Posted by Jane D on September 20, 2001, at 11:15:30
In reply to You ever wonder?, posted by paxvox on September 19, 2001, at 12:09:11
> OK, so how do we know when (or if) we can stop taking meds? I mean, am I supposed to be on AD for the rest of my life, or can I ween myself off, and learn to deal? Could there possibly be some collusion tween the pharm companies and the medical profession? Hmmmmmmm...............
>
> PAXHmmm indeed. Collusion? I wouldn't call it that. Financial self interest? Almost certainly. This is one rare area where the drug companies are willing to finance studies of drugs that have already been approved. Presumably they see a way to greatly increase their market. For doctors it's probably more than just additional fees for addtional visits. They seem to get much of their information from the drug companies. I've also heard, and believe, that there is a strong bias toward doing something - to treat instead of sit and watch what happens.
BUT
my experience with discontinuing AD's has been like Marie's. Not something I every want to go through again. Not something I can afford to risk. It might not happen and staying on the drugs does have its downside but I need to weigh that against both the likelihood and the likely severity of any relapse using the best information I can get. Right now that is a combination of drug company studies, anecdotal information from doctors and patients, and my own experience. All suspect. You may weigh those sources differently than I did. The balance of risk and benefit may be different. Good luck. It's not a decision I enjoyed making.
Jane
poster:Jane D
thread:11571
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20010915/msgs/11619.html