Finn Posted September 12, 2013 Share Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) From http://now.uiowa.edu/2013/08/how-schizophrenia-affects-brainBy:Jude Gustafson | 2013.09.10 the group found that in general, the higher the anti-psychotic medication doses, the greater the loss of brain tissue. “This was a very upsetting finding,” Andreasen said. “We spent a couple of years analyzing the data more or less hoping we had made a mistake. But in the end, it was a solid finding that wasn’t going to go away, so we decided to go ahead and publish it. “The impact is painful because psychiatrists, patients and family members don’t know how to interpret this finding. ‘Should we stop using antipsychotic medication? Should we be using less?’”The group also examined how relapses could affect brain tssue, including whether long periods of psychosis could be toxic to the brain. The results suggest that longer relapses were associated with brain tissue loss. The insight could change how physicians use antipsychotic drugs to treat schizophrenia, with the view that those with the disorder can lead productive lives with the right balance of care. This news isn't groundbreaking to us, but apparently to those involved in the study it was. What about all the kids being given these drugs for behaviors problems and whatever other reason? Who is going to do a study about how these drugs affect them? Edited September 15, 2013 by Altostrata added link to source Tapering Zoloft, Dec 2014 Started Lamictal Re-started Zoloft mid-Oct 2014, 25-50mg Stopped Zoloft end of Sept 2014 Started Zoloft July 2014, 50mg Stopped Prozac from 3mg May 2014 Stopped Effexor Dec '13 Started 10mg Prozac Reinstated Effexor 15mg on Nov 2013 Stopped from 21mg on Oct 2013Effexor 112.5mg, since Dec 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meimeiquest Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 I wish they were only available by injection... 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 15, 2013 Administrator Share Posted September 15, 2013 Thanks, Finn. Please include links to your source when quoting articles. I shudder at injectable psychiatric drugs, particularly the long-acting kind. They put the patient completely under the control of the doctor. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aria Posted September 15, 2013 Share Posted September 15, 2013 Atypicals do cause long term problems and more and more are being prescribed off label. Unable at this time to correspond by private message. Link to my Introduction thread: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2477-aria-my-psych-journey/ Reading my psychiatric records: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/5466-drugged-crazy-reading-my-psychiatric-records/ My Success Story is listed under "Aria's Recovery". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus Jemima Posted September 15, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted September 15, 2013 Yes, a lot of them are being prescribed as pain-killers and patients aren't being advised that they're taking a mind-numbing antipsychotic with a host of scary side effects. IMO, this is criminal. Beware. Look up any newly prescribed drugs before filling the prescription. Psychotropic drug history: Pristiq 50 mg. (mid-September 2010 through February 2011), Remeron (mid-September 2010 through January 2011), Lexapro 10 mg. (mid-February 2011 through mid-December 2011), Lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg. as needed mid-September 2010 through early March 2012"Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity." -Hanlon's RazorIntroduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1588-introducing-jemima/ Success Story: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6263-success-jemima-survives-lexapro-and-dr-dickhead-too/Please note that I am not a medical professional and my advice is based on personal experience, reading, and anecdotal information posted by other sufferers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarannamated Posted September 16, 2013 Share Posted September 16, 2013 I hadn't heard of APs/neuroleptics for pain. Does fit right in with the war on opiates. I know several people who have been prescribed low dose Seroquel for sleep in order to avoid benzos. What a mess. Pristiq tapered over 8 months ending Spring 2011 after 18 years of polydrugging that began w/Zoloft for fatigue/general malaise (not mood). CURRENT: 1mg Klonopin qhs (SSRI bruxism), 75mg trazodone qhs, various hormonesLitigation for 11 years for Work-related injury, settled 2004. Involuntary medical retirement in 2001 (age 39). 2012 - brain MRI showing diffuse, chronic cerebrovascular damage/demyelination possibly vasculitis/cerebritis. Dx w/autoimmune polyendocrine failure.<p>2013 - Dx w/CNS Sjogren's Lupus (FANA antibodies first appeared in 1997 but missed by doc). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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