In the Isotretinoin and Consent and the Finasteride and Consent posts we encouraged readers to make their own videos.
Our aim was to contrast the BAD Isotretinoin video with something more decent. But lots of those whose lives or families have been badly damaged by isotretinoin or finasteride want something more. They often call for these drugs to be banned.
We don’t have to agree on points like this. In fact if we don’t agree and noisily make competing videos the rising noise level may help both points of view and make life more difficult for the many medics who, astonishingly, have never seen a case of anything go wrong on either of these two drugs.
Bob Fiddaman was among the people who created blogging about the adverse effects of meds – over 20 years ago. He was focussed then on SSRIs and withdrawal and was blogging from personal experience. Bob had and still has a go-for-the-jugular style.
Beyond blogging he has been a researcher on pharma and its meds and has dug up some key information that has helped support many of us who are concerned about safety.
He still researches but has mostly left blogging behind and moved into making music about pharma and their meds with videos to go with his creations.
Bob responded to our call for competing and noisy videos and produced two – one on Finasteride and one on Isotretinoin along with a Song – Pills for the Mirror which features below.
Finasteride
Isotretinoin
This post opens with a slide from Bob’s Isotretinoin video that will likely resonate with most people concerned about these two meds and which many readers may view as missing from the RxISK Videos.
It’s one of the many points to debate – as noisily as possible. The RxISK view is these drugs do not cause Psychosis or Depression. They trigger a toxic reaction better called Delirium. Do the words matter? Well – psychosis and depression give pharma a stick to beat people with.
Psychosis and depression imply the fault lies in the person’s prior mental state in a way delirium doesn’t. In a number of recent legal cases, experts have claimed isotretinoin has caused psychosis. This is a losing gamble – a gamble that has lost. Mental illness (psychosis) might mitigate the severity of a sentence but it does not deliver a not-guilty verdict. Delirium implies a toxic reaction to a drug – the drug was guilty.
If we get the words right people can walk free from court – if they have a lawyer who understands the critical difference.
There are probably many other points in Bob’s videos that people would prefer to the RxISK versions. These are all points to make noise about.
Meanwhile here is —
Pills for the Mirror
Contacting Bob might offer a good way forward for readers who have seen and worry about the terrible harms these drugs can cause and really would like to try and reach the post-2000 generations. He turned these two videos and the song around in a matter of hours.
Bob is listed as Author/Blogger/Researcher – fiddamanwork@gmail.com and on @fiddaman. You will have a friend for life if you tell him you have a soft spot for Aston Villa football club.
mary H. says
Having seen parts of the short film “This is Endometriosis” during the week, it made me wonder if this was something that could catch the public’s attention if it were about any of the issues surrounding Finasteride, Isotretinoin or any aspect of SSRI/PSSD suffering. I noticed, in the film, that it states that .women are often turned away with the phrase ” it’s all in your mind” – which rings so true for many sufferers of prescribed medications too – despite the fact that endometriosis is a recognised disease with very little to do with the state of mind. Are there individuals who are brave enough to put themselves forward in the way that Georgie Wileman does to show the extent of their suffering? https://wp-a.co.uk/press/this-is-endometriosis-and-i-swear-win-at-the-baftas-2026 – “‘This Is Endometriosis’, designed by WPA client Michelle Sotheren, won British Short Film at this year’s BAFTAs. The film describes itself as “an intimate, expressive film about how endometriosis has robbed Georgie Wileman of time. Told in the first-person and blending present-day narrative with memories from the past, the film is a uniquely personal account with unprecedented access.”
annie says
I have followed Bob since he first started posting, all those many years ago. I have watched him and read all his posts and watched all his videos.
If there is one guy who ‘knows’ what he knows, it is Bob.
Never offensive, never abrasive, never ‘shove it in your face’, never ‘losing his marbles’, Bob has that unique ability to cast his roving eye over all developments, since he was a Brummie Youngie, and his experience with Paroxetine, which set him on a course of investigation.
Bob travailed the UK litigation with GlaxoSmithKline for Paroxetine. How we litigants travelled with Bob at our side, for years, and years, only for it to be called out by one judge, who decreed that Paroxetine was not faulty and there was no evidence to suggest otherwise.
Bob write the book, The Evidence, However, Is Clear, The Seroxat Scandal in 2011. I bought two copies from Bob directly, as I wanted the books signed by him. He wrote, Annie, The world needs more people like you, Thank you. Fid x
No. Thank You, Fid.
Your films on Isotretinoin and Finasteride are so worthy of you, how you can turn your hand and film-making abilities for the greater good to everyone who needs you.
How your film Pills for the Mirror hits the spot. With a rousing crescendo at the end of each.
If you want a film-maker par excellence who completely ‘knows his inions’ and knows the MHRA and the Pharmaceutical Industry inside out, as is said, Bob is a friend for life.
I feel that, I know that, I have been part and parcel of the indefatigable essence of Bob.
One of the truly greats. Who will never leave us – who makes every project, one of his own – who grasps the nettle, and never lets go.
Delirium implies a toxic reaction to a drug – the drug was guilty. As ever, thanks RxISK.
Kristina Kaiser says
A focus on public health videos feels right for where society is now. Most people aren’t learning about these issues by reading long articles or research anymore — and some who want to simply don’t have the capacity, ironically because of the very iatrogenic harms being discussed. Accessible videos can help meet people where they are and reach newer generations before harm occurs.
I also appreciate the use of delirium rather than psychosis or depression. The distinction matters, and I’ll endeavour to use that terminology more often going forward.
Seen in that light, it’s worth remembering that much of today’s progress began long before withdrawal had an officially recognized name and public awareness. More than 20 years ago — when tapering guidance and safer tapering options didn’t exist — The Fiddaman Blog began warning others. It also likely helped Bob make sense of healing from prescribed harm and provided a creative outlet at a time when few were listening. His “go-for-the-jugular” style and sense of humor may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but given the decades of systemic whitewashing of iatrogenic harm, advocacy that doesn’t feel filtered through a PR office is refreshing.
Bob’s early posts were written under difficult circumstances so others would know they weren’t alone and their symptoms were real. They helped give voice and language to lived experiences pharma denied and the medical field largely refused to acknowledge.
I feel fortunate to have come across Bob’s blog years ago and to now count him as both a professional ally and partner.
Many of the conversations happening today exist because people like Bob spoke up 20 years ago when almost no one was paying attention. That persistence helped pave the way for others — whether they realize it or not.
Bob Fiddaman says
I really enjoy making videos, and I love creating songs too—whether they’re for serious campaigns or for things like birthdays and weddings.
Over the years I’ve done a lot of different things: blogging, writing a factual book, a novel, and now these videos.
When David asked me to make these pieces for RxISK, I got straight to work.
My old blog may not be active anymore, but it still gets views—over 4 million hits so far.
I have huge respect for David’s persistence. He could have walked away years ago, but he didn’t. Without RxISK, without the Healy blog, and especially without David himself, many of us would be in a much worse place.
All three videos took a lot longer to finish than people might think—script changes, narration tweaks, visuals, timing… it all adds up. Even the song “Pills for the Mirror” went through about 100 different versions and styles on Suno.ai before I was happy with it. The imagery came from what felt right to me for the lyrics.
I plan to keep making more of these videos—short, straightforward pieces that put patient experiences first.
Thank you, David, for trusting me with this and for never giving up.
And to anyone reading: if you’ve been harmed by these drugs, you’re not alone. Keep documenting, keep sharing, keep pushing.
Fid
PS – Thank you Annie & Krissy for your comments.
Sam says
Your an absolute star, thank you xx
Bob Fiddaman says
Thanks, Sam.
David Healy says
There have been two direct emails from Sam Ward – who has been one of the most active of activists in the UK on Isotretinoin issues – to me/RxISK. The first said thanks for a great post.
The second picks up a theme that emerged in the comments following the Isotretinoin and Consent post – the link between Jeffrey Epstein and safety on meds – with Sam Harris telling JEE he needs a Medical Security Team if he is going to take any of these drugs which can all have significant cognitive effects,
Sam passed on this message from a Douglas Bremmer substack which gives emails and prescriptions and the following text
lJeffrey Epstein took Accutane (isotretinoin) for acne that has been associated with neuropsychiatric side effects including depression and suicide, before he died by what was announced as suicide while in prison. Epstein took a generic of Accutane: Absorica 20 mg
1/ EFTA00313973 This is the informed consent document of the I PLEDGE pharmacovigilance program signed by Epstein on January 14, 2019.
2/ EFTA00314241 This is a prescription of Absorica 20 mg for one month in the name of Jeffrey Epstein.
3/ EFTA00510293 This is Epstein’s electronic diary where is found the date of the cessation of his treatment, ‘Stop Accutane’ on May 16, 2019.
He may have taken another generic, Claravis. See email from Lesley Groff asking to change the prescription on Jan 16, 2019, based on his request (jeevacation@gmail.com ).
A text message from April 2013 discussed the removal of a cyst on his shoulder (source: EFTA02120564).
His latest partner, Karyna Shuliak, sent a link on May 29, 2019, to a medical and scientific database where it mentions the possible “anti-aging” properties of isotretinoin. (source jeevacation@gmail.com). Given how many tech bro billionaires are obsessed with living forever that actually explains his interest. Truth is Accutane actually accelerates aging not the other way around.
Epstein made a first suicide attempt in prison on July 23, 2019, two months after stopping his treatment and already on July 6, the prison’s psychology department evaluated him because he appeared “distracted, sad and somewhat confused” (source: Federal Bureau of Prisons ).
https://substack.com/profile/6303968-doug-bremner/note/c-221972324?r=3r468&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Bob Fiddaman says
We’re taking it as a given that his cause of death was, indeed, by his own hand.
Up for debate given the circumstances.
Dr. David Healy says
A great way to smuggle a poison in if need be as in Nuremberg the movie
D
Dr Pedro says
Epstein used a Manhattan/Dubai – based dermatologist – Steven Victor -not only for his own skin but to sort out blemishes in his girls.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJmVdU2Afsp/
Readers over 18 can discover another referral from Epstein to Victor here:
https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01832810.pdf
Harriet Vogt says
Prompted by Dr Pedro’s research, I checked out Dr Victor – who specialises in stem cell therapies. No doubt ‘reassuringly expensive’ – as the old ads used to describe Stella Artois – also known colloquially in the UK as ‘wife beater’. Rather appropriate for JEE and his repulsive coterie –aka the selected elite.
And, yes, some derms do recommend off label ‘low dose’ Accutane 10-20 mgs a few times a week as an anti-ageing ‘treatment’. One I’ve mentioned before – Dr Dray, who has a large 2.6m YT following – and a remarkably shiny face. Oily skin is known to age much better than dry – which is clearly an isotretinoin action – drying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYvySEIa9RU
The theory- in scientific simpleton terms – seems to be that – the drug that ‘treats acne’ by shrinking sebacious glands and reducing the turnover of cells, stimulates collagen production. I do know- not from personal experience unfortunately – that aesthetic treatments like threading (basically holding your face up with with fish-hooks) damage the dermis and that stimulates collagen production. Maybe damage is the ‘mechanism’.
The drugs that the unspeakable was prescribed during his 2 month detention were apparently these:
Bisacodyl E.C. 5 MG TAB
Docusate Sodium 100 MG Cap
Milk of Magnesia Susp (OTC) (473ML) 400MG/5ML
methylPREDNISolone 4 MG Tab (21 count Pack)
https://epstein-docs.github.io/document/doj-ogr-00026165/
Personal plumbing malfunction – and a corticosteroid to treat – who knows what? But methylprednisolone does have a bad rap sheet for adverse effects ,including those described as ‘psychiatric’ when toxic or iatrogenic would be honest, e.g. confusion; delusions; dizziness; hallucination; insomnia;; suicidal ideation’ that fit with the state JEE was reportedly in before he died. He also suffered from chronic low testosterone – which seem psychologically significant – although some rapists are the opposite. `
https://www.medpagetoday.com/washington-watch/washington-watch/119820
Could isotretinoin withdrawal have been implicated in his apparent suicide? Could be . But the prospect of 45 years banged up – bail refused days before he killed himself – as well as the adverse effects of the corticosteroid he was taking sound likely contributors to the demise of a creature no-one will miss. Well, none of us anyway.