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“He honestly did not know that his actions
could kill him.”
Please read my letter and respond. Feel free to use
this story, but I ask that it be circulated without my name for the time
being. I have enclosed my personal information so that I may receive a
response.
I discovered the ICFDA after my son tried to jump out a window in 1997.
He was 12 years old and had been taking Luvox for a few months for
obsessive compulsive disorder. (My son was not taking medication for
depression.) He was lucky enough to be stopped by a teacher passing by
in the hallway. I immediately knew it had to be caused by side effects
from the drug. His behavior lately had begun to disturb me and I assumed
it was because of the Luvox, but when I voiced these concerns to his
doctor, I was assured that "Luvox had no side effects". It was as if he
suddenly became unaware of consequences. I merely put two and two
together: the drug was supposed to alleviate obsessive compulsive
thought, and obsessive compulsive thought is excessive worry over
possible consequences. This medicine was eliminating his worries by
eliminating his awareness of consequences, but it eliminated his ability
to process real and likely consequences along with the unrealistic and
unlikely consequences. He honestly did not know that his actions could
kill him.
As I began to research of the side effects of SSRIs, I came across the
ICFDA website and have been a subscriber every since 1997. I
corresponded with Mark Miller a few years ago and had benefited greatly
from his guidance. I was able to put together a well researched
presentation to my son's school psychologist and a few teachers
regarding the dangers of SSRIs and I'd like to think that I've at least
had some impact on making people aware of these dangers. Since the
school library prides itself on maintaining books that provide a broad
range of viewpoints on any given subject, the library accepted Dr.
Tracy's book that I donated. (They previously had just a couple of books
that only extolled the virtues of SSRIs).
During the last six years I have struggled with how to share my
experience without violating my son's privacy. It has been very
difficult for me to weigh the damage I may cause to my son's peace of
mind that has been so difficult to attain, and my need to be a part of
preventing the horrors that can come from the side effects of SSRIs,
especially in children. Now that this matter is finally before the
Senate, I would to contribute, but I need more information about
testifying or attending.
I had contacted Anuja Patel at the FDA and received a response regarding
testifying at the hearings on February 2, but I am unsure if this means
I will absolutely have this opportunity. I read in the drugawareness
newsletter that speakers have already been scheduled, so I would like to
know if it is possible to secure a time slot.
Unlike other parents who have suffered the ultimate loss because of
these side effects, my son is alive. He is alive and can speak for those
who can no longer speak. He can testify that he "was not in his right
mind" and that he never intended to kill himself.
My son is a college freshman now. He is very intelligent, articulate and
respected by his peers and his teachers. I would like to know if it is
possible for him to testify at the Senate hearings.
I would greatly appreciate any further information you can give me about
attending and/or speaking at the Senate hearings. Thank you.
Sincerely, |