In 2001 new patients in England peaked at 339K, 682K patients were treated overall in thatyear, 207 suicides were induced, one of these was that of my wife, Rhona after just 11 days onSeroxat. However the small decline in consumption (c.f. Ed Silverman) from 2001 to 2002 reported in earlier IMR documents, before the 2003 data was available was in fact the start of an avalanche. The sum of the collective efforts by a few for so long began to take effect.Consumption fell in Q1 2002, held steady in Q2, fell again in Q3, then, in early Q4, “Secrets ofSeroxat” by Panorama delivered a devastating exposure of Seroxat to an estimated audience of5M. Paroxetine consumption went into a much steeper dive and has been diving withouthesitation for the last 18 months (up to Q4 2003).
http://www.ahrp.org/COI/PaxilDeclineUK.pdf
Monday, 31 August 2009
Sunday, 30 August 2009
Graham Aldred on Panorama - hardly a GSK whore?
Graham Aldred's wife Rhona was prescribed Seroxat for depression in 2001. She was depressed and anxious but not suicidal.
She wasn't keen to take it at first, but her husband reassured her.
He said: "When Rhona brought the drug home she said to me she had some reservations about it and I said, 'don't be silly, this is England, this is a country where you can trust medical regulation'.
"Now she was right and I was wrong."
However, shortly after starting on Seroxat, Rhona became very restless, agitated and had terrible nightmares. After 11 days on the drug, she drove to a secluded country lane, and killed herself.
Graham told the programme: "This is what the Regulator doesn't seem to understand - that there are people on the end of all this."
She wasn't keen to take it at first, but her husband reassured her.
He said: "When Rhona brought the drug home she said to me she had some reservations about it and I said, 'don't be silly, this is England, this is a country where you can trust medical regulation'.
"Now she was right and I was wrong."
However, shortly after starting on Seroxat, Rhona became very restless, agitated and had terrible nightmares. After 11 days on the drug, she drove to a secluded country lane, and killed herself.
Graham told the programme: "This is what the Regulator doesn't seem to understand - that there are people on the end of all this."
Seroxat England 1991 to 2003 - source Graham Aldred
Paroxetine in England 1991 to 2003.
in UK, 20mg, 30mg and liquid 10mg/5ml. Quarterly data increases the precision and enables
possible patient awareness triggers like Panorama or MHRA admissions to be plotted or
associated more exactly. Paroxetine (or any SSRI) consumption has to grow at a certain rate
each year just to maintain the ever increasing population of dependants/addicts called Long
Term Patients (LTP). New patients will only occur if there is any excess as happened from
1991 to 2001.
In 2001 new patients in England peaked at 339K, 682K patients were treated overall in that
year, 207 suicides were induced, one of these was that of my wife, Rhona after just 11 days on
Seroxat. However the small decline in consumption (c.f. Ed Silverman) from 2001 to 2002
reported in earlier IMR documents, before the 2003 data was available was in fact the start of
an avalanche. The sum of the collective efforts by a few for so long began to take effect.
Consumption fell in Q1 2002, held steady in Q2, fell again in Q3, then, in early Q4, “Secrets of
Seroxat” by Panorama delivered a devastating exposure of Seroxat to an estimated audience of
5M. Paroxetine consumption went into a much steeper dive and has been diving without
hesitation for the last 18 months (up to Q4 2003).
http://www.ahrp.org/COI/PaxilDeclineUK.pdf
Media maelstrom leads to decline in Seroxat prescriptions - remember Bob Fiddaman claimed this, so it must be true
We all owe a great deal of thanks to Shelley - The decline in Seroxat prescriptions since the airing of her investigative programmes is not a coincidence.
This blog gives Shelley a 21 gun-salute.
You rock!
http://bobfiddaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/seroxats-panorama-shelley-jofre-podcast.html
This blog gives Shelley a 21 gun-salute.
You rock!
http://bobfiddaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/seroxats-panorama-shelley-jofre-podcast.html
Media maelstrom was detrimental to Pitman's case said Karen Barth Menzies - so why didn't she stop it at the time?
The case spurred a media maelstrom."It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence
Media maelstrom was detrimental to Pitman's case says Ms Menzies
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Karen Barth Menzies - has she abused a child to gain access to documents needed for civil litigation?
Pfizer's lawyers have argued in court papers in the Pittman case that the documents being sought have nothing to do with the boy's situation, also noting that a Florida judge struck down a request for company records in a similar case. In addition, they have effectively accused Mr. Vickery and Ms. Menzies of using the case to make a cynical end run in order to obtain documents they want for other Zoloft-related lawsuits they are pursuing.
Child gets inadequate murder defence as Scientology lawyers try to get access to Pfizer's dirty laundry
Not long ago, Mr. Vickery and Ms. Menzies asked the case's presiding judge to order the release of scores of Pfizer company documents about pediatric trials of Zoloft, claiming they were critical to their client's case. Those records were reviewed in the past by Ms. Menzies, the plaintiffs' lawyer, as part of a 2002 civil lawsuit filed in a Los Angeles federal court against Pfizer by the widow of a man who committed suicide a week after starting on Zoloft. The case was dismissed before trial.
According to court filings, the documents include early drafts of a published positive pediatric report about Zoloft that was later criticized by researchers for its methodology. F.D.A. officials also did not find that the study provided convincing evidence of Zoloft's efficacy in children and adolescents. Both Mr. Vickery and Ms. Menzies said they were barred from speaking specifically about the Pfizer documents because they were covered by confidentially agreements they had signed during civil proceedings. But with the Pittman defense, "I am hopeful that this case is the one that all of Pfizer's dirty laundry comes out," Mr. Vickery said.
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Pittman-something-kept-telling-me-to-do-it.htm
According to court filings, the documents include early drafts of a published positive pediatric report about Zoloft that was later criticized by researchers for its methodology. F.D.A. officials also did not find that the study provided convincing evidence of Zoloft's efficacy in children and adolescents. Both Mr. Vickery and Ms. Menzies said they were barred from speaking specifically about the Pfizer documents because they were covered by confidentially agreements they had signed during civil proceedings. But with the Pittman defense, "I am hopeful that this case is the one that all of Pfizer's dirty laundry comes out," Mr. Vickery said.
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Pittman-something-kept-telling-me-to-do-it.htm
Seroxat/Paxil lawyer, Karen Barth Menzies of Scientology linked Baum Hedlund muscled into Pittman case.
By then, his case had become the center of a pitched legal struggle. Mr. Vickery, the plaintiffs' lawyer who had won the Wyoming trial, was contacted about the Pittman case by the International Coalition for Drug Awareness, a group based in Utah opposed to antidepressant use.
Over the past decade, the group's director, Ann Blake Tracy, has become involved in several murder cases in which a defendant has been on antidepressants or other drugs. Ms. Tracy maintains that antidepressants "overstimulate the brain stem and cause you to go into a sleep-walk state where you can act out the nightmares you have." Mr. Vickery, who has been suing antidepressant makers since the mid-1990's, soon joined the defense team, offering his services for free. So did another plaintiffs' lawyer who has filed similar lawsuits, Karen Barth Menzies of Los Angeles.
Lawyers for Pfizer have also gotten involved. The case's prosecutor, Chester County Solicitor John R. Justice, was recently hospitalized with a serious illness and has not been available to comment. But he stated at a court hearing that Pfizer had provided information to him last year to help him prepare for the trial, according to a published report in The Herald, a newspaper in Rock Hill, S.C.
source - http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Pittman-something-kept-telling-me-to-do-it.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/business/23drug.html?pagewanted=3
Over the past decade, the group's director, Ann Blake Tracy, has become involved in several murder cases in which a defendant has been on antidepressants or other drugs. Ms. Tracy maintains that antidepressants "overstimulate the brain stem and cause you to go into a sleep-walk state where you can act out the nightmares you have." Mr. Vickery, who has been suing antidepressant makers since the mid-1990's, soon joined the defense team, offering his services for free. So did another plaintiffs' lawyer who has filed similar lawsuits, Karen Barth Menzies of Los Angeles.
Lawyers for Pfizer have also gotten involved. The case's prosecutor, Chester County Solicitor John R. Justice, was recently hospitalized with a serious illness and has not been available to comment. But he stated at a court hearing that Pfizer had provided information to him last year to help him prepare for the trial, according to a published report in The Herald, a newspaper in Rock Hill, S.C.
source - http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Pittman-something-kept-telling-me-to-do-it.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/23/business/23drug.html?pagewanted=3
The New York Times > Business > Boy's Murder Case Entangled in Fight Over Antidepressants
The New York Times > Business > Boy's Murder Case Entangled in Fight Over Antidepressants: "Boy's Murder Case Entangled in Fight Over Antidepressants
By BARRY MEIER
Published: August 23, 2004"
By BARRY MEIER
Published: August 23, 2004"
Media maelstrom was detrimental to Pitman's case says Ms Menzies
The case spurred a media maelstrom."It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence
Christopher Pittman, 12 years old at time of murder charge was failed by Paxil/Seroxat lawyers inc Karen Barth Menzies
Attorney says focus on Zoloft hurt boy's defense Associated Press http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/28/met_546049.shtml Friday, August 28, 2009 3 commentsPRINTShare
WINNSBORO, S.C. --- A 12-year-old South Carolina boy who killed his grandparents, blaming Zoloft, might have been better off if his attorneys had been focused on his defense instead of on drawing attention to the possible side effects of antidepressants, one of the boy's lawyers testified Thursday.
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team.
Ms. Menzies testified during the second day of testimony in a hearing that will determine if Mr. Pittman gets a new trial.
In 2001, when he was 12, Mr. Pittman killed his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, with a shotgun and set fire to their Chester County home.
He took off in the family's car, initially telling police a black man committed the crimes but later saying he shot the couple as they slept.
During his 2005 trial, Mr. Pittman's attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the antidepressant Zoloft was to blame for his crimes. Now a new defense team is asking for a new trial, arguing that the original attorneys made mistakes. Circuit Judge Roger Young is hearing testimony and will make that decision later.
Ms. Menzies, a California attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation, says she was put on Mr. Pittman's defense team because of her expertise in dealing with drug companies.
Ms. Menzies worked with Andy Vickery and said the pair hoped to draw attention to the possible harmful side effects of antidepressants.
The case spurred a media maelstrom.
"It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."
Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.
Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence
WINNSBORO, S.C. --- A 12-year-old South Carolina boy who killed his grandparents, blaming Zoloft, might have been better off if his attorneys had been focused on his defense instead of on drawing attention to the possible side effects of antidepressants, one of the boy's lawyers testified Thursday.
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team.
Ms. Menzies testified during the second day of testimony in a hearing that will determine if Mr. Pittman gets a new trial.
In 2001, when he was 12, Mr. Pittman killed his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, with a shotgun and set fire to their Chester County home.
He took off in the family's car, initially telling police a black man committed the crimes but later saying he shot the couple as they slept.
During his 2005 trial, Mr. Pittman's attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the antidepressant Zoloft was to blame for his crimes. Now a new defense team is asking for a new trial, arguing that the original attorneys made mistakes. Circuit Judge Roger Young is hearing testimony and will make that decision later.
Ms. Menzies, a California attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation, says she was put on Mr. Pittman's defense team because of her expertise in dealing with drug companies.
Ms. Menzies worked with Andy Vickery and said the pair hoped to draw attention to the possible harmful side effects of antidepressants.
The case spurred a media maelstrom.
"It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."
Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.
Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence
So she screwed GSK & went on to stab her old colleagues in the back - WHAT A BITCH
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team
Karen Barth Menzies was the lead on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Paxil Withdrawal MultiDistrict Litigation which was settled out of court
Karen Barth Menzies (born December 8, 1966) is a California lawyer, professional business woman and avid civil rights supporter. She is best known as the lead on the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Paxil Withdrawal MultiDistrict Litigation which was settled out of court in the late 1990s.
Ms. Menzies has been at the forefront on the fight against Pharmaceutical companies for over 10 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Barth_Menzies
Ms. Menzies has been at the forefront on the fight against Pharmaceutical companies for over 10 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Barth_Menzies
Seroxat/Paxil lawyer leaves Baum, Hedlund & joins Robinson, Calcagnie
Karen Barth Menzies joined Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson in 2007 as a partner who focuses primarily on the mass tort cases. Ms. Menzies developed a specialized practice in pharmaceutical litigation at the Los Angeles firm of Baum, Hedlund, Aristei, Goldman & Menzies. Ms. Menzies' oversees the firm's SSRI-antidepressant birth defect and PPHN litigation, Avandia litigation and other pharmaceutical and device cases
Is Karen Menzies, a civil litigator, distancing herself from original Christopher Pittman defence?
re - Karen Menzies Attorney says focus on Zoloft hurt boy's defense
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team
Seroxat/Paxil lawyer - Karen Barth Menzies Baum Hedlund partner
www.baumhedlundlaw.com/drugs2/paxil.php - [Cached Version]Published on: 9/17/2007 Last Visited: 9/17/2007
In that litigation, Baum Hedlund partner Karen Barth Menzies was appointed lead counsel in charge of the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee for the Paxil Products Liability Litigation (Multidistrict Litigation MDL-1574) in which Baum Hedlund represented more than 3,000 people across the United States in personal injury cases against GSK....Attorney Karen Barth Menzies has testified three times before the FDA regarding the risk of suicide in children, adolescents and adults taking antidepressants, including Paxil.Ms. Menzies also met with members of the House and Senate regarding the risk of antidepressant-induced suicidality.Black box warnings have since been issued for children and adolescents, as well as an increased warning and a public health advisory concerning the suicide risk in adults. Ms. Menzies has received four legal awards for her advocacy efforts to improve drug safety
Karen Menzies Attorney says focus on Zoloft hurt boy's defense
Attorney says focus on Zoloft hurt boy's defense Associated Press http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/08/28/met_546049.shtml Friday, August 28, 2009 3 commentsPRINTShare
WINNSBORO, S.C. --- A 12-year-old South Carolina boy who killed his grandparents, blaming Zoloft, might have been better off if his attorneys had been focused on his defense instead of on drawing attention to the possible side effects of antidepressants, one of the boy's lawyers testified Thursday.
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team.
Ms. Menzies testified during the second day of testimony in a hearing that will determine if Mr. Pittman gets a new trial.
In 2001, when he was 12, Mr. Pittman killed his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, with a shotgun and set fire to their Chester County home.
He took off in the family's car, initially telling police a black man committed the crimes but later saying he shot the couple as they slept.
During his 2005 trial, Mr. Pittman's attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the antidepressant Zoloft was to blame for his crimes. Now a new defense team is asking for a new trial, arguing that the original attorneys made mistakes. Circuit Judge Roger Young is hearing testimony and will make that decision later.
Ms. Menzies, a California attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation, says she was put on Mr. Pittman's defense team because of her expertise in dealing with drug companies.
Ms. Menzies worked with Andy Vickery and said the pair hoped to draw attention to the possible harmful side effects of antidepressants.
The case spurred a media maelstrom.
"It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."
Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.
Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence.
WINNSBORO, S.C. --- A 12-year-old South Carolina boy who killed his grandparents, blaming Zoloft, might have been better off if his attorneys had been focused on his defense instead of on drawing attention to the possible side effects of antidepressants, one of the boy's lawyers testified Thursday.
"The biggest fear that I had was that we needed more perspective from a criminal defense lawyer in South Carolina," Karen Menzies, a civil litigator who was one of several attorneys on Christopher Pittman's original team.
Ms. Menzies testified during the second day of testimony in a hearing that will determine if Mr. Pittman gets a new trial.
In 2001, when he was 12, Mr. Pittman killed his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, with a shotgun and set fire to their Chester County home.
He took off in the family's car, initially telling police a black man committed the crimes but later saying he shot the couple as they slept.
During his 2005 trial, Mr. Pittman's attorneys unsuccessfully argued that the antidepressant Zoloft was to blame for his crimes. Now a new defense team is asking for a new trial, arguing that the original attorneys made mistakes. Circuit Judge Roger Young is hearing testimony and will make that decision later.
Ms. Menzies, a California attorney specializing in pharmaceutical litigation, says she was put on Mr. Pittman's defense team because of her expertise in dealing with drug companies.
Ms. Menzies worked with Andy Vickery and said the pair hoped to draw attention to the possible harmful side effects of antidepressants.
The case spurred a media maelstrom.
"It was not helpful to Chris' case," Ms. Menzies said. "I think, in the end, it was detrimental."
Taking the stand next, Mr. Vickery denied taking the case purely to publicize his own fight.
Mr. Vickery also said he worked extensively on a plea deal for Mr. Pittman before jurors returned with a guilty verdict, but says prosecutors would only agree to a deal under which Mr. Pittman would serve a maximum sentence.
Christopher Pittman - New trial hearing over for SC man in Zoloft case (Lustral/Sertraline)
New trial hearing over for SC man in Zoloft case
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/08/28/business-health-care-financial-impact-us-zoloft-defense-south-carolina_6827785.html
By JEFFREY COLLINS , 08.28.09, 05:35 PM EDT
WINNSBORO, S.C. -- After spending close to half his life behind bars, 20-year-old Christopher Pittman finally made it into the witness chair to testify in a South Carolina courtroom.
He never took the stand at his trial more than four years ago, when a jury found him guilty of the shotgun murder of his grandparents when he was 12 and a judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison, letting others make the case that heavy doses of the antidepressant Zoloft clouded his judgment. But as the chain linking his ankles softly clinked Friday, Pittman shuffled up to take questions during a hearing over whether he should get a new trial.
The judge wouldn't let prosecutors review the chilling confession he gave hours after authorities found Joe and Joy Pittman dead in their beds in the home their grandson set on fire. Instead, Pittman talked about his trial attorneys and how he would have taken a plea deal if they had just given him more information.
Prosecutors during this week's hearing have denied any formal plea offer was made, but Pittman's lawyers have said they were considering a deal for him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and let the judge decide on a sentence from two to 30 years.
Pittman's said his chief attorneys - civil lawyers who specialized in suing pharmaceutical companies - told him they were convinced the jury would blame Zoloft and not him for the killings. He said they never told him jurors in South Carolina could both blame the Zoloft and find him guilty of murder.
"I wouldn't have had a choice," Pittman said when asked if he would have considered a plea deal if he thought the trial wasn't going in his favor. "I wasn't told even if Zoloft was a part in my crime, I still could be found guilty and I was looking at 30 years to life. With the plea bargain, I could have gotten a lot less."
Pittman's new attorneys are arguing he deserves a new trial because his former lawyers didn't do their jobs properly at trial and because they failed to fight hard enough to have him tried as a juvenile, where he could have only been behind bars until he turned 21. The murder conviction as an adult means Pittman cannot get parole for his 30-year sentence and won't get out of prison until he is 42.
Circuit Court Judge Roger Young heard the three days of testimony that wrapped up Friday afternoon and is expected to make a ruling in several months, after both sides sum up their cases in briefs. Pittman has already lost a couple of rounds of appeals with the South Carolina and U.S. Supreme Courts.
While Pittman's lawyers press the plea deal issue hard, prosecutor Barney Giese testified Friday that no formal deal was ever offered. He said the two- to 30-year deal was something the judge suggested to him and the defense and he would have been hard-pressed to agree because the crime was so heinous and seemed planned.
Pittman's grandparents were shot as they slept. He then set the home on fire and drove away with his dog in the family's SUV. It got stuck on a dirt road 20 miles away, and he told some hunters who found him that a man broke into their home, killed his grandparents, kidnapped him and only ran when the vehicle got stuck, according to police and Pittman's confession.
"It would have been very difficult for me to agree to voluntary manslaughter for that," Giese said.
While authorities say Pittman killed his grandparents because they paddled him for misbehaving on the bus, Pittman again said Friday that voices in his head told him to kill. He blames the Zoloft for the voices, agreeing with his experts who say the drug kept him from knowing right from wrong. Pfizer Inc. ( PFE - news - people ), which makes Zoloft, has always vigorously denied the charge.
Pittman was convicted of the murders and sentenced to the minimum punishment of 30 years in prison.
Pittman is more than a foot taller and nearly twice as heavy as he was during his first court appearance after his arrest in November 2001. The squeaky, barely audible voice that answered "yes sir" to a Family Court judge who ordered him held until his trial has now turned into a deep baritone with a little twang.
There were no new revelations in Friday's testimony. Pittman's voice was clear as his lawyers questioned him, but he started to mumble as prosecutors asked him about racial slurs he uttered, homemade weapons he made and threats to rape other inmates during his first years in juvenile prison. Pittman's lawyers later called a psychiatrist who testified Pittman could have been rehabilitated because he was so young.
Nine supporters and family members sat behind Pittman. He smiled at them as he entered the courtroom, and shyly grinned as a woman close to his age spent the morning break chatting with him from the other side of the rail.
Janet Sisk befriended the Pittman family after his arrest and visits him nearly every week at the adult prison Pittman was transferred to two years ago in Columbia.
She said Pittman is like a son to her and has been able to survive growing up in prison thanks to the support of others. She said he is optimistic he will get a new trial, but knows anything can happen.
"I always say Chris keeps his hope in his back pocket," Sisk said. "He's hopeful. but he can't get his hopes up too high because that would be too far to fall."
Copyright 2009 Associated Press.
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/08/28/business-health-care-financial-impact-us-zoloft-defense-south-carolina_6827785.html
By JEFFREY COLLINS , 08.28.09, 05:35 PM EDT
WINNSBORO, S.C. -- After spending close to half his life behind bars, 20-year-old Christopher Pittman finally made it into the witness chair to testify in a South Carolina courtroom.
He never took the stand at his trial more than four years ago, when a jury found him guilty of the shotgun murder of his grandparents when he was 12 and a judge sentenced him to 30 years in prison, letting others make the case that heavy doses of the antidepressant Zoloft clouded his judgment. But as the chain linking his ankles softly clinked Friday, Pittman shuffled up to take questions during a hearing over whether he should get a new trial.
The judge wouldn't let prosecutors review the chilling confession he gave hours after authorities found Joe and Joy Pittman dead in their beds in the home their grandson set on fire. Instead, Pittman talked about his trial attorneys and how he would have taken a plea deal if they had just given him more information.
Prosecutors during this week's hearing have denied any formal plea offer was made, but Pittman's lawyers have said they were considering a deal for him to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and let the judge decide on a sentence from two to 30 years.
Pittman's said his chief attorneys - civil lawyers who specialized in suing pharmaceutical companies - told him they were convinced the jury would blame Zoloft and not him for the killings. He said they never told him jurors in South Carolina could both blame the Zoloft and find him guilty of murder.
"I wouldn't have had a choice," Pittman said when asked if he would have considered a plea deal if he thought the trial wasn't going in his favor. "I wasn't told even if Zoloft was a part in my crime, I still could be found guilty and I was looking at 30 years to life. With the plea bargain, I could have gotten a lot less."
Pittman's new attorneys are arguing he deserves a new trial because his former lawyers didn't do their jobs properly at trial and because they failed to fight hard enough to have him tried as a juvenile, where he could have only been behind bars until he turned 21. The murder conviction as an adult means Pittman cannot get parole for his 30-year sentence and won't get out of prison until he is 42.
Circuit Court Judge Roger Young heard the three days of testimony that wrapped up Friday afternoon and is expected to make a ruling in several months, after both sides sum up their cases in briefs. Pittman has already lost a couple of rounds of appeals with the South Carolina and U.S. Supreme Courts.
While Pittman's lawyers press the plea deal issue hard, prosecutor Barney Giese testified Friday that no formal deal was ever offered. He said the two- to 30-year deal was something the judge suggested to him and the defense and he would have been hard-pressed to agree because the crime was so heinous and seemed planned.
Pittman's grandparents were shot as they slept. He then set the home on fire and drove away with his dog in the family's SUV. It got stuck on a dirt road 20 miles away, and he told some hunters who found him that a man broke into their home, killed his grandparents, kidnapped him and only ran when the vehicle got stuck, according to police and Pittman's confession.
"It would have been very difficult for me to agree to voluntary manslaughter for that," Giese said.
While authorities say Pittman killed his grandparents because they paddled him for misbehaving on the bus, Pittman again said Friday that voices in his head told him to kill. He blames the Zoloft for the voices, agreeing with his experts who say the drug kept him from knowing right from wrong. Pfizer Inc. ( PFE - news - people ), which makes Zoloft, has always vigorously denied the charge.
Pittman was convicted of the murders and sentenced to the minimum punishment of 30 years in prison.
Pittman is more than a foot taller and nearly twice as heavy as he was during his first court appearance after his arrest in November 2001. The squeaky, barely audible voice that answered "yes sir" to a Family Court judge who ordered him held until his trial has now turned into a deep baritone with a little twang.
There were no new revelations in Friday's testimony. Pittman's voice was clear as his lawyers questioned him, but he started to mumble as prosecutors asked him about racial slurs he uttered, homemade weapons he made and threats to rape other inmates during his first years in juvenile prison. Pittman's lawyers later called a psychiatrist who testified Pittman could have been rehabilitated because he was so young.
Nine supporters and family members sat behind Pittman. He smiled at them as he entered the courtroom, and shyly grinned as a woman close to his age spent the morning break chatting with him from the other side of the rail.
Janet Sisk befriended the Pittman family after his arrest and visits him nearly every week at the adult prison Pittman was transferred to two years ago in Columbia.
She said Pittman is like a son to her and has been able to survive growing up in prison thanks to the support of others. She said he is optimistic he will get a new trial, but knows anything can happen.
"I always say Chris keeps his hope in his back pocket," Sisk said. "He's hopeful. but he can't get his hopes up too high because that would be too far to fall."
Copyright 2009 Associated Press.
Friday, 28 August 2009
Seroxat peaked in Q4 2001 it but Q4 2003 it had fallen by 25%. - SO HOW DID THEY GET OFF BOB ??
Official drug statistics for England show that the use of paroxetine in England grew annuallyfor the first 11 years since 1991 in spite of the increasing weight of scientific and clinicalevidence that this drug does induce suicide in some and dependence in others. Annualconsumption of all forms of paroxetine peaked in Q4 2001 it but Q4 2003 it had fallen by 25%.Some reasons for the growth in patient awareness and rejection of Seroxat are examined in thispaper.
Graham Aldred 17 May 2004graham-aldred@sheardhall.co.ukhttp://www.ahrp.org/COI/PaxilDeclineUK.pdf
Graham Aldred 17 May 2004graham-aldred@sheardhall.co.ukhttp://www.ahrp.org/COI/PaxilDeclineUK.pdf
Seroxat decline UK - no other SSRI has declined as fast as GSK's Paxil/paroxetine - SO HOW DID THEY GET OFF BOB??
Chart 5 demonstrates the immense value to Society of free and independent Public ServiceBroadcasting and Internet communication. This combination has triggered the growth ofawareness of SSRI danger. It has united the many thousands of victims of SSRIs across theworld with some professionals who have laboured so long in a cause for saving lives, seekingjustice and exposing dysfunctional drug regulation. Chart 5 shows that the tide has turned inthe UK. Great encouragement should be taken from this life saving victory. However effortsmust continue both to expose the known risks of paroxetine (Seroxat, Paxil) and all the other illvalidated SSRIs and to call for the establishment an effective independent Drug SafetyRegulator in every country, the absence of which is the root cause of this ongoing officiallysupported tragedy.Bob Fiddaman claims Seroxat prescriptions declined after Jofre's programmes - well Bob how did they get off the Seroxat?
We all owe a great deal of thanks to Shelley - The decline in Seroxat prescriptions since the airing of her investigative programmes is not a coincidence.
This blog gives Shelley a 21 gun-salute.
You rock!
Seroxat's Panorama Shelley Jofre podcast draws WEIRD comments from blogger !!
Podcast from Shelley Jofre BBC Panorama speaking at Coventry University UK.Shelley has taken on the likes of GSK, The MHRA - Confronted the patronizing Martin Keller.She has grilled MHRA Chairman, Alasdair Breckenridge, put GSK's Head of European Clinical Psychiatry, Alastiar Benbow, on the spot ["We haven't got a licence in children yet"]In this Podcast, Shelley discusses the four Panorama programmes where Seroxat was highlighted.We all owe a great deal of thanks to Shelley - The decline in Seroxat prescriptions since the airing of her investigative programmes is not a coincidence.This blog gives Shelley a 21 gun-salute.You rock!
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Seroxat videos - just how low can the BBC go ?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6291773.stm
Watch Seroxat in News View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com
http://www.veoh.com/collection/AgriculturalNews/watch/v251729w7zYxt2H
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
FOI 09/309 - MHRA have NOT received David Healy Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
From: Fawbert, Stephen Date: 21/08/2009 11:25:53 To: Jeremy Bryce Cc: Gregor, Simon Subject: FOI 09/309 - Healy Withdrawal Protocol
Dear Mr Bryce
Thank you for your email of 17 August to Simon Gregor which has been passed to me as Freedom of Information Act Coordinator for VRMM Division.
We have not received a revised withdrawal protocol dating from end of June or early July from Professor Healy.
As stated in previous correspondence the Summary of Product Characteristics, which is produced by the marketing authorisation holder and approved by the MHRA does not include information about the effects of venlafaxine on serotonin and noradrenaline at different doses. Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the treatment of depression states that 'At the standard dose of 75mg, venlafaxine is an SSRI. At doses of 150mg/day and above it also inhibits the reuptake of noradrenaline and, to a lesser extent dopamine. I hope this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely Stephen Fawbert
Stephen Fawbert
Information for Public Health Group Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)Market Towers 14-1101, Nine Elms LaneLondonSW8 5NQ
Tel: 020 7084 2788
www.yellowcard.gov.uk
www.mhra.gov.
Dear Mr Bryce
Thank you for your email of 17 August to Simon Gregor which has been passed to me as Freedom of Information Act Coordinator for VRMM Division.
We have not received a revised withdrawal protocol dating from end of June or early July from Professor Healy.
As stated in previous correspondence the Summary of Product Characteristics, which is produced by the marketing authorisation holder and approved by the MHRA does not include information about the effects of venlafaxine on serotonin and noradrenaline at different doses. Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on the treatment of depression states that 'At the standard dose of 75mg, venlafaxine is an SSRI. At doses of 150mg/day and above it also inhibits the reuptake of noradrenaline and, to a lesser extent dopamine. I hope this information is helpful.
Yours sincerely Stephen Fawbert
Stephen Fawbert
Information for Public Health Group Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines (VRMM)Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)Market Towers 14-1101, Nine Elms LaneLondonSW8 5NQ
Tel: 020 7084 2788
www.yellowcard.gov.uk
www.mhra.gov.
Monday, 24 August 2009
Seroxat/Paxil : Deception As A Marketing Tool - BBC Panorama deceived the public.
How many people have died because Shelley Jofre chose ONLY to investigate Seroxat & ignore other brands of SSRI?
NY judge to allow "Zoloft defense" in assault case - remember Paxil/Seroxat is not unique in causing violence
NY judge to allow "Zoloft defense" in assault case
August 22, 2009 By The Associated Press
http://www.newsday.com/ny-judge-to-allow-zoloft-defense-in-assault-case-1.1388026
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) A Long Island judge has said she will allow a man accused of punching and kicking his former girlfriend to use the so-called "Zoloft defense."
The attorney for Coram resident Brandon Hampson says he plans to argue that his client became violent and beat Lisa Essling on Aug. 25, 2006, because he stopped taking the popular antidepressant Zoloft days before the attack.
Nassau County District Court Judge Rhonda Fischer said Friday that she will allow a defense witness to testify that withdrawl from the antidepressant can cause a person to become aggressive.
Prosecutors say they strongly disagree with the court's decision.
Zoloft manufacturer Pfizer Inc. has said there's not evidence to suggest that discontinuing the drug can cause violent behavior.
___
Information from: Newsday,http://www.newsday.com/
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
August 22, 2009 By The Associated Press
http://www.newsday.com/ny-judge-to-allow-zoloft-defense-in-assault-case-1.1388026
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (AP) A Long Island judge has said she will allow a man accused of punching and kicking his former girlfriend to use the so-called "Zoloft defense."
The attorney for Coram resident Brandon Hampson says he plans to argue that his client became violent and beat Lisa Essling on Aug. 25, 2006, because he stopped taking the popular antidepressant Zoloft days before the attack.
Nassau County District Court Judge Rhonda Fischer said Friday that she will allow a defense witness to testify that withdrawl from the antidepressant can cause a person to become aggressive.
Prosecutors say they strongly disagree with the court's decision.
Zoloft manufacturer Pfizer Inc. has said there's not evidence to suggest that discontinuing the drug can cause violent behavior.
___
Information from: Newsday,http://www.newsday.com/
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Depression During Pregnancy: Treatment Recommendations - Joint Report from APA and ACOG
For Release: August 21, 2009
Contact: ACOG Office of Communications
202) 484-3321
communications@acog.org
APA Office of Communications
703-907-8640
press@psych.org
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-21-09-1.cfm
Depression During Pregnancy: Treatment Recommendations
A Joint Report from APA and ACOG
Washington, DC -- Pregnant women with depression face complicated treatment decisions because of the risks associated with both untreated depression and the use of antidepressants. A new report from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) attempts to help doctors and patients weigh the risks and benefits of various treatment options.
Based on an extensive review of existing research, ACOG and APA offer recommendations for the treatment of women with depression during pregnancy. The report, "The Management of Depression During Pregnancy: A Report from the American Psychiatric Association and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists," is published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (September 2009) and General Hospital Psychiatry (September/October 2009).
Depression is common during pregnancybetween 14 percent and 23 percent of pregnant women will experience depressive symptoms while pregnant. In 2003, approximately 13 percent of women took an antidepressant at some time during their pregnancy.
"Depression in pregnant women often goes unrecognized and untreated in part because of concerns about the safety of treating women during pregnancy," said lead author Kimberly Ann Yonkers, MD, Yale University associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. "It is our hope that this will be a resource to clinicians who care for pregnant women who have or are at risk of developing major depressive disorder."
Both depression symptoms and the use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy have been associated with negative consequences for the newborn. Infants born to women with depression have increased risk for irritability, less activity and attentiveness, and fewer facial expressions compared with those born to mothers without depression. Depression and its symptoms are also associated with fetal growth change and shorter gestation periods. And while available research still leaves some questions unanswered, some studies have linked fetal malformations, cardiac defects, pulmonary hypertension, and reduced birth weight to antidepressant use during pregnancy.
Identifying depression in pregnant women can be difficult because its symptoms mimic those associated with pregnancy, such as changes in mood, energy level, appetite, and cognition. Depressed women are more likely to have poor prenatal care and pregnancy complications, such as nausea, vomiting, and preeclampsia, and to use drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.
"Ob-gyns are the front-line physicians for most pregnant women and may be the first to make a diagnosis of depression or to observe depressive symptoms getting worse. In the past, reproductive health practitioners have felt ill equipped to treat these patients because of the lack of available guidance concerning the management of depressed women during pregnancy," said ACOG President Gerald F. Joseph, Jr, MD. "This joint report bridges the gap by summarizing current research on various depression treatment methods and can assist clinicians in decision-making. Many peoplephysicians and women alikewill be glad to know that their choices go beyond 'medication or nothing.'"
According to the report, some patients with mild-to-moderate depression can be treated with psychotherapy (individual or group) alone or in combination with medication. Additionally, the report discusses the need for ongoing consultation between a patient's ob-gyn and psychiatrist during pregnancy and presents algorithms for treating patients in common scenarios:
Women thinking about getting pregnant
For women on medication with mild or no symptoms for six months or longer, it may be appropriate to taper and discontinue medication before becoming pregnant.
Medication discontinuation may not be appropriate in women with a history of severe, recurrent depression (or who have psychosis, bipolar disorder, other psychiatric illness requiring medication, or a history of suicide attempts).
Women with suicidal or acute psychotic symptoms should be referred to a psychiatrist for aggressive treatment.
Pregnant women currently on medication for depression
Psychiatrically stable women who prefer to stay on medication may be able to do so after consultation between their psychiatrist and ob-gyn to discuss risks and benefits.
Women who would like to discontinue medication may attempt medication tapering and discontinuation if they are not experiencing symptoms, depending on their psychiatric history. Women with a history of recurrent depression are at a high risk of relapse if medication is discontinued.
Women with recurrent depression or who have symptoms despite their medication may benefit from psychotherapy to replace or augment medication.
Women with severe depression (with suicide attempts, functional incapacitation, or weight loss) should remain on medication. If a patient refuses medication, alternative treatment and monitoring should be in place, preferably before discontinuation.
Pregnant and not currently on medication for depression
Psychotherapy may be beneficial in women who prefer to avoid antidepressant medication.
For women who prefer taking medication, risks and benefits of treatment choices should be evaluated and discussed, including factors such as stage of gestation, symptoms, history of depression, and other conditions and circumstances (eg, a smoker, difficulty gaining weight).
All pregnant women
Regardless of circumstances, a woman with suicidal or psychotic symptoms should immediately see a psychiatrist for treatment.
Background on the report
APA and ACOG convened a work group to critically evaluate and summarize information about the risks associated with depression and antidepressant treatment during pregnancy. The group included clinical research experts within these two medical specialties and a developmental pediatrician.
Researchers reviewed cumulative existing research relating to antidepressant use in pregnancy; however, available research has not yet adequately controlled for other factors that may influence birth outcomes, including maternal illness or problematic health behaviors that can adversely affect pregnancy. Limitations of existing research include:
Few studies of antidepressants and birth outcomes assessed the mothers' psychiatric condition
Confounding factors that influence birth outcomes (eg, poor prenatal care and drug/alcohol/nicotine use) were often not controlled
Pregnancy complications (eg, nausea, preeclampsia) occur at a higher rate in depressed than nondepressed women
The report authors are Kimberly A. Yonkers, MD; Katherine L. Wisner, MD, MS; Donna E. Stewart, MD, FRCPC; Tim F. Oberlander, MD, FRCPC; Diana L. Dell, MD, FACOG, DFAPA; Nada Stotland, MD, MPH; Susan Ramin, MD, FACOG; Linda Chaudron, MD, MS; and Charles Lockwood, MD, FACOG.
# # #
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation's leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of approximately 56,000 members, ACOG: strongly advocates for quality health care for women; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care. www.acog.org
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose more than 38,000 physician members specialize in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psych.org and www.HealthyMinds.org.
Contact: ACOG Office of Communications
202) 484-3321
communications@acog.org
APA Office of Communications
703-907-8640
press@psych.org
http://www.acog.org/from_home/publications/press_releases/nr08-21-09-1.cfm
Depression During Pregnancy: Treatment Recommendations
A Joint Report from APA and ACOG
Washington, DC -- Pregnant women with depression face complicated treatment decisions because of the risks associated with both untreated depression and the use of antidepressants. A new report from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) attempts to help doctors and patients weigh the risks and benefits of various treatment options.
Based on an extensive review of existing research, ACOG and APA offer recommendations for the treatment of women with depression during pregnancy. The report, "The Management of Depression During Pregnancy: A Report from the American Psychiatric Association and The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists," is published in Obstetrics & Gynecology (September 2009) and General Hospital Psychiatry (September/October 2009).
Depression is common during pregnancybetween 14 percent and 23 percent of pregnant women will experience depressive symptoms while pregnant. In 2003, approximately 13 percent of women took an antidepressant at some time during their pregnancy.
"Depression in pregnant women often goes unrecognized and untreated in part because of concerns about the safety of treating women during pregnancy," said lead author Kimberly Ann Yonkers, MD, Yale University associate professor of psychiatry and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences. "It is our hope that this will be a resource to clinicians who care for pregnant women who have or are at risk of developing major depressive disorder."
Both depression symptoms and the use of antidepressant medications during pregnancy have been associated with negative consequences for the newborn. Infants born to women with depression have increased risk for irritability, less activity and attentiveness, and fewer facial expressions compared with those born to mothers without depression. Depression and its symptoms are also associated with fetal growth change and shorter gestation periods. And while available research still leaves some questions unanswered, some studies have linked fetal malformations, cardiac defects, pulmonary hypertension, and reduced birth weight to antidepressant use during pregnancy.
Identifying depression in pregnant women can be difficult because its symptoms mimic those associated with pregnancy, such as changes in mood, energy level, appetite, and cognition. Depressed women are more likely to have poor prenatal care and pregnancy complications, such as nausea, vomiting, and preeclampsia, and to use drugs, alcohol, and nicotine.
"Ob-gyns are the front-line physicians for most pregnant women and may be the first to make a diagnosis of depression or to observe depressive symptoms getting worse. In the past, reproductive health practitioners have felt ill equipped to treat these patients because of the lack of available guidance concerning the management of depressed women during pregnancy," said ACOG President Gerald F. Joseph, Jr, MD. "This joint report bridges the gap by summarizing current research on various depression treatment methods and can assist clinicians in decision-making. Many peoplephysicians and women alikewill be glad to know that their choices go beyond 'medication or nothing.'"
According to the report, some patients with mild-to-moderate depression can be treated with psychotherapy (individual or group) alone or in combination with medication. Additionally, the report discusses the need for ongoing consultation between a patient's ob-gyn and psychiatrist during pregnancy and presents algorithms for treating patients in common scenarios:
Women thinking about getting pregnant
For women on medication with mild or no symptoms for six months or longer, it may be appropriate to taper and discontinue medication before becoming pregnant.
Medication discontinuation may not be appropriate in women with a history of severe, recurrent depression (or who have psychosis, bipolar disorder, other psychiatric illness requiring medication, or a history of suicide attempts).
Women with suicidal or acute psychotic symptoms should be referred to a psychiatrist for aggressive treatment.
Pregnant women currently on medication for depression
Psychiatrically stable women who prefer to stay on medication may be able to do so after consultation between their psychiatrist and ob-gyn to discuss risks and benefits.
Women who would like to discontinue medication may attempt medication tapering and discontinuation if they are not experiencing symptoms, depending on their psychiatric history. Women with a history of recurrent depression are at a high risk of relapse if medication is discontinued.
Women with recurrent depression or who have symptoms despite their medication may benefit from psychotherapy to replace or augment medication.
Women with severe depression (with suicide attempts, functional incapacitation, or weight loss) should remain on medication. If a patient refuses medication, alternative treatment and monitoring should be in place, preferably before discontinuation.
Pregnant and not currently on medication for depression
Psychotherapy may be beneficial in women who prefer to avoid antidepressant medication.
For women who prefer taking medication, risks and benefits of treatment choices should be evaluated and discussed, including factors such as stage of gestation, symptoms, history of depression, and other conditions and circumstances (eg, a smoker, difficulty gaining weight).
All pregnant women
Regardless of circumstances, a woman with suicidal or psychotic symptoms should immediately see a psychiatrist for treatment.
Background on the report
APA and ACOG convened a work group to critically evaluate and summarize information about the risks associated with depression and antidepressant treatment during pregnancy. The group included clinical research experts within these two medical specialties and a developmental pediatrician.
Researchers reviewed cumulative existing research relating to antidepressant use in pregnancy; however, available research has not yet adequately controlled for other factors that may influence birth outcomes, including maternal illness or problematic health behaviors that can adversely affect pregnancy. Limitations of existing research include:
Few studies of antidepressants and birth outcomes assessed the mothers' psychiatric condition
Confounding factors that influence birth outcomes (eg, poor prenatal care and drug/alcohol/nicotine use) were often not controlled
Pregnancy complications (eg, nausea, preeclampsia) occur at a higher rate in depressed than nondepressed women
The report authors are Kimberly A. Yonkers, MD; Katherine L. Wisner, MD, MS; Donna E. Stewart, MD, FRCPC; Tim F. Oberlander, MD, FRCPC; Diana L. Dell, MD, FACOG, DFAPA; Nada Stotland, MD, MPH; Susan Ramin, MD, FACOG; Linda Chaudron, MD, MS; and Charles Lockwood, MD, FACOG.
# # #
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is the nation's leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of approximately 56,000 members, ACOG: strongly advocates for quality health care for women; maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members; promotes patient education; and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women's health care. www.acog.org
The American Psychiatric Association is a national medical specialty society whose more than 38,000 physician members specialize in diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research of mental illnesses including substance use disorders. Visit the APA at www.psych.org and www.HealthyMinds.org.
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Using Bob's logic, the image was created by Bob Fiddaman therefore, this blog must be created by Bob Fiddaman - we say check his research carefully
check out image properties - http://bobfiddaman.com/custom/fiddy1.jpg
Google has not removed all or indeed any part of this blog therefore do not deem it unsavory & Bob; thanks for all the visitors
Subject: Dear all
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008
Bob said
"As with all blogs, there is a button at the top which says 'FLAG BLOG' If this is pressed by many visitors, Blogger will take a look into the content and if deemed unsavory will remove the blog"
Posted by BOB FIDDAMAN at 11:38 0 comments
Bob says " I'm all for free speech but " Bob decides what people are free to talk about
Bob Fiddaman said to rather a lot of people -
Subject: Dear all
Date: Sat, 30 Aug 2008
"As you may or may not be aware, I have been the target of scathing written attacks on the internet of late.
These stem from Jeremy Bryce, a 55 year old from Downpatrick, Northern Ireland.
He has created a blog about me where he continues to write about my disability, finances and in general inciting hatred toward me.
As with all blogs, there is a button at the top which says 'FLAG BLOG'
If this is pressed by many visitors, Blogger will take a look into the content and if deemed unsavory will remove the blog.
I'm all for free speech but this man, Jeremy Bryce, has overstepped the mark. He has even published my name and address online and continues to goad me with cartoons with my image pasted on.
Please help by clicking the 'FLAG BLOG' button"
Saturday, 22 August 2009
Seroxat - BBC Panorama deception - listen to Shelley Jofre confirm they knew entire class had problems, but they focused on GSK's Seroxat
http://coventryuniversity.podbean.com/2007/11/01/one-woman-a-multinational-and-a-victory-shelley-jofre-panorama/
BBC plunged into new deception row
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090822/tuk-bbc-plunged-into-new-deception-row-6323e80.html
The BBC was plunged in to a new deception row after a cameraman posed as a member of the public on one of its daytime shows. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
BBC plunged into new deception row
The corporation - which was fined last year after a phone-in scandal - has suspended the production company behind the auction programme Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting, hosted by Angela Rippon.
Contracts with Reef Television were terminated after an episode in which one of its cameramen, Craig Harman, falsely appeared as a member of the public to buy an "acrylic panel" from a contestant.
A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation was "extremely disappointed" the company had "misled the audience and us".
She added: "We take this matter seriously and have suspended all business with them, with their agreement, while we investigate. We regret that the production company has failed to meet the high standards the BBC expects of its programme makers."
A Reef Television spokesman said: "Reef Television wishes to apologise unreservedly for misleading Sun, Sea & Bargain Spotting viewers and the BBC.
"The company recognises it is a serious breach of editorial standards of which the BBC was not made aware. Reef Television will co-operate fully with the BBC's investigation and has launched its own inquiry."
The episode in question featured two people heading to Dinan in north-west France to find bargains and then selling them on a London market stall. Mr Harman has also worked on BBC consumer affairs show Don't Get Done, Get Dom.
The episode was first broadcast last July. The series - a key part of the BBC2 daytime schedule - has been pulled off the air and from the iPlayer web service.
The BBC instigated a major overhaul of programme-making methods after shows including Children In Need, Blue Peter and Comic Relief featured phone-ins where production staff pretended to be winners.
The BBC was plunged in to a new deception row after a cameraman posed as a member of the public on one of its daytime shows. Skip related content
Related photos / videos
BBC plunged into new deception row
The corporation - which was fined last year after a phone-in scandal - has suspended the production company behind the auction programme Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting, hosted by Angela Rippon.
Contracts with Reef Television were terminated after an episode in which one of its cameramen, Craig Harman, falsely appeared as a member of the public to buy an "acrylic panel" from a contestant.
A BBC spokeswoman said the corporation was "extremely disappointed" the company had "misled the audience and us".
She added: "We take this matter seriously and have suspended all business with them, with their agreement, while we investigate. We regret that the production company has failed to meet the high standards the BBC expects of its programme makers."
A Reef Television spokesman said: "Reef Television wishes to apologise unreservedly for misleading Sun, Sea & Bargain Spotting viewers and the BBC.
"The company recognises it is a serious breach of editorial standards of which the BBC was not made aware. Reef Television will co-operate fully with the BBC's investigation and has launched its own inquiry."
The episode in question featured two people heading to Dinan in north-west France to find bargains and then selling them on a London market stall. Mr Harman has also worked on BBC consumer affairs show Don't Get Done, Get Dom.
The episode was first broadcast last July. The series - a key part of the BBC2 daytime schedule - has been pulled off the air and from the iPlayer web service.
The BBC instigated a major overhaul of programme-making methods after shows including Children In Need, Blue Peter and Comic Relief featured phone-ins where production staff pretended to be winners.
re-post for Scientology lawyers promoting Paxil/Seroxat litigation - you got the GSK $$$$$$$ but where are the withdrawal clinics?
Drug giant faces huge lawsuit Society guardian.co.uk:"'We have had a heck of a response,' said Skip Murgatroyd, the attorney from Baum, Hedlund, Aristei, Guilford and Schiavo, leading the case. 'It is unprecedented for us. Some of these people are in such bad shape that they can't get off the drug without professional help. Some have been on it for 10 years.'We're going to ask GlaxoSmithKline to set up centres all over the US to help them.' Hundreds of thousands are believed to be suffering."http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/sep/06/mentalhealthGeorge W. Murgatroyd III Los Angeles, CaliforniaOf Counselphone(888) 406-6726fax(310) 820-7444emailEmail MeGeorge Murgtroyd focuses his practice on pharmaceutical products liability, working chiefly on antidepressant injury cases including Paxil related suicide cases.Paxil Birth Injury InformationWelcome back Baum Hedlund
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Friday, 21 August 2009
Dear Baum Hedlund - now that we know you enjoy the original Bob Fiddaman blog, tell us, where are the promised Paxil withdrawal centres?
Drug giant faces huge lawsuit Society guardian.co.uk:"'We have had a heck of a response,' said Skip Murgatroyd, the attorney from Baum, Hedlund, Aristei, Guilford and Schiavo, leading the case. 'It is unprecedented for us. Some of these people are in such bad shape that they can't get off the drug without professional help. Some have been on it for 10 years.'We're going to ask GlaxoSmithKline to set up centres all over the US to help them.' Hundreds of thousands are believed to be suffering."http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/sep/06/mentalhealthGeorge W. Murgatroyd III Los Angeles, CaliforniaOf Counselphone(888) 406-6726fax(310) 820-7444emailEmail MeGeorge Murgtroyd focuses his practice on pharmaceutical products liability, working chiefly on antidepressant injury cases including Paxil related suicide cases.Paxil Birth Injury Information
Recent visitor - Baum Hedlund Law !!
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Thursday, 20 August 2009
GSK will NOT remove the words 'not addictive' from in the summary of product characteristics provided to GPs
Seroxat firm to drop dependence claim
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4001122#
18 May 03
GlaxoSmithKline will change the wording on the patient information leaflet for Seroxat (paroxetine) to remove the claim that the drug is 'not addictive'.
GSK made its decision after considering 1,400 e-mails from patients about their experiences of taking Seroxat, which were featured on BBC TV's Panorama earlier this month.
The company will not change the wording provided to GPs in the summary of product characteristics. A statement said: 'We acknowledge that patients may get symptoms on stopping Seroxat. Although we maintain Seroxat is not addictive, we have proposed to take out that specific wording as we realised on talking to patients it did not add to their understanding of what to expect when they stop taking the product.
'We are not proposing to change the wording to doctors on the SPC. The statement that Seroxat does not cause dependence will remain because this terminology is clearly understood by health care professionals.
http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=23&storycode=4001122#
18 May 03
GlaxoSmithKline will change the wording on the patient information leaflet for Seroxat (paroxetine) to remove the claim that the drug is 'not addictive'.
GSK made its decision after considering 1,400 e-mails from patients about their experiences of taking Seroxat, which were featured on BBC TV's Panorama earlier this month.
The company will not change the wording provided to GPs in the summary of product characteristics. A statement said: 'We acknowledge that patients may get symptoms on stopping Seroxat. Although we maintain Seroxat is not addictive, we have proposed to take out that specific wording as we realised on talking to patients it did not add to their understanding of what to expect when they stop taking the product.
'We are not proposing to change the wording to doctors on the SPC. The statement that Seroxat does not cause dependence will remain because this terminology is clearly understood by health care professionals.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Healy protocol as published by Solicitor Mark Harvey's Seroxat User Group 19 Aug 2009
Note Dr Healy's choice of words -
In terms of ongoing problems paroxetine,
sertraline, venlafaxine and duloxetine are associated with a high frequency of
problems on withdrawal and on this basis seem poor fall-back options.
Fluoxetine is associated with proportionally the greatest frequency of reports
of drug seeking or “addictive” behaviours, and is problematic from this point of
view. By default this leaves citalopram as a fallback option
sertraline, venlafaxine and duloxetine are associated with a high frequency of
problems on withdrawal and on this basis seem poor fall-back options.
Fluoxetine is associated with proportionally the greatest frequency of reports
of drug seeking or “addictive” behaviours, and is problematic from this point of
view. By default this leaves citalopram as a fallback option
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Re (so called) revised Healy protocol - FOI tracking FOI 09/309
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uksurvivors/message/47420
Our Ref: FOI 09/309
Dear Mr Bryce
RE: REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Thank you for your enquiry which we received on 17th August. I confirm that your request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act and you should receive a reply within 20 working days from our date of receipt.
If you need to contact us again about this request, please quote the reference number above.
Yours Sincerely
Richard Goldfinch Senior Information Scientist Information Centre Market Towers London SW8 5NQ
From: Jeremy Bryce [mailto:jeremybryce1953@...] Sent: 17 August 2009 10:26To: Gregor, SimonCc: Smith, YvonneSubject: re Healy - Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ Dear Simon Gregor I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following see entire post below Mr Fiddaman said - "
Our Ref: FOI 09/309
Dear Mr Bryce
RE: REQUEST UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000
Thank you for your enquiry which we received on 17th August. I confirm that your request is being handled under the Freedom of Information Act and you should receive a reply within 20 working days from our date of receipt.
If you need to contact us again about this request, please quote the reference number above.
Yours Sincerely
Richard Goldfinch Senior Information Scientist Information Centre Market Towers London SW8 5NQ
From: Jeremy Bryce [mailto:jeremybryce1953@...] Sent: 17 August 2009 10:26To: Gregor, SimonCc: Smith, YvonneSubject: re Healy - Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ Dear Simon Gregor I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following see entire post below Mr Fiddaman said - "
Re (so called) revised Healy protocol - freedom of information request to MHRA
fwd uksurvivors
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uksurvivors/message/47419
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ
Dear Simon Gregor
I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee, Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following,
(see entire post below)
Mr Fiddaman said -
" June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA "
Mr Fiddaman went on to say -
"After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol."
Mr Gregor this is a freedom of information request
(a) Has this revision of the withdrawal protocol, which was originally presented to the MHRA by Dr Healy end June/early July 2009, now been presented to the MHRA?
(b) If the MHRA has received this revision, referred to by Mr Fiddaman please send me a copy, which I would be happy to accept by e-mail to avoid waste of your resources.
(c) If in the event of the MHRA having received said revision please state if the MHRA endorses the now revised withdrawal protocol?
(d) Is the MHRA still minded to say that Efexor is an SSRI in doses up to 150mgs?
(e) Does Efexor which works as SNRI at high doses above 150 mgs still work as an SSRI..........I.e. would it be fair to say at these higher Efexor is an SSRI/SNRI?
Many thanks in advance
Jeremy Bryce
see below
David Healy Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
On June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA with regard to SSRi and non-SSRi withdrawal. After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol.Because of obsessive individuals who chose to slander myself, Healy and other advocates, the new protocol is available via my email address ONLY.Those of you who want a copy, please contact me by scrolling down my blog until you find the animated letterbox [right hand sidebar]Sorry I have to do it this way but some idiots have become so obsessed with what I and other campaigners do that they are spoiling it for everyone else.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uksurvivors/message/47419
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ
Dear Simon Gregor
I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee, Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following,
(see entire post below)
Mr Fiddaman said -
" June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA "
Mr Fiddaman went on to say -
"After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol."
Mr Gregor this is a freedom of information request
(a) Has this revision of the withdrawal protocol, which was originally presented to the MHRA by Dr Healy end June/early July 2009, now been presented to the MHRA?
(b) If the MHRA has received this revision, referred to by Mr Fiddaman please send me a copy, which I would be happy to accept by e-mail to avoid waste of your resources.
(c) If in the event of the MHRA having received said revision please state if the MHRA endorses the now revised withdrawal protocol?
(d) Is the MHRA still minded to say that Efexor is an SSRI in doses up to 150mgs?
(e) Does Efexor which works as SNRI at high doses above 150 mgs still work as an SSRI..........I.e. would it be fair to say at these higher Efexor is an SSRI/SNRI?
Many thanks in advance
Jeremy Bryce
see below
David Healy Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
On June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA with regard to SSRi and non-SSRi withdrawal. After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol.Because of obsessive individuals who chose to slander myself, Healy and other advocates, the new protocol is available via my email address ONLY.Those of you who want a copy, please contact me by scrolling down my blog until you find the animated letterbox [right hand sidebar]Sorry I have to do it this way but some idiots have become so obsessed with what I and other campaigners do that they are spoiling it for everyone else.
"Hundreds of thousands are believed to be suffering" paxil withdrawal but Scientologists pocket the money & don't provide withdrawal clinics
Some of these people are in such bad shape that they can't get off the drug without professional help. Some have been on it for 10 years.
'We're going to ask GlaxoSmithKline to set up centres all over the US to help them.' Hundreds of thousands are believed to be suffering.
Seroxat Scientology lawyer Baum Hedlund - You got the GSK $$$$ but where are the centres?
Drug giant faces huge lawsuit Society guardian.co.uk:"'We have had a heck of a response,' said Skip Murgatroyd, the attorney from Baum, Hedlund, Aristei, Guilford and Schiavo, leading the case. 'It is unprecedented for us. Some of these people are in such bad shape that they can't get off the drug without professional help. Some have been on it for 10 years.'We're going to ask GlaxoSmithKline to set up centres all over the US to help them.' Hundreds of thousands are believed to be suffering."http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/sep/06/mentalhealthGeorge W. Murgatroyd III Los Angeles, CaliforniaOf Counselphone(888) 406-6726fax(310) 820-7444emailEmail MeGeorge Murgtroyd focuses his practice on pharmaceutical products liability, working chiefly on antidepressant injury cases including Paxil related suicide cases.Paxil Birth Injury InformationPaxil Birth Defect AttorneyBirth DefectsBirth Injury Attorney
Monday, 17 August 2009
Ambulance chaser Mark Harvey looking for "evidence" six months BEFORE seroxatUSERgroup formed
http://www.antidepressantsfacts.com/Hard-habit-to-break.htm
Sunday February 3, 2002
In Cardiff, solicitor Mark Harvey, a partner in the firm Hugh James Ford Simey, is looking into the potential for a class action over here. 'At the moment, we are gathering together sufficient evidence to satisfy ourselves that there is a problem. We are being approached by people who had mild to moderate symptoms of depression, went on a course of paroxetine and felt terrible, much worse than they did before, when they tried to come off it. The drug company says they are not addictive. I would suggest, going by anecdotal evidence and the professional opinion of Dr David Healy, that this is not the case. While you may not crave more of the drug, there is a potential for withdrawal symptoms and therefore care should be taken.'
see Seroxat User Group newsletter issue 1 - http://www.seroxatusergroup.org.uk/Documents/newsletterissue1.pdf
Sunday February 3, 2002
In Cardiff, solicitor Mark Harvey, a partner in the firm Hugh James Ford Simey, is looking into the potential for a class action over here. 'At the moment, we are gathering together sufficient evidence to satisfy ourselves that there is a problem. We are being approached by people who had mild to moderate symptoms of depression, went on a course of paroxetine and felt terrible, much worse than they did before, when they tried to come off it. The drug company says they are not addictive. I would suggest, going by anecdotal evidence and the professional opinion of Dr David Healy, that this is not the case. While you may not crave more of the drug, there is a potential for withdrawal symptoms and therefore care should be taken.'
see Seroxat User Group newsletter issue 1 - http://www.seroxatusergroup.org.uk/Documents/newsletterissue1.pdf
Seroxat lawyer Mark Harvey tells Daily Mail his clients were not addicted they had 'discontinuation syndrome'
uksurvivors : Message: Seroxat clients not addicted - they had "discontinuation syndrome":extract -
His claim is part of a £30million damages case against the makers of the drug, which is supposed to boost confidence and happiness.Law firm Hugh James, on behalf of the claimants, alleges Seroxat is 'defective' under the 1987 Consumer Protection Act.Solicitor Mark Harvey said: 'All the claimants allege they tried to withdraw from Seroxat and have suffered discontinuation syndrome.http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23433242-details/Maker+of+
Healy - Withdrawal Protocol **Updated. - FOI ? to MHRA
fwd from UKsurvivors - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uksurvivors/message/47399
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ
Dear Simon Gregor
I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee, Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following,
(see entire post below)
Mr Fiddaman said -
" June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA "
Mr Fiddaman went on to say -
"After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol."
Mr Gregor this is a freedom of information request
(a) Has this revision of the withdrawal protocol, which was originally presented to the MHRA by Dr Healy end June/early July 2009, now been presented to the MHRA?
(b) If the MHRA has received this revision, referred to by Mr Fiddaman please send me a copy, which I would be happy to accept by e-mail to avoid waste of your resources.
(c) If in the event of the MHRA having received said revision please state if the MHRA endorses the now revised withdrawal protocol?
(d) Is the MHRA still minded to say that Efexor is an SSRI in doses up to 150mgs?
(e) Does Efexor which works as SNRI at high doses above 150 mgs still work as an SSRI..........I.e. would it be fair to say at these higher Efexor is an SSRI/SNRI?
Many thanks in advance
Jeremy Bryce
see below
David Healy Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
On June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA with regard to SSRi and non-SSRi withdrawal. After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol.Because of obsessive individuals who chose to slander myself, Healy and other advocates, the new protocol is available via my email address ONLY.Those of you who want a copy, please contact me by scrolling down my blog until you find the animated letterbox [right hand sidebar]Sorry I have to do it this way but some idiots have become so obsessed with what I and other campaigners do that they are spoiling it for everyone else.
Mr S Gregor, Director, Communications Division
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane
London SW8 5NQ
Dear Simon Gregor
I refer to publication by your MHRA PPE consultee, Mr Bob Fiddaman of the following,
(see entire post below)
Mr Fiddaman said -
" June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA "
Mr Fiddaman went on to say -
"After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol."
Mr Gregor this is a freedom of information request
(a) Has this revision of the withdrawal protocol, which was originally presented to the MHRA by Dr Healy end June/early July 2009, now been presented to the MHRA?
(b) If the MHRA has received this revision, referred to by Mr Fiddaman please send me a copy, which I would be happy to accept by e-mail to avoid waste of your resources.
(c) If in the event of the MHRA having received said revision please state if the MHRA endorses the now revised withdrawal protocol?
(d) Is the MHRA still minded to say that Efexor is an SSRI in doses up to 150mgs?
(e) Does Efexor which works as SNRI at high doses above 150 mgs still work as an SSRI..........I.e. would it be fair to say at these higher Efexor is an SSRI/SNRI?
Many thanks in advance
Jeremy Bryce
see below
David Healy Withdrawal Protocol **Updated
On June 28, 2009, I announced on this blog that David Healy had put forward a withdrawal protocol to the MHRA with regard to SSRi and non-SSRi withdrawal. After much correspondence between David and patient advocates he has now revised this protocol.Because of obsessive individuals who chose to slander myself, Healy and other advocates, the new protocol is available via my email address ONLY.Those of you who want a copy, please contact me by scrolling down my blog until you find the animated letterbox [right hand sidebar]Sorry I have to do it this way but some idiots have become so obsessed with what I and other campaigners do that they are spoiling it for everyone else.
All SSRIs pose a risk, said Healy.The danger with recent warnings from the MHRA about Seroxat is that GPs will switch women to another drug same class
"All SSRIs pose a risk, said Healy. The danger with recent warnings from the FDA and MHRA about Seroxat is that GPs will switch women to another drug of the same class"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/07/women-antidepressant-birth-defects
Women given antidepressant that can cause birth defects
Revealed: GPs still prescribing pill, despite evidence of risk in pregnancy
read on ..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/aug/07/women-antidepressant-birth-defects
Women given antidepressant that can cause birth defects
Revealed: GPs still prescribing pill, despite evidence of risk in pregnancy
read on ..
Seroxat discontinuation syndrome experienced by under 11% large retrospective analysis shows.
RESULTS: Of the 385 patients included in the review, 41 patients experienced the discontinuation syndrome. The occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome did not correlate with sex, maintenance dosage of paroxetine or duration of treatment with the drug. However, there was a relationship between the method of drug withdrawal and the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome, with the syndrome occurring significantly more frequently in those patients in whom paroxetine was abruptly discontinued
Abstract: Discontinuation syndrome associated with paroxetine [Paxil®/Seroxat®]
« H E » email
posted Friday, 28 July 2006
CNS Drugs. 2006;20(8):665-72.
Discontinuation syndrome associated with paroxetine in depressed patients : a retrospective analysis of factors involved in the occurrence of the syndrome.
Himei A, Okamura T.
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, JapanOsaka Institute of Psychiatry, Osaka, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors that contribute to the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome in patients who have received paroxetine to treat depression.
METHOD: The clinical records of individuals from the outpatient units of two centres in the western area of Japan who had had a single episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) and had completed monotherapy with paroxetine in the previous 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had been diagnosed with MDD according to the DSM-IV criteria. The patients were divided into two groups, according to whether or not they had experienced the discontinuation syndrome when paroxetine was stopped. The syndrome was diagnosed according to standard criteria for the SSRI discontinuation syndrome. The two groups were compared for sex, age, maintenance dosage of paroxetine, duration of treatment with paroxetine, presence of adverse reactions in the early phase of treatment with paroxetine, and method of paroxetine withdrawal (abrupt or tapered).
RESULTS: Of the 385 patients included in the review, 41 patients experienced the discontinuation syndrome. The occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome did not correlate with sex, maintenance dosage of paroxetine or duration of treatment with the drug. However, there was a relationship between the method of drug withdrawal and the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome, with the syndrome occurring significantly more frequently in those patients in whom paroxetine was abruptly discontinued. There was an association between the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome and age, but this association seemed to have been caused by the fact that younger patients were more inclined to abruptly stop taking the medication. It was also found that the discontinuation syndrome occurred at a significantly higher rate in patients who had experienced adverse reactions to paroxetine in the early phase of treatment.
CONCLUSION: The discontinuation syndrome in patients taking paroxetine was more likely to occur in those patients who stopped taking the drug abruptly. The occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome was also correlated with younger age, but this association seemed to be secondary to the fact that younger patients tended to be more likely to abruptly stop taking the medication. It appears that the discontinuation syndrome can be prevented by carefully tapering the dosage of paroxetine when treatment is withdrawn. Interestingly, the discontinuation syndrome was more likely to occur in those patients who experienced adverse reactions in the early phase of treatment with paroxetine. When the drug is discontinued, additional attention should be paid to patients who have presented with adverse reactions in the early phase of paroxetine therapy.
PMID: 16863271 [PubMed - in process]
Abstract: Discontinuation syndrome associated with paroxetine [Paxil®/Seroxat®]
« H E » email
posted Friday, 28 July 2006
CNS Drugs. 2006;20(8):665-72.
Discontinuation syndrome associated with paroxetine in depressed patients : a retrospective analysis of factors involved in the occurrence of the syndrome.
Himei A, Okamura T.
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Osaka Medical College, Osaka, JapanOsaka Institute of Psychiatry, Osaka, Japan.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the factors that contribute to the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome in patients who have received paroxetine to treat depression.
METHOD: The clinical records of individuals from the outpatient units of two centres in the western area of Japan who had had a single episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) and had completed monotherapy with paroxetine in the previous 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. All patients had been diagnosed with MDD according to the DSM-IV criteria. The patients were divided into two groups, according to whether or not they had experienced the discontinuation syndrome when paroxetine was stopped. The syndrome was diagnosed according to standard criteria for the SSRI discontinuation syndrome. The two groups were compared for sex, age, maintenance dosage of paroxetine, duration of treatment with paroxetine, presence of adverse reactions in the early phase of treatment with paroxetine, and method of paroxetine withdrawal (abrupt or tapered).
RESULTS: Of the 385 patients included in the review, 41 patients experienced the discontinuation syndrome. The occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome did not correlate with sex, maintenance dosage of paroxetine or duration of treatment with the drug. However, there was a relationship between the method of drug withdrawal and the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome, with the syndrome occurring significantly more frequently in those patients in whom paroxetine was abruptly discontinued. There was an association between the occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome and age, but this association seemed to have been caused by the fact that younger patients were more inclined to abruptly stop taking the medication. It was also found that the discontinuation syndrome occurred at a significantly higher rate in patients who had experienced adverse reactions to paroxetine in the early phase of treatment.
CONCLUSION: The discontinuation syndrome in patients taking paroxetine was more likely to occur in those patients who stopped taking the drug abruptly. The occurrence of the discontinuation syndrome was also correlated with younger age, but this association seemed to be secondary to the fact that younger patients tended to be more likely to abruptly stop taking the medication. It appears that the discontinuation syndrome can be prevented by carefully tapering the dosage of paroxetine when treatment is withdrawn. Interestingly, the discontinuation syndrome was more likely to occur in those patients who experienced adverse reactions in the early phase of treatment with paroxetine. When the drug is discontinued, additional attention should be paid to patients who have presented with adverse reactions in the early phase of paroxetine therapy.
PMID: 16863271 [PubMed - in process]
Sunday, 16 August 2009
How much is Fiddaman being paid by Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd. - go on then print the leaflet & patronise your GP
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Fiddaman wrote-
SSRi's and non-SSRi's into Liquid
The likes of GlaxoSmithKline will tell you the liquid formulation is for people who have difficulty in 'swallowing' the tablets.Many SSRi's are not available in liquid form, making it harder for the patient to taper.If your doctor suggests cutting your tablet in half or skipping a dose, show him the following [FIG 1]Your medicine CAN be changed into a liquid to help you taper more easily. Pharma want you hooked - the liquid will help ease the addiction - because addiction is what it is.Print of the following for your doctor.Fid
Contact Rosemont
Head Office AddressRosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.Rosemont HouseYorkdale Industrial ParkBraithwaite StreetLeeds LS11 9XE
Head Office AddressRosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd.Rosemont HouseYorkdale Industrial ParkBraithwaite StreetLeeds LS11 9XE
Seroxat - UK media bought & manipulated by solicitor Mark Harvey of Hugh James
from podcast - http://coventryuniversity.podbean.com/2007/11/01/one-woman-a-multinational-and-a-victory-shelley-jofre-panorama/
Jofre says although problems with whole class of antidepressants we (bbc) decided to concentrate on Seroxat
Jofre says although problems with whole class of antidepressants we (bbc) decided to concentrate on Seroxat
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Seroxat suicides don't matter much, the biggest problem he has is the "withdrawal" method says Catholic Solicitor Mark Harvey
Mark Harvey, a partner with Hugh James solicitors in Cardiff, said they wanted its manufacturer, Glaxo, to issue tougher warnings about the drug's side effects and carry out research into dependency problems.
"There is a claim that taking the drug can lead to significant bouts of depression and suicidal tendencies, but the greater problem is with withdrawal," he said.
"In many cases, people have complained that they feel worse than they did before, and some have spent eight, nine and ten years trying to come off the drug."
"There is a claim that taking the drug can lead to significant bouts of depression and suicidal tendencies, but the greater problem is with withdrawal," he said.
"In many cases, people have complained that they feel worse than they did before, and some have spent eight, nine and ten years trying to come off the drug."
GSK Quisling Mark Harvey said - Seroxat "does help some people, so we are not saying it should come off the market"
Mark Harvey friend of GSK said -
He said people were more concerned about issuing tougher warnings rather than simply seeking compensation.
"We recognise that it does help some people, so we are not saying it should come off the market. But doctors should have better information at their fingertips when deciding whether or not to issue appropriate" treatment."http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2002/9/19/120672.html
He said people were more concerned about issuing tougher warnings rather than simply seeking compensation.
"We recognise that it does help some people, so we are not saying it should come off the market. But doctors should have better information at their fingertips when deciding whether or not to issue appropriate" treatment."http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2002/9/19/120672.html
Friday, 14 August 2009
Once Seroxat is removed, the great leader thinks it "will open the doors for other SSRi's to be thoroughly investigated "
Bob Fiddaman said
I can see no benefit of Seroxat, none whatsoever. The longer it remains on the market will mean countless suffering for people on other SSRi's. Once removed, it will open the doors for other SSRi's to be thoroughly investigated and maybe other bloggers, campaigners, advocates can start banging the drum and asking the regulator about Prozac, Zoloft and other SSRi related drugs.
http://fiddaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/seroxat-in-media.html
http://fiddaman.blogspot.com/2009/08/seroxat-in-media.html
Narcissists and Sycophants: A Marriage Made in Hell
Whether we realize it or not, we all have at least one narcissist in our lives. In fact, according to authors Jean Twenge, PhD and Keith Campbell, PhD, there is a narcissism epidemic in this country. (The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement, Free Press, 2009, Twenge PhD., Campbell, PhD.).
After reading this eye opening book I found myself thinking about this subject in general and agree with the authors that narcissism is sweeping our country and wreaking havoc on the personal, social and professional relationships of the masses. Most of us, however, live in denial. We don’t want to view someone we look up to as a narcissist and we certainly don’t want to acknowledge the hold narcissists have on us and on the world at large. We also live in denial about the part we play in the creation of the narcissist and the perpetuation of his or her behavior. Far too often the people drawn into the narcissist’s force field enable, condone and tolerate the negative and destructive behavior of the narcissist. We absolve ourselves by saying we are doing it for the greater good, or by apologizing for the narcissist’s behavior. Often we take responsibility for the damage caused to other’s psyches by the narcissist. If truth be known, we do it because we are afraid. We don’t want to wound the highly sensitive narcissist because we will pay dearly for this narcissistic injury. We don’t want to be tossed out of the narcissist’s orbit for speaking up, for disagreeing or challenging the narcissist because what we get from the narcissist fuels our own needs.
I have a theory about why this is. From my life experience, I have come to believe that sycophants fuel narcissists and enable them to exist and even thrive. I am sure this isn’t a new or novel idea on my part. In fact, it is probably overly simplistic.
Let’s begin with some descriptions. A narcissist is a person with inordinate fascination with himself or herself. They have few social control mechanisms, fewer friends, little or no psychic demands to do the right thing (even though they give lip service to this concept) do not look for approval from others, lack social barometers of how to conduct themselves, and are driven to be captivating, inspirational, charming and seductive. They have a desperate need to get others to buy into their worldview–their vision, to create a world that they populate with their devoted followers. They are grandiose, don’t listen to others, are prone to angry outbursts (often used to control others who disagree with them), bully subordinates, dominate meetings and are often isolated and paranoid. According to Twenge and Campbell, narcissism is “a disease that causes others to suffer.” Narcissism is nearly always corrosive to social relationships as it breeds distrust. Narcissists are prone to using people like they use books, information and knowledge—they pump them for information and then when they are through, throw them aside. To the narcissist, there are only friends or foes; you are either for or against their vision. There is no middle ground.
Sycophants are self-serving servile flatterers and are often slavishly submissive to the narcissist. The narcissist and the sycophant need each other. The narcissist is completely dependent on the sycophant to feed his ego, to feel important and powerful. The sycophant, on the other hand, is also dependent on the narcissist for the narcissist makes the sycophant feel included and connected to someone the sycophant believes is powerful and important and will elevate the sycophant to great success, recognition or social standing. The sycophant derives a lot of self worth from the narcissist as the relationship with the narcissist gives the sycophant social standing he otherwise would not have. In short, the relationship between the narcissist and sycophant is symbiotic; each feeding and dependent on the other. Without sycophants, the narcissist struggles, becomes depressed and feels his or her life has no meaning. A narcissist must have blind allegiance and the adoration of sycophantic followers because that is the food of the narcissist. Most often, a narcissist surrounds him or herself with “yes men” (slavishly submissive flatterers) who the narcissist sees as no threat to him or herself but yet, who are also not much good for advancing the narcissist’s vision. But that is ok with the narcissist, because he or she has all the answers, knows what is best and right and doesn’t listen to others anyway. The “yes men” are the means to an end, they help the narcissist get what he or she wants and will only be kept close as long as they serve a purpose.
As a group, sycophants find meaning and purpose out of protecting and becoming the narcissist’s handlers. They bond with other sycophants in this common purpose and are simultaneously validated by each other for how dysfunctional this interpersonal interplay is, either on a conscious or unconscious level, depending on the dysfunction of each individual. In such groups, everyone suffers. There are no winners in this symbiotic relationship. The narcissist’s hold is so great it is hard for the sycophant to escape the narcissist’s seductive embrace. At some point, depending on the amount of pain the sycophant has had to endure, they will wake up when they are no longer able to tolerate being used or when their own ethics or integrity will no longer permit them to be passive participants in the destructive world of the narcissist. Faced with abandonment, the narcissist acts more and more out of desperation, devolves deeper into his or her pathology and ends up alone and even more isolated, completing the cycle of narcissistic self-destruction.
In the end, narcissists die alone and sycophants suffer stunted emotional and psychological growth, unless they grow strong enough to break their addiction and choose to value their own self-worth instead of abandoning it for the advancement of the narcissist.
I highly recommend anyone interested in the burgeoning narcissism epidemic read Twenge and Campbell’s excellent book. It is both eye opening and thought provoking.
Another good book on narcissists is Michael Maccoby’s Narcissistic Leaders: Who Succeeds and Who Fails (Broadway Books, 2003).
After reading this eye opening book I found myself thinking about this subject in general and agree with the authors that narcissism is sweeping our country and wreaking havoc on the personal, social and professional relationships of the masses. Most of us, however, live in denial. We don’t want to view someone we look up to as a narcissist and we certainly don’t want to acknowledge the hold narcissists have on us and on the world at large. We also live in denial about the part we play in the creation of the narcissist and the perpetuation of his or her behavior. Far too often the people drawn into the narcissist’s force field enable, condone and tolerate the negative and destructive behavior of the narcissist. We absolve ourselves by saying we are doing it for the greater good, or by apologizing for the narcissist’s behavior. Often we take responsibility for the damage caused to other’s psyches by the narcissist. If truth be known, we do it because we are afraid. We don’t want to wound the highly sensitive narcissist because we will pay dearly for this narcissistic injury. We don’t want to be tossed out of the narcissist’s orbit for speaking up, for disagreeing or challenging the narcissist because what we get from the narcissist fuels our own needs.
I have a theory about why this is. From my life experience, I have come to believe that sycophants fuel narcissists and enable them to exist and even thrive. I am sure this isn’t a new or novel idea on my part. In fact, it is probably overly simplistic.
Let’s begin with some descriptions. A narcissist is a person with inordinate fascination with himself or herself. They have few social control mechanisms, fewer friends, little or no psychic demands to do the right thing (even though they give lip service to this concept) do not look for approval from others, lack social barometers of how to conduct themselves, and are driven to be captivating, inspirational, charming and seductive. They have a desperate need to get others to buy into their worldview–their vision, to create a world that they populate with their devoted followers. They are grandiose, don’t listen to others, are prone to angry outbursts (often used to control others who disagree with them), bully subordinates, dominate meetings and are often isolated and paranoid. According to Twenge and Campbell, narcissism is “a disease that causes others to suffer.” Narcissism is nearly always corrosive to social relationships as it breeds distrust. Narcissists are prone to using people like they use books, information and knowledge—they pump them for information and then when they are through, throw them aside. To the narcissist, there are only friends or foes; you are either for or against their vision. There is no middle ground.
Sycophants are self-serving servile flatterers and are often slavishly submissive to the narcissist. The narcissist and the sycophant need each other. The narcissist is completely dependent on the sycophant to feed his ego, to feel important and powerful. The sycophant, on the other hand, is also dependent on the narcissist for the narcissist makes the sycophant feel included and connected to someone the sycophant believes is powerful and important and will elevate the sycophant to great success, recognition or social standing. The sycophant derives a lot of self worth from the narcissist as the relationship with the narcissist gives the sycophant social standing he otherwise would not have. In short, the relationship between the narcissist and sycophant is symbiotic; each feeding and dependent on the other. Without sycophants, the narcissist struggles, becomes depressed and feels his or her life has no meaning. A narcissist must have blind allegiance and the adoration of sycophantic followers because that is the food of the narcissist. Most often, a narcissist surrounds him or herself with “yes men” (slavishly submissive flatterers) who the narcissist sees as no threat to him or herself but yet, who are also not much good for advancing the narcissist’s vision. But that is ok with the narcissist, because he or she has all the answers, knows what is best and right and doesn’t listen to others anyway. The “yes men” are the means to an end, they help the narcissist get what he or she wants and will only be kept close as long as they serve a purpose.
As a group, sycophants find meaning and purpose out of protecting and becoming the narcissist’s handlers. They bond with other sycophants in this common purpose and are simultaneously validated by each other for how dysfunctional this interpersonal interplay is, either on a conscious or unconscious level, depending on the dysfunction of each individual. In such groups, everyone suffers. There are no winners in this symbiotic relationship. The narcissist’s hold is so great it is hard for the sycophant to escape the narcissist’s seductive embrace. At some point, depending on the amount of pain the sycophant has had to endure, they will wake up when they are no longer able to tolerate being used or when their own ethics or integrity will no longer permit them to be passive participants in the destructive world of the narcissist. Faced with abandonment, the narcissist acts more and more out of desperation, devolves deeper into his or her pathology and ends up alone and even more isolated, completing the cycle of narcissistic self-destruction.
In the end, narcissists die alone and sycophants suffer stunted emotional and psychological growth, unless they grow strong enough to break their addiction and choose to value their own self-worth instead of abandoning it for the advancement of the narcissist.
I highly recommend anyone interested in the burgeoning narcissism epidemic read Twenge and Campbell’s excellent book. It is both eye opening and thought provoking.
Another good book on narcissists is Michael Maccoby’s Narcissistic Leaders: Who Succeeds and Who Fails (Broadway Books, 2003).
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