Kathie

Thanks, Jacketwatch.

It is true that when someone develops psychiatric or psychological symptoms in response to a medication, the first question that gets asked is whether they had previous similar symptoms. People who do have long-term psychological/psychiatric effects from drugs often get told they must have had a "predisposition," even when there is no previous history of symptoms. That's a cop out. Where there was no history of previous psychiatric problems we conclude that the medication did, indeed, produce the problems. It is certainly true that people with predisposing problems (depression or major mental illness) are advised not to take larium because we know that it can cause these problems, and the (reasonable) assumption is that larium is even more likely to cause problems in someone who has had previous symptoms.

I can only guess that your Pharm Ds don't have experience with psychological/psychiatric issues, so are unfamiliar with long term effects of drugs on psychological/psychiatric status. I agree with you, Larry, about the concept of Larium specialists. But I do think you need people with background in both pharmacology and in psychological/psychiatric matters to understand this issue.

Since you can understand that medications can cause long-term (or permanent) impacts on physical health and functioning, I wonder why it is so difficult to understand that medications can have long term effects on psychological/psychiatric status. We are talking about the same mechanisms here - neurotransmitters.

jacketwatch

My issue has to do with the duration of symptoms after only 8 tablets. Long terms SE's occur with long term usage usually. The Pharmd's are very well educated and I am sure as part of that education had to cover psychiatric drugs and long term effects of those and all drugs as well so the concept of long term problems isn't one they haven't covered B4. in fact they teach this to there students. I've seen it. Actually the U of I pharmD program is one of the best in the nation. The students we see are all top notch. To make myself clear I fully acknowledge the phenomenon of long term deleterious effects some meds can have. No issue there. We see it with steroids all the time but that of course takes daily doses over over a great lenght of time. 8 tabs and two yrs. of mental illness? On the surface of things, w/o knowing the particulars of this case I just don't buy it. I don't know how anyone can buy this really unless you're this "victims" attorney. ( I don't mean you. ) Why do I say that? I have first hand experience on a personal level with someone who faked injuries (at least the jury thought so and tried to sue someone in my family for tons of $$$ based on a piddling little injury. She ended up OWING 17K in mediacal bills, charges the jury determined were based on false claims. Score one for the justice system. . There is one more thing that concerns me too. That report is the one and only post from this person. It wouldn't be the 1st time someone has "trolled" using this MO here. When I put it all together
Kathie I just don't buy it, not w/o knowing much more.

Kathie

Your point is well-taken, Larry. We know nothing of the person who posted. My contention is that it can (and according to well-documented publish reports does) happen. I can imagine that your past experience with malingering makes you supicious.

Thanks for an interesting and mutually respectful discussion, Larry.

jacketwatch

I like it too.