Is it legal for my psychiatrist to allow me to withdraw cold turkey from Effexor?
Question:
I forgot my appointment with my drug dealer (aka my psychiatrist who got me hooked on Effexor) last month and have been completely out of Effexor since Tuesday. She refuses to return my phone calls, I can't reach anybody at the office but voicemail, and she's not cooperating with Target to give me a refill.
Is this legal? This isn't something frivolous at stake...it's my sanity and mental health. I don't know what to do!
Answers:
Legal well yes. Ethical certainly not, without knowing the other side story,certainly borders on malpractice. More important right now is YOU and your meds. GO TO THE ER! you should never stop cold turkey w/ antidepressant. this is a medical emergency situation, especially if you are having thoughts of self harm. the ER legally has to treat you and i am certain they would do a refill or taper and refer you to there own shrink or someone who is interested in treating you. Not to mention this would get your doc attention. you have been on EFFEXOR way to long to stop. GO TO ER NOW!, PLEASE
You have to take a gradual step-down with Effexor. I had to use Zoloft to get off Effexor. It was hard, but so worth it to get that drug out of my system.
I'm glad I took Effexor. It helped me a lot when I needed it, but it was hard to get off and I'm glad that I don't need a drug to be happy anymore.
I know nothing about you or your relationship with your psychiatrist. In all states there are mental health advocates and your state should also have someone in the government that takes complaints from patients about their doctor.
You can probably find someone to help you in the government section of your phone book. Minnesota has an organization called "First Call for Help" that can direct anyone to someone that can help them. Maybe your state has something like this and you could get their phone number from the telephone operator or information.
I'm very sorry that this is happening to you. I suspect that it is malpractice for your doctor to not call your pharmacy so that you can get your medicine until you can get into see your doctor again. But again, I know nothing about the details of your situation. God bless you.
The person above me is right. you should go to a hospital emergency room.
Report her to the APA! See your doctor; ask for enough Effexor to enable you to taper off gradually, over many weeks. See pages 2, and 2a, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris... and http://www.labelmesane.com/solutions/poi... (/pointofreturn.htm)
My gp cold turkeyed me with citalopram (a ssri), but that was on medical grounds as I became allergic to it 9 weeks inot the course!
Try going into her office and speak to the reception to and see if you can order a repeat prescription without a consultation.
If you do feel suicidal call a crisis line. It does sound like that you don't like being on these medications, so you might want to wean off them or even try another. Good luck.
thats rotten of her to do that report her ***.but then again i know nothing this just my first reaction.just and idea
i stopped 450mg efexor in one day -- youll get over it. And its your own fault for missing your appoinment - so its not the psychiatrists problem
It sounds like you don't have a good working relationship with your psychiatrist. Part of the relationship is for you to be responsible and show up for your scheduled appointments. The other part is your psychiatrist returning your call no matter what. It takes the two of you for this to work. Good Luck
Go see your family doctor or phone another psychiatrist. I can imagine that intending to avoid contact with you is illegal. However, it may be difficult to prove this.
More Questions & Answers...