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Bob_Johnson
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Drug warning
« on: Feb 1st, 2008, 7:44am » |
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Drug warning hit the press today and I wanted to get this cautionary note posted before folks get afraid and make an impulsive decision to stop using these meds. (This material from the NYTimes, 2/1/08.)
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DEPAKOTE, LAMICTAL, TOPAMAX, KEPPRA, LYRICA, NEURONTIN were subjects of a combined analysis of 199 clinical trials involving 44,000 people.
Results: "Taken together, the risk of suicidal thoughts and behavior was 0.43%."
"The increased risks began as early as the first week of therapy and never seemed to leave.... The risks were higher among epileptics THAN AMONG THOSE GIVEN THE DRUGS FOR...OTHER PROBLEMS."
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This is an insignificant problem in comparison to all the other risks of daily living which we encounter. Following is another message posted some time ago on this issue.
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I posted this message on a chat group for dog owners (Vizsla). The issues are the same whether we are talking about animals or humans--so a little translating of words will make it understandable. The core idea: side effects are not an absolute--yes/no--issue. We must always balance potential risk with potential benefit. I'm concerned with the tendency to present comments about medicine side effects in terms which frighten folks away from trying meds which might be of benefit.
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This question about side effects from food (allergies) or medications pops up regularly. The problem is, we don't ask the correct questions. The issues are:
1. What is the rate or chance or probability that any particular side effect will develop?
Without information it's easy to assume that the list of side effects is a statement of what will happen if the med is used. In fact, side effects are reported in human medicine/vet literature as a rate of occurrence ranging from less than one percent and ranging upward.
It's important to ask the Vet for two pieces of information: what are the side effects?; what is the rate or chance that a particular effect will occur? Without information it's impossible to make a good judgment about using or not.
2. How serious are the side effects compared to the condition for which the med is being used?
We have a member whose Vizsla would have died from a systemic fungal infection without a med. The problem is that this med has serious and frequent side effects--but there were no treatment options.
3. How important is my judgment about the risk of side effects vs. the benefit of using this med?
Bottom line: A list of side effects is a statement of POSSIBILITIES. It is not a PREDICTION of what will occur. Wisdom calls for knowing both the risk and asking the vet what to look for, i.e., symptoms of side effects.
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Bob Johnson
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Guiseppi
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Re: Drug warning
« Reply #1 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 10:18am » |
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You continue to be a priceless asset to this board. 
Guiseppi
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Why are all sensors, seeking intelligent life, pointed AWAY from earth?
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DennisM1045
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Re: Drug warning
« Reply #2 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 12:56pm » |
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:18am, Guiseppi wrote:You continue to be a priceless asset to this board.
Guiseppi |
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Yea, what he said  Thanks Bob...
-Dennis-
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Dancing the dance since 1995 ... Family member since 2007 ... No longer alone
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andrewjb
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Re: Drug warning
« Reply #3 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:01pm » |
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 , thanks Bob. andrew
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billlmack
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most painful experience a human can experience
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Re: Drug warning
« Reply #4 on: Feb 1st, 2008, 11:37pm » |
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Topamax made me not mentally handle my attacks very well.
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"yeah I get real bad headaches too"
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kingsiren
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Good Luck and God Bless!!!!
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Re: Drug warning
« Reply #5 on: Feb 2nd, 2008, 7:49pm » |
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I hated the Topamax as well. First the pred taper made me an emotional wreck then the Topamax made me tired, cranky, more depressed that I already am in a cycle, and I blame it for some of the crazy vivid "waking dreams" I experienced. Given the choice, i wouldn;t use the Topamax ever again unless it was the only way to get relief, the side effects for me were pretty miserable.
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I have an ice pick being repeatedly stabbed through my eye, into my brain while 4160 Volts run through it as someone squeezes my eyeball. You get headaches buddy, I get the Beelzebub on Crystal Meth.
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Sean_C
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on Feb 1st, 2008, 10:18am, Guiseppi wrote:| You continue to be a priceless asset to this board. |
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I couldn't agree more.
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