Anti-depresants WARNING

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Rich, would you mind telling us your psychiatric and pharmaceutical history? Because I am sure there is some connection between that and your point of view.

Maybe there should be an alert on antidepressants. Maybe it should say something along the lines of: "Alert: Prior to the Invention of These, A Hell of a Lot Of People Killed Themselves Needlessly. These Drugs Have Saved Lives"

In cases like the med Zoloft--if has caused deaths b/c the patients on them committed suicide.

Full disclosure and monitoring is necessary. And sometimes scripts provided are a trial and error thing until you find the right med and dosage that works.

I felt compelled to go off of zoloft cold turkey--just one day didn't feel the need to take them anymore. Told my midwife--she about had a cow and told me I had to wean. I'm glad I said something as I really thought it wasn't a big deal.


Casual scripting of the meds can cause more problems b/c someone not properly diagnosed and given an anti-depressant "like candy"---can make them worse, not better.

 

[Caradana]

In cases like the med Zoloft--if has caused deaths b/c the patients on them committed suicide.

Casual scripting of the meds can cause more problems b/c someone not properly diagnosed and given an anti-depressant "like candy"---can make them worse, not better.

Lisa, do you think that the Zoloft prompted them to kill themselves? Or would you agree that it's more likely that the feelings/compulsions that drove them to the antidepressant weren't mitigated by the drug, and they killed themselves as a result of ongoing depressive momentum?

Nothing given out like candy makes anyone better, and that includes candy.

I am somewhat amused by this "casual scripting" argument. Think about it. We school doctors for four years; they put in another four plus in residency; we would hope that after all that training they would know how to prescribe effectively; they live under the spectre of the FDA, and if they overprescribe or scrip inappropriately their license can be stripped permanently; there's even a check-and-balance with pharmacists, who can question a drug or stop a fill based on fact or on ethics. Still, despite that, people think that overprescription and ignorance are so rampant. It's really hard to imagine what more could be done from a process standpoint.

 

[ducklite]

Just chiming in - did your psychiatrist tell you that Risperdol is in fact a very potent anti-psychotic? It's used primarily to fight psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

I must admit that I'm not fond of the drug - it interfered with my breathing in a very nasty way



Rich::

Uh, yeah--maybe you should go back and read my post and you'll see why my son takes it.

Anne

 

[Mishetta]

I felt compelled to go off of zoloft cold turkey--just one day didn't feel the need to take them anymore. Told my midwife--she about had a cow and told me I had to wean. I'm glad I said something as I really thought it wasn't a big deal.

Hope you don't mind that I edited your quote to just fit in what my experience was. I did that same stupid thing you almost did ~ quit Zoloft cold turkey because I felt I was over my depression. (I was given the meds due to depression that I was suffering from the death of my Mother ~ but I was also 'ordered' to seek counseling as well as having to exercise everyday.) All of the above listed treatment did help me tremendously & when I felt I was fine, I just stopped taking the pills. WELL....my symptoms of withdrawl nearly sent me over the edge again. My lips, eyebrows & top of my head felt like I had an electric current running through it, shocking me constantly. I actually lived like that for a week before calling the Doctor & had to listen to the lecture about NOT QUITTING WITHOUT DOCTORS ADVICE (& he said it that loudly too!) So....I was put on small doses which was cut down over short periods of time & then everything seemed smoother but I did quit taking the meds again & altho I still had some side effects, nothing like I did when I stopped from a full dosage amount.

I'd sure like to know why I had that electrical current type feeling causing pops in my lips, head & forehead area. Pretty scary situation.....

 

[donnajon]

Actually, a common reason that people will kill themselves when they go on an antidepressant is because the antidepressant is starting to work. It is often a very dangerous time when first starting on an antidepressant because before the medication, the person does not have the energy to carry out a suicidal plan. The ironic thing is that when the antidepressant starts to work, the individual gets more energy - thus can carry out the plan to kill themselves. It takes a while for the meds to fully get into your system. If monitored thru this dangerous period, antidepressants are lifesaving drugs.
There will always be people on medication they don't need to be. And a lot of people use alcohol and illegal drugs to deal with their depression. At least people who are on antidepresssants are consulting a physician.

 

[dcentity2000]

Rich, would you mind telling us your psychiatric and pharmaceutical history? Because I am sure there is some connection between that and your point of view.

Maybe there should be an alert on antidepressants. Maybe it should say something along the lines of: "Alert: Prior to the Invention of These, A Hell of a Lot Of People Killed Themselves Needlessly. These Drugs Have Saved Lives"

A number of years ago I was diagnosed with something which I'd like not to disclose, if only for modesty's sake - this condition requires treatment in the forum of cognitive psychotherapy, counselling, anti-depressants, tranquilisers, anti-psychotics and anti-Parkinsons drugs.

I was immediately put onto hypnotics and Fluoxetine (Prozac) to first combat the depression, but the drug brought with it some nasty side effects, including weakness, diziness, amnesia, aches and pains all over etc. I was switched very quickly onto Sertraline (Zoloft) and did well on the drug, albeit at the maximum dose allowed every day. However, it did not lift the depression suitably and another anti-depressant was brought in, known as Dothiepin (a TriCyclic Antidepressant, an older class).

Eventually I adapted to the drugs (my condition is unusual in the way that I do adapt to drugs very quickly) and had to be moved. As far as the depression front goes I've taken every family there is, including some that cannot be prescribed in the USA. Currently I am on a RIMA known as Moclobemide (not available in the USA) at top dose along with a number of anti-depressants.

As far as the psychotic things go, I've been tried and tested on, again, a huge array of drugs, from the newer trendy ones (like Risperidone (Risperdal)) all the way to the unconventional older ones (like Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)). I've currently settled in on Quetiapine (Seroquel), but it's only a matter of time until I adjust.

I don't mind saying that these drugs have saved my life and have done a terrific job - at a price.

Some of the drugs I've taken that come to mind: Moclobemide, Trifluoperazine, Duloxetine, Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, Imipramine, Reboxetine, Risperidone, Lorazepam, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Dothiepin, Citalopram, Zopiclone, Procyclidine, Zolpidem, Quetiapine - the list goes on.

You could therefore say that I've developed a deep understanding as to how these things operate - I've experienced every drug family out there in these fields multiple times and am fully aware of the up and down sides of the drugs.

On top of that, I'm a student of Psychology, so it's my business to know

The reason for this post is that I have seen anti-depressants being handed out without warning in a throw-away fashion to children and it disgusts me. We all need to realise that these drugs are serious things and can have dire side-effects which occur all too often.



Rich::

 

[beckmrk04]

In the past few months I have tried several different drugs for my depression. Cymbalta, Wellbutrin, Lexapro, and finally I am on Effexor, which works wonders for me. Every single one of them has had a HUGE warning contained with it from the pharmacy about children and antidepressants, and the risk of worsening of symptoms in both children and adults. I don't think it's being completely ignored, if you look- it's there.

 

[jazstar87]

I take anti-depresants. i take lexapro. It has helped me gratefully. I am a teen and high school was hard for me. I had alot of really bad times and became a loner type person. I started taking it think sophomore year at the end by the time i got back to school i was a different person, though people didn't accept me because of what happen to me freshman year( i rather not talk about it was just stupid, stupid people. Heck i am senior now and i am going on to college and i will never see them again.) Well back to topic, as now, senior year i am nothing like the girl two years ago. I am vice president of the class, taking honor classes and doing ok in them( not that smart, kinda an average student). I am thankful for the anti-drepessant.

I can see why warning, but it truely depends on the person. it has affected me in a good way, but may affect somebody the opposite way. The only people that truely bother me about this topic is people like tom cruise and say that none of the drug work and going psycho about it.

 

[C.Ann]

I was just talking to DH about this because my parents have both been prescribed antidepressants. Dad zoloft; because he has terminal prostate cancer and mom (??) because she is dealing with it all. I am not sure what they gave her but it isn't zoloft and isn't something to take everyday--just when she "needs" it?? I need to find out what it is..

---------------------------------

It sounds like your mom may be on some type of anti-anxiety medication or tranquilizer (some can be labeled interchangeably).. Is it Xanax, Ativan or Valium? They are often prescribed on an as needed basis.. Anti-depressants have to be taken daily and it can take up to 8 weeks with some of them before you see/feel any improvement..

 

[2sweetangels]

I am on Paxil right now, but I have beed diagnosed as depressed since I was young. I went to counseling all through my childhood just about, my mom put me in this program where I stayed there for a week while counselors watched over me and kept me in observation. I had gone through 3 major brain operations, radiation therapy and a mother and father divorce, and now after my 2 kids and my grandma passing away, post-partum depression hit me so hard. My doctor just asked me a simple question and I busted out in tears. I am also a very angry person inside. The prozac was helping just a little and it made me want to sleep all day, so I just got switched to Paxil.

 

[DebbieB]

It doesn't matter who writes the prescription. If you have a bad reaction, it's the drug.. not the doctor.

Not if you are being prescribed the wrong drug for your condition. I don't think her PCP is qualified to properly assess her condition. She needs a psychiatrist who is more educated in psychiatric conditions to develop a proper treatment plan (which should include therapy, which she isn't getting).

 

[C.Ann]

I'd sure like to know why I had that electrical current type feeling causing pops in my lips, head & forehead area. Pretty scary situation.....

-------------------------------------

My DD had this same type of reaction when she stopped taking Paxil.. The doctor she was seeing at that time probably needed meds himself - he told her, "If they don't seem to be helping, just stop taking them and we'll discuss it when we meet again in two weeks..."

I thank God every day that she finally found an excellent doctor and an excellent therapist a year and a half ago.. She is in the best health - physically, mentally and emotionally - that she has been in since she was 15 years old.. Her current doctor worked hard and long to come up with just the right combination of medications in the correct dosages and literally saved her life..

Every drug on the market today can have debilitating and/or life-threatening side effects.. The key to using them safely is finding a doctors that take the problems seriously, fully understand the entire situation, pay VERY close attention to the possible side effects (even the ones listed as "rare") and monitors the patient very, very closely..

They are not drugs to be taken lightly - but they are not drugs to "not" be taken at all if it means the difference between having a "life" or simply "exisiting" in a deep, dark, black hole..

It's time consuming (and costly) to find the right doctor, the right medications, the right doses, and the right therapist - but compared to the alternative, it's worth every second and every dollar..

 

[Sylvester McBean]

I went to my doctor for problems with anxiety, she put me on Effexor. I have no idea why anxiety is treated with an anti-depressant. it kind of takes the edge off of life. it's OK, I guess.

 

[Twinkles6892]

Rich, would you mind telling us your psychiatric and pharmaceutical history? Because I am sure there is some connection between that and your point of view.

Maybe there should be an alert on antidepressants. Maybe it should say something along the lines of: "Alert: Prior to the Invention of These, A Hell of a Lot Of People Killed Themselves Needlessly. These Drugs Have Saved Lives"

Exactly.

 

[lsyorke]

Maybe there should be an alert on antidepressants. Maybe it should say something along the lines of: "Alert: Prior to the Invention of These, A Hell of a Lot Of People Killed Themselves Needlessly. These Drugs Have Saved Lives"

And many have died because of them. Patients who were NEVER suicidal, never depressed have killed themselves. I spoke at the FDA hearing which resulted in the "black box warning" for children for suicidality. This were children with NO history of suicidal ideation and where found hanging in their closets. Absolutely heartbreaking. There will be an FDA hearing in the near future regarding adults.

It's your choice to take these drugs. BUT you have the right to have ALL the information regarding adverse effects. These drugs are NOT for situational depression. They are mind altering substances that should be taken as a last resort. They carry warnings for suicide, pregnancy,aggression. There have been NO long term studies done on long term use. No clinical trial lasted more than 12 weeks. So what happens to your brain when your taking this drug for years??? That remains to be seen. The bottom line is you don't know how they're going to react in your brain. Some are lucky, others are not.

 

[palmtreegirl]

A number of years ago I was diagnosed with something which I'd like not to disclose, if only for modesty's sake - this condition requires treatment in the forum of cognitive psychotherapy, counselling, anti-depressants, tranquilisers, anti-psychotics and anti-Parkinsons drugs.

I was immediately put onto hypnotics and Fluoxetine (Prozac) to first combat the depression, but the drug brought with it some nasty side effects, including weakness, diziness, amnesia, aches and pains all over etc. I was switched very quickly onto Sertraline (Zoloft) and did well on the drug, albeit at the maximum dose allowed every day. However, it did not lift the depression suitably and another anti-depressant was brought in, known as Dothiepin (a TriCyclic Antidepressant, an older class).

Eventually I adapted to the drugs (my condition is unusual in the way that I do adapt to drugs very quickly) and had to be moved. As far as the depression front goes I've taken every family there is, including some that cannot be prescribed in the USA. Currently I am on a RIMA known as Moclobemide (not available in the USA) at top dose along with a number of anti-depressants.

As far as the psychotic things go, I've been tried and tested on, again, a huge array of drugs, from the newer trendy ones (like Risperidone (Risperdal)) all the way to the unconventional older ones (like Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)). I've currently settled in on Quetiapine (Seroquel), but it's only a matter of time until I adjust.

I don't mind saying that these drugs have saved my life and have done a terrific job - at a price.

Some of the drugs I've taken that come to mind: Moclobemide, Trifluoperazine, Duloxetine, Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, Imipramine, Reboxetine, Risperidone, Lorazepam, Sertraline, Fluoxetine, Dothiepin, Citalopram, Zopiclone, Procyclidine, Zolpidem, Quetiapine - the list goes on.

You could therefore say that I've developed a deep understanding as to how these things operate - I've experienced every drug family out there in these fields multiple times and am fully aware of the up and down sides of the drugs.

On top of that, I'm a student of Psychology, so it's my business to know

The reason for this post is that I have seen anti-depressants being handed out without warning in a throw-away fashion to children and it disgusts me. We all need to realise that these drugs are serious things and can have dire side-effects which occur all too often.



Rich::

Yikes, sounds like you've had a real rough time the last couple years.

 

[dcentity2000]

Yikes, sounds like you've had a real rough time the last couple years.

It's tough and more than a bit scary - at one point I was taking so much stuff that I was effectively being "poisoned" - my vision was impaired and my ability to write suffered greatly.

However, human beings are remarkable creatures in their ability to adapt and I've kinda got used to it. As long as I don't have to resort to Clozapine, I'm settled.



Rich::

 

[C.Ann]

And many have died because of them. Patients who were NEVER suicidal, never depressed have killed themselves. I spoke at the FDA hearing which resulted in the "black box warning" for children for suicidality. This were children with NO history of suicidal ideation and where found hanging in their closets. Absolutely heartbreaking. There will be an FDA hearing in the near future regarding adults.

It's your choice to take these drugs. BUT you have the right to have ALL the information regarding adverse effects. These drugs are NOT for situational depression. They are mind altering substances that should be taken as a last resort. They carry warnings for suicide, pregnancy,aggression. There have been NO long term studies done on long term use. No clinical trial lasted more than 12 weeks. So what happens to your brain when your taking this drug for years??? That remains to be seen. The bottom line is you don't know how they're going to react in your brain. Some are lucky, others are not.

----------------------------------

Do you have any stats on adults? I know there is grave concern regarding children and teenagers, but I don't ever recall there being large numbers of adults who died after taking these types of drugs while being closely monitored by a qualified physician..

And you are absolutely correct that we don't know what the long term outcome of these drugs (as well as thousands of others prescribed for non-psychiatric conditions) will be until sometime in the future.. It's like the whole lasik surgery to correct vision problems.. Many have had it done with no problems (at least not yet) but I for one would never consider it because I don't know what the after effects will be 30 years down the road.. However, I can wear glasses instead - but if someone is suffering from serious depression or other disorders that require the types of medications being discussed here they don't have many (or in some cases "any") other options.. Carefully prescribed, carefully dosed, and strictly monitored, they have saved many, many people from simply "existing" in a tortured state of mind..

 

[lsyorke]

----------------------------------

Do you have any stats on adults? I know there is grave concern regarding children and teenagers, but I don't ever recall there being large numbers of adults who died after taking these types of drugs while being closely monitored by a qualified physician..

And you are absolutely correct that we don't know what the long term outcome of these drugs (as well as thousands of others prescribed for non-psychiatric conditions) will be until sometime in the future.. It's like the whole lasik surgery to correct vision problems.. Many have had it done with no problems (at least not yet) but I for one would never consider it because I don't know what the after effects will be 30 years down the road.. However, I can wear glasses instead - but if someone is suffering from serious depression or other disorders that require the types of medications being discussed here they don't have many (or in some cases "any") other options.. Carefully prescribed, carefully dosed, and strictly monitored, they have saved many, many people from simply "existing" in a tortured state of mind..

The only "official" stats that we have on the adults right now is that 70% of those taking ssri's will go through some level of withdrawal. We're still waiting for the FDA to release the information that they are currently reviewing. BUT it's got to be significant enough since they are setting up hearings. Another fact that we have been able to get is that the "Adverse Drug Reports" that the FDA gets had Prozac as the top of the list for adverse reactions within the first year for any drug.

I agree that if someone is non functioning and tortured you do what you have to do to relieve that. But my concern is the pure numbers of prescriptions for what should be considered "life events". When did the grieving process,bad jobs,shyness etc.. require neurotransmitter alteration?
The sad part of long term effects is that most reported problems are not taken seriously since "the reporter has a psychiatric history". It's a catch 22.

As I have said I talk to thousands of people facing withdrawal from just one brand of this category of drugs. Most were not told when it was prescribed that getting off these drugs could take months to years and can be very debilitating, they were never informed to watch for personality changes, akasthesia was never mentioned as an adverse reaction that could be deadly. Parents were never informed that the clinical trials in children showed NO positive results and are NOT approved for children. If someone is given this information prior to taking the pill, then it's buyer beware, but at least they'll know what to look for.

As you can tell I'm passionate about this subject because I've seen the harm it can do in SOME people, adults and children alike. If you chose to take an ssri, at least be informed, search the internet for sites that aren't sponsored by the manufacturer, talk to real people who have taken these drugs. If I had done that I would have recognized the changes in my son and he wouldn't have had the horrible withdrawal that he ultimately went through. He is fine today and drug free.

 

[C.Ann]

The only "official" stats that we have on the adults right now is that 70% of those taking ssri's will go through some level of withdrawal. We're still waiting for the FDA to release the information that they are currently reviewing. BUT it's got to be significant enough since they are setting up hearings. Another fact that we have been able to get is that the "Adverse Drug Reports" that the FDA gets had Prozac as the top of the list for adverse reactions within the first year for any drug.

I agree that if someone is non functioning and tortured you do what you have to do to relieve that. But my concern is the pure numbers of prescriptions for what should be considered "life events". When did the grieving process,bad jobs,shyness etc.. require neurotransmitter alteration?
The sad part of long term effects is that most reported problems are not taken seriously since "the reporter has a psychiatric history". It's a catch 22.

As I have said I talk to thousands of people facing withdrawal from just one brand of this category of drugs. Most were not told when it was prescribed that getting off these drugs could take months to years and can be very debilitating, they were never informed to watch for personality changes, akasthesia was never mentioned as an adverse reaction that could be deadly. Parents were never informed that the clinical trials in children showed NO positive results and are NOT approved for children. If someone is given this information prior to taking the pill, then it's buyer beware, but at least they'll know what to look for.

As you can tell I'm passionate about this subject because I've seen the harm it can do in SOME people, adults and children alike. If you chose to take an ssri, at least be informed, search the internet for sites that aren't sponsored by the manufacturer, talk to real people who have taken these drugs. If I had done that I would have recognized the changes in my son and he wouldn't have had the horrible withdrawal that he ultimately went through. He is fine today and drug free.

----------------------------------------

Some good points.. I too am not in favor of strong, long-term meds for situational problems such as those you mentioned.. If anything, a very low dose of an anti-anxiety med (taken on an "as needed" basis) would be the better choice, not drugs meant for long-term treatment of depression!

It's ironic that you should mention Prozac though because quite a few years ago I fell into a deep, dark depression and Prozac was the only med that helped me and the only one that didn't make me deathly sick.. I was fortunate in that I also had a very good therapist, so I was only on the Prozac for a short time - less than a year..

There is so much out there in the medical community that we know so little about - and especially when it comes to drugs.. I have seen people helped and people destroyed by medications designed to "make them well" in terms of across the board health issues, not just mental health issues.. I have a friend who has been fighting cancer for over 6 years now.. The last chemo she had causes irreversible heart damage.. So now she can't breathe.. You have to wonder what the point is of saving someones life if it leaves them in a condition where they can't even get up from a chair without feeling as though they have run from NY to Florida..

I personally never take ANY medications without researching them carefully because I'm so drug sensitive and I always make a point of reading the inserts that come with the meds (which many, many people don't)..

I'm VERY happy to hear that your son is doing well (I'm beginning to remember now all that you went through with him).. That's great news!

People simply need to take charge of their own health and not "do" something, "take" something, or go along with something, "just because the doctor says so".. No one knows their own body better than the person walking around in that skin.. Listen to what your body tells you and respond to it appropriately.. Sometimes it's better to listen to your own intuition rather than what someone else is telling you..

Again, I'm SO glad to hear your son is doing well.. I know exactly how you feel because now that my DD has the proper medications - in the proper doses - along with the proper therapist - I have my "true" DD back - not the poor tortured soul that she was..