Editorial Note: This post that neatly ties together drug induced violence and dependence and withdrawal, the theme of the next few posts, is by Mickey Nardo. It featured on OneBoringOldMan a few weeks ago. It has a ring of a Raymond Chandler novel. Hence the image and the postscript. It was towards the end of today’s clinic. He was a big guy, friendly, seemed neither anxious … [Read more...] about Down These Mean Streets
Withdrawal
Tracking Down the Cause of Withdrawal and PSSD
Editorial Note: Between now and the end of the year, RxISK will have a major revamp. Among the first new features will be a Complex Withdrawal and PSSD research section. The philosophy behind this is that no-one knows what Protracted Withdrawal Syndromes and PSSD actually are and it's more difficult to find an answer if we don't know. Both are conditions that cannot be found in … [Read more...] about Tracking Down the Cause of Withdrawal and PSSD
Withdrawal Research Forum: Relief at Last?
Editorial Note: There are tens of thousands of people affected by dependence on and protracted withdrawal from antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, dopamine agonists and other drugs. We will be opening up a Complex Withdrawal and PSSD research section in the very near future aimed at solving what is going on. This post by DA who has a certified protracted … [Read more...] about Withdrawal Research Forum: Relief at Last?
A 329 Story
Editorial: This is an account from someone who went on paroxetine - Paxil - Seroxat - soon after Study 329 came out. She didn't commit suicide. But it would be difficult to describe these effects of the drug as good. And it is also difficult to view the culture in which the drug was given as therapeutic. Most of us can probably remember the power of a sympathetic adult when we … [Read more...] about A 329 Story
Benzodiazepine and Antidepressant Dependence
Sally MacGregor has written about the horrors of dependence on olanzapine - see Olanzapine Withdrawal and Back In Olanzapine Waters. Here she picks up a conundrum - Primary Care Doctors react to the idea of Benzodiazepines as though they have been the greatest threat to the stability of society since World War II, while at the same time it seems still dishing out these drugs in … [Read more...] about Benzodiazepine and Antidepressant Dependence
Kicking Lyrica
Editorial Note: This post was put together by Johanna Ryan from reports to RxISK on Lyrica - Pregabalin. Lyrica is closely related to Neurontin. Many anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine have been used for forty years for pain syndromes such as trigeminal neuralgia. Neurontin but especially Lyrica have been promoted heavily for this. Both cause dependence and withdrawal and … [Read more...] about Kicking Lyrica
Withdrawal from Sertraline
This is the story of Anna. My first encounter with psychiatry and the “mental health” system was in the summer of 2008. A beautiful; warm summer indeed. But unfortunately I will recall this summer for other, less glorious, reasons. I was 20 years old at the time and had moved eight times in my short life, changed countries twice and had become increasingly more lonely and … [Read more...] about Withdrawal from Sertraline
Doctors and Withdrawal from Antidepressants
This is a follow-up to Katie's post, Girl on a Hot Tin Roof, about drug withdrawal and burning feet. I have been profoundly affected by adverse events from medications. I attempted repeatedly to talk to my psychiatrist about my concerns and hoped he would believe what had occurred so that he could partner with me. This hasn’t been the case. I decided to try again, this time by … [Read more...] about Doctors and Withdrawal from Antidepressants
Abilify, Tourette Syndrome and Me
Editorial Note: This post is by DG. It's number three in the Abilify series, following Dodging Abilify and Abilify from the Inside Out. I was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome (TS) as a child. It was always manageable. I did well in school and was actively involved with music programs at church and school. At 17, my tics suddenly became severe and despite extensive testing, … [Read more...] about Abilify, Tourette Syndrome and Me
Antidepressant Withdrawal: A Prozac Story
Editorial Note: Over two years ago we posted Antidepressant Withdrawal: V's story. It has close to 100 comments making it one of the topics that has attracted the most interest. Right now the New York Times is running a series on Breaking up with my Meds that is attracting a lot of comment. This is a hot button issue with many people desperate to get off antidepressants and … [Read more...] about Antidepressant Withdrawal: A Prozac Story