The Post-Finasteride Syndrome Foundation has done great work for over a decade raising the profile of the sexual dysfunction that finasteride (Propecia) can cause - Post-Finasteride Syndrome - and more recently the suicidal effects this drug can have. The clear similarities between the difficulties triggered by Finasteride/Propecia, Isotretinoin/Accutane and SSRIs often … [Read more...] about The Seductive Charm of Pharmacology
Where is the Great Light that is Supposed to Shine?
Around the time Bob Whitaker asked me to do a Webinar on Stopping Antidepressants, K filed a RxISK Report on her efforts to get off Prozac. Like many Reports, in her case it seemed clear she should never have been put in the situation she is now in - she didn't have a mental illness. She got sucked into a situation not of her own making. Some wonderful touches to her … [Read more...] about Where is the Great Light that is Supposed to Shine?
Serotonin Systems, Gut Systems and Gravity
Young folk are probably less likely to read a post about bowel problems on meds because their bowels generally work without a hitch. They haven't had to learn to accommodate to the loss of elasticity that comes with age, which can make Gravity Feed an instantly recognizable concept for older people, especially when on meds. Six years ago, RxISK ran a Bladder and Bowel … [Read more...] about Serotonin Systems, Gut Systems and Gravity
Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction and Protracted Withdrawal Syndromes
Escaping the Hell of Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome by Thomas Staczewski is a well written post on Mad in America this week. TS's post links to an attractive Protracted Withdrawal Syndrome website he has, that has eye-catching imagery of brains. The bit, however, that really caught my eye was a suggestion - not quite an outright claim - that protracted withdrawal and PSSD are … [Read more...] about Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction and Protracted Withdrawal Syndromes
Complex Sensory Imbalances: New Remedies
In the Beginning The sulfonamides transformed medicine in the 1930s. They were the first effective antibiotics and they gave rise to the first diuretics, antihypertensives and hypoglycemics. The latest medical miracle, Semaglutide – Novo-Nordisk’s Ozempic - is touted not just as an effective hypoglycemic (anti-diabetic) medicine but also a Holy Grail drug that … [Read more...] about Complex Sensory Imbalances: New Remedies
Vision Weird, Vision Blurred and Visual Snow
If you look carefully at the blue sky in mid-picture between the clouds, you will a bunch of wispy white threads. They look like they are wisps of cloud and are up in the sky and they are often best seen against a blue background but they aren't cloud wisps - they are in the cornea of your eye. These black wisps are what most of us would call floaters. We might have one … [Read more...] about Vision Weird, Vision Blurred and Visual Snow
Visual Snow, Visual Blur, Visual Weird
Last week's post on Antidepressants and Retinal Detachment has generated a lot of very interesting comments. There will be another post on vision issues after this one - probably called Vision Weird. Serotonin reuptake inhibiting antidepressants can cause a range of problems on starting that continue or sometimes only appear on stopping. These include visual, sexual, … [Read more...] about Visual Snow, Visual Blur, Visual Weird
Detached Retina Triggered by Antidepressant
This post is from an American Veteran who was given Zoloft for PTSD. The trials that brought Zoloft on the market for PTSD were negative for men. It only got a license because there were some marginal benefits in women in the trial. It has always been worrying to see troops returning from war zones being put on this and related SSRIs. The reason for the post is to see … [Read more...] about Detached Retina Triggered by Antidepressant
Breaking the Word of Promise to our Hope
Be these juggling fiends no more believed, That palter with us in a double sense; That keep the word of promise to our ear, And break it to our hope. William Shakespeare: Macbeth A storm blew up just over a week ago with a Lancet article on antidepressant dependence and withdrawal. Based on company studies, this article gave some credence to the idea that antidepressants … [Read more...] about Breaking the Word of Promise to our Hope
The Fantasies of Psychopharmacology
This talk was first given at a Medicating Normal Meeting for mental health staff in Lexington Kentucky organized by Geoff Wilson and a few days later in May at the invitation of Don Marks to a group of clinical psychologists in Kean University New Jersey. I'm hoping it will lead to feedback from both groups and others. It is twinned with Truth, Trust and Health also given … [Read more...] about The Fantasies of Psychopharmacology