Date:  Sat Mar 10, 2001 0:07am

Hi, I am also new to the group. I was on Prozac and Trazodone for
three years, and Effexor and Trazodone, then Effexor, Trazodone, and
Wellbutrin for a total of three years. During this whole time I was
also on Klonopin or Ativan off/on. I have been off all SSRIs, SNRIs,
and all prescription medications for almost two years.

I generally didn't have any problems with Prozac, not like I did with
Effexor anyway. However, as a whole my whole experience from taking
these medications has been hell. I did gain 50 lbs. and lost my sex
drive on Prozac and it never really helped my depression. I was
briefly on Zoloft but developed an allergic reaction to it.

I started Effexor right after it first released on the market. So, of
course the true effects of the medication was unknown to the public. I
had withdrawal syndrome three times before I finally got off the
medication. Twice because I ran out of medication, the last and final
time was when I stopped taking Effexor after a long (months) tapering
period. I still had withdrawal symptoms even though I had tapered to
1/4 of a 37.5 mg tablet. I had finally had enough of receiving more
medications to treat the side effects from the first, and I also felt
like I was a drug addict, and I truly believe I WAS addicted to
Effexor. I had numerous other problems with can clearly be contributed
to the Effexor. 1) Muscle tics in my face, and severe muscle jerks in
my extremities; 2) Urinary retention problems requiring me to visit a
urologist to dilate my urethra to help drain my urine; 3) Maintained
the 50 lbs. I gained while on Prozac; 4) Continued sexual drive
problems; 5) My husband states I was manic on the medication; 6) the
vivid unusual dreams I had the entire time I was on Effexor, however
during withdrawal they were more severe; 7) More severe irritable
bowel syndrome symptoms.

I have continued to have problems even though I have been off Effexor
for two years, the problems include; 1) Continued sexual drive
problems; 2) pain in legs and back which started during my last
withdrawal episode. During this withdrawal episode, the muscle in my
back and legs were so tight I could barely walk and I was required to
seek medical attention at the Urgent Care Clinic. The doctor there
however couldn't do anything.
3) Periods of achiness in both upper and lower extremities with muscle
fatigue.

I feel the whole prescription drug industry is profit motivated
without regards to the short and long term effects on the public. I
also feel that most of the medications wouldn't have been approved by
the FDA without insider influence. I also feel that most if not all of
these medications should be taken off the market. In addition, I feel
the drug companies are using the public to test the long term effects
of the medications, and that the side effects and other adverse
effects from these medications are being under reported by the drug
companies.

I am particularly interested in talking to others who feel thay have
had long term problems from taking SSRIs or SNRIs and have been off
them for a long period of time. I would like to find others who feel
they might have permenant problems from taking these medications.

Theresa

Date:  Sat Mar 10, 2001 1:19am

Response1:
Hi Theresa,  you are not alone in your experience with these drugs.
I just wanted to tell you that I have been off of them for 1 year 
and 3 months and I am still suffering from the effects of them. 
I have been left with what I feel might be permanent damage, 
that is I hope it isn't. 

Randy
 
Date:  Sat Mar 10, 2001 4:44am

Response2:
Theresa, gosh you have been on alot of stuff.
I would say to give yourself at least 5 years for
healing, you see what happens to most people is that
they think they should be better by now and then they
go get more drugs. Anything you are feeling right now 
is still the SSRI's.  If you did not have these things 
before the drugs, then it's the drugs.
Just give yourself about 5 years.
I know people who have had the greatest recovery after
the 3rd 4th and 5th year. Take care,

Cynthia