Chapter 159: Another Bizarre Reaction to Halcion (Used off-label as a Dental Sedative)

The link below tells the story (with audio) of a woman in Oregon who developed a changed speaking accent after having oral surgery done under Halcion sedation.
The story also mentions the amnesia effect of the drug, which used to be considered an adverse and brain damaging effect that made the drug a candidate for removal from the market. Researchers Kales and Bixler at Penn State, among a handful of others exposing the dangers of this drug, clearly pointed to this effect, along with rebound insomnia, anxiety and severe and frequent psychiatric effects as cause to have the drug banned by the FDA, as the UK’s agencies had done.

Instead of banning it, dentists are now promoting it like it’s as safe as sleep, unashamedly advertising the amnesia effect as an asset.

Halcion has been associated with very severe and seriously violent adverse effects, as well as uniquely bizarre reactions, like the one this Oregon woman is having. There is another case investigated in the scientific literature where a man developed musical hallucinations after taking just a few doses of Halcion for jet lag. These hallucinations lasted for well over a year, and yet people try to discount my daughter’s symptoms as not possibly associated with the drug because of their prolonged duration. They seem to know nothing at all about protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal, which is known to be exacerbated by the use of other psychotropic drugs, Trazodone for one. Since many dentists have no inkling of an idea of how potent and dangerous Halcion is, that it has a narrow margin of safety and clears mainly through only one enzymatic pathway, they are not sufficiently warning patients not to mix it with other drugs or even have grapefruit juice until they are sure the Halcion has cleared the system, which can take longer, also, because dentists are mixing it with local anesthesia (another CNS depressant).

As I’ve said many times in this blog, with plenty of documentation, this is not a drug to be playing around with or overdosing or using off-label. And if dentists are going to use it, they should be extremely careful and make sure the patient is well-informed of all side-effects and interactions.

Here’s a link to this recent story about the Oregon woman whose accent changed after her dental visit and his use of Halcion. Heard CNN Covered the story also.

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2011/05/karen_butler_native_oregonian.php

Chapter 158: Many Reasons NOT to Use Antipsychotics

Excerpts from affidavits by Robert Whitaker, Grace Jackson, and Toby Watson:

Whitaker:
“In summary, the research literature reveals the following:
a) Antipsychotics increase the likelihood that a person will become chronically ill.

b) Long-term recovery rates are much higher for unmedicated patients than for those who are maintained on antipsychotic drugs.

c) antipsychotics cause a host of debilitating physical, emotional and cognitive side effects, and lead to early death.”

Jackson:
“Risperidone is an inhibitor of mitochondrial function and an inducer of oxidative stress. Through these cellular effects, risperidone then disrupts the structure and function of the cardiac, endocrine, hepatic and neurological systems……risperidone is unique among the newer ‘antipsychotic’ drugs in terms of its potential to elevate prolactin. In some studies, hyperprolactinemia has occurred in as many as 90% of the risperidone patients…… hyperprolactinemia has been repeatedly linked to cardiac disease…….”

“Second, even at typical or ‘ordinary’ doses (D2 blockade of 60-80%), risperidone induces Parkinsonian side effects at a rate which equals or surpasses the so-called traditional or conventional neuroleptics….”

“Third, the real-world risk of tardive dyskinesia due to risperidone is significant….”

Researchers have “…documented a statistically significant relationship between exposure to neuroleptics and a two-fold higher likelihood of severe neurobehavioral decline” and have “…discovered that the initiation of neuroleptic therapy was associated with a doubling of the speed of cognitive decline…” of patients with dementia.

“Evidence from neuroimaging studies reveals that old and new neuroleptics contribute to the progressive shrinkage and /or loss of brain tissue…………and induce a significant reduction in total brain weight and volume, with prominent changes in the frontal and parietal lobes.”

“Not surprisingly, this damage has been found to contribute to the induction or worsening of psychiatric symptoms, and to the acceleration of cognitive and neurobehavioral decline.”

Studies Showing non-drug or limited drug treatments are superior in outcomes:

Bockoven Study: “The investigators concluded that medications were associated with higher numbers of relapsing patients, and a higher number of relapses per patient.”

Vermont Longitudianl Study:
“A subsequent analysis revealed that all of the patients with full recoveries had stopped pharmacotherapy completely. (In other words, compliance with antipsychotic drug treatment was neither necessary, nor sufficient, for recovery.)”

Michigan State Psychotherapy Project:
“The poorest outcomes occurred among the chronically medicated, even when drugs were combined with psychotherapy.”

Colorado Experiment:
“After ten months of experimentation, the researchers made the following discovery: compared to ‘treatment as usual’ (neuroleptics and supportive therapy), the recipients of intensive psychotherapy experienced lower recidivism (fewer re-admissions after discharge) and lower mortality.”

Soteria Project: “The Soteria cohort [involving minimal use of drugs] outperformed the hospital control group (94% of whom received continuous neuroleptic therapy) by achieving superior outcomes in terms of residual symptoms, the need for re-hospitalization, and the ability to return to work.”

Agnew State Hospital Experiment: “The best outcomes, in terms of severity of illness, were found among the patients who avoided neuroleptic therapy both during and after hospitalization.”

Finland – Needs Adapted Approach: The patients receiving the Needs Adapted Approach, in contrast to the group receiving treatment as usual experienced “…fewer days of hospitalization, more patients without psychosis, and more patients with higher functioning. These outcomes occurred despite the fact that the Needs Adapted group consisted of more patients with severe illness…and longer durations of untreated psychosis, and despite the fact that 43% of the Needs Adapted subjects avoided antipsychotics altogether (vs. 6% of the controls.)”

In “…what has evolved to be known as the Open Dialogue Approach, the Finnish clinicians have achieved the following five-year outcomes for first-episode, non-affective psychosis: 82% rate of full remission of psychotic symptoms, 86% rate of return to studies or full-time employment, and 14% rate of disability”

“The results of the Finnish experiment stand in stark contrast to the results of the prevailing American standard of care, which currently features a 33% rate of lasting symptom reduction or remission; and, at most, a 40% rate of social or vocational recovery. ”

Watson:
A 1960s NIMH study found that “Drugs that were effective in curbing psychosis over the short term were making patients more likely to become psychotic over the long term.”

A 1970s NIMH trilogy of studies found that , “In each instance, patients treated without drugs did better over the long term than those treated in a conventional manner. Those findings led NIMH scientist William Carpenter to conclude that ‘antipsychotic medication may make some schizophrenic patients more vulnerable to future relapse than would be the case in the natural course of the illness.'”

In the 1970s two Canadian researchers wrote that “‘Neuroleptics can produce a dopamine supersensitivity that leads to both dyskinetic and psychotic symptoms.”

In the 1990s “…several research teams reported that antipsychotic drugs cause atrophy of the cerebral cortex and an enlargement of the basal ganglia….In other words , they found that the drugs cause morphological changes in the brain that are associated with a worsening of the very symptoms the drugs are supposed to alleviate.”

In 1994 the Vermont study found that a third of its “…cohort had recovered completely, and that ll who did shared one characteristic: They had all stopped taking antipsychotic medication. The notion that schizophrenia needed to stay on antipsychotics all their lives was a ‘myth,’ Harding said.”

World Health Organization studies show patients in poor countries, with 16% regularly maintained on antipsychotics had better outcomes overall than countries like the U.S. where 61% of patients were regularly maintained on antipsychotics.

In 2007 researchers at the University of Illinois Medical School “…found that 40% of those who refused to take their antipsychotic medications were recovered at five-year and 15-year followup exams, versus five percent of the medicated patients.”

“In addition to making patients chronically ill, standard antipsychotics cause a wide range of debilitating side effects. Specifically:”
Tardive Dyskinesia
Akathisia
Emotional Impairment
Cognitive Impairment
Increased incidence of blindness, fatal blood clots, arthythmia, heat stroke, swollen breasts, leaking breasts, obesity, sexual dysfunction, skin rashes, and seizures, early death.

Concerning new vs old antipsychotics:
In 2000, a team of English researchers at the University of Oxford concluded that “‘There is no clear evidence that atypicals are more effective or are better tolerated than conventional antipsychotics.'” In 2005, an NIH study concluded the same.

Researchers in the British government who had previously found that patients on the old neuroleptics had a “‘very poor’ quality of life,” concluded in 2007 that patients on the old drugs had a better quality of life than on the new antipsychotics.

Watson concludes:
a) “Antipsychotics increase the likelihood that a person will become chronically ill.
b) Long-term recovery rates are much higher for unmedicated patients than for those who are maintained on antipsychotic drugs.
c) Antipsychotics cause a hot of debilitating physical, emotional and cognitive side effects, and lead to early death.
d) The new ‘atypical’ antipsychotics are not better than the old ones in terms of their safety and tolerability, and quality of life may even be worse on the new drugs than on the old ones.
e) Being diagnosed with any psychiatric disorder, such as Schizophrenia, does not indicate there is a biological disease or true medical illness, and it does not indicate that a person suffering needs to be medicated…..psychiatric medication as an intervention is a way to control behavior, thoughts, or feelings in lieu of physical restraint. It is not treatment. Finding the true reason and underlying meaning within the persons suffering however, is treatment of the person.

Chapter 155: Why the Brave are Banished and Berated

Robert Whitaker (Mad in America and Anatomy of an Illness), who is simply presenting the facts about the history of psychiatry and how psychiatric drugs have caused great harm and misery for so many, while making others enormously wealthy, is now documenting stories about doctors and others who are being punished for acting on these facts Whitaker is uncovering.

Before I even knew about Whitaker, I’d done extensive research on neurotoxicity, and having understood how chemicals damage the brain, I volunteered much of my time trying to spread the word about using the least toxic products for cleaning and pest control, especially around children, whose brains are very vulnerable to damage from these neurotoxins.

My research revealed that pesticides used regularly in N.C. schools were nerve and brain toxins, and as if that weren’t sobering enough, they were sprayed on Mondays while the students were still in the schools. And if that’s not disturbing enough, I learned that the companies making the pesticides owned subsidiaries that sold drugs like Ritalin, which were used to treat CNS or brain-related symptoms. I spoke, upon invitation, to classes at UNC-Ch about this now and then and I went on to take classes on Public Health, hoping to make a difference. But the School of Public Health at UNC didn’t seem too interested in curbing the use of chemicals or exposing the conflicts of interest among companies that profited from the cure, as well as the cause of illness.

Now I’m dealing with another situation where the powers that be don’t want to hear the facts about neurotoxic effects of products commonly used — this time neuroleptic drugs used to treat psychosis and often other off-label uses. Like pesticides and other toxic chemicals, it turns out, neuroleptics are also neurotoxic.

My recent attempt to try to prevent my daughter, already suffering from the effects of an off-label use drug overdose after a traumatic head injury, from being further damaged by neurotoxic neuroleptics, has been met with personal attacks against me and the taking over of my daughter’s life by our local Department of Social Services.

My attempts to get doctors at our notorious Cherry Hospital to pay attention to my daughter’s severe reactions to Risperdal, which she was forced to take after our DSS had her committed (after they had her drugged and she reacted) were met by them retaliating and labeling me “mentally ill” — even worse, accusing me of Munchausen by Proxy!!!!

Since I have no career to destroy at the moment (I gave up my job to care for my daughter), DSS is trying to destroy me, as well as my daughter, all in the name of “treatment.”

Certainly SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE, will come to the rescue of the victims of this modern version of the eugenics movement and stop this insanity before it actually reaches holocaust proportions. But we certainly can’t count on the U.S. Forces to get us out of this one, unless they act independently of a country that is either promoting or turning a blind eye to these atrocities.

In the meantime, the assaults continue, and another who has tried to be true to his profession, has lost his job.

Read it here on Robert Whitaker’s blog — last story in the list

http://www.madinamerica.com/madinamerica.com/Whitaker.html

Chapter 153: From Overdrugging to Forced-Drugging — Dare County DSS Deja Vu in Detroit

http://detnews.com/article/20110328/METRO01/103280326/Detroit-mother-jailed-after-standoff#ixzz1Hxos0tPp

This story speaks for itself. It’s my story in another version. Enough is enough. M.O.M.S take back your children and your rights!

http://www.mentalhealthrightsyes.org/
See Maryanne’s and my stories on Cindi Fisher’s website

Chapter 152: Another Brain Robber: ABILIFY OR ARIPIPRAZOLE

This is an ongoing investigation and discussion about how the misuse of Halcion (off-label) as a dental sedative has severely disrupted (to say the least) my daughter’s and, therefore, my life.

The abuse of Halcion by her dentist, after she suffered a traumatic head injury, has snowballed from one abuse after another of psychoactive drugs forced upon her by the collective consensus of a system manipulated by the pharmaceutical industry.

Now it’s ABILIFY, which is known, see below, to CAUSE OR WORSEN psychosis, as are many other psychotropic drugs, something which the medical and “social” community can’t seem to wrap their own robbed brains around.

http://journals.lww.com/intclinpsychopharm/Abstract/2004/01000/Aripiprazole_possibly_worsens_psychosis.9.aspx
International Clinical Psychopharmacology:
January 2004 – Volume 19 – Issue 1 – pp 45-48
Case Reports
Aripiprazole possibly worsens psychosis

Ramaswamy, Srirama b c; Vijay, Dewanb c; William, Marcila c; Pirzada Sattar, S.a c; Praveen, Fernandesa c; Petty, Fredericka c
Abstract

Aripirazole is a novel antipsychotic that functions as a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor and, thus, might theoretically worsen psychosis. We report a series of four clinical cases of exacerbation of psychosis related to initiation of aripiprazole therapy. Cases 1 and 2 demonstrated the worsening of psychosis following initiation of aripiprazole (15-30 mg daily) while tapering off the previous atypical antipsychotic. Cases 3 and 4 demonstrated worsening of psychosis following the addition of aripiprazole (15-30 mg daily) to an atypical antipsychotic. In two out of the four cases, discontinuation of arpiprazole resulted in improvement of psychotic symptoms. Although the cases presented are suggestive of a relationship between initiation of aripiprazole therapy and worsening of psychosis, further research is needed to clarify any potential association.

Summary:

Paragraphs three through five read: “The patient was started on duloxetine [Cymbalta] 7 months before. Ten days prior to admission, her primary care physician had started her on aripiprazole [Abilify] (2 mg/day) for augmentation. She denied a history of psychotic symptoms and drug or alcohol abuse as well as a family history of psychosis.”

“Three days after starting aripiprazole [Abilify] , Ms. L reported auditory hallucinations. She was paranoid regarding her ex-husband. She described command hallucinations from the devil, who meant to harm her, and could also hear God’s voice encouraging her not to listen to the devil. She experienced concurrent onset of suicidal ideation with no plan. She was fully oriented, with no evidence of confusion. Aripiprazole was reduced to 1 mg/day, which led to amelioration of her hallucinations. However, her suicidal thoughts and paranoid beliefs persisted.
The psychiatric consultant decided to discontinue aripiprazole, leading to rapid and complete resolution of the patient’s psychotic symptoms and suicidal ideation. Her ongoing depression was managed with duloxetine (60 mg twice daily).

SSRI Stories note: Abilify is an antipsychotic which, at low doses, acts as an antidepressant on the serotonin neurotransmitters. This is the same mechanism as the SSRI antidepressants. Raising serotonin levels too high can cause psychosis. Psychosis is listed as a side effect in the Physicians Desk Reference for all antidepressants.

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/167/12/1535-a

Am J Psychiatry 167:1535-a-1536, December 2010
doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10020238
© 2010 American Psychiatric Association

Evidence is mounting that antipsychotic drugs worsen symptoms with long-term use and also make it very difficult to get off them. Many now say that only evidence of substantial benefit justifies using antipsychotic drugs and if use is justified, the lowest dose for the shortest duration is recommended.

Robert Whitaker explains this and alternatives to drug treatment in an interview on Salon.com
http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2010/04/27/interview_whitaker_anatomy_of_an_epidemic

Also this note:
http://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-treatment/how-effective-are-antipsychotics-in-treating-schizophrenia/menu-id-64/

Some doubts have been raised about the long-term effectiveness of antipsychotics because two large international World Health Organization studies found individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia tend to have better long-term outcomes in developing countries (where there is lower availability and use of antipsychotics) than in developed countries. The reasons for the differences are not clear, however, and various explanations have been suggested.

Some argue that the evidence for antipsychotics from withdrawal-relapse studies may be flawed because they do not take into account that antipsychotics may sensitize the brain and provoke psychosis if discontinued. Evidence from comparison studies indicates that at least some individuals recover from psychosis without taking antipsychotics and may do better than those that do take antipsychotics. Some argue that, overall, the evidence suggests that antipsychotics only help if they are used selectively and are gradually withdrawn as soon as possible.
Atypical vs Typical Antipsychotic Medications for Treatment of Schizophrenia.

And this short video by a former spokesperson for Abilify certainly raises concerns about the drug’s safety.

Chapter 151: Deadly Psychiatry: The Misuse & Abuse of Psychotropic Drugs

This is an ongoing investigation and discussion about how the misuse of Halcion (off-label) as a dental sedative has severely disrupted (to say the least) my daughter’s and, therefore, my life.

The abuse of Halcion by her dentist, after she suffered a traumatic head injury, has snowballed from one abuse after another of psychoactive drugs forced upon her by the collective consensus of a system manipulated by the pharmaceutical industry.

Despite the widespread ignorance, a growing group of ethical doctors and researchers are exposing this brainwashing and abuse, with a new study by Stanford School of Medicine and University of Chicago adding to the evidence about the risks of anti-psychotics, in particular.

http://med.stanford.edu/ism/2011/january/antipsychotics.html

Among other researchers warning of the high risks and low benefit of psychotropic drugs are Dr. Peter Breggin, Dr. Grace E. Jackson, Joanna Moncrieff, David Healy, Robert Whitaker, and Richard Gosden.

Below is a link to Gosden’s papers on the politics surrounding the diagnosis and drugging of so-called “schizophrenia.”

http://sites.google.com/site/richardgosden/

Yesterday I spoke with a representative with the NC Dept of Health and Human Services, acting as Ombudsman for the Governor’s office. I called for immediate reform of the current, abusive, destructive, and ineffective mental “health” system in our state.

I suggest everyone read Gosden’s work and then do the same and more to stop this forced-drugging with brain-damaging, mind-altering, and life-threatening drugs and ask leaders to promote the more beneficial, compassionate, dignified, and less toxic approach to healing and/or supporting those who need or request help.

The Brain Bio Centre and the websites on Orthomolecular Medicine and info about Soteria House show that there are better ways to approach “mental health” treatment.

http://www.orthomed.org/
http://www.foodforthebrain.org/content.asp?id_Content=1721
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soteria

Chapter 150: Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire: More Halcion Hell Fallout – From Risperdal to Abilify

More on the ongoing effects of the notorious sleeping pill, Halcion/triazolam, as it is used off-label and in high doses as a dental sedative.

It made my daughter very sick after a head injury – should never have been used, much less in high doses, and now every drug she takes causes relapse.

Orthomolecular, homeopathics, sleep, diet, low-stress therapy was leading to slow but sure recovery, and even more so as we removed all drugs from her treatment. But that wasn’t good enough for our local Dept of Social Services who decided it knew best, it knew drugs, and she needed to be on them.

Against her will, she is now drugged and made sicker. Though any benefit from the drugs is far outweighed by the debilitating and even life-threatening side effects, reality has a hard time breaking through a brainwashed collective brain.

Risperdal was literally killing her, and now Abilify has made her sick too. It made her sick day one, and I am prevented – barred by Dare County DSS – from doing anything to save her.

The video linked below, by a former promoter of Abilify, serves to confirm why we all need to take another look at the ALTERNATIVES to this brainwashed method of treatment and allow people the right to safer approaches to healing.

http://blogs.mercola.com/sites/vitalvotes/archive/2010/01/05/One-of-Wackiest-Ideas-From-Conventional-Medicine.aspx

Chapter 149: Another Parent’s Tragic Story Involving Psychotropic Drug Lexapro

This blog is mostly about the dangerous off-label use of the sleeping pill Halcion/triazolam as a dental sedative and the hell it has put my daughter and me through.

This post focuses on another psychotropic drug and the story of Matt Steubing, who jumped from a bridge to his death after taking Lexapro.

Lexapro has also been damaging to my daughter. She had first developed a serious life-threatening change in thoughts and personality after her dentist overdosed her with Halcion following a head injury.

After Halcion caused her to develop severe anorexia, anxiety, insomnia and disturbing thoughts,
Trazdone, which was given for the insomnia, finished her off.

It took two years of diet, rest, vitamins and homeopathics to bring her back, and then, after all that progress in recovery, Lexapro and Wellbutrin caused her to relapse profoundly and are responsible for the horrible situation she is in now, mostly because of local Dept of Social Service’s ignorant involvement and unwillingness to look at the facts about adverse drug reactions.

Matt’s story is now part of a documentary featuring his mother’s search for the cause of his death and the real story behind these psychotropic drugs.

Below is a link to Glen Smith’s coverage in the Post & Courier, and below that is a link for viewing the video online– it’s very well-done and well worth the watch. It could save your life, and if enough people see it, perhaps together we can save our country and its future.

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2010/nov/27/parents-warning-others/

http://ehealthforum.com/blogs/fiddy/dead-wrong-the-documentary-a-review-b12417.html

at the bottom of this page you can click to view the video.

Chapter 148: Distinguishing Brain Injury from Mental Illness and How They Should Be Treated

This blog addresses the damage caused by the off-label use of the sleeping pill, Halcion/Triazolam, as a dental sedative, and the harm dentists are doing by routinely overdosing the drug.

Patients with head injury and other serious health problems should not be treated with this drug at all, much less overdosed with it – or subjected to an off-label (improperly tested) use.

The drug’s ability to cause brain damage was illustrated most clearly in the death of John Coleman in Missouri, after his dentist dosed him with a total of 2 mg. The maximum recommended dose (per FDA) is .25 mg.

My daughter, about half Mr. Coleman’s weight, was overdosed with 1 mg, and she has never recovered from the adverse, rebound effects of that drug. Minor “mental” effects from the head injury she suffered prior to the overdose, were clearly and markedly exacerbated by the Halcion.

Now, people in the so-called health care business, clearly uninformed about treatment and diagnosis of brain injury, are further damaging her with brain-damaging antipsychotic drugs.

This trend to ignore brain injury as a cause for what appears to be “mental illness,” and treating the symptoms with drugs that cause more damage and threaten death should be investigated immediately and reversed asap.

Psychosis and other altered thought symptoms resulting from TBI are NOT supposed to be treated the same as those not resulting from TBI, and failing to understand this can be very detrimental to one suffering TBI.

Arcinegas at Univ of Colorado has published a paper on psychosis due to head injury in which two conditions, (one being psychosis caused by head injury), both resembling schizophrenia, are distinguished from one another.

Also the info below explains why the CAUSE of the changed thought patterns should be determined (with brain injury definitely ruled out with neuropsychological and other testing) BEFORE drugs are used.

I have seen recovery using homeopathics and the orthomolecular approach to my daughter’s serious symptoms following a head injury and a Halcion overdose by a dentist.

I have seen very little improvement with benzos and antipsychotics, and witnessed SEVERE and life-threatening reactions to the latter, with a worsening in anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms.

Whatever the cause, the least toxic approach to healing should be considered first, and the Brain Bio Centre and the Orthomolecular Society info consulted by ALL MENTAL HEALTH facilities everywhere before they resort to any chemical treatments in non-emergency situations.

“Patients who have had a TBI are more vulnerable to adverse effects of medication and are less likely to show evidence of benefit. Symptoms will often improve spontaneously. Furthermore, there may not be an indication for the symptom that the drug is being used for. It is prudent to continue drug treatment of behavioral, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms after TBI only if there is good evidence that the patient is benefiting.”
http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/trauma-and-violence/content/article/10168/1534138

” Many drugs given to brain injured persons have undesirable cognitive side effects and cause more harm than good. Certain antiseizure medications cause attention and memory problems, and choice of medication often does not reflect this awareness. Minor tranquilizers (such as Valium) which may calm anxious or tense persons without brain damage, may cause memory problems, poor judgment, and emotional control problems in head injured persons. Major tranquilizers, which organize psychotic thinking and calms agitated behavior in schizophrenics, can have the opposite effect after brain damage. The dampening of the neurotransmitter systems (which helps the schizophrenic) after brain injury decreases cortical functioning, worsens cognitive deficits, leads to more confusion and disorganization, and thus poorer thinking and increased agitation.”
http://www.getrealresults.com/tenmyths.html
DEBUNKING TEN MYTHS OF “RECOVERY”

“Risperdal® should be a drug of last resort. The adverse event profile is so significant, you don’t want to use it except as a last resort. There are many alternatives to these kinds of drugs. But ‘big pharma’ and the FDA have failed to protect the public” – Stephen Sheller on The American Law Journal.

Click to access GraceJacksononRisperdalIrreparableHarmAffidavit.pdf

Click to access JacksonOnNLtoxicity.pdf

“In view of these considerations, risperidone should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the risk of TD. As with any antipsychotic drug, risperidone should be reserved for patients who appear to be obtaining substantial benefit from the drug. In such patients, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment should be sought. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically.”

The aim of this paper was to systematically review the research published in English language on the effectiveness of drugs for the treatment of neurobehavioural disorders in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). A literature search using Medline, Pre-Medline, Embase, Psychlit and Cochrane Library databases between 1990 and January 2003 as well as a hand search of Brain Injury since 1996 were carried out. Phrases such as ‘head injury’, ‘brain injury’, ‘drug treatment’, ‘drug trials’ and ‘randomized controlled trials’ were used. Sixty-three papers were selected for data synthesis. Of these, 13 were randomized controlled trials, eight were prospective observational studies, four were retrospective studies, 25 were case series and 13 were single case studies. There was a dearth of type I-III evidence. There was no strong evidence either way to suggest that drugs are effective in the treatment of behaviour disorders in patients with TBI. However, there was weak evidence, primarily based on case studies that psychostimulants are effective in the treatment of apathy, inattention and slowness; high dose beta-blockers in the treatment of agitation and aggression; anti-convulsants and anti-depressants (particularly SSRIs) in the treatment of agitation and aggression, particularly in the context of an affective disorder; and possibly a specific neuroleptic methotrimeprazine in the treatment of agitation in the post-acute stage of Acquired Brain Injury. Some drugs that are effective in some patients have been shown to be ineffective in others. Some drugs, particularly lithium and dopaminergic drugs could cause adverse effects and deterioration in some patients.
http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0269905031000110463

Chapter 147: From Halcion to Risperdal

A continuation of my blog about how the off-label use of Halcion/triazolam – as a dental sedative- ruined my daughter’s and my life and the on-going hell of it all.

Now it’s Risperdal (Risperidone) —- a drug Grace E Jackson says will destroy your brain cells — is given to counter the effects of a damaged brain. Go Figure.

I am far to upset and heartbroken and worried for my daughter’s life now to write anything intelligible, so I’ll just share the excepts of info I found on Risperdal’s adverse effects, many of which, and the most severe, Sophie is now experiencing. It took me all week to try to convince the hospital where she’s incarcerated that this drug is not appropriate for her, at least not at the doses she was given more recently. Of course I know there is a much better and even more effective treatment (orthomolecular & homeopathy), but this is America, and we are not allowed to use methods that do not benefit the chemical/pharmaceutical industry.

Click to access GraceJacksononRisperdalIrreparableHarmAffidavit.pdf

Very important info by Grace E Jackson

RISPERDAL

In view of these considerations, risperidone should be prescribed in a manner that is most likely to minimize the risk of TD. As with any antipsychotic drug, risperidone should be reserved for patients who appear to be obtaining substantial benefit from the drug. In such patients, the smallest dose and the shortest duration of treatment should be sought. The need for continued treatment should be reassessed periodically.

http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20%28General%20Monographs-%20R%29/RISPERDAL.html

http://www.rxmed.com/b.main/b2.pharmaceutical/b2.1.monographs/CPS-%20Monographs/CPS-%20%28General%20Monographs-%20R%29/RISPERDAL.html

http://www.drugs.com/risperdal.html
. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, restless muscle movements in your face or neck, tremor (uncontrolled shaking), trouble swallowing, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

While you are taking Risperdal, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medication.

http://www.productliabilitylawyer.com/resources/product-liability/dangerous-drugs/risperdal-dangers.htm

Known Dangers of Risperdal Use

The most significant dangers or risk associated with Risperdal use are stroke related incidents but there are many other dangerous conditions whose signs and symptoms are hidden due to the use of Risperdal itself such as drug overdose, intestinal obstruction, brain tumor, a dangerous neurological condition called Reye’s syndrome, as well as other risky effects of Risperdal use itself which are often not observed due to the ability for the drug to mask signs and symptoms of certain conditions. Mental patients are unfairly asked to be especially aware of dangerous health conditions in order to prevent the adverse effects of the Risperdal use from worsening to deadly results. Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may never go away after cessation of this medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs.
Side Effects and Symptoms of an Adverse Reaction

Other dangerous side effects of Risperdal use requires that patients be cautious about difficulty swallowing which can cause a type of pneumonia to develop. A potentially fatal condition, Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome adversely affects Risperdal patients if left untreated. The condition is characterized by muscle stiffness or rigidity, irregular pulse, fast heartbeat, increased sweating, high or low blood pressure, and high fever. The use of Risperdal will significantly add to the pain and suffering in the lives of patients suffering from a mental illness. It is essential that potential side effects of Risperdal use be weighed prior to beginning any kind of Risperdal treatment.

There is a huge list of common and rare adverse effects arising from this drug, a list to large to reproduce in here but the following is a incomplete version of some of the possible debilitating adverse conditions:

Convulsions (seizures); difficult or fast breathing; fast heartbeat or irregular pulse; fever (high); high or low blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe); unusually pale skin; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe), high body temperature (dizziness; fast, shallow breathing; fast, weak heartbeat; headache; muscle cramps; pale, clammy skin; increased thirst); lip smacking or puckering; low body temperature (confusion, drowsiness, poor coordination, shivering); prolonged, painful, inappropriate erection of the penis; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs, extreme thirst; increased blinking or spasms of eyelid; loss of appetite; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity that cannot be controlled; uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual facial expressions or body positions
Filing a Risperdal Lawsuit

If you believe that you or one of your family members has suffered a physical or mental injury due to the use of the drug Risperdal it is important to consult with a product liability attorney as soon as possible in order to protect your right and interest and prevent any additional harm or injury from occurring or continuing. You or your family member may have a cause of action in strict liability in connection with a defective pharmaceutical product manufactured by a pharmaceutical provider. A products liability attorney can assist you in filing a claim against that drug manufacturer or retail supplier and help the injured patient to recover the costs of additional treatments to correct or improve any injury and emotional distress and humiliation arising due to adverse reactions to this drug.

Not an official website for the drug
http://www.antidepressantsfaq.com/risperdal_5760/
Gray49 says:
November 17, 2010

Common Side Effects:

Constipation; coughing; diarrhea; drowsiness; dryness of mouth; headache; heartburn; increased dream activity; increased length of sleep; nausea; sore throat; stuffy or runny nose; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight gain

Less Common Side Effects:

Darkening of skin color; dry skin; increased sensitivity of the skin to sun; increased watering of mouth; joint pain; stomach pain; vomiting; weight loss

SPECIAL WARNING: Along with its needed effects, risperidone can sometimes cause serious side effects.

Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Other serious but rare side effects may also occur. These include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), which may cause severe muscle stiffness, fever, severe tiredness or weakness, fast heartbeat, difficult breathing, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, or seizures. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of taking it.
Stop taking risperidone and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare: Convulsions (seizures); difficult or fast breathing; fast heartbeat or irregular pulse; fever (high); high or low blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe); unusually pale skin; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)

Notify Doctor Immediately:

More Common: Difficulty in speaking or swallowing; inability to move eyes; muscle spasms of face, neck, and back; twisting movements of body

Rare: High body temperature (dizziness; fast, shallow breathing; fast, weak heartbeat; headache; muscle cramps; pale, clammy skin; increased thirst); lip smacking or puckering; low body temperature (confusion, drowsiness, poor coordination, shivering); prolonged, painful, inappropriate erection of the penis; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

Notify Doctor As Soon As Possible:

More Common: Anxiety or nervousness; changes in vision, including blurred vision; decreased sexual desire or performance; loss of balance control; mask-like face; menstrual changes; mood or mental changes, including aggressive behavior, agitation, difficulty in concentration, and memory problems; problems in urination or increase in amount of urine; restlessness or need to keep moving (severe); shuffling walk; skin rash or itching; stiffness or weakness of arms or legs; tic-like or twitching movements; trembling and shaking of fingers and hands; trouble in sleeping

Less Common: Back pain; chest pain; seborrhea (skin condition that may include dandruff and oily skin); unusual secretion of milk

Rare: Extreme thirst; increased blinking or spasms of eyelid; loss of appetite; talking, feeling, and acting with excitement and activity that cannot be controlled; uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual facial expressions or body positions