Here is a summary of my son's demise:
Aaron began on antidepressants at age 15 under the "care" of a pediatric psychiatrist. It's been so long ago, I can't remember the first SSRI he received. Over the course of ten (10) years and approximately four (4) different psychiatrists, none of whom had the time to "TALK" to my son, they would only see him for about ten (10) minutes and hand him another prescription.
Here is a list of antidepressants that I KNOW Aaron was on at one time or another from age fifteen (15) until his death at the age of twenty-five (25). There are also some meds I didn't know the name of, I just know that he carried a backpack at one point, full of medications....HOW SAD IS THAT!
THE LIST
Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Luvox, Buspar, Serzone, Remeron (I think).
He was also diagnosed with OCD at some point and put on RITALIN. the last SSRI he was on EFFEXOR, the supposed "miracle" drug put him in the hospital for two (2) weeks with:
LIVER DYSFUNCTION
ANEMIA
ENLARGED HEART
This was my formerly HEALTHY young son. My son was quite an intelligent and talented young man, he graduated from Youth Performing Arts School, a musician, he played the piano, guitar, and saxophone. He wrote and sang beautiful music. He attended Bellarmine College (now University) and graduated in 2000 with a BA degree; all the while working two (2) part-time jobs and playing music. Over the years I saw his demeanor go on a roller coaster ride depending on the doctor's antidepressant of choice. Aaron told me finally that these medicines were destroying his brain (how strangely accurate was this). During about the last three (3) years of his life, he suffered several episodes where he would get totally off the meds and he even admitted himself to the psych ward of a local hospital at one point, he was there for a week (being treated with what else, more SSRI's). He went through an episode of "anorexia" , quit eating and lost 60 lbs in two (2) months.
The final straw was the Effexor episode, when he came out of the hospital and told me he wa not going to take another anti-depressant. Unfortunately I did not find out until after his death that going cold turkey off of these POISONS will throw your brain into shock.
Aaron had been off of EFFEXOR for about six, (6)months, but he complained that he could no longer "think", carry on a conversation or enjoy himself with his friends. He suffered paranoia episodes (something he NEVER had before SSRIs) and he used to hold his head and plead, "please make the voices stop".
He was obsessed with thoughts of SUICIDE and on more than one occasion, he tried to off himself - HE TOLD ME. I tried to help him but I felt SO HELPLESS. I would talk to him every night on the phone, I didn't know what to do or where to go.
Then on Saturday, November 7, 2003, we had lunch together and he had a strange FLAT, sad appearance on his face (later I found out this was a type of brain damage caused by SSRIs). He hugged me and I told him I loved him so much. On Sunday, November 8, 2003, he tried to call me on my cell phone. For some reason, I never got the call. My son disappeared. I searched for him for one (1) week. I prayed, I begged GOD to let me find him.
On Sunday November 14, 2003 - I did find him. He had pulled his car into a garage at some rental property we own and had gone to SLEEP. He finally found his peace.
Sincerely,
Glenna L. Todovich
Proud, Loving Mother of Aaron David Todovich