I need a pill RIGHT NOW

[Guest guest]

******************** NOT TO CREATE A WAR, FYI ONLY *********************

" I need a pill RIGHT NOW

Do users know the risks of popular antidepressants? "

Pearson

National Post

Wednesday, September 18, 2002

I note with interest that a U.S. federal judge in Los Angeles has ordered

the maker of the antidepressant Paxil to pull some television ads. What the

judge called " misleading " commercials claimed that Paxil wasn't

habit-forming, and had not been associated with dependency or addiction.

Au contraire, Glaxo-Kline's popular little happy pill allegedly creates

such severe withdrawal symptoms that a class action suit has been filed by

35 Americans, who claim to have become addicted to the drug. All parties are

due back in court on Oct. 7, to decide whether the California suit can be

expanded to include plaintiffs nationwide.

One reason I note this with keen interest is because a week ago Monday, when

most of my colleagues in journalism were preparing their opuses and photo

essays about Sept. 11, I was scrabbling around on my hands and knees trying

to see if a single, last dose of the antidepressant Effexor might possibly

have rolled under the fridge.

My prescription -- which I, like thousands of North Americans, was offered

after the trauma of Sept. 11 -- ran out on the weekend. I couldn't get hold

of my doctor. As a result, my head was doing this weird, pulsing, samba-like

thing that some Effexor users describe as " brain shivers, " but that I find

similar to how one feels under a strobe light.

I'm talking spacy, dizzy, very woo-woo. One also looks forward to

gastrointestinal upset, chills, blinding headaches and bizarre dreams.

All this, after missing one dose, which is why I remain on the drug. Like

Paxil, Effexor gets metabolized by the body as quickly as Chinese food, and

then relentlessly attacks you with withdrawal symptoms. A friend of mine

forgot to take his pill one day this summer, for example, and had to

interrupt his commute to the office, swerve into a Shoppers Drug Mart

parking lot, blunder inside and beg the pharmacist for a single pill.

Without it, he was unable to drive.

This is a problem. Antidepressants -- which are nowadays marketed for

everything from classic depression to anxiety, smoking cessation,

post-traumatic stress disorder, back pain and PMS -- are enjoying

blockbuster sales.

By blockbuster, I mean more than $1-billion in retail pharmacy business in

the year 2000 in Canada alone. Prescriptions for antidepressants jumped 62%

in this country between 1996 and 2000, partly due to the drug companies'

successful push for widening definitions of treatment.

All of this increase came before 9/11, which precipitated an additional

boost in sales. Prescriptions for antidepressants in New York City, for

example, increased by 17% last autumn.

So we have these very popular drugs beginning to show some rather disturbing

effects. There is trouble brewing here. My psychiatrist did not warn me

about the withdrawal effects of my medication. Nor, by his own admission,

does he know how the drug works or what the long-term impact on my body

chemistry might be.

Last winter, a study funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research

Initiative and published in the British Journal of Cancer suggested that

some antidepressants are increasing women's risk of breast cancer by 70%, an

incidence rate that doesn't show up for 10 years after treatment.

I am hazarding the guess -- based on my own experience and the California

lawsuit -- that psychiatrists and physicians are not presenting all

information to patients and allowing them to weigh the risks.

This would be in stark contrast to the risks associated with, and blared

over loudspeakers about illicit drugs. This month, controversy erupted in

Britain when Doctors Cole and Harry Sumnall of the University of

Liverpool published a critique of studies examining the harmful effects of

the drug ecstasy, or MDMA. Given that this is an illegal street drug, a

great deal of hue and cry inevitably arises around its use. According to

Cole and Sumnall, the cause and effect of ecstasy-related health problems

has not, in fact, been properly established. Of the 72 deaths in the United

Kingdom attributed during the 1990s to ecstasy, the psychologists argued

that none were definitively connected to the drug, by first ruling out

dehydration and other factors. The critique provoked an outcry of indignant

retorts.

While the controversy remains unresolved, my point in bringing it

up is that we do not even approach this level of righteous scrutiny when it

comes to the mood-altering drugs controlled by the medical establishment, as

opposed to the mind-altering drugs that go underground.

In his recent book, Synthetic Panics: the Symbolic Politics of Designer

Drugs, social historian Philip makes an important observation about

the difference between ecstasy and Prozac, both of which were designed in

labs for therapeutic use in altering serotonin levels in our brains: " In the

burgeoning atmosphere of the drug war, ecstasy was condemned as much by its

name as by its cultural connotations ... we can only imagine how Prozac

would be regarded if the drug had been popularized through unofficial

networks of therapists and had developed a reputation among non-specialists

for its pleasurable effects. "

More than 200 lawsuits related to the class of antidepressants called SSRIs,

which include Prozac, were settled out of court in the same time period that

ecstasy was generating panic in parents and lawmakers. Most of the lawsuits

claimed that users committed suicide or violently attacked their families.

These were the most extreme cases. Lesser problems involving the broader

group of antidepressants, including physical side effects, a risk of

seizures, risk of addiction and elevated breast cancer risks, rarely come to

public attention.

What, exactly, is the deal here? The merest hint of a prospect of legalizing

marijuana or MDMA sends every bully to their pulpit to squawk about health

and morality, and meanwhile, millions of people are swallowing happy pills

with unknown or undisclosed risks, because their doctor says " Take two, and

call me in the morning. "

One culprit lurking behind all of this is our continuing trust in our

shrinks, and our sense of vulnerability in their presence. We're disordered,

and they know better. We've created a culture in which it is so acceptable

to be mentally ill that new disorders are invented and treated each year.

Many of them are treated with pharmaceuticals.

We deserve to know the risks of these drugs, and to make informed decisions

about whether " excessive worry " is worth trading for worrisome drugs.

ppearson@...

© Copyright 2002 National Post

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[Guest guest]

,

-----------I don't want a war either, but I feel the "information" in this

"FYI" is seriously flawed.--------------

I have no conflict with writing a story about a federal judge banning ads

for a anti-depressant, but this story goes much farther than that and blames

ALL doctors for all kinds of things. I had to look, but found the National

Post is a Canadian newspaper. Now if she is talking about Canadian psychiatrists,

I can not answer as I have no knowledge of them. BUT if she is talking about

USA psychiatrists, I seriously doubt the source from this statement alone

:

"My psychiatrist .... Nor, by his own admission, does he know how the drug works or what the long-term impact on my body chemistry might be."When the neurologist gave Charlotte Zoloft, she explained possible side effects AND expected results. When the psychiatrist gave my grandson depakote and zoloft - they explained exactly how it worked, possible side effects and an emergency number to call if he had any of the side effects. Our doctors always started only one medicine at a time in order to determine if there were side effects and usually ramped up slowly to get to the desired results. So I have trouble with general statements like that from a completely anonymous source. Is that paper like the National Enquirer? OR is the reporter using a dreamed-up situation to improve the shock effect of her story? If she is in the USA, she should report her "shrink" to the AMA, AND the state medical licensing board - they ARE supposed to know "how

the drug works" - that is why they go to school and take tests.Where do people find these poor doctors? I have met some doctors that I did not care for their personalities, and one with poor common sense, but never one who did not know how a drug they prescribed worked in the body. The dangers of Paxil are well known and have been known since Charlotte took it in about 1992. Two years later, the doctor took her off it and put her on Zoloft. See this site:http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a698032.htmlI DO think it is essential that people READ and understand the literature given them with ANY new prescription. It is important that they know (and understand) the possible side effects of the medicines. If you do not understand what you read - call the prescribing doctor and ask them. I always ask the doctor what an

y new medicine is supposed to do and then read the literature on the medicine. If my doctor could not give me a reason for taking a medicine and a simple explanation of how it worked or what the study results were, I would get a new doctor. But my doctors are always able to give me that info, so I do not understand where all these people find these bad doctors.I do think reporters such as this should think about the damage this sort of reporting does to people who depend on their doctors for medical advice. Here is a story with obviously bad information - condemning all doctors. How does she know if people need a certain pill? Does she have a medical degree? She says she has been to a shrink who gave her medicines without knowing what they did, is she crazy? She had to run out and get her doctor to prescribe Effexor (a lot of people on this list use it) just because of some terrorists. Now she is blaming the doctor because she insisted on something to calm her down. Sorry, but I don't know of many people who needed a pill to calm down because of the terrorists, do you? Now this story is read by someone who has a brain disorder and puts doubts in their mind as to their doctor's competency - is that right? I think this lady needs some lessons in responsible reporting. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."There are a few "bad" doctors and we should all work to get them out of medicine, but I seriously doubt that many are as bad as her description. There are "bad" employees in every profession including the clergy, but most people are good. What was your job? Was it a "good" or "bad" profession? I was an engineer and I know a few "bad" engineers - not many, but I know hundreds of engineers. If you know of a "bad" doctor - report them and back it up with data, but don't condemn all doctors.Take care, Bill Werre=================================

================

Setzer wrote:

******************** NOT TO CREATE A WAR, FYI ONLY *********************"I need a pill RIGHT NOWDo users know the risks of popular antidepressants?" PearsonNational PostWednesday, September 18, 2002

[Guest guest]

Nope the National Post is a respected newspaper in Toronto... not like the

Enquirer at all. Perhaps that was an editorial comment that posted.

I'll see what else I can find on that story. I would expect she was talking

about Canadian issues.

Take care,

Pam

[Guest guest]

Bill,

I am glad you don’t want war. This is good thinking. Now lets get down to

the meat of this.

First of all, in your discussions on line you are always using what you did

in the past for Charlotte and she was a very lucky lady to have such a

caring person, you. You were the man that went out of his way to make sure

that she had everything necessary to the best of your ability. I commend

you for that.

I have,do and will continue to do the same for my wife Deborah. She is the

light of my life and nothing can or will stop that.

However, there is so many NEW things out there now for one to know about.

Because you are no longer a CAREGIVER, you have no knowledge of these or

have a reason to investigate them. That is where I come in. I DO HAVE A

VERY GOOD REASON.

Just like the PET SCANS, even though they have been available for over 16

years, very few if any, even knew about them and what they could or could

not do. Just like Doctors who MISDIAGNOSE people, I am talking about

Parkinson’s and MSA. It happens and there is no getting around it.

Dr Tatter, Neurosurgeon at Wake Forrest who, is in fact, a well known

physician throughout the UNITED STATES as one of the TOP SURGEONS. Deborah

just happened to be one of those “screw ups”, and I personally do not think

on purpose. He was the speaker at a symposium this last week end at

Presbyterian Hospital for the Mecklenburg Parkinson’s Group. Ann Udall is

also on the board of directors along with me, and a patient brought up the

subject of “ has he ever operated on some one for the DBS and found out

later that they in fact, Did not have PD”. His answer was, YES.

Now we all know that had he gave Deborah a Rx for the F-DOPA and the FDG PET

Scans, he would have never operated on her. But like other Doctors, he

relied on the MRI’S, clinical observation and time of progression of

symptoms.

We have a Doctor’s medical report showing that back in April of 2000,

Deborah asked him for the PET Scan’s and right there in his report, he said

, “Today, Deborah asked for a PET scan and I told her that she spends too

much time on the internet”. Yes, she is, and had they listen to her, She

nor I would have and would still be going through all this pain and

suffering. But like most of these Doctors, they fly by the seat of their

pants. Medicine is an ART, and they are still Practicing,

Now as far as the link I posted yesterday, It was written by a NEW YORK

TIMES writer. NOT BY THE “NATIONAL ENQUIER” as you so noted.

Second of all, I posted this for informational purpose only. Every time

you address me and some have been in private, you always talk about those on

this list as they are children, non responsible adults. Well, I have to

believe that most, if not all, are very component people. I also believe

that MOST here would at least like to know things other than “Just treat the

symptoms” I do agree that you must treat your symptoms or you couldn’t get

through the day. However, if you’re treating the symptom and later, for

whatever reason, you find out that in fact they have been treating me for

something you don’t have, than WHO HAS THE PROBLEM. They do Bill, they do.

And here they have been spending all this time for something that they, in

fact, don’t have.

I also find it hard to believe that the people on this list do not want to

KNOW about all the NEW FINDINGS out there. They certainly won’t find out

from you, because you aren’t involved any more other than putting your two

cents in here about “HOW IT USE TO BE”.

You know, my wife Deborah, was here on this list and enjoyed it, she care’s

about people and wants to help others get through this life with as much

knowledge as possible. She needed the support that others gave her by being

a member. You know what Bill, YOU ran her off, Yes, you ran her off,

every time she would try to give information about something or share what

she had learned or talked about her problems, YOU bullied her and

continually challenged her about her knowledge. My poor wife would start

shaking and crying and emotionally and physically could not take any more of

it. That is why she left. Didn’t you have the forethought to remember that

she is terribly sick!!! I encouraged her to be on the net as a therapeutic

tactic. She suffers in bed most of the day and I wanted to see her at least

trying to interact with people. Thanks to you and your lact of compassion

for her, the sick person, trying to interact, educate and care for others, I

have lost in my efforts to keep her excited about something. I will have a

very hard time forgiving you for this. I also know others who have either

left this list or just keep their thoughts to themselves because of your

holier than thou attitude.

I know, for the most part, that you have some good intentions. Bill, please

try to read what you post as if you were the person receiving it and

remember… the purpose of a support group is to help and DO NO HARM! You

have, in your words hurt many. I for one, would like to see it stop. Read

what you write before you post.

Well, I have news for you, Deborah is no dummy, and for your information

she has two (2) MASTERS degree’s Bill, Oh, and by the way, she is only 40

years old, and prior to her disability, she was a Department Head at The

University of Louisiana @ Lafayette. She was head of the Micro-Computer

Dept for the entire University,

Now as far as I am concerned, YOU WON’T RUN ME OFF. I feel that I owe this

list any and all knowledge I have and information I get. If it weren’t

for this list, my wife would still be Diagnosed with MSA. It was this list

that led us to LONG ISLAND JEWISH HOSPITAL, and the PET SCAN’s that proved

she does not have MSA. Now our focus is to improve her immune system to as

good of a state as it can be so that we can return for the retesting and

find out what in fact she does have. It just might be CHIARI and again,

that is thanks to information we received from Eurico who reads this list

and contacted me and gave me links to look at. Thank God for people like

him.

Just remember Bill, there are 4 cardinal symptom’s of PD of which you only

need 2 to be Dx with PD and there are 306 different diseases that have 2 of

the 4 cardinal systems. PD+ syndromes are included in these. Because of

this, Don’t you agree, no never mind, you wouldn’t agree to this, but I will

say it, because of this, The patients and caregivers need all the

ammunition they can muster up to assist them in helping themselves or those

that they love.

I sincerely hope that, that I as a caregiver, who also cares for all those

out there who have these diseases, can be afforded the opportunity to not

only know, but also to share as much about research and New Technology as I

or any one else can give. After all, if any of this information helps just

one person, than it was worth it.

God Bless and have a good day,

“tenacity’s man”

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