Editorial Note: This request came to RxISK through Contact Us, last week. It went out to several of the panel who contribute to our responses, some of whom have qualified in medicine and some who have qualified by going through the medical system. There was no consensus among us about how to respond. Beneath the dilemma there are some notes toward a response. The dilemma I'm … [Read more...] about Stopping Antidepressants: Kenny’s Dilemma
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SSRIs & Loss of Identity
Editorial Note: This post reflects a probably not uncommon reality. There is no doubt people can be left with permanent dysfunction after a short course of SSRIs, or permanent depersonalization, so a permanent change of identity is possible and even likely for some - but features nowhere in the books. The author initially figured his problems were linked to memory but is now … [Read more...] about SSRIs & Loss of Identity
Sarah’s Tourette Syndrome Story
Editorial Note: This post by DG follows up on last week's Robbie's Tourette Syndrome Story and continues a series begun a year ago looking at the effects of aripiprazole on Tourette Syndrome Abilify, Tourette Syndrome and Me. As mentioned last week, the key point is not just drug induced adverse effects but the ability of someone who has the disorder and takes the treatment to … [Read more...] about Sarah’s Tourette Syndrome Story
Robbie’s Tourette Syndrome Story
Editorial Note: This post by DG continues a series begun a year ago looking at the effects of aripiprazole on Tourette Syndrome Abilify, Tourette Syndrome and Me. The key point here is not just the effect of a drug to trigger effects but the ability of someone who has the disorder and takes the treatment to be more expert on what is going on than the so-called experts. This is … [Read more...] about Robbie’s Tourette Syndrome Story
Olanzapine: Still Treading Water
Editorial Note: Ages back, Sally MacGregor wrote this piece to follow up to her Olanzapine experience - Olanzapine Withdrawal: Sally's Story. The original piece has routinely been among the top ten RxISK blog posts visited. This update slipped between the cracks. But here it is. Time for a progress report. I was in feisty mode last time – determined not to be beaten by the … [Read more...] about Olanzapine: Still Treading Water
Kidnapped: Natalie’s Story 2
Editorial Note: This is part 2 of Natalie's story written by her mother Kristina. The photo shows Natalie aged 18 at her graduation. Abductor number three: 2010 Natalie’s tardive dysphoria remained undiagnosed, and the counselor recommended that Natalie see her colleague, a psychiatrist. The counselor’s records reflected Natalie’s fears about taking drugs. Natalie shared, … [Read more...] about Kidnapped: Natalie’s Story 2
Kidnapped: Natalie’s Story
Editorial Note: Natalie's story parts 1 and 2 are by her mother Kristina. Natalie, celebrating her tenth birthday in 2003, shortly after being prescribed Prozac. Her left eye was starting to show signs of amblyopia, more commonly called “lazy eye.” This adverse drug reaction worsened and was one of many Natalie suffered from unnecessary prescribing. We couldn’t understand how … [Read more...] about Kidnapped: Natalie’s Story
How Common is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)?
The level of risk of developing Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD) from using an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant is currently unknown. Patients are never warned about persisting sexual side effects when these drugs are prescribed. Calls for informed consent are often met with the response that PSSD appears to be quite rare. Given the huge number of antidepressants prescribed … [Read more...] about How Common is Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)?
Medical Kidnap: Withdrawal & Non-Compliance
Editorial Note: This post is by Wendy Murray. It comes from a chapter in her new book that deals with the problems many of us have with prescribers of all kinds for medications of all kinds when we question their judgment. Their attitudes can kidnap us just as much as a detention can. I had reached the stage of taking a very low dose (6.5 mg) of citalopram during my second … [Read more...] about Medical Kidnap: Withdrawal & Non-Compliance
A Kidnapped Daughter 2
Continued from Part 1. Put on mirtazepine my daughter deteriorated rapidly. The crisis intervention team descended. They started by counting pills. When they found the number correct, they assumed I had destroyed the pills. They seemed perplexed. One of the team would take her out for some one–to-one. They would visit the local park, go to the café and drink some cocoa. … [Read more...] about A Kidnapped Daughter 2