drive for my job everywhere and I cannot risk that happening. I have already had one blackout while driving that had me end up swerving and almost crashing. They are short in length, but powerful. The migraine that follows is hell. I cannot eat without throwing up or wanting to throw-up. My body is in a constant state of electrical buzz. I am always lightheaded and get dizzy. I cannot get off the effexor because without it I am in a constant state of living hell. This is brief, but this hits some of what's going on. I don't know what to do. This drug is ruining my life.

Product: Effexor

Symptoms...
Dizziness
Headaches / Severe Pain
Memory Loss
Psychological problems
Nausea
numbness, electrical feelings, blacking out, etc.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

[lealea1005]

Originally Posted by chs6639

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California

I waned off of Effexor and my life was torn apart by the severity of the symptoms. Blackouts have happened while driving. I drive for my job everywhere and I cannot risk that happening. I have already had one blackout while driving that had me end up swerving and almost crashing. They are short in length, but powerful. The migraine that follows is hell. I cannot eat without throwing up or wanting to throw-up. My body is in a constant state of electrical buzz. I am always lightheaded and get dizzy. I cannot get off the effexor because without it I am in a constant state of living hell. This is brief, but this hits some of what's going on. I don't know what to do. This drug is ruining my life.

Product: Effexor

Symptoms...
Dizziness
Headaches / Severe Pain
Memory Loss
Psychological problems
Nausea
numbness, electrical feelings, blacking out, etc.What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)?

What did your treating Physician say when you notified him/her of these symptoms?

[ecmst12]

The FIRST thing I would suggest is a leave of absence/FMLA from work until the blackouts resolve or you're going to kill yourself or someone else crashing your car.

You may be trying to wean off too quickly as well. If you are NOT doing this under your doctor's supervision, you need to contact your doctor IMMEDIATELY because it is very dangerous!

[chs6639]

Thanks for your responses. I have indeed taken leave from work due to the danger that these issues are causing. I was regularly seeing a therapist and psychiatrist. I had in the past expressed my dislike in Effexor (Both Dr. and therapist), but I was told that side effects would taper away...wrong. Plus my doctor would not change me to a new drug as I was told that I did not need to change Rx's as "anti-depressants are all essentially the same". My doctor also refused to change me to my previous Rx's as he did not trust me on those meds. (Even though they were actually successful for me in the past). I in the past drank some and did overdo it on pain meds for a period of 5 months. I was completely honest with him. I never abused the meds that my psychiatrist prescribed to me...EVER. To this date (it has been years now), I have not been able (allowed) to switch to the meds that I was taking. Now I am stuck on Effexor (I want off, but I cannot get off it). I would rather die than go through what I was going through trying to taper off.

Still losing my mind with the Effexor...

[lealea1005]

Originally Posted by chs6639

Thanks for your responses. I have indeed taken leave from work due to the danger that these issues are causing. I was regularly seeing a therapist and psychiatrist. I had in the past expressed my dislike in Effexor (Both Dr. and therapist), but I was told that side effects would taper away...wrong. Plus my doctor would not change me to a new drug as I was told that I did not need to change Rx's as "anti-depressants are all essentially the same". My doctor also refused to change me to my previous Rx's as he did not trust me on those meds. (Even though they were actually successful for me in the past). I in the past drank some and did overdo it on pain meds for a period of 5 months. I was completely honest with him. I never abused the meds that my psychiatrist prescribed to me...EVER. To this date (it has been years now), I have not been able (allowed) to switch to the meds that I was taking. Now I am stuck on Effexor (I want off, but I cannot get off it). I would rather die than go through what I was going through trying to taper off.

Still losing my mind with the Effexor...

It's good that you were honest with your Doctor. Even if you did not abuse the particular medication prescribed to you by the Psychiatrist, you WERE abusing alcohol and other prescription narcotics. Was the old medication possibly Wellbutrin? If, so, there is a very clear warning regarding alcohol intake while taking it. The combination can cause very severe side effects, including seizures.