Posted by fachad on March 8, 2002, at 11:09:21
In reply to Seroquel - is it really this dangerous?, posted by Peace on March 7, 2002, at 21:08:59
I'd really like to know the answer to this also.
My old pdoc thought that APs were really this dangerous. He lectured me one time for asking for amoxapine because it was in some way similar to loxapine and could cause tardive diskinesia -TD (the twiching, tounge rolling, lip smacking, etc.)
However, that was a few years ago before all the new APs came out. I don't know if they are as bad as the old thorazine/haldol type APs for causing TD.
As I suffering from treatment refactory insomnia, I'd really lile to know if the newer APs could be an option.
> I recently came off benzos and my doctor put me on 25 mg. of Seroquel. It helped me get off a 13 year addiction to benzos, and is now helping me to sleep. My doc told me this is a low dose and I should not have any problem. I am doing really well.
>
> However I saw this message on another board and I am starting to freak out a bit. I don't plan on taking the Seroquel forever. I am just taking it for a few months till my body adjusts to no benzos.
>
> My question is: Is what is written in the message a common occurrence?
>
> Here is the message from the other board. Please give me some feedback.
>
> Peace
>
> -------------------
>
> "I am very concerned that Seroquel or any medication in the major
> tranquilizer class (antipsychotics) is ever given for anything other
> than intractable Schizophrenia or psychosis.
>
> They have absolutely no place in benzodiazepine or anxiety disorder
> treatment.
>
> I have a very sad personal experience with these drugs. When I was
> detoxing in the early 90's I met a man who was an attorney for the
> state. He specialized in Elder Care law for seniors who had no
> financial resources.
>
> Andrew loved his "calling" and told his doctor to keep him working
> through benzo withdrawal; he simply had no time for recovery. His
> doctor gave him an antipsychotic and while it did not stop the
> majority of symptoms it did force him into unconscious sleep.
>
> After 4 months Andrew started showing signs of extrapyramidal side
> effects that the doctor failed to recognize. Fast forward to today:
>
> Andrew has the typical PERMANENT neurological, brain damage from this
> class of drugs. His eyes bug out and his tongue rolls in his mouth
> uncontrollably, he slobbers and his lips gap open. He rocks from side
> to side or becomes totally rigid and can't move, has such severe
> muscle tension he sits and cries. Other times he paces for hours and
> can't sit down or hold a thought. I have been to his home when he
> will stand like a toy soldier, totally rigid for hours.
>
> He survived the benzo withdrawal but now is totally disabled by a
> medication well known to have the potential for permanent
> neurological damage. We made the medication mistake once, I pray no
> one else is damaged like Andrew."
poster:fachad
thread:96962
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020307/msgs/97062.html