Can I sue my doctor for Effexor addiction?

[adco88]

I am addicted to Effexor. I know that a class action lawsuit will take many years. I was maybe mildly depressed. Actually, I am chronically fatigued, I think. I am thinking of suing my doctor in small claims court, and use the funds to go to a rehab clinic for withdrawal treatment. Even if I forget to take a pill one day, I will have vivid nightmares when sleeping. This is a common withdrawal symptom I hear. Then I am really exhausted the next day. I am age 62. When I have had these nightmares, sometimes I will awaken in the middle of the night with my heart pounding. Probably people have died of heart attacks from Effexor at 3 am and no one knows it. In the past,  I have refused drugs like Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Both my parents committed suicide. I did not want to take any addictive drug, or a drug likely to cause suicide. I do not take any illegal drugs, or cigarettes or alcohol. My doctor assured me that Effexor was non-addictive, and posed no suicide risk. Now I am reading that Effexor has been linked to addiction and suicide! I think the limit is small claims court in my state is $3500. At least I could go thru a supervised withdrawal. I would be afraid to go cold turkey. I hear you can get angry and suicidal. Also, I now have a costly drug habit of $5 a day, and I only get $610 a month social security. Has anyone sued their doctor in small claims court for getting them addicted to Effexor?

[worried878]

I know a couple of people at work and my next door neighbor who have taken effexor or related ADs...they had no problems getting off of it but I do know some people do...anything that changes our chemistry can become something our body may depend on to some degree...for some more so than others...good luck and be safe

[walternowotny]

I think you should concentrate on your recovery and stop trying to blame someone.
Suing a doctor is not going to get you better not to mention that it is not as easy as you may think.
Effexor(Venlafaxine) is not narcotic or sedative it is a antidepressant(serotonine-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor) and it is used to treat clinical depression,severe anxiety etc.All those meds have side-effects(all meds do) but you are using them for a specific indications balancing benefits vs risks.
In my opinion...you have no chance of winning anything and it may distract you from what you really need to do...trying to get better.
Johann

[ladyboop]

I would also be very careful about saying things about sueing a DR. I had one who really messed me up. Then she didn't care or maybe didn't believe me. But I had the pictures from another DR. to prove it. I said something about sueing. Now I have been black ball from that entire hospital... No kidding.. No DR. that is with them will treat me... She is the reason I had to get back on the Pills. I had been clean over a year!!! SUCKS BIG TIME!!!

                       Lady

[nursegirl6572]

I'm so sorry about your parents.

I have to agree that what you experiencing is more of a tolerance/dependency issue more than an "addiction".  Addiction is more generally classified as someone who takes a drug or medication differently that prescribed (inappropriately), usually to obtain a "high".  That is not to say you cannot become "dependent" on a med.

Honestly?  While I certainly feel for your situation, I strongly feel that suing your doc would be wrong....it wasn't like he prescribed it with malice.  He was trying to help you.  There ARE other options out there for you.  I think you should obtain another opinion....if you are properly tapered off the med, while perhaps adding a completely different medication, you may be surprised at the results.

While doctors certainly have a responsibility prescribing meds, the patient also assumes a level of responsibility as well, to know what they are taking...and to weigh the risks, side effects, etc.  The things you have read about Effexor are definitely not the "norm".  I think what you are reading is the more rare side effects...I don't believe what you are describing are side effects, more your body's reaction to trying to discontinue the medication, which is why I suggest speaking with another doctor about your options.

All of this is simply my opinion, but I just don't feel that suing is the answer here.  Generally, in order to be successful in a malpractice type suit, there has to be some sort of permanent damage, disability, etc...as a result of a physician's clear malice or mistake.

Best of luck to you...think it through and first and foremost, take care of yourself by seeing another doctor so you can address the issues you are having.

[kim715]

I agree with Jaqui about it being more of a dependency issue.I'm sorry for your situation and your family history.I think alot of us have learned here that we bare some responsibility when it comes to knowing what we are putting in our bodies and how it could effect us later on down the road,I know I sure have.Doctors are not God ,we need to ask questions,research,if in doubt get a second opinion,and we also need to let the doctor know when we are having any adverse reactions to the prescribed medication.Although I know there are some doctors who don't,I truly believe that the majority of doctors try to do their best to help their patients and not harm them in any way.I wish you luck and pray that you find peace.

[Jacqui805]

I THINK, it's more of a dependency issue.