I'm pleased to announce that David has now met with them and laid a new, revised withdrawal protocol on the table.
As I understand, notes were taken at the meeting and should be available soon.
Hopefully, the MHRA will now have a better understanding of the struggles people have when withdrawing from SSRi's.
The new withdrawal protocol can be downloaded here.
NOW UPDATED WITH A REVISED PROTOCOL JULY 09
ORDER THE PAPERBACK
'THE EVIDENCE, HOWEVER, IS CLEAR...THE SEROXAT SCANDAL' By Bob Fiddaman
SIGNED COPIES HERE OR UNSIGNED FROM CHIPMUNKA PUBLISHING
Sadly the recommendation to switch to another ssri usually results in a disaster. I appreciate his explanation of the symptoms of withdrawal, but not the recommendation on how to handle the drugs.
ReplyDeleteRead the 'How to Withdraw' section
ReplyDelete"One of the first steps to consider is getting a liquid formulation of your antidepressant. This can be done by asking your doctor to approach the local primary care pharmacist who can make an application to one of the specialist companies such as Martindale’s or Rosemount that can make up a liquid formulation of almost any antidepressant you might be on."
That will tell doctors, firstly, that a liquid exists, because a good majority of doctor's don't even know it exists.
There is currently no guidance in the BNF for SSRi tapering whereas the withdrawal for benzos is pretty extensive by comparison.
__________________
Fid
Thank you Fiddaman for sharing this. I will read it now but I know the first one almost by heart.
ReplyDeleteI would like to remind anonymous that it's an attempt to make withdrawal easier and not a final guidance.
Yes. They don't know that liquid exists.
I'm not sure if we have it in the Brazilian market.
I'll check it today and return you but I'm almost sure we don't have it.
Love,
Ana
Is the MHRA finally admitting that there possibly might be a HUGE problem with SSRI's like Seroxat?
ReplyDeleteI find it astounding that they have met with David Healy, and I congratulate Dr Healy and you Fid for all your tireless campaigning on the SSRI issues.
Well done.
:)
Thanks a lot for publishing the updated Healy document, Fid!
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate to finally see that a professional like Healy mentions the possibility of reuptake inhibition potency as an explanation for the severity of the withdrawal problems and not only the so much talked about half life as the latter is only importnat during the actual tapering process and not after the drug has been stopped.
He's also not quite getting the whole truth yet but almost. Maybe next time he will have a more complete list of all the withdrawal symptoms. I noted that he also now says they can last up to four years in some people and this is indeed a huge step forward although the truth is they can last quite a bit longer than that. Hurrah for Healy and may the MHRA take him seriously!
Just read the "withdrawal protocol" recommended by David Healy to the MHRA. Great work on Dr Healy's part. One would have to wonder, will Alastair Benbow eat his own words now considering he belittled Dr Healy's opinion in BBC's Secrets of Seroxat expose documentary some years ago.
ReplyDeleteIf I remember correctly , when asked about Dr Healy's opinion on the dangers of SSRI drugs, Dr Benbow said "The evidence however is clear, these medicines are not linked with an increased rate of self harm " . What a load of bollox. These drugs have been causing people many horror and hardship for a very long time, the evidence is now clear alright and it's not from Benbow, it's from Dr Healy. These drugs DO Cause dependence, These drugs DO cause self Harm and these Drugs DO Cause Suicidal thoughts. The withdrawals can last years as Dr Healy said in this document. I wonder how Dr benbow sleeps at night. Does a paycheck somehow clear his conscience? And don't get me started on Alasdair Breckenridge. Is he still working for the MHRA? His performance on the BBC Seroxat documentaries is appalling , and not to mention insulting to all those who have suffered at the hands of GREED. Greedy little men with no morals selling their reputations, souls and humanity to the drug industry that OWNS them. An absolute disgrace guys. Utterly shameful.
Well Done to Dr Healy and Bob Fiddaman , REAL men with backbones, souls and consciences! You guys are saving lives while men like Benbow and Breckenridge have contributed to false SSRI propaganda which has possibly led to much harm to many many people.
You guys are the best. (Fiddaman and Healy) I can't believe this is actually on the table for everyone in the UK. Now ... what do you say you both come to Canada and kick some ass over here too? You guys can stay at our house. I have the best port in the world.
ReplyDelete:)))
Tapering is a good idea maybe I don't know as I quit cold turkey due to being extremely ill. I am getting better slowly. I know it was the drugs making me ill but there is no doctor that will stand up and say that.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the idea of switching to another antidepressant that was a game I played for 18 years of hell and a huge mistake in my opinion.
There is also the issue of mitochondrial damage caused by prozac. It seems a mistake to switch to a drug which in my opinion is worse.
There are a few antidepressants that cause mitochondrial damage
here is a partial list.
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:qiqNqGbokh0J:psychrights.org/research/Digest/NLPs/DrugsCauseMitochondrialDamage.pdf+medication+on+mitochondrial+dysfunction&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk
Antidepressants
Amitriptyline (Lentizol), amoxapine (Asendis), citalopram (Cipramil), fluoxetine (Prozac,
Symbyax, Sarafem, Fontex, Foxetin, Ladose, Fluctin, Prodep, Fludac, Oxetin, Seronil,
Lovan)
Antipsychotics
Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine, clozapine, olanza-
pine
Anxiety medications
Alprazolam (Xanaxm), diazepam (valium, diastat)
Barbiturates
Amobarbital (Amytalm), aprobarbital, butabarbital, butalbital (Fiorinalm, hexobarbital
(Sombulexm), methylphenobarbital (Mebaralm), pentobarbital (Nembutalm), phenobarbital
(Luminalm), primidone, propofol, secobarbital (Seconalm), Talbutalm), thiobarbital
Mood stabilizers
Lithium
Parkinson's disease medications
Tolcapone (Tasmarm, Entacapone (COMTanm, also in the combination drug Stalevom)
Thanks for all the comments.
ReplyDeletePlease bear in mind that this is a proposal.
Fid