Posted by calamityjane on July 25, 2007, at 22:40:40
My dad killed himself on January 26, 1986. I was 5 years old so bits and pieces have been revealed to me over the years - mostly through my own investigation into the situation. I now have serious questions on what exactly was going on with my dad's depression and treatment.
My dad's autopsy lists these medications as being in his system at time of his death (i dont have it right here with my, so spelling may be off. please excuse me for that):
Imipramine
Desimipramine
Propoxyphene
Salcilyate
Then, several other medications are listed in an area on the autopsy report, simply entitled "medications". I take this to mean that these were also being prescribed to him at the time of his death:
Dexedrine
Halcion
Restoril
XanaxOn top of all these medicines, my father was also in the middle of receiving a series of electric shock treatments. This was not his first series of shock treatments, he had undergone this before from what I understand.
In a 1983 drug guide I found that the antidepressants had a warning that those undergoing electric shock treatments should not be given Imipramine or Desimipramine, but if they are they should be given with extreme caution and the patient should never have direct access to the bottle. (this is the medicine he used to overdose on the night he died). The guide also says that benzodiazamines should not be given to those being treated with those antidepressants, as well.
Why was my dad being given 2 antidepressants, 3 sedatives, a pain killer, AND dexedrine? Not to mention the electric shock treatments!
This doctor worked with the Psychiatric Institute of North Texas, which ended up going under in 1990. Its reason for being brought down was because they were paying doctors money for referals. I do not know much about the Psychiatric Institute, but I do know my dad was a patient there at some point, because it is listed as a debt in his will. And I also know that his doctor was associated with the organization as well.
Please somebody give me your opinion. I really need to know if my father was a victim of malpractice. There is nothing that could be done about it now - you only have 2 years to bring something like this to court. But I just need to know if I am just thinking way too much into this, or if I have a reason to be so confused.
THANK YOU!
poster:calamityjane
thread:772017
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070719/msgs/772017.html