Posted by FaithT on January 25, 2005, at 18:26:26
In reply to Re: A POSITIVE EFFEXOR XR EXPERIENCE~, posted by SLS on January 25, 2005, at 13:13:22
Scott, I thought that the studies you presented were great.... In regard to the other poster, there are a ton of long term studies out there that I could post, showing duration of 6 months or longer. When I have a moment, I'll link to them for others to read if they wish.
Basically, a patient needs to be his or her own advocate with ANY medication prescribed, from an anti-biotic to an anti-depressant. I have yet to find one medication to date, that is the perfect or magic pill, with no side effects. I think that it's up to the patient to be informed, and weigh the options before they put ANY drug in their mouth. In my opinion, Effexor is no worse than MANY other drugs out there, and is BETTER at treating clinical depression than alot of the SSRI's.
In 2002, when I was put on this drug, the hand out that I received from my pharmacy, and that I read, stated that blood pressure should be regularly monitered, and liver function blood work checked. There is nothing hidden about this, and it also stated information regarding withdrawing from the drug. The withdrawl information on ALL of the SSRI's and SNRI's was updated since then, to include the withdrawl syndrome that can occur with MANY of the anti-depressants on the market. It is not unique to Effexor alone, although the withdrawl is hard. I did it myself, as I perviously stated, and it can be done.
Although, complications are rare, they can happen, just like alot of other drugs on the market. For instance, the warning for Wellbutrin, heavily realtes to seizures, occuring on the drug and during withdrawl. Anyone can go online and find the same information.
I have been monitered for 2 1/2 years now on Effexor, safely at 187.5 mg. So technically, I am one, in a long term study, with good results.
Best wishes to you and thanks again for your input,
Faith~
poster:FaithT
thread:446637
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050124/msgs/447638.html