PROZAC: Road Rage & Homicidal Thoughts: The People's Pharmacy

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Sun, 2 Jan 2005 20:16:48 -0500

 

[sSRI-Research] PROZAC: Road Rage & Homicidal Thoughts: The

People's Pharmacy

 

 

Second paragraph reads: " After about a month on Prozac, wild thoughts

came into my mind, especially while driving. I wanted to ram into

other cars, ----- "

 

http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/living/health/10534556.htm

 

 

FOR THE WEEK OF JAN. 3, 2005 (COL. 1 OF 3)

 

GRAEDON--THE PEOPLE'S PHARMACY

 

Seven years ago I was prescribed Prozac after several other

antidepressants had not helped. I was hesitant, as I had heard of a

man who'd committed suicide on Prozac. But I went ahead with the

minimum dose. I had side effects immediately -- headaches,

constipation and loss of sexual feelings.

 

After about a month, wild thoughts came into my mind, especially while

driving. I wanted to ram into other cars, " to show them they shouldn't

drive so rudely. " At work, I would start laughing at random while

walking alone down a hall. I wanted to get a gun and kill a co-worker

who irritated me. My memory became faulty, and I would leave my credit

card or my purse behind in stores.

 

The final side effect was loss of continence. It was unnerving to be

at work and feel myself dribbling in a meeting, so I stopped taking

Prozac.

 

Taking it didn't help me feel better, anyway. I just stopped caring

about everything -- work and housework. I didn't care what or how much

I ate, and gained about 30 pounds during the three months I took it.

 

The side effects went away gradually, and I finally lost those 30

pounds. Everyone who takes Prozac should be monitored closely, not

just children.

 

Incontinence is a rare side effect of some antidepressants, but it has

been noted. Hostility and violence have also been reported, but the

connection remains controversial. Your experience, though, suggests

that some people react badly to serotonin-type antidepressants.

Monitoring is essential with all antidepressants.

 

All my life, until a few years ago, I was tired, sleepy and listless.

Then in 1998 I noticed nodules on my thyroid gland. To shrink the

nodules the doctor prescribed Synthroid.

 

Since that time I have felt much more alive! I have energy now. I was

so pleased to read in your column that someone else also got benefit

from Synthroid.

 

People who don't have enough thyroid hormone often complain of low

energy. Other symptoms might also be nonspecific -- constipation, dry

skin, hair loss, depression, weight gain. As a result, a thyroid

condition might go undiagnosed.

 

Most people with this condition feel better and have more energy when

they take a replacement such as Synthroid or Levoxyl. Others need

different medication, such as Armour Thyroid.

 

We discuss other symptoms of thyroid imbalance, tests to detect it and

treatment options in our Guide to Thyroid Hormones. Anyone who would

like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No.

10), stamped (60 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons'

People's Pharmacy, No. T-4, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.