Posted by medlib on January 23, 2002, at 20:32:21
In reply to Re: The musical meds - incidence report » medlib, posted by Chris A. on January 23, 2002, at 1:37:07
Hi Chris--
My pdoc asked the local sales rep to contact the Geodon researchers. He wanted to see if they had any suggestions that would allow me to resume taking Geodon (minus the EPS). Though I never took more than the lowest dose twice a day, I'd experienced complete remission of my depressive symptoms (unlike any other rx I've tried)--before the EPS hit. Withdrawal, no matter how gradual, produced severe panic attacks (which *felt* life-threatening--the first one sent me to the ER with what they termed "false suffocation syndrome"). I'd never had an anxiety or panic attack, but these came twice a day (12 hours apart, like clockwork) each lasting 45min-1hr. for 10 days. It was like visiting heaven and hell both in the same month.
Since my response was so clearly idiosyncratic, and didn't result in hospitalization or permanent injury (the criteria for FDA-required reporting), I had no interest in making "official" contact with Pfizer. The Incidence Report form was their belated response to my pdoc's request for consultation; he passed it on to me. Since I can't envision either of them really giving a damn, I'll probably ignore both.
Drug companies have the highest profit margins of any industry world wide. The only entity with a prayer of making an impact on them is the FDA--and that threat is minimized by extensive "collaboration". I come from a family of attorneys and wouldn't dream of taking on such "deep pockets"--even with an iron-clad case.
From my viewpoint, the average healthcare consumer has about 3 options, s/he can say no, can fire his/her doc and/or can seek help in another country.
Re ECT: The manufacturers of ECT equipment, like those who make surgical devices, are liable only if their products fail to operate as specified. They have no other responsibility for patient outcomes; primary liability is assigned to those who order and/or administer the procedures--and then only to the degree that their actions deviate from standard medical practices.
Bottom line? There are no guarantees; "professionals" are paid for their time and services, not their results. Caveat emptor! Any wonder why more and more people are researching their own healthcare concerns?
Well wishes---medlib (now climbing down from the pulpit)
poster:medlib
thread:90736
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020116/msgs/91337.html