'Stopping venlafaxine abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: irritability, nausea, feeling dizzy, vomiting, nightmares, headache, and/or paresthesias (prickling, tingling sensation on the skin)."
I simply Googled effexor withdrawal, that I'm sure the doctor/pharmacists could have
done with their sophisticated data bases.
A few years ago, after a heart attack and angioplasty, I was supposed to keep my right leg still..I Googled a description of what I was experiencing at 2 AM.--an urge to kick-out and itching. I had akathesia, let the nurse know my findings, and I was placed on Atarax.
I thought this was a local problem, but apparently not.
When I talked with my psychiatrist, he explained that it is common practice from MDs, especially in ERs and general surgery to discontinue meds , especially psychiatric meds without benefit of tapering, without counter-measures to ameliorate withdrawal.
During another stay because of a heart attack and angioplasty, I was advised to stop klonopin cold turkey...uhhh no. After much researching of my records, by my pharmacist and conversation with the residents: "We meant you were supposed to stop chlonodine. Not klonopin."
Be an advocate! Be a squeaky wheel. Report to patient relations. Report wreckless misinformation.
This is a pervasive problem because when a person goes into the hospital for a procedure, a disconnect occurs, often because there is no longerccontinuity of care among the patients' regular care providers and the ones assigned by the hospital.
It doesn't take much to say, "Patient Advocate, please."
I'm still able to do that. In case I'm not, my family has been instructed, "Patient Advocate, please."
Also some hospitals have a "CODE" that can be called by the patient or family if it's perceived that "care or lack of care" is endangering the patient.
My go-to places for info is Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic if cardiac related.
Best of Health to everyone