Prozac

[Guest guest]

Very interesting..... Thanks, 4

[Guest guest]

Hi...heres some FYi..it's long but interesting...it's book report on a

book but it seems to tell some interesting info...

Sheena:)

Subject: Part 1 --The Dangerous Side Effects of SSRI Drugs like Prozac &

Zoloft

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Aftermath Of Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, Fen-Phen,

& Many Other Serotonergic Drugs

By Dr. Ann Blake - Executive Director,

International Coalition For Drug Awareness

www.drugawareness.org

5-6-2000

Dr. Ann Blake , a PhD in Psychology and Health Sciences, has

specialized for 10 years in adverse reactions to serotonergic

medications.

She is the executive director of the International Coalition for Drug

Awareness (www.drugawareness.org) and author of the book PROZAC:

PANACEA OR PANDORA?

(800-280-0730)

WARNING: IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT A GRADUAL TAPERING OFF OF MEDICATIONS

IS

THE BEST

WITHDRAWAL METHOD TO AVOID SERIOUS

WITHDRAWAL EFFECTS.

(Often there is the terrible withdrawal associated with the SSRIs.

Unless patients are warned to come very slowly off these drugs by

shaving minuscule amounts off their pills each day, as opposed to

cutting them in half or taking a pill every other day, they can go into

terrible withdrawal which is generally delayed several months. This

withdrawal includes bouts of overwhelming depression, terrible

insomnia and fatigue, and can include life-threatening physical

effects, psychosis, or violent outbursts.)

Note: Keep in mind that these drugs are all serotonergic agents and

clones

or " copy cat " drugs of Prozac - the first SSRI antidepressant

introduced to

the market in America. Basically what applies to one, applies to the

others.

For instance we have more data out on Prozac because it has been around

longer, but as the mode of action is the same for all of these meds the

effects will be the same for the other drugs on this list as it is for

Prozac. If we are discussing one drug, similar effects would be

expected

from any other company's version of the drug. In fact it would be more

honest to give them the titles of Prozac #1, Prozac #2, Prozac #3, etc.

rather than the brand names they have been given, from the second

clone,

Zoloft, to the latest Prozac clone, Celexa. My concern is that each new

SSRI

introduced seems to be a little stronger on serotonin reuptake and

therefore

potentially more dangerous. And the all too common practice of going

from

one SSRI to another blocks additional receptors and magnifies the

harmful

effects of these medications.

It is crucial to learn that according to medical research the theory

behind

this group of drugs is invalid. Known as serotonin reuptake inhibitors.

They

are designed to block serotonin in the brain, thereby increasing brain

levels of this neurotransmitter. Yet for three decades researchers have

been

intensely interested in serotonin because LSD and PCP produce their

psychedelic effects by mimicking serotonin. Elevated serotonin is found

in:

psychosis or schizophrenia, mood disorders, organic brain disease,

mental

retardation, autism and Alzheimer's. While low levels of the metabolism

of

serotonin (which also produces high serotonin), are found in those

with:

depression, anxiety, suicide, violence, arson, substance abuse,

insomnia,

violent nightmares, impulsive behavior, reckless driving,

exhibitionism,

hostility, argumentive behavior, etc. The drugs increase serotonin and

decrease the metabolism of serotonin leading to any and all of the

above

results. This information is extremely crucial for patients and

physicians

to learn as soon as possible. We have a high rate of use of these drugs

nationwide. Raising serotonin and lowering the metabolism of serotonin

in

such a large number of people can produce very serious, widespread and

long

term problems for all of society.

So why are we now in the 90's being told that increased serotonin is

good

for us? Is it because it is good for the pocketbooks of the

manufacturers?

One manufacturer is running full page newspaper and magazine ads and

half

hour TV infomercials to bring in over $7 million daily, while on the

other

hand they are settling Prozac suicide cases for huge amounts of money

in

exchange for silence from victim's families on the details of those

settlements. The silence in the court cases insures that the drug will

be

allowed to finish out its patent time, thus bringing in the highest

possible

profits for the company. They know that with $7 million coming in

daily,

they can afford to settle a large number of lawsuits and still come out

" smelling like a rose " financially. Eli Lilly has been sued for Prozac

related deaths in numerous state and federal courts with most of these

cases

being settled or dismissed - many were dismissed due to the unethical

manipulation of the Wesbecker verdict (see time line for details).

We have witnessed no decrease in suicide, but increases in

murder/suicide,

suicide, unwed pregnancies, domestic violence, manic-depression, MS,

hypoglycemia, diabetes, bankruptcies, divorce, mothers (parents)

killing

children, road rage, school shootings, cancer, Chronic Fatigue

Syndrome, and

fibromyalgia since these serotonergic drugs have become so popular and

I

relate it directly to the effects of these drugs. The death toll has

continued to climb drastically since I wrote PROZAC: PANACEA OR

PANDORA?

Some of the cases you may be familiar with are: Mr. and Mrs. Phil

Hartman

(Zoloft), Prozac was found in the van of Mark Barton, the Atlanta day

trader, who recently killed his family and others in a shooting spree

before

taking his own life; Neal Furrow, in LA Jewish school shooting was

reported

to have been court ordered to be on Prozac along with several other

medications; the Salt Lake Family History Library shooting, school

shootings

in Littleton, Colorado (Luvox), Atlanta, Georgia, Springfield, Oregon

(Prozac),

and Caldwell, Idaho; another boy in Pocatello, ID in 1998 who in

seizure

activity from Zoloft had a stand off at the school; 15 year old Chris

Shanahan

(Paxil) in Rigby, ID who out of the blue killed a woman; the shooting

at the

lottery in Connecticut last spring by Beck (Luvox) that left

five

dead in a murder/suicide; the New York City Subway bombing by

Leary (Prozac); little 10 year old Timmy (Prozac) in southern Florida;

Nick

Mansies (Paxil) in New Jersey who was convicted of killing a little boy

who

was selling cookies door to door; in Orange County, CA Dana Sue Gray

(Paxil)

who co-workers described as a very caring nurse killed several elderly

people; Officer Christian (Prozac) one of the finest officers on

the Dallas

Police force, who ran into a police substation shooting at fellow

officers and was

killed; 13 year old Fetters (Prozac) in Iowa who killed her

favorite aunt;

Rothman (Prozac) killed two co-workers and himself at the Dept. of

Agriculture in Ingelwood, CA; (Zoloft) shot one co-worker

at the Ohio

Bureau of Employment Services before shooting himself in Columbus, OH;

Winatchee,

WA, where 43 people were wrongfully imprisoned in a false accusation of

sexual abuse " witch hunt " fury started by a child under the influence of

Prozac and

Paxil; Vasquez (Zoloft) killed McMorrow in Central

Park;

Hogg (Prozac) duct taped the mouths and noses of her three little

girls and took a handful of pills; Vera Espinoza (Prozac) in Randolph,

VT

shot her small son and daughter before shooting herself; an elderly man

(Prozac)

in Layton, UT axed his wife and daughter to death; Margaret Kastanis

(Prozac)

used a knife and hammer to kill her three children before stabbing

herself to

death; an elderly man (Paxil) in Dallas, TX strangled his wife before

shooting himself twice in the chest; Larramie Huntzinger (Zoloft)

blacked out and ran

his car into three young girls killing two in Salt Lake City, UT;

Hinkelman (Prozac), a nurse in Baroda, MI shot her two small daughters

and her sister

before shooting herself; Fox (Prozac) shot her small son and her

dog

before shooting herself in Brighton, MI; Debi Louselle (Zoloft) shot

daughter

and then herself in Salt Lake City, UT; a father in Wyoming shot his

wife,

daughter and baby grand-daughter then himself after only days on Paxil;

a mother (Prozac) in Pleasant Grove, UT killed her 17 year old son with

a

sledge hammer while he slept before she attempted suicide by drinking

Draino; Larry Butzz, a superintendent of schools in Ames, IA shot his

wife,

son and daughter before shooting himself/ Many cases pending in court

are not mentioned. This is only a handful of MANY, MANY more cases.

There

would not be room for anything else if I continued listing the cases. A

few

additional famous victims: Princess Di (Prozac) and Dodi Fayed,--via

their

driver Henri (Prozac), Lewinsky (Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor,

Serzone and Phen-Fen), Farley (Prozac), Pres. Clinton's

ex-partner

Jim Mc Dougal (Prozac), Abby Hoffman (Prozac), Del (Prozac),

le Steele's son (Prozac), INXS singer Hutchence (Prozac),

- Dutchess of York (Phen-Fen)

The latest figures show Prozac has about 44,000 adverse reports filed

with

the FDA. Out of those reports there are about 2500 deaths with the

large

majority of them linked to suicide or violence. The suicide statistics

relating to women are shocking. According to the CDC there are about

30,000

suicides yearly in the United States. Out of those about 6,000 are

women - a

ratio of about 4.3 to 1, male to female. About twice as many women as

men

are treated for depression demonstrating that generally men are more

than 8

times as lethal in their suicidal gestures as women. Women were known

to use

less lethal means until the SSRI antidepressants hit the market. But on

Prozac and Paxil, women committed 40% of the suicides - many were

strikingly

violent and clearly leaving no means for rescue. (Remember that because

Prozac was the first of this group of drugs its track record gives us a

vision of what is to come with other serotonergic antidepressants,

especially when they are so powerful in the reuptake of serotoin

________________________________________________________________________

Message: 2

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:45:03 EST

Subject: Part 3 - The Dangerous Side Effects of SSRI Drugs like Prozac &

Zoloft

" PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? is an incredible compilation of medical

data

that will lay the groundwork to educate other professionals and the

general

public about the new SSRI antidepressants - Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil,

Luvox,

Effexor and Serzone. " . . . Jeff Wise, psychologist, Salt Lake County

Drug

and Alcohol Abuse

" In 15 years of reading books on drugs I have never read a book with

more

information or so well documented as PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? . . .

Dr.

Millet, Bountiful, UT

" As I lecture to physicians nationwide on the medical use of

psychoactive

drugs PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? always accompanies me in my brief

case. .

. . Dr. Bruce Woolley, neuropsychopharmacologist, Brigham Young Univ.

" I found PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? fascinating reading and the most

complete analysis of the various factors pertaining to the Prozac

controversy. " . . . Attorney Sokol, ville, CA

" PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? literally saved my life, and if I'd known

about

it a year earlier, could have saved me untold grief and agony as well.

It is

the only collated, comprehensive source I know of for this information

, . .

. this book described everything that had happened to me in great

detail,

gave scientific reasons why it happened, backed it all up with solid

research, included testimonials from hundreds of others in the same

situation, it immaculately details, explains, and refers one to the

latest

research on a whole hornet's nest of 'atypical' side-and/or

after-effects

from the use of these antidepressants. It also contains information on

how

to reduce the severity of problems encountered while starting on or

going

off these meds. . . . Nick on, Prozac patient

" Magnificent! This text is a monument to Ann 's tenacity and love

for

her fellow human beings. " . . . Dr. Kennedy, N.J.

" PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? has not left one question about these

drugs

unanswered! Ann has covered them all. " . . . Margaret McCaffery,

N.Y.

(lost her daughter, a neurosurgeon, in a Prozac suicide)

" The work Dr. Ann Blake is doing is very important and she is

truly a

heroine. " . . . Dr. Candace Pert, Washington, DC, one of the two

developers

of the serotonin binding process which made possible the development of

the

serotonergic drugs, (Dr. Pert has boldly stated, speaking of these

serotonergic medications, " I am alarmed at the monsters I created! "

ORDER PHONE: 1-800-280-0730 WEB ADDRESS: members.aol.com/atracyphd &

www.drugawareness.org

ORDER ADDRESS:

Cassia Publications, PO Box 1044, West Jordan, UT 84084

PRODUCTS: (All prices in US funds<<<

Postage and handling: $4 in US, $8 in Canada & Western Europe, and $10

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per book - or for any 6 tapes ordered without a book - no charge

for postage on tapes ordered with a book.)

Book: PROZAC: PANACEA OR PANDORA? ($19.95)

Audio Tapes: " Help! I Can't Get Off My Antidepressants! (1 1/2 hr -

$9.95);

BYU Lecture (Christian - LDS; 45 min - $4.95);

Dr. 's favorite radio shows: Interview with and Fawn

(1994, Very informative - health oriented, 1 hr - $6.95),

Art Bell Show (Sep. 1999, 4 hours, set of four tapes packed with

information

-

$29.95),

Interview with Frosty Fowler (1997, Christian oriented, 1 hr - $6.95);

Liberty Radio interview (1999, politically oriented, 1 hr $6.95) &

more to

follow.

SIGHTINGS HOMEPAGE

http://www.sightings.com

_____________________________________________________________________

Message: 3

Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2000 10:44:56 EST

Subject: Part 2 - The Dangerous Side Effects of SSRI Drugs like Prozac

& Zoloft

TIME LINE OF CRITICAL INFORMATION DISCOVERED SINCE THE BOOK:

*NOTE: Any documents beginning with PZ are Lilly documents on Prozac

which

have been ferreted out by attorneys and are now being used in lawsuits

against the drug company. (Christian vs. Eli Lilly, by Vickery &

Waldner,

Houston, TX) - - Mid 1950's: Dr. Felix Sulman began his research on

those

who suffer from high serotonin levels because of an inability to

metabolize

serotonin. He found that serotonin is a stress neuro-hormone leading

even

rabbits, the most docile of creatures, to be aggressive. He coined the

term

" serotonin irritation syndrome. " He found that those who were unable to

break down serotonin would have the levels increase. They " were in

effect

being poisoned by the serotonin produced by their own bodies, the

irritation

victims suffered from migraines, hot flashes, irritability,

sleeplessness,

pains around the heart, difficulty in breathing, a worsening of

bronchial

complaints, irrational tension and anxiety. . . horrifying nightmares.

It

also caused his volunteers to sleep badly - that is, always on the edge

of

consciousness so that they were not properly rested - and to wake after

only

a few hours of sleep. " (sleep apnea) He also found it caused pregnant

women

to abort. - - October, 1977: Slater, et.al., Inhibition of REM Sleep by

Fluoxetine, a Specific Inhibitor of Serotonin Uptake, October 1977, at

p.

385 - Prozac was found to affect sleep habits, specifically to suppress

deep

sleep, which the scientists call REM (rapid eye movement) sleep in

cats. By

the fourth day of drug treatment the cats receiving the larger doses,

which

had been friendly for years, began to growl and hiss. . . . After

cessation

of the drug treatment, the cats returned to their usual friendly

behavior in

a week or two; those on the higher doses recovering more slowly. - -

1977:

[PZ 1298 1999] " A total of six dogs from the high dose group were

removed

from treatment ... due to severe occurrences of either aggressive

behavior,

ataxia, or anorexia. " ] - - July 31, 1978: [PZ1061 1025-28, July 31,

1978]

Human subjects began to be used by Lilly in controlled clinical trials.

The

first group of patients showed no improvement in their depression, but

there

were a " large number of reports of adverse reactions. " The first human

to

receive Prozac experienced " dystonia resembling an extrapyramidal

reaction "

- an uncontrollable, Parkinson-like shaking or trembling. - - July 23,

1979

[PZ 1297 969] The clinical studies in depression showed that " some

patients

have converted from severe depression to agitation within a few days;

in one

case the agitation was marked and the patient had to be taken off drug.

In

future studies the use of benzodiazepines to control the agitation will

be

permitted. " - - August 3, 1979: The clinical trials excluded patients

who

had serious suicidal risk. [E.g. control #001519, IND Protocol No. 14,

August 3, 1979; PZ1135 695, July 2, 1986 memorandum of Dr. Wernicke]. -

-

December 17, 1984: [PZ 65 449, report of Lilly to FDA] Lilly reported

to the

FDA that benzodiazepines and other sedatives were given with Prozac

throughout the clinical trials. This was to help offset the stimulant

effect

of the drug. In a memorandum of Lilly scientist Beasley [PZ 541

2007-08] issues of " agitation vs. sedation " and concomitant sedative

medications like benzodiazepines (to control the agitation) are

discussed.

Concerns are that agitation in a suicidal patient can induce suicide. -

-

March 3, 1986 Lilly controlled the flow of information to the FDA and

decided that suicide data on Prozac should not be evaluated, " in the

safety-update for the FDA the number of suicides and suicide attempts

will

not be especially evaluated. " [PZ 879 1966, March 3, 1986 telex] - -

September 12, 1986: German BGA very concerned with the risk of suicide

and

ultimately approved Prozac on the condition that physicians be warned

of the

risk of suicide and told to consider using sedatives and closely

monitor

patients. [PZ 878 1383, report of Lilly consultant Pohlmeier; PZ 2467

299,

September 12, 1986] Lilly actually warned physicians in Germany and

other

countries that this measure " can be necessary " to minimize the risk of

suicide, [PZ 1341 402, December 6, 1989 German warning; PZ 2469 490] -

-

February 7, 1990: In response to the Harvard study, Teicher, et al.,

Lilly's

top scientist, Leigh , told his fellow executives that " Lilly

can go

down the tubes if we lose Prozac " . [PZ 1941 827, February 7, 1990]. In

the

ensuing months Dr. spoke frequently with his principal FDA

regulator about the issue, once at 6:15 in the morning. [PZ 391 1959,

July

18, 1990]. Lilly later described the man as " our defender " . [PZ1941

2256,

September 12, 1990] - - May 29, 1990, Lilly added " suicidal ideation "

in the

section dealing with post-marketing reports. [PZ883 562, July 26, 1990

memorandum] - - September 14, 1990: Contrary to the advice of his

staff, Dr.

told the Eli Lilly Board of Directors that suicide and hostile

acts

were probably, caused by the patients' underlying disorders rather than

Prozac. [PZ542 2101, September 14, 1990; PZ4002 889, Board Minutes].

The

staff was concerned because they knew that this issue was never studied

during the clinical trials. - - September 11, 1990: Note from Dr. Bruce

Stadel, Chief of the Epidemiology Branch, attaching an analysis done by

Dr.

Graham, Section Chief within the Epidemiology Branch, of Lilly's

July

17, 1990 submission to the FDA on the Prozac/suicidality/violence

issue. The

following factors were (a) brought to the attention of those in the

higher

echelons of the FDA, but ( ignored, discounted or " trashed " by them:

#1

Lilly's analysis improperly excluded 76 out of 97 suicides; as Dr.

Stadel

expressed it, " t is inappropriate in a safety analysis to exclude

such a

large proportion of case " ; #2 Lilly admitted that its clinical trials

" were

not designed for the prospective evaluation of suicidality " and that

" n

these trials, patients with current suicidal ideation were excluded " ;

#3

Lilly admitted that the HAMD-3 rating scale it used to assess

suicidality in

clinical trials was inadequate; and that Lilly's statements about

violence

only demonstrated " how great under-reporting is " and that " [t]he actual

data

showed a higher percentage of treatment-emergent suicidality among

fluoxetine (2.9% than tricyclic (0.8%) patients . . . [which

percentage] was

similar to that reported by Teicher. " - - July 1, 1992: A study lead by

Dr.

Lorne Brandes of the Manatoba Institute of Cell Biology in Winnipeg,

Canada

was published in CANCER RESEARCH linking the two most popular

anti-depressants, Elavil and Prozac to cancer. - - 1993(?): A study

headed

by Domino showed LSD flashbacks and LSD reactions induced by

Prozac.

- - June 9, 1994: The New York Review of Books article by Dr. Sherwin

Nuland

slams Kramer for pushing Prozac in his book Listening to Prozac.

He

pointed out that all docs are taught in med school this little poem

about

serotonin: " This man was addicted to moanin', confusion, edema, and

groanin', intestinal rushes, great tricolored blushes, and died from

too

much serotonin. " He listed constriction of lungs and intestines,

diarrhea,

wheezing, flushing, mental confusion, tightening of bronchioles, and

lessening conscious control over behavior from increases in serotonin.

" Moreover, . . . it is still too early to arrive at a reliable estimate

of

possible dangers that may appear in the long term, " and 15% dropped out

of

the clinical trials on Prozac because of adverse reactions. He also

discussed the similarity of serotonin to the psychedelics like LSD and

PCP.

- - November, 1994: Krystal JH, Webb E, Cooney N, et al., " Specificity

of

Ethanol-like Effects Elicited in Serotonergic and Noradrenergic

Mechanisms, "

ARCHIVES OF GENERAL PSYCHIATRY, Vol. 51, Issue 11, pgs 898-911, 1994

demonstrated that an increase in brain levels of either of two

neurotransmitters, serotonin or noradrenalin, produces: #1 a craving

for

alcohol, #2 anger, #3 anxiety. They found this to be especially true

for

those who have a history of alcoholism. An increase serotonin in turn

increases noradrenalin. Numerous reports have been made by reformed

alcoholics who are being " driven " to alcohol again after being

prescribed a

serotonergic drug. And many other patients who had no previous history

of

alcoholism have continued to report an " overwhelming compulsion " to

drink

while using these drugs. (A few personal accounts: #1 A young woman, a

recovering alcoholic, reported that during the eight month period she

had

been using Prozac she found it necessary to attend AA meetings every

day in

order to fight off the strong compulsions to begin drinking again. #2

In the

Southeastern United States a middle aged psychologist, also a

recovering

alcoholic, after being prescribed Prozac, found herself needing to

attend AA

meetings morning, noon, and night to keep from destroying the sobriety

she

had achieved. #3 A young father, who was Mormon and had never before in

his

life used alcohol, found himself drinking Ever Clear and exhibiting

bizarre

as well as violent behavior, after being prescribed Prozac and Ritalin.

#4 A

young mother who had never used alcohol before began drinking large

amounts

within weeks of being prescribed Prozac and quickly found herself

committed

to a mental institution due to the psychotic behavior that resulted.

Added

to her Prozac prescription were anti-psychotic meds and electric shock

treatments. She then began to experience seizures and was started on

anti-seizure meds. #5 A concerned neighbor reported her friend was

drinking

straight Vodka on a regular basis after being prescribed Zoloft. #6 A

daughter reported her father, sober for 15 years, began drinking again

on

Prozac. - - December, 1994: Not guilty verdict on Wesbecker wrongful

death

suit against Lilly's Prozac. - - Treatment emergent suicidality with

Prozac

has been demonstrated to be two to three times higher than any other

anti-depressant. (Jick, et al., Antidepressants and Suicide) - - May,

1995:

Judge Potter who presided over the Wesbecker case filed documents

to

demand that Lilly be forced to disclose the secret deal they made with

the

plaintiffs to withhold very damaging evidence in exchange for

settlement. In

his pleading to the court Potter stated, " Lilly sought to buy not just

the

verdict, but the court's judgment as well. " Potter accused Lilly of

" giving

the verdict the widest possible publicity " accompanied by the claim

that

Lilly had " proven in a court of law that Prozac was safe. " Furious with

Lilly's attempt to turn his courtroom into an advertising agency for

Prozac,

he claims his motion reflects " the court's duty to protect the

integrity of

the judicial system. " He believes, as do prominent legal ethicists,

that a

full and open disclosure of the terms of the settlement is a necessary

public safety issue. - - July, 1997: Mayo Clinic found that the

increased

serotonin, which produces blood clotting, was causing a gummy glossy

substance to build up on heart valves. Dr. Heidi Connolly with the

Divisions

of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, who headed the study

stated, " We do know that fenfluramine and phentermine [Fen-Phen] alter

the

way the brain chemical serotonin is metabolized, and serotonin that

circulates in the blood can cause valve injury. " Fenfluramine produces

a

rapid release of serotonin, inhibits serotonin reuptake, and may also

have

receptor agonist activity. The study's revelations should send a loud

and

very clear warning throughout the medical community concerning all

serotonergic medications - - August 25, 1997: Letter to Dr. , " I

caught

the last part of your presentation on Radio Station KEX, Portland,

while

flipping through the dial last night. I was flabbergasted to hear you

speak

of the horrible potential side effects from Prozac, which I have been

taking

for approximately four years, particularly since I have been diagnosed

recently with cardiomyalgia, severe artery disease, congestive heart

failure

and also fibromyalgia. (I was a very " well " person prior to taking the

Prozac and am now exhausted all the time, with horrible aching joints

and

considerable pain and a massive heart problem.) The adverse

cardiovascular

effects from Prozac, the one drug in this class of drugs out long

enough to

have somewhat of track record, are listed in the drug information sheet

put

out by the manufacturer. The " frequent " effects listed are hemorrhage

and

hypertension. The " infrequent " effects include very serious adverse

effects:

congestive heart failure, myocardial infarct, tachycardia, angina

pectoris,

arrhythmia, hypotension, migraine syncope and vascular headache.

September, 1997: Redux and Phen-Fen were pulled from the market. - -

October

20, 1997: Dr. Candace Pert, Research Professor at town University

Medical Center, past head of the brain chemistry department at the

National

Institute of Health, and author of the new book, MOLECULES OF EMOTION,

sounded an alarm in TIME, October 20. She stated, " I am alarmed at the

monster that s Hopkins neuroscientist Snyder and I created

when

we discovered the simple binding assay for drug receptors 25 years ago.

Prozac and other antidepressant serotonin-receptor-active compounds may

also

cause cardiovascular problems in some susceptible people after

long-term

use, which has become common practice despite the lack of safety

studies. "

(emphasis added) As we are being led to believe these drugs produce

effects

only in the brain, Dr. Pert accuses the medical profession of

oversimplifying

the action of these drugs and adds that " the public is being

misinformed

about

the precision of these selective serotonin-uptake inhibitors. " It is

critical that

both physicians and patients be made aware of these adverse physical

reactions.

She points out that the medical profession not only oversimplifies the

action of

these drugs in the brain, but " ignores the body as if it exists merely

to

carry the

head around! " And that, " these molecules of emotion regulate every

aspect of

our physiology. "

The body plays a very significant role in how we feel and act the way

we do.

This fact can no longer be ignored. - - Serotonin and serotonin

receptors

exist throughout the body, as well as the brain, and every aspect of

the

body's physiology is affected by these serotonergic medications. In

fact

approximately 90% of the body's serotonin is produced in the intestinal

tract. According to Dr. Gershon of New York's Columbia

Presbyterian,

this is the reason why Prozac produces so many gastrointestinal side

effects. - - March, 1998: Two new studies published - one that shows

Prozac

so strongly inhibits one particular serotonin receptor that this

produces

both obesity and seizures and the other discusses the blockage of

muscle and

neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors indicating interactions

between

the serotonergic and cholinergic systems in the central nervous system.

- -

April, 1998: Our next generation of guinea pigs - one month before a 15

year

old on Prozac, Kip Kinkel, in Springfield OR killed his parents and two

classmates the American Psychiatric Association and the American

Academy of

Pediatric Psychiatrists asked the FDA to consider the serotonergic

antidepressants for use in children as young as two and drugs for

anxiety,

aggression and manic depression in babies only one month old! The use

of

Prozac among young children ages 6 - 12 has increased an alarming 400%

from

1995 (51.000 new prescriptions) to 1996 (203,000 new prescriptions). -

-

June, 1999: CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY NEWS reported that Dr. Malcolm Bowers

a psychiatrist at Yale has found that physicians are not paying enough

attention to patient factors that could make initiation of SSRIs

dangerous.

He found that " SSRI-induced psychosis has accounted for 8% of all

general

hospital psychiatric admissions over a recent 14-month period. " And

" What is

surprising is that this particular group of side effects is really

underplayed. " (The 8% figure represents over 150,000 SSRI induced

psychotic

breaks per year!!!!!!!) - - Warning: Children so often get coughs and

colds,

yet using a cough or cold medication with dextromethorphan could cause

the

serotonin syndrome, a very serious and potentially fatal adverse

reaction

and/or produce PCP reactions. - - Serotonin syndrome remains an often

misdiagnosed or unrecognized fatal reaction due to the medical

profession

being so uninformed about this drug-induced disorder. - - Developing

brains

are far more vulnerable than adult brains and brain damage generally

becomes

more apparent after the brain is fully developed, rather than

immediately.

Increases in cortisol produce brain damage while medical research shows

that

one single 30mg dose of Prozac DOUBLES the level of cortisol. This

drastic

increase in cortisol causes a multitude of serious physical reactions

including impairment of linear growth, as well as impairing the

development

and regeneration of the liver, kidneys, muscles, etc.

In light of so many unspeakable tragedies, I have grown weary of all

the

silly philosophical discussions we have heard since Kramer's LISTENING

TO

PROZAC came out. Patients are dying or having their health destroyed

mentally as well as physically (when do we begin to discuss the very

serious

physical side effects associated with high levels of serotonin?). These

patients and their families are frantically searching for answers while

this

research sits right under our noses and could easily be made available

to

them. The widespread use of Prozac and its clones is not a statement of

either their safety or their effectiveness. It is a statement about the

effectiveness of an infinite marketing budget and incredible

advertising

campaign! These drugs have very serious physical side effects, as well

as

dangerous psychiatric side effects. To prevent further tragedy this

medical

research must be acknowledged and addressed in headline news without

delay

rather than remain buried in seldom read medical research documents as

has

been the case in the past with other mind- altering medications, once

thought to be safe, which were subsequently prohibited by law, ie. LSD,

PCP,

cocaine, etc..

Oct. 1998 note from a British nurse: " I started having bad reactions .

.. .

Oct '96 I found Prozac to be causing joint and muscle pain itself . . .

signs of Cushing's Syndrome. . . I was very pro-Prozac until last

October

and wouldn't have listened to anything said against it until I got

problems

(thought it was saving my life, while all the time it was insidiously

and

slowly killing me!) When I first heard about your book on the Internet

I was

interested but quite sceptical. However, since reading it and having

suffered so many problems with Prozac, I have come to the conclusion

that

the book is brilliant, and a life-line as far as I am concerned. I

tried to

fault the research and reasoning, but could not and still can't. I

would

like to extend my thanks to you for your heroic stance on this

enormously

important issue. I have tremendous respect and admiration for your hard

work, determination and courage in pursuing this subject so vigorously,

against so much powerful opposition for the benefit of people like me.

Your

integrity puts many, if not most doctors and psychiatrists to shame. It

is

reassuring to find that there are a few people who are prepared to

fight for

the truth for the benefit of mankind. "

>>

>

[Guest guest]

My son is 11 & has been on Prozac since Sept. It has really helped him.

He takes it 1/2 before bed..he now can relax, put all thoughts out of

mind & is asleep within 10 min. in bed. A HUGE change for him. Joy

FMRichmond@... wrote:

> I am interested in hearing any info on experiences with prozac in

> treating children with ocd. My son is 14, has ocd, and since last

> June has tried Paxil, Zoloft and Luvox with negative and/or no

> results. He just started Prozac 10 days ago.

>

[Guest guest]

<> was wondering if anyone has their child on antidepressants

> such as Prozac? Did it work? >

Hi, Everyone........Marisa......Prozac was the first drug Gareth was put on 6

yrs. ago. Within 5 days, there was a MARKED change in behavior. He was on

it for almost 3 yrs. Now he is on Luvox. I will always have him on some

sort of SSRI because it works for him.

Donna........yes, we are Catholic!!! How did you figure........the guilt

trip?!?!? Take care, Everyone.

Margaret

[Guest guest]

Thanks Margaret,

That's very interesting. At this point with my husband's job up in the air

I don't want to start something new and have it be a preexisting condition

with insurance. So I think I'll wait and get him seen after we have the new

job and insurance coverage. But I will keep that in mind. Thanks

Marisa

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/30/01 9:58:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, mfroof@...

writes:

<< Donna........yes, we are Catholic!!! How did you figure........the guilt

trip?!?!? Take care, Everyone.

Margaret >>

LOLOLOL Margaret. Yep, it was a BIG white flag....LOLOL

Donna (Catholic too, but trying to learn to lose the guilt stuff)

[Guest guest]

>Anyone else have a Prozac experience to share? Melinda<

We have all tried Prozac. The generic version has been here for

years, btw. It worked for some time for Ziv and I, but pooped out

after a year for adi and did nothing for yigal and tom!!

At one point, Ziv was up to 80mg, when we switched her to Zoloft. I

think the high dose made her brain fuzzy, but she didnt articulate

this to me. I'm guessing this as a hindsight based on her lack of

intake of information during this time. We tested to see where ziv

was acacemically about 6 months ago and found that she was missing

gaps, which traced back to this time and when on high levels of

zoloft. Ziv took Zoloft for about 2 years and gained some weight and

still was a bit 'fuzzy' for awhile. She's been off meds since

April/01.

My take on weight gain has a lot to do with the persons metabolism.

Tom, Ziv and I are more inclinded to put on weight, while Yigal and

Adi are very tall and slim (read skinny). The meds seemed to pick up

up this - oh great!! Effexor has worked well for Adi, Yigal and

myself. After the initial 6 weeks, we all felt more like our old

selves. Adi has been off meds since Nov./99

btw, we never noticed a difference between the generic and the

'real' stuff! Prozac does come in a liquid form, which helps to raise

the dose very slowly and can help in avoiding side effects. Our

pharmacist suggested that is was too expensive and to just open a

capsule and pour some powder out instead!!

take care, wendy, in canada

_______________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Vivian. I have heard others refer to the " dumb " feeling that

Prozac produced. Definitely not good in a school situation. Sigh.

Melinda S.

Dallas

> Anyone else have a Prozac experience to share?

> Melinda,

> Our son was put on Prozac in the hospital. It was such

> a low dose, 10mg, and he said it made him feel dumb.

> He was not on it for very long. He was afraid of

> medication.(comtamination fears)

> He was than put on Luvox but that didn't go well

> either. Now that he has been on the Celexa he takes it

> regularly and is on a pretty hight dose of 120mg. I

> still wonder if the others would have worked for him

> if he had given them a chance.

> Vivian in WA ST.

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, , for sharing your experience.

Melinda S.

Dallas

> >Anyone else have a Prozac experience to share? Melinda<

>

> We have all tried Prozac. The generic version has been here for

> years, btw. It worked for some time for Ziv and I, but pooped out

> after a year for adi and did nothing for yigal and tom!!

>

> At one point, Ziv was up to 80mg, when we switched her to Zoloft.

I

> think the high dose made her brain fuzzy, but she didnt articulate

> this to me. I'm guessing this as a hindsight based on her lack of

> intake of information during this time. We tested to see where ziv

> was acacemically about 6 months ago and found that she was missing

> gaps, which traced back to this time and when on high levels of

> zoloft. Ziv took Zoloft for about 2 years and gained some weight

and

> still was a bit 'fuzzy' for awhile. She's been off meds since

> April/01.

>

> My take on weight gain has a lot to do with the persons

metabolism.

> Tom, Ziv and I are more inclinded to put on weight, while Yigal and

> Adi are very tall and slim (read skinny). The meds seemed to pick up

> up this - oh great!! Effexor has worked well for Adi, Yigal and

> myself. After the initial 6 weeks, we all felt more like our old

> selves. Adi has been off meds since Nov./99

>

> btw, we never noticed a difference between the generic and the

> 'real' stuff! Prozac does come in a liquid form, which helps to

raise

> the dose very slowly and can help in avoiding side effects. Our

> pharmacist suggested that is was too expensive and to just open a

> capsule and pour some powder out instead!!

>

> take care, wendy, in canada

>

> _______________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Lesli! What is her currrent dosage?

Melinda S.

Dallas

> Our daughter (age 8) has had a wonderful response to Prozac in

terms of relief for her OCD symptoms. She's been on it for three

years now.

>

> Side effects at first were pretty troublesome. It made her hyper,

disinhibited and gave her extreme cravings for sweets. But it worked

so well on her OCD that we hung in there. We learned to modify the

side effects by using liquid Prozac to increase the dose very, very

slowly. For the last two years we've been free of side effects. She

has not experienced any abnormal weight fluctuations.

>

> Hope this helps,

> Lesli in CA

[Guest guest]

Dear Melinda,

was on Prozac for about five years. It helped with his major

depression, but did almost nothing for the OCD. As far as I can see, he did

not become hyper and did not have a weight problem while on it. It just

wasn't doing enough for him. He then went to Zoloft which really relieved

the depression - better than the Prozac - but eventually aggravated his

anxiety so he went off it on doctor's orders. The problems of the past few

years arose when he did not go back to the doctor for a change of medication.

The doctor had told him to go off the Zoloft for six weeks before they

started a new drug. If I had known about this i would have urged going down

on the Zoloft while building up on the Luvox (which he is now taking).

Jackie

[Guest guest]

I also wanted to say that was in college while taking the Prozac and

did fairly well until going off all meds.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie and Melinda:

Steve has titrated up and down simultaneously twice now. First from Paxil

to Luvox and recently from Luvox to Celexa. The first time was very

smooth, mostly I believe because the Paxil had pooped out and almost any

med would have been better than one that has stopped being effective.

The latest was at Steve's request as he felt " stupid and slow thinking " on

Luvox. Obviously the Luvox was working since as soon as he was on 0 mg

Luvox his MDD came on gangbusters. No sign of worsening of OCD though,

which was not so surprising as his dosage was too low to work on OCD.

Luckily after a couple of hellish days the Celexa seems to be helping with

the depression although he has somnolence big time. Just anecdotal stuff,

but we learned that simultaneous titration up and down is not necessarily

always smooth. Take care, aloha, Kathy (h)

kathyh@...

At 01:39 PM 09/10/2001 -0400, you wrote:

>Dear Melinda,

> was on Prozac for about five years. It helped with his major

>depression, but did almost nothing for the OCD. As far as I can see, he did

>not become hyper and did not have a weight problem while on it. It just

>wasn't doing enough for him. He then went to Zoloft which really relieved

>the depression - better than the Prozac - but eventually aggravated his

>anxiety so he went off it on doctor's orders. The problems of the past few

>years arose when he did not go back to the doctor for a change of

medication.

> The doctor had told him to go off the Zoloft for six weeks before they

>started a new drug. If I had known about this i would have urged going down

>on the Zoloft while building up on the Luvox (which he is now taking).

> Jackie

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jackie, thanks for your input. Well, agreed to start

taking Prozac Saturday and not a moment too soon. His exercise

compulsions have been really bad and other hyperresponsibility

compulsions that had taken a back seat, have reappeared. It has been

pretty awful...I hope Prozac helps with his compulsions more than

they did 's. He, of course, is starting on a low dose (10mg)so

we may have a wait to see some results. He is staying up so late

getting homework done after his exercises (which go slowly b/c he is

so tired) that he has little resolve to fight OCD. I am so

tired...honestly, Jackie, I don't know how you and have handled

it for so long...and without losing your graciousness in the

process.

I'll keep you posted as to how reacts to the Prozac.

Melinda S.

Dallas

> Dear Melinda,

> was on Prozac for about five years. It helped with his

major

> depression, but did almost nothing for the OCD. As far as I can

see, he did

> not become hyper and did not have a weight problem while on it. It

just

> wasn't doing enough for him. He then went to Zoloft which really

relieved

> the depression - better than the Prozac - but eventually aggravated

his

> anxiety so he went off it on doctor's orders. The problems of the

past few

> years arose when he did not go back to the doctor for a change of

medication.

> The doctor had told him to go off the Zoloft for six weeks

before they

> started a new drug. If I had known about this i would have urged

going down

> on the Zoloft while building up on the Luvox (which he is now

taking).

> Jackie

[Guest guest]

I only hope makes it to college. Do you remember the maximum

dosage that took?

Melinda

> I also wanted to say that was in college while taking the

Prozac and

> did fairly well until going off all meds.

> Jackie

[Guest guest]

Melinda wrote:Well, agreed to start

taking Prozac Saturday

Good news Melinda! I hope that is doing better

soon. Tell him to keep it up. I know that just because

he is taking the meds things will not just

magically improve overnight,but it's

a good start. Tell him not to give up,

he is on the road to recovery.

I have been thinking about you. I know it has been

hard. Take care,

Vivian in WA ST

--- JSh1000@... wrote:

> Hi, Jackie, thanks for your input. Well,

> agreed to start

> taking Prozac Saturday and not a moment too soon.

> His exercise

> compulsions have been really bad and other

> hyperresponsibility

> compulsions that had taken a back seat, have

> reappeared. It has been

> pretty awful...I hope Prozac helps with his

> compulsions more than

> they did 's. He, of course, is starting on a

> low dose (10mg)so

> we may have a wait to see some results. He is

> staying up so late

> getting homework done after his exercises (which go

> slowly b/c he is

> so tired) that he has little resolve to fight OCD.

> I am so

> tired...honestly, Jackie, I don't know how you and

> have handled

> it for so long...and without losing your

> graciousness in the

> process.

> I'll keep you posted as to how reacts to the

> Prozac.

> Melinda S.

> Dallas

>

> > Dear Melinda,

> > was on Prozac for about five years. It

> helped with his

> major

> > depression, but did almost nothing for the OCD.

> As far as I can

> see, he did

> > not become hyper and did not have a weight problem

> while on it. It

> just

> > wasn't doing enough for him. He then went to

> Zoloft which really

> relieved

> > the depression - better than the Prozac - but

> eventually aggravated

> his

> > anxiety so he went off it on doctor's orders. The

> problems of the

> past few

> > years arose when he did not go back to the doctor

> for a change of

> medication.

> > The doctor had told him to go off the Zoloft

> for six weeks

> before they

> > started a new drug. If I had known about this i

> would have urged

> going down

> > on the Zoloft while building up on the Luvox

> (which he is now

> taking).

> > Jackie

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Vivian, for your thoughts. This has been the most stressful

couple of weeks since 's onset. He absolutely insists on

running everyday, and because of heavy homework (which takes him

longer anyway) he is getting very little sleep (me too ;-( ). I hope

we see some improvement soon. I am very concerned about his feeling

of self-loathing if he doesn't run. He says that he

is " insignificant " if he doesn't work out each day. He is burning

his candle at both ends... Right now (8:45 pm) he is working on

Algebra II (usually 40-60 problems), has to turn in a 'Problem "

and " Hypothesis " for his Chemistry Science Fair project, has a tape

test for Band and a review for and English 6th week test. He can't

understand why he shouldn't take an hr and a half to go run. Sigh...

Melinda S.

Dallas

> > > Dear Melinda,

> > > was on Prozac for about five years. It

> > helped with his

> > major

> > > depression, but did almost nothing for the OCD.

> > As far as I can

> > see, he did

> > > not become hyper and did not have a weight problem

> > while on it. It

> > just

> > > wasn't doing enough for him. He then went to

> > Zoloft which really

> > relieved

> > > the depression - better than the Prozac - but

> > eventually aggravated

> > his

> > > anxiety so he went off it on doctor's orders. The

> > problems of the

> > past few

> > > years arose when he did not go back to the doctor

> > for a change of

> > medication.

> > > The doctor had told him to go off the Zoloft

> > for six weeks

> > before they

> > > started a new drug. If I had known about this i

> > would have urged

> > going down

> > > on the Zoloft while building up on the Luvox

> > (which he is now

> > taking).

> > > Jackie

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry about the delay but we had our floors done and all the furniture is in

a big clump so i have noy gotten to the computer lately. I don't remember

what suze the Prozac were but was on four/day - do they have 15mg

pills? I seem to remember 60 mg as a daily dose.

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Dear Melinda,

I guess then that was taking 80 mg per day. He's been on so many

meds by now I forget which one came in what size!

Jackie

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

I don't know if they have a 15 mg capsule. started with a 10

mg tablet and then went to a 20 mg capsule. We are titrating him up

fairly quickly...he is now taking 2 20 mg capsules a day. I expect

that we will be up to 60 mg soon, as this seems to be a typical

therapeutic dosage for OCD. I am impatient to see some positive

results. Well, impatient is a bit of an understatement....

Melinda S.

Dallas

> Sorry about the delay but we had our floors done and all the

furniture is in

> a big clump so i have noy gotten to the computer lately. I don't

remember

> what suze the Prozac were but was on four/day - do they

have 15mg

> pills? I seem to remember 60 mg as a daily dose.

> Jackie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/15/2005 6:16:03 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,

writes:

My son Jon was given a script for Prozac today and we will give it to

him when his dad gets home..I am nervous! Am I being stupid here???

No, you're not being stupid -- just a good and concerned mom!!

We held off on meds for as long as possible -- once we started, I wished we

started earlier in order to save my daughters from the pain they were in.

The meds have been a godsend to our family. My 13 yo is on 40 mg. of prozac,

50 mg. of seroquel and 20 mg. of busbar; my 10 y.o. is on 20 mg. of prozac, .5

of klonapin, and .25 of trazadone. Just closely monitor any changes. We

haven't had any problems....

Suzanne

[Guest guest]

Jaxx Brown wrote:

> How long does it take before we should see any changes on the Prozac -

> and also he is only on 10 mgs a day at the moment, and is approx 120

> lbs because they want to increase it slowly, we go back on June 1st

> for another increase if all goes well

>

> Any info much appreciated

>

> Cheers Jaxx (New Zealand)

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/15/2006 5:00:59 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

hippygal@... writes:

How long does it take before we should see any changes on the Prozac - and

also he is only on 10 mgs a day at the moment, and is approx 120 lbs because

they want to increase it slowly, we go back on June 1st for another increase

if all goes well

Jaxx

My daughter also started on 10mg Prozac per day. She was increased 10mg

each visit (approx 6-7 weeks apart)... now she's on 50mg per day. My daughter

weighs about the same as your son. I think we didn't see anything until she

was on 20mg/day - and then it was slight changes, but all for the better --

more relaxed, happier, not stressed about school, etc. With this last increase

to 50mg, we seem to have more times when she's willing to do something on

her own without my help & is MUCH calmer about it, too. Her real OCD issues

are still there, but are much easier to deal with. At this point, I'll take

that over nothing!!

LT

[Guest guest]

That's cool that's what they are going to do with - about every 4 - 5

weeks we will go back for an increase.

Was just hoping it would magically change him like the Ritalin does LOL..... I

suppose the saying " Good things comes to those who wait " is true here.... :).

Cheers Jaxx (New Zealand) (An impatient mum )

[Guest guest]

I don't want to be in the position of recommending an antidepressant to anyone.

I am not recommending an antidepressant to anyone.

But, FYI, there is an antidepressant, Wellbutrin, that is not an SSRI. It does

not work on serotonin; it works on dopamine instead.

I have found it very helpful, when Prozac wasn't, but I am depressive in

addition to CFS (before CFS).

--