Friend on Effexor Confesses to Bizarre Murder

My next door neighbor told me that a girl I was dating over the summer was on the news this weekend and that she murdered her room mate by strangling her with a TV electrical cord.

I found this story on the internet about her

www.koin.com...

I met both her and her girlfriend in June and saw her about a week ago and in addition to problems with her room mate that I dismissed as petty at the time she told me that she saw a doctor and told him she was depressed and he put her on a drug called Effexor and asked me to look it up on the internet.

I remember that they don't give the drug to anyone under 18 because it causes suicide.

I only seen her twice after she started taking it and she seemed really nice and in control.

She was excited about starting a new job in Portland. She stopped by the house I was working at on Friday and wanted to stay but I had already made plans that evening and she expressed that she was glad that I was getting on with my life and I thought everything was fine.

The next day someone had broken into my house and stolen my notebook computer which was the only nice thing that I owned. I actually convinced myself that it was someone from the neighborhood all week as I been hearing we have been having a lot of break ins. I just can't believe someone would flip out like that.

I am going to call the police in the morning and see if I can find out anything about my computer or if they want to question me about the murder. I didn't know her all that well but we talked a lot. She asked me to help her look up Effexor on the computer.

They had given her a months supply of free samples and she had run out for a few days but had just been given another months supply of free samples as she couldn't afford to pay for the drug because she didn't have a job (the major factor of her depression).


I can't believe they would prescribe something that a person has no means to purchase that they can't afford and give them free samples long enough to become addicted.


[edit on 22-10-2005 by asala]

not good at all, have you any updates on this?

I can believe this whole heartedly. I've been on Effexor and it totally messed my world up. I lost EVERYTHING.

Just let me tell you the story.

I went to the doctor because i'd read about ADD and believed I had all the symptoms. Sure enough I was put on Adderall and was soon addicted to amphetimines. A few months later the doctor decided I was too stressed out, Probably because i was an amphetimine addict, and put me on Effexor.

I became the happiest person on earth. After a month of free pills i couldn't wait to refill my prescription. I would wake up in the morning singing and throwing the sashes back, it was like i was in a really bad Doris Day movie. I lost my girlfriend cause she couldn't stand being around someone so happy. Then I bought a car I couldn't afford and moved into a place I couldn't afford either. I didn't care, I thought the world was my oyster. If I missed one dose of Effexor though, I was a maniac. I HAD to have it.

I had quit taking the amphetimines cause I didn't like being an addict. I had to have the mood elevator though. I was on it for a year and did so many stupid things I ended up homeless, no car, no clothes, just myself sleeping on my friends couch and she was ready to toss me to the curb.

I went cold turkey, and with Effexor it tells you in the description of the drug, that can kill you. I didn't care. For days i could hear mobs beating on the walls of the room I was hiding in. They were trying to get in to kill me. All I could do was curl up on the floor and wait it out. I puked, I cried, I rolled around like a deseased pollywog until it finally passed. It took several days for it to get out of my system.

I will never trust another mental health professional again. I didn't need what they gave me and even if I did, I can assure you the cure is worse then the desease.

Effexor may have it's place, but it should only be used in the most dramatic of cases.

Just my story to share. I'm sorry for your friend.

Wupy

A rebuttal: My hubby has been on effexor for a couple years.....and what a difference. It completely balanced his thoughts and made him So much better. His self destrutiveness is completely gone and he hasn't had a drink since(he drank as self-medication). He tried several other similar drugs before finally being put on effexor. Addicted? no. he was arrested several months back and didn't have the effexor for about a month. There was no huge change in his behavior and he didn't withdraw. He continues to take effexor and is doing quite well. By NO means is the medication for everyone and there is a risk(clearly stated on the medication information that comes with it) of increased suicidal thoughts,continued depression,and erratic behavior. Doctors should not give any mind-altering drug to someone who does not suffer from a chronic mental illness. If your friend was depressed solely because she was unemployed,the doctor messed up because psychotropics should be given to people who have chemical imbalances. also,i wonder if she saw a psychiatrist or a general MD. I hope you can find out more about the situation. another thing,the effects that mrwupy describes aren't that common. the majority of people who take medicine like effexor do not suddenly become super happy. you probably...no you definitely didn't need the drug. for example,if I were to start taking my hubby's pills,I'd probably be bouncing off the walls happy. I'm sorry for your bad experience. And who was the idiot doctor who prescribed adderall??? i'm assuming you are an adult and VERY VERY rarely is adderall prescribed to adults. There are specific medicines for adult add and adhd. I hope you are doing better. Never take ANYTHING a dr. gives you until you research it thoroughly.

here is a link describing the general effects of effexor and side-effects etc



www.healthsquare.com...

"she had run out for a few days "

what they don't tell you, is going off of a powerful drug like effexor can lead to strokes.

I was on effexor for 6 months. I had some suicidal thoughts, but never let it get beyond "oh crap, I should just jump off of a bridge" I don't know if that's truly suicidal, or a stress coping mechanism


any way, I ran out, and if felt like my brain was going to split in two. the dr reprimanded me pretty harshly, he told me going cold turkey could lead to a stoke.

i eventually had him get me off of it by reducing my dosage over 3 months.

I came away from the experience feeling that drugs can help you through a short crises, but are not a long term chronic solution. Too bad about this story.

This part sounds like Paxil.

Originally posted by mrwupy
I became the happiest person on earth. After a month of free pills i couldn't wait to refill my prescription. I would wake up in the morning singing and throwing the sashes back, it was like i was in a really bad Doris Day movie. I lost my girlfriend cause she couldn't stand being around someone so happy. Then I bought a car I couldn't afford and moved into a place I couldn't afford either. I didn't care, I thought the world was my oyster. If I missed one dose of Effexor though, I was a maniac. I HAD to have it.

Too much. That stuff is the devil. Might as well be doing coke, your judgement is sooooooooo wrong. People on that need DUIs frankly.

The withdrawl part you mentioned though, I don't know, sounds like heroin or something.

Scary.

Sorry about your friend Steve.

I've done heroin. I've done coke. I've done most hardcore drugs you can think of. and the only one i ever had serious withdrawal symptoms from after long term use was effexor.

I'm not proud that i was a user, but i almost killed myself coming off of effexor, and i'd never go on another antidepressant again- which is a big change from my former opinion, in which i thought they were miracle drugs. do your research before going on anything.

Originally posted by Bobbo
I've done heroin. I've done coke. I've done most hardcore drugs you can think of. and the only one i ever had serious withdrawal symptoms from after long term use was effexor.

I'm not proud that i was a user, but i almost killed myself coming off of effexor, and i'd never go on another antidepressant again- which is a big change from my former opinion, in which i thought they were miracle drugs. do your research before going on anything.

bookmarked, doesn't surprise me at all tbh.

can you clarify your post, Long Lance?

Obviously too many people who don't need anti-anxiety and anti-depressants are getting them. Drug companies are getting rich and people aren't getting better. It is a shame that therapy has gone out the window and easy fixes like drugs are the norm. What ever happened to seeing your shrink once a week to work out your issues. Now, general MDs can prescribe psychotropics. It's a shame. Then people get all up in arms about mental illness and medication. There are people who need these meds...I live with one and I take care of many each day. Maybe people should stop looking for a quick fix and try calling up a friend when they feel down.

Originally posted by Bobbo
can you clarify your post, Long Lance?

ok, might have been a bit misleading. bookmarked, so i will remember effexor and its effects (for future use on the web)

what he said (if true) is, imho, no surprise, because the overall evaluation (by authorities) of toxicity and addictiveness is apparently based more on tradition than actual knowledge, if a drug is new, it's unknown, therefore ignored, to top it off, even MDs are probably more often than not relying on legal approvement instead of expertise (understandable, it's one of the most regimentated areas in society).. finally, individual susceptibility to dope certainly varies, which will never be acknowledged, since this would throw all anti-drug laws out of the window in no time.

[edit on 24-10-2005 by Long Lance]

Effexor did nothing for my OCD. And I had no side effects from withdraw either.

Matter of fact, I still have a few doses. It just sets in the medicine drawer gathering dust.

Little known fact. We do not know how these medications work, We have many theories. But few answers.

What we do know.

1)They are proven to decrease depression vrs placebo.
2)Some people can and will overcome depression. With thier help.
3)They work only with True Dx. of Depression. Normative moods need not apply.
4)They will cause dependence, lower your sex drive, and all other sorts of wonderful side effect.

They are "Not a happy Pill". Ectasy is. Dopamine Over production then major burn out. (Why would anybody want a little heaven, and hell after wards is beyond me.)

Also to note. There are many herbs out there that work for depression. And have less side effects. Like St. John's wart. (I would use those first before Going to prescription drugs.)

One of the things I found out that I was mistaken about was what day it was that she came to see me and that she must have come over immediately after killing her room mate. I also discovered that she had been lying to me about a lot of stuff including the reasons she was fired from her jobs and lying to her friends about our relationship. I do know for sure she was taking Effexor because I held the bottle in my hand for a second to look up the name on the computer. One thing I find odd was that she said she had been given "free samples" but what I held in my had was a regular prescription bottle with a locking cap.

I'm not sure how the case is going or how she is going to plead but I was told that she had requested an attorney and that my statements will be available to him or her about the effexor so I know it wont get ignored.

BOTTEM LINE......get off the MIND DRUGS people.....yea they might help some people and balance things a little....but stay on them for SHORT periods of time.not freaking YEARS!..and a lot of times people may not have problems when they're on it....it's when you try to GET OFF IT....or stop using them.....a lot of problems start when you stop...and then people just stay on them....by creating a so-called balance....these drugs can create an imbalance where there actually was no imbalance.....and the side effects from these can last years even after you stop....

surfsteve

One thing I find odd was that she said she had been given "free samples"

lots of docs give away free samples, especially if a patient doesn't have insurance. or if they just have a cabinet overflowing with the stuff.

however, drug reps do get paid to encourage a particular drug gets prescribed. they take the entire docs staff to lunch, play golf, and all that stuff
thats something I'd like to see eliminated

.02

It made me perfectly normal for 5 months, I never knew what normal was...........then the slow decline into delerium, chaotic thoughts and suicidal tendencies...dont drink alcohal or use drugs with this medication, you are liable to kill yourself or someone else...I would smoke crack before I took effexor long term again.
Ill stick with crazy because that made me psychotic

whoever said stop using them........some people cannot stop using them because they have a proven chemical imbalance in the brain. what people need to realize is that you absolutely DO NOT ask you doc for psychotropics...or any med for that matter. too many people go to the doc ask for a med and get it...then they get mad because they suffered...from the med....it is the patient's fault as well as the physicians fault. i care for folks everyday who absolutely could not function without meds...but i also know folks who don't need them and take 'em anyway. and,my dear,as far as your friend is concerned.....are u positive that effexor was the only thing she was on....as the story progresses i see many aspects pointing to the use of illegal drugs or alcohol(A NO NO) on top of the effexor....not meaning any disrespect to you.

I'm sorry for any supporters of such drugs. They are at best, "band-aides" and do not handle the underlying causes. There is a massive movement towards the use of these drugs, as evidenced by the amount of drug commercials. This is "not" a good movement, it only stuffs the allready bulging pockets of the pharmacy "drug lords." And what happens to a person who stays on a drug like this for years?

Some of the good products are sitting up on the shelves in the nutrition stores. You just have to know what you are looking for and know what actually works.

Troy

[edit on 8-11-2005 by cybertroy]

Originally posted by cybertroy
I'm sorry for any supporters of such drugs. They are at best, "band-aides" and do not handle the underlying causes. [....]

That is one opinion (shared by renowned Professor Tom Cruise). Here's another:

I've tried different things and therapies for major depression for 20 years. Different things work...for a while. This includes all-natural concoctions to chemlab therapies and programs. I eventually ran out of time and money and the will to live.

Right now efxr and therapy and health and relaxation programs keep me from sitting in the shower (if I ever got there) for an hour thinking about digging holes to jump into. It (the medication) doesn't make me "happy". It just keeps me from falling out of the lifeboat with a ball and chain. It helps me float around "normalcy". If you've tried to live beneath the insanity cloud of deep depression for years and years well...if a "band aid"..."at best" (really?) works then hell yeah I'm going to put it on for a while. It might ONLY keep me alive for another day. Would you tell grandma with a brain tumor to get up and shake it off and can the drugs? Try living even one year hoping to die every SINGLE DAY. It tends to wear you out and somewhat cramp one's style. How many decades should I pursue "alternative" methods? Until I'm 60 and alone and still miserable? How self-righteous can you get? The brain is the ONE ORGAN we know the LEAST about after all and I only have so long to live.

It is simple: I don't like ingesting chemicals (any more) but the FACT is that different things work for different people. Some people shouldn't be on anything. Who knows who wanders into a doctor's office repressing a traumatic experience like rape? Obviously therapy and counseling need to be addressed. But I was an unhappy toddler and I spent years trying to "THINK" my way out of it.

If granola smoothies work for you well then fantastic. But save those blanket statements for the tourists. It's just silly. Some people...ahem...think they know what's right for everyone in matters of the brain. Ridiculous. Everyone's "reality" and genetics are different. Anyone who off-handedly says something such as "so-and-so took the cowardly way out by suicide" (to use one example proclaimed by benevolent and "open-minded" know-it-alls) either :
A. Doesn't suffer from a level of depression and thus don't know what the hell they are talking about.
B. Most likely has a low IQ (I'm absolutely serious).
or C. Is EXTREMELY self-absorbed and narcissistic.

People take drugs for cancer and the flu or to "enjoy" baseball, but for some reason people with serious brain problems are second-guessed by strangers and idiots in barcoloungers. Some nail (supposedly...Tom Cruise anyone) hot chicks and make 40 million dollars a year. Yeah Tom, tell me again what I'm "supposed" to do? Send me the money to take six months off of work (if I am able to work) and hang out in the Celebrity Sea Lab Centre. I'll try it.

When do I date Penolope Cruz and Katie Holmes? Flush any meds I might be taking that are currently working? OK. SO what about work tommorrow? Then what...the Jewel-Osco vitamin aisle or GNC? Drink velarian root tea and bathe in lavender oil? How about when I'm so depressed that I become agoraphobic and lose my job and libido and become homeless and literally and completely alone? Can I live in your garage? Will you provide the suicide watch?

Oh, Tom's busy for the holidays. I'm not. Gee, maybe he'll come over and console me since he cares so much as to tell me what to do about my condition's condition. I'll dedicate my ongoing sorrow as my life's single productive statement one against the pharmaceutical companies if you'll stop making crappy movies and leaving kids in the middle of hollywood divorces.

No one thing works across the board. And I'm not saying that this will work forever OR that I will take it forever. First I need to get some semblance of a life back together. Not possible lying on my bathroom floor.

I want all people who judge my own methods and options and any knowledge about my own health and environment to send me their phone numbers. When I'm on my third day without sleep I want to call them up at 3:25 in the morning for remedies and advice. Oh, you have work in the morning? Yeah well so do I. It's called some else's reality. Think about it for a change.


[edit on 8-11-2005 by 2nd Hand Thoughts]