News flash: A big-city American newspaper (the Chicago Sun-Times) has written about the side effects of antidepressants, and how they can destroy marriages. It wasn’t on the Health page, or on the Business page where most of the important drug news appears. It was in Dear Abby’s advice column. You’ll find the letter from the unhappy husband below. I wasn’t satisfied with … [Read more...] about Dear Abby: Antidepressants and Marriage
Antidepressants
Grey Hair, Rotting Teeth, Semi-Blind and Demented
The Human Body is not meant to be taking ‘stuff’ all the time, whether medicines or biohack stuff or whatever. Forget the image of a magic bullet that flies to the one spot where it is needed and causes no collateral damage, every medicine poisons. The trick is to use medicines only when the damage being caused by some condition outweighs the inevitable harms of the poison … [Read more...] about Grey Hair, Rotting Teeth, Semi-Blind and Demented
Where’s Anonymous?
The following email arrived last week from someone who is unknown to me – has never filed a RxISK report about PSSD, never contributed to the RxISK Prize, never previously been in touch that I know of – at least under the name offered - doesn’t sign off, and is unwilling to engage in a public discussion but starts off on very familiar terms. David, I have followed your work … [Read more...] about Where’s Anonymous?
RxISK and Sharks
Two posts last week on RxISK Biohacking and david healy Stormy Weather raised issues about the Enduring Sexual Dysfunctions (ESD) linked to SSRIs and related drugs (PSSD and PGAD), finasteride and related drugs (PFS), and isotretinoin (PRSD). In the biohacking post both sides of the “debate” were concerned about the people with these conditions who had taken their … [Read more...] about RxISK and Sharks
Bio Rip-off, Bio Delusions, Bio Hack?
This ambiguous picture comes up when you search under grave robbing - nothing you can make money out of is sacred. But its entitled grave digger. Digger, robber, it can be hard to tell. We had an email a few days ago about a young man desperately seeking help who had in good faith took something he thought would help with hair loss and was now several years later suffering … [Read more...] about Bio Rip-off, Bio Delusions, Bio Hack?
My Doctor thinks I’m Faking It; SSRI Movement Disorders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PjOewDFIaI Editorial Note: This post by Stevie Lewis raises a very tricky area. There is no doubt that SSRIs cause movement disorders and not just temporary disorders but permanent problems like atypical Motor Neurone Disorder (ALS), Steele-Richardson Syndrome, Osmotic Demyelination Sydrome (Pontine Myelinolysis) and Multiple System Atrophy. … [Read more...] about My Doctor thinks I’m Faking It; SSRI Movement Disorders
Helping H: SSRI Withdrawal
The expert inputs Managing Efexor and SSRI Withdrawal and Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal to and comments on H’s case Side Effexor Withdrawal have been wonderful to get and hopefully will be a resource for others. Helping H H’s original problem and the idea of a commentary came about because 3 of us considered her case in response to a request she sent to RxISK for a … [Read more...] about Helping H: SSRI Withdrawal
Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal
Following H's report of difficulties with Effexor, we asked Will Hall, Altostrata, Bob Fiddaman and Josef Witt-Doerring, all experienced in this area, how they would Manage her Withdrawal. We also asked Peter Groot who helped develop the first Tapering Strips for Antidepressant withdrawal - who with colleagues has demonstrated that this can help many people - not all - … [Read more...] about Protracted Antidepressant Withdrawal
Managing Effexor and SSRI Withdrawal
H's nightmare with Effexor withdrawal was laid out in last week's post. Experts on antidepressant withdrawal were asked to comment - Will Hall, Altostrata, Peter C Groot, Bob Fiddaman, Josef Witt-Doerring have generously given time to do so. James Moore, Stevie Lewis and Ed White, administrator for a Facebook venlafaxine withdrawal group, who have substantial international … [Read more...] about Managing Effexor and SSRI Withdrawal
Side Effexor Withdrawal
About 12 years ago I was diagnosed with mild depression and prescribed 75 mg effexor. I did achieve relief from my symptoms on this dose. Later, maybe a few years, my dose was increased to 150 mg when my job became more stressful. There was no discussion about duration of treatment. I used to be an excellent sleeper. Whilst I couldn't say my sleep pattern changed immediately … [Read more...] about Side Effexor Withdrawal