Vanora Posted April 12, 2017 Share Posted April 12, 2017 A number of us have submitted a petition to the Scottish parliament asking that action be taken on PDD or Prescription Drug Dependence. The focus is on antidepressants and benzodiazepines. We ask that they acknowledge the harms these drugs are causing to many people like ourselves. Read the petition below and please sign within the 4 week time limit. People from any country can leave their signature and comment. Thank you in advance and we really appreciate your support for our petition. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted April 14, 2017 Author Share Posted April 14, 2017 Professor Peter Gotzsche has signed our petition. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted June 6, 2017 Author Share Posted June 6, 2017 Just an update. We had a final figure of 285 people sign our petition, thank you to all who signed. Including Professor Peter Gotzsche we also had Dr David Healy, Professor John Read, Dr James Davies and Dr Terry Lynch add their names. The petition will be debated by the petitions Committee on the 29th June at the Scottish Parliament. I will keep you posted. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 The committee meeting to discuss our petition - Prescribed drug dependence and withdrawal - will meet on the 29th June at approximately 9.45am. For anyone interested in following proceedings the link to the Parliament TV is: http://www.scottishparliament.tv/Home/Index/cc33a648-0571-48fc-ac79-b26d264c950b Please ensure you are on the webpage for Committee Room 3. For those not able to follow proceedings live the video recording is archived and usually published within a few hours on the Parliament TV website under 'archive' . 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerback Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 hi Vanora good on ye and thanks from someone in absolute torture trying to get off these nasty drugs and I see you were on the devil Effexor like myself ,this drug should be banned for new prescriptions . PB Alcohol free since February 2015 1MG diazepam 4.5MG PROZAC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted June 22, 2017 Author Share Posted June 22, 2017 Thanks PB. A lot of people have worked very hard to get this far. We have submissions from Prof. John Read, from a NHS Consultant Psychiatrist, Dr Peter J Gordon who works within Scotland, and from The Council for Evidence Based Psychiatry. It's all good so far. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the 29th June. I hope you manage to get off that poison Effexor, it definitely needs banning. Best of luck to you. Vanora 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Emeritus bubble Posted June 22, 2017 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted June 22, 2017 I only so this thread now so couldn't sign. But just wanted to thank you for initiating this. We need to get this out! We are all either too busy surviving all the horrors of these drugs or don't want to be reminded of them once we get better. But people have to know. Our experiences need to be validated. Thank you for keeping us updated on the progress of this initiative and best of luck in getting the word out! Current: 9/2022 Xanax 0.08, Lexapro 2 2020 Xanax 0.26 (down from 2 mg in 2013), Lexapro 2.85 mg (down from 5 mg 2013) Amitriptyline (tricyclic AD) and clonazepam for 3 months to treat headache in 1996 1999. - present Xanax prn up to 3 mg. 2000-2005 Prozac CT twice, 2005-2010 Zoloft CT 3 times, 2010-2013 Escitalopram 10 mg went from 2.5 to zero on 7 Aug 2013, bad crash 40 days afterreinstated to 5 mg Escitalopram 4Oct 2013 and holding liquid Xanax every 5 hours 28 Jan 2014 Xanax 1.9, 18 Apr 2015 1 mg, 25 June 2015 Lex 4.8, 6 Aug Lexapro 4.6, 1 Jan 2016 0.64 Xanax 9 month hold 24 Sept 2016 4.5 Lex, 17 Oct 4.4 Lex (Nov 0.63 Xanax, Dec 0.625 Xanax), 1 Jan 2017 4.3 Lex, 24 Jan 4.2, 5 Feb 4.1, 24 Mar 4 mg, 10 Apr 3.9 mg, May 3.85, June 3.8, July 3.75, 22 July 3.7, 15 Aug 3.65, 17 Sept 3.6, 1 Jan 2018 3.55, 19 Jan 3.5, 16 Mar 3.4, 14 Apr 3.3, 23 May 3.2, 16 June 3.15, 15 Jul 3.1, 31 Jul 3, 21 Aug 2.9 26 Sept 2.85, 14 Nov Xan 0.61, 1 Dec 0.59, 19 Dec 0.58, 4 Jan 0.565, 6 Feb 0.55, 20 Feb 0.535, 1 Mar 0.505, 10 Mar 0.475, 14 Mar 0.45, 4 Apr 0.415, 13 Apr 0.37, 21 Apr 0.33, 29 Apr 0.29, 10 May 0.27, 17 May 0.25, 28 May 0.22, 19 June 0.22, 21 Jun updose to 0.24, 24 Jun updose to 0.26 Supplements: Omega 3 + Vit E, Vit C, D, magnesium, Taurine, probiotic I'm not a medical professional. Any advice I give is based on my own experience and reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 Thank you bubble. I personally have struggled to find a doctor or psychiatrist who will accept that I have been put through hell because of withdrawal from psych drugs like antidepressants, apparently I should accept I have a mental condition that requires me to take antidepressants for life. Everyone involved in this petition is fed up with the ignorance and denial. We are trying to do our bit to educate our politicians and the wider public about this scandal. We are going to need all the luck we can get but I hope we can make a difference. I think they will find our stories hard to ignore. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 For any of you who missed the meeting of the petitions Committee on the 29th of June here is the link: http://www.scottishparliament.tv/20170629_public_pets?in=00:38:40&out=01:02:17 The panel has decided to seek the responses of the Scottish Government, the British Medical Association, the All Party Parliamentary Group on Prescription Drug Dependence, as well as the Samaritans and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. Their responses will be published on petitions Committee website in 4-6 weeks. On the same day we had some publicity in the media - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-40442178 Fiona French was prescribed a benzodiazepine for myoclonic epilepsy 40 years ago and has been left seriously unwell since coming off her benzo in 2013. She was also prescribed antidepressants for the depression she suffered during those year as a result of the benzodiazepine. Fiona no longer has epilepsy and she no longer suffers depression. We also had a piece written in today's Daily Mail (30th June, 2017). The paper has carried a number of articles recently on the issue of prescription drug dependence. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4650774/Prescriptions-antidepressants-DOUBLED.htm#reader-comments In the next parliamentary term we will have our chance to respond, hopefully the process will advance beyond this initial meeting and we will receive the recognition we deserve and fingers crossed a helpline and specialist website dedicated to helping people with prescription drug dependence to psych drugs like antidepressants and benzodiazepines. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted September 25, 2017 Author Share Posted September 25, 2017 (edited) For anyone following our petition you might like to know that over the summer we had further responses from the Scottish Government, the British Medical Association, the Samaritans, the Scottish Association for Mental Health and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Prescription Drug Dependence and we, Recovery and Renewal, responded. You can see all these new written submissions here: http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 The Official Report of the first meeting is now available at the Parliament's website and can be accessed by following this link: http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11051 The date for the next Committee reconsideration has not as yet been set but is likely to be in November. Watch this space! Edited September 25, 2017 by Vanora mistake made in link 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted October 4, 2017 Author Share Posted October 4, 2017 Our petition recently featured in the Scottish newspaper The Herald. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15571708.Thousands_prescribed_wrong_pills_left_to_suffer I think the article is pretty good and the newspaper is apparently going to feature more about Scotland's problems with prescription drugs. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted November 15, 2017 Author Share Posted November 15, 2017 For anyone interested our petition is due for its second consideration by petition committee at the Scottish Parliament on the morning of the 7th December. I will post nearer to the date with further details. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted December 4, 2017 Author Share Posted December 4, 2017 The Herald published this very excellent article on prescription drug dependence and our petition today. http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/health/15698034.Campaigners_beg_MSPs_to_tackle_health_scandal_of_prescription_pill_harm/ 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerback Posted December 4, 2017 Share Posted December 4, 2017 Had a read through there vanora ,this article will bring great solace and validation to all of us that keep getting beaten down by the very broken and wrong system . Brilliant thanks for the post . PB Alcohol free since February 2015 1MG diazepam 4.5MG PROZAC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted December 5, 2017 Author Share Posted December 5, 2017 I'm glad you liked it PB. We battle for validation and this article goes a long way to redress that. Great isn't! Vanora. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted December 7, 2017 Author Share Posted December 7, 2017 This morning our petition saw it's second petition committee consideration. I think we got quite a good response from the committee members. The Scottish government usually defends the rise in prescription rates in Scotland as evidence that more people are seeking helping for mental health problems and getting appropriate treatment but the convener questioned this argument. Newly released Scottish suicide statistics which shows a rise for the period 2009-2015 were added to the evidence, a new report published on the 14th November, 2017 indicating that, "Over half (59%) had at least one mental health drug prescription dispensed within 12 months of death. Over four out of five (82%) of these individuals were prescribed an antidepressant drug, alone or in combination with other medication..." was also duly noted. They acknowledged the Welsh petition on prescribed drug dependence that saw it's first consideration on the 5th of December. There was an earlier petition which the committee felt had considerable tie-in with our own. Annette McKenzie lost her 16 year old daughter to an overdose of Propanol, she had no idea that her daughter had been prescribed this drug and now wants to ensure that under-18s cannot be prescribed meds to treat mental health issues without parental consent. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-38680233# Maureen Watt Minister for Mental Health in the Scottish government will be interviewed by the petitions committee early in 2018. Hopefully more positive things will follow. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted December 11, 2017 Author Share Posted December 11, 2017 You can read here the verbatim report of our petition consideration last Thursday the 7th December. Within 'Continued Petitions' click the + button to open. Look for 'Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal (PE1651)'. http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/report.aspx?r=11257 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 Sorry about the last minute nature of this but if any of you might feel able to write a few paragraphs to the Scottish parliamentary committee about your experiences whilst taking and withdrawing from antidepressants it would really help us out. Unfortunately, you only have until Monday morning, the 8th of January, to submit something. The most you can write is 3 sides of A4. I appreciate that not everyone will want to reveal their identity, you can ask to remain anonymous if you want to. All you need do is send your submission by email to Petitions@parliament.scot and include the reference PE01651 in the subject bar along with your name. Thank you in advance. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 I should have made it clear earlier that by asking to remain anonymous you are ensuring that only the committee members will see your submission and not the general public. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Do you have to be a Scottish resident to write a submission or can anyone world wide submit? No doubt a Scottish resident would carry more weight. So you still give your name but to keep it out of the public domain you say you want to remain anonymous right? Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 You don't have to be Scottish nz. I think it would help our cause very much to show that this is a world wide issue. And as to your final point, yes, just provide them with your name but tell them you wish to remain anonymous. Say it is for the committee only and not for general consumption. I hope you will consider submitting something, tell them just how bad it can get! 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 I've been asking about the anonymity part nz, just say that you don't want your submission uploaded to the parliament's website. That should do the trick. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 10, 2018 Share Posted January 10, 2018 I owe you an apology Vanora. I didn't do the submission. I went to do it but couldn't see where you submit it. I am sorry. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 11, 2018 Author Share Posted January 11, 2018 Don't worry about it nz, you had good intentions. We've been pretty inundated with loads more submissions so it's all good. People like Professor David Healy, Dr Terry Lynch and Baylissa Frederick have written some great things for us as well as the victims of prescribed drug dependence sending in their stories. Many have already been downloaded to the parliament's website, you can check them out. And there are many more to come. 🙂 http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 11, 2018 Share Posted January 11, 2018 Thanks Vanora Wow what an tremendous response. Thanks for the update. yes I will check out some of the submissions. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Important news flash nz, we have until Friday for more people to submit something to the petition's committee. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name any doctors you've consulted. Remember and tell them you wish to remain anonymous. If you could write even a few paragraphs that would be great. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 For anyone reading the above just to clear up any confusion I may have created the deadline has now definitely expired. If you submitted something I thank you very much. I our cause has been helped enormously by the large volume of recent submissions, the committee members can't say they haven't been well informed! 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 Done!! Mission accomplished. nz11 What...expired?...oh blow I just submitted it in this last half hour....I only just woke up!! Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 12, 2018 Author Share Posted January 12, 2018 Thank you nz, I'm truly grateful for your efforts at this last minute. I thought your submission was excellent, it would be very bad luck indeed if they don't allow it. We will have to wait and see. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Thanks Vanora. We will just have to wait and see maybe they will email to say its not accepted I suppose. Personally I cant see why they cant accept it even if its a day late. Thanks for all you are doing. nz11 Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 15, 2018 Author Share Posted January 15, 2018 I thought you should hear some good news nz. I've heard that the petition clerks were still accepting submissions during the weekend. I've got not only my fingers crossed but my toes as well!! 🙂 Great quote by the way from Dr Mosher. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Excellent news...sounds like I just made it in the door. Hooray !! Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 15, 2018 Author Share Posted January 15, 2018 The public petitions committee meets on Thursday at 9am. There are two petitions under consideration and both have relevance for our campaign. The first concerns Annette McKenzie whose 16 year old daughter Britney Mazzoncini tragically died after an overdose of Propranolol prescribed for anxiety. Consideration of our petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence follows. The Scottish Minister for Mental Health, Maureen Watt, among others have been called for questions. http://www.parliament.scot/S5_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Submissions 2017/18_January_2018_public.pdf 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nz11 Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 5 hours ago, Vanora said: The public petitions committee meets on Thursday at 9am. There are two petitions under consideration and both have relevance for our campaign. The first concerns Annette McKenzie whose 16 year old daughter Britney Mazzoncini tragically died after an overdose of Propranolol prescribed for anxiety. Consideration of our petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence follows. The Scottish Minister for Mental Health, Maureen Watt, among others have been called for questions. http://www.parliament.scot/S5_PublicPetitionsCommittee/Submissions 2017/18_January_2018_public.pdf Taken from the above link: [insert mine] 26. Fiona French contends that, whatever the age of a patient, “most … do not give informed consent when they are prescribed medication for mental health issues”, as doctors do not provide them with sufficient information about potential risks or adverse effects. [That's because doctors don't have any info on risks ...how can they talk about something that doesn't exist!] She considers that “the onus should most certainly not be on the patient to do extensive research” about any medication, and argues that—“…even with the involvement of parents … it is likely that only partial information will be provided to the young adult. This leaves the patient at a considerable disadvantage and with little idea of the risks they are taking in agreeing to consume psychiatric drugs.” [Excellent point but sadly I cant see this changing any time soon] 27. Ann Kelly considers how limited information about potential risks may affect a patient’s support network— “What’s really sad also is that, because doctors habitually minimise the effect these drugs have on the mind, the friends and family of people in these situations may dismiss pleas for help as exaggeration.” 28. Alyne Duthie also refers to the trust that patients and families place in the medical profession— “As patients, adult or child, we have to rely on the knowledge of our doctors to best guide us in decisions that may make the difference between good health or bad, life or death.” 29. She also considers that there is “an unprecedented medicalisation of childhood and teenage problems” and notes that in 2016 the World Health Organisation voiced its concerns after the findings of a study from 2005 to 2012 showed a 54% increase in the prescribing of anti-depressants to young people. Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing. http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651 Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos. Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you Recovering paxil addict None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped." Dr Mosher. Me too! Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015 I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015 Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 Watch proceedings live at 9am tomorrow morning (the 18th). The meeting will also be recorded and can be downloaded. https://www.scottishparliament.tv/ 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanora Posted January 18, 2018 Author Share Posted January 18, 2018 For anyone interested you can watch proceedings re our petition here. They don't actually get to ours until about 90 minutes in but the discussion about the first petition is of great interest to us to concerning the death of 16 year old Britney Mazzoncini by way of an overdose of the beta blocker Propranolol which was prescribed for anxiety. https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/public-petitions-committee-january-18-2018 The members of our campaign group felt our concerns over the prescribing of drugs of dependence - antidepressants and benzos - weren't properly addressed by the Scottish Minister for Mental Health Maureen Watt or by Dr John Mitchell, psychiatric adviser to the Scottish Government. Personally, I think they were given a closer grilling on the first petition. Increased prescribing of antidepressants was seen as evidence of a successful strategy, of more people willing to seek help for mental health problems and an example of the reduction of stigma. We had the old arguments that they are only following evidence based guidelines (SIGN or Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network) which show that antidepressants work and that there is under treatment of depression. On withdrawal advice, patients should return to the original prescriber. Dr Mitchell expressed the view that antidepressant withdrawal is "mild and self limiting" and that the people who'd offered submissions to the parliament don't represent the norm! We are all upset and disappointed by the ignorance displayed in the committee meeting today but this is not the end of the petition by any means. The committee will meet again to discuss our petition and we will have our arguments ready. 1979 put on Clomipramine.Failed attempt to withdraw from Clomipramine started on Seroxat 1992.1997 Effexor replaces Seroxat after failed withdrawal.2011 fail to withdraw from Effexor despite combined use of Prozac and Seroquel. Started on Cymbalta.Anxiety not resolved by Cymbalta so taper off by 28th March 2012. Left on 10mg Buspirone and 1 quarter of 5mg Diazepam.Anxiety at times very severe. 19th May take my first half of a 5mg Lamictal. As of 5/11/2013, off all psychiatric drugs. Doing better but hope for more healing yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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