Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 337876

Shown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

"My wife, Barbara, died on 12/16/03. I would be very grateful for the insights of this community.

Barb was an epileptic, she had been having seizures since she was 12, my wife was taking tegritol for years but about a year ago her shrink took her off that and prescribed 900 mgs daily of trileptal and 6 mgs of clonazepam.

In the last months before her death my wife woke up several times and told me that she felt like she had a seizure while she was asleep.

My wife was bipolar and taking many different meds, at the time of her death she was taking 600 mgs of effexor, 90 mgs of remeron, 3 mgs of
risperdal, 40 mgs of adderal, and 10 mgs of ambien at night.

She developed high blood pressure, her primary care doctor had her taking 32 mgs of atacand for the past year.

My wife had problems with nausea and vomiting and was frequently constipated, her doctors had her on 10 mg of metoclopramide, 30 mgs of
prevacid, and 25 mgs of promethegan suppository.

She developed real bad migraines, to give her relief she was prescribed a bottle (10 mgs) of stadol every week, and imitrex nasal spray.

As if all these meds were not enough, five days before she passed, my wife fell out of bed and hurt her shoulder, the orthopoedist said that
she had torn a rotator cuff in her shoulder and until they were able to operate he gave her tylenol with codeine #3, amd methocarbamol.

I woke up on the 16th and looked over on the the other bed, my wife was thrashing about, she said that she felt very bad, that she had been up
most of the previous evening with hot and cold sweats, she said that she had soaked through her nightgown with sweat and thought she must have a
fever, she said that she felt very nauseous and had thrown up several times, she told me that she was having real bad abdominal pain and that
her whole body ached.

She told me that she was not going to be able to get up and get the kids ready and asked if I would take them to school. I told her that I would be happy too and to just lay back and relax that I would be back in an
hour or two.

I got back about an hour and a half later and went up to check on my wife, I found her lying on her back outside the bathroom, lifeless eyes
staring at the ceiling, there was no pulse, her body was cold, and parts of her hands and face were blue.

Her body was taken to the State Medical Examiner's office, about three weeks later I was notified that my wife had died from the results of a seizure disorder.

The pathologist later told me that her brain structure was intact, that there was no sign of any hemorrhage or aneurysm, her heart was clear and disease free, no signs of any cardiac arrest, body organs were all fine, her lungs and air passages were clear and she had not suffocated.

I am looking to achieve some sort of closure, am spending hours every day trying to educate myself and understand what might have caused my
wife to die at age 47. I understand that 600 mgs of effexor xr and 90 mgs of remeron soltab is way in excess of dosage limits. Am also
discovering that 900 mgs of trileptal was a non therapeutic dose for seizures.

Do you think that these meds in those dosages might have created the condition in her system that brought about conditions allowing for her
death by seizure disorder.

Would you suggest that I contact an attorney to see if there might have been some sort of negligence regarding her care ?

I appreciate any comments on this matter.


 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by King Vultan on April 19, 2004, at 19:55:25

In reply to Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

In general, I think there is too much medical malpractice litigation in the country, but your story strikes me as perhaps one in which a legitimate case might be made for poor medical care. It seems to me as though she may have been overmedicated; the 600 mg of Effexor is obviously a very large dose, one over the maximum recommended, and seizures are a side effect associated with overdosages of Effexor.

Beyond that, Effexor also commonly causes high blood pressure and constipation, even at much lower dosages than what your wife was on. Combined with the high dosages of some of the other drugs, such as the Remeron, your wife's case to me appears, at least on the surface, to indicate a tendency towards overmedication. The course of treatment was certainly not a very conservative one, and perhaps not a particularly wise one, as well.

My profound sympathies on your loss.

Todd

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by shadows721 on April 20, 2004, at 0:08:35

In reply to Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

As you mentioned, the effexor and remeron dosages were very high. She most likely developed the hypertension from the effexor. It appears that the doc was medicating side effects from the over medication of the antidepressants.

I agree the trileptal dosage was not therapeutic. I wonder if the doc thought that the Klonopin and the ambien would hold the seizure threshold down. Her flu like symptoms sounded like a overmedication of remeron.

She had a polypharmacy effect. When someone gets on uppers, downers, and antidepressants together, they may counter effect one another and cause more side effects. I have a feeling that her seizure threshold was lowered due to the effexor and the adderall.

Her medications and dosages don't sound therapeutic. Her bipolar was overmedicated and the seizure disorder appears undermedicated. The headaches may have been warning signs of a seizure or they could have been the result of the overmedication of the other meds.

I totally agree with you her medications and dosages do not sound therapeutic.

I would feel the same way as you about her passing. I am so sorry for your loss. A free consultation with an attorney, may be helpful to you. It can't hurt to find out more info. on the topic.

Sending peace to you

Shadows

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by crazychickuk on April 20, 2004, at 5:27:19

In reply to Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by shadows721 on April 20, 2004, at 0:08:35

I.am.so.sorry.to.hear.of.your.loss,.my.deepthest.
sympatys.

i.would.say.she.was.over.medicatied.and.malpractise.is.the.case

If.i.were.you.i.would.get.a.good.lawer.and.sue.the.b*******.

bless.you.and.your.children
xxxx

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by Sad Panda on April 20, 2004, at 11:53:58

In reply to Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

> "My wife, Barbara, died on 12/16/03. I would be very grateful for the insights of this community.
>
> Barb was an epileptic, she had been having seizures since she was 12, my wife was taking tegritol for years but about a year ago her shrink took her off that and prescribed 900 mgs daily of trileptal and 6 mgs of clonazepam.
>
> In the last months before her death my wife woke up several times and told me that she felt like she had a seizure while she was asleep.
>
> My wife was bipolar and taking many different meds, at the time of her death she was taking 600 mgs of effexor, 90 mgs of remeron, 3 mgs of
> risperdal, 40 mgs of adderal, and 10 mgs of ambien at night.
>
> She developed high blood pressure, her primary care doctor had her taking 32 mgs of atacand for the past year.
>
> My wife had problems with nausea and vomiting and was frequently constipated, her doctors had her on 10 mg of metoclopramide, 30 mgs of
> prevacid, and 25 mgs of promethegan suppository.
>
> She developed real bad migraines, to give her relief she was prescribed a bottle (10 mgs) of stadol every week, and imitrex nasal spray.
>
> As if all these meds were not enough, five days before she passed, my wife fell out of bed and hurt her shoulder, the orthopoedist said that
> she had torn a rotator cuff in her shoulder and until they were able to operate he gave her tylenol with codeine #3, amd methocarbamol.
>
> I woke up on the 16th and looked over on the the other bed, my wife was thrashing about, she said that she felt very bad, that she had been up
> most of the previous evening with hot and cold sweats, she said that she had soaked through her nightgown with sweat and thought she must have a
> fever, she said that she felt very nauseous and had thrown up several times, she told me that she was having real bad abdominal pain and that
> her whole body ached.
>
> She told me that she was not going to be able to get up and get the kids ready and asked if I would take them to school. I told her that I would be happy too and to just lay back and relax that I would be back in an
> hour or two.
>
> I got back about an hour and a half later and went up to check on my wife, I found her lying on her back outside the bathroom, lifeless eyes
> staring at the ceiling, there was no pulse, her body was cold, and parts of her hands and face were blue.
>
> Her body was taken to the State Medical Examiner's office, about three weeks later I was notified that my wife had died from the results of a seizure disorder.
>
> The pathologist later told me that her brain structure was intact, that there was no sign of any hemorrhage or aneurysm, her heart was clear and disease free, no signs of any cardiac arrest, body organs were all fine, her lungs and air passages were clear and she had not suffocated.
>
> I am looking to achieve some sort of closure, am spending hours every day trying to educate myself and understand what might have caused my
> wife to die at age 47. I understand that 600 mgs of effexor xr and 90 mgs of remeron soltab is way in excess of dosage limits. Am also
> discovering that 900 mgs of trileptal was a non therapeutic dose for seizures.
>
> Do you think that these meds in those dosages might have created the condition in her system that brought about conditions allowing for her
> death by seizure disorder.
>
> Would you suggest that I contact an attorney to see if there might have been some sort of negligence regarding her care ?
>
> I appreciate any comments on this matter.
>
>
>

I agreee with what King Vultan has said & you have my sympathies too.

I would question the useage of Effexor at all in someone with Epilepsy, it has a reputation of being more pro-convulsant than the TCA's.

Panda.

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by T_R_D on April 20, 2004, at 14:27:46

In reply to Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

I am so sorry to hear your tale and I concur wholeheartedly with what has been said here. Effexor DOES lower the seizure threshold as I had seizures on it with no prior (or current) dx of epilepsy. I was on (supposedly) the max. therapeutic dose and that was 375mg. 600mg seems WAY out of control. That's the largest dosage I've ever even heard of! Prior to this it was only 450 and I still thought that was outrageous.

My sympathies to you and I sincerely wish you the closure that you need.

Karen

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by bethesdabob on April 20, 2004, at 19:26:32

In reply to Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by T_R_D on April 20, 2004, at 14:27:46

Thank you all for your info.

My wife was afflicted with so many problems, whenever I questionned her about the meds she took she would get very upset and tell me to be quiet, she would say that her doctors knew best and that they would never prescribe anything that would hurt her and that our pharmacy would never allow anything that might hurt her to be filled. Guess I was wrong huh ?

I never used to read those little inserts, you figure that people more knowledgable than you have already done so, big mistake.

I appreciate the many commments, everytime one comes in I call my attorney's office, am not able to get beyond the receptionist, must put everything on voicemail and fax a copy. I understand that after 7 weeks the medical records still have not been received, am told that is not unusual and doctors like to drag it on and jerk off investigators as long as possible.

Tomorrow is our 21st anniversary, had to leave work early today, am not able to deal with everything, cannot get my mind off her, am googling about her meds and bipolar and epilepsy and there is just so much junk out there about the harmful effects of the meds that she was taking and particularly the doses that she was prescribed, am really bummed out, wish I had been so proactive when she was alive, I really miss her and have let my kids down.

It really sucks being a single parent and single grandparent.

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder » bethesdabob

Posted by patricia leahy on April 20, 2004, at 21:03:11

In reply to Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 20, 2004, at 19:26:32

>i can't say i know what your going through, but your entire sad story touched me deeply. I'am so sorry for your loss and all you have to got through now, alone, without your wife. sorry
God Bless you and your children

ank you all for your info.
>
> My wife was afflicted with so many problems, whenever I questionned her about the meds she took she would get very upset and tell me to be quiet, she would say that her doctors knew best and that they would never prescribe anything that would hurt her and that our pharmacy would never allow anything that might hurt her to be filled. Guess I was wrong huh ?
>
> I never used to read those little inserts, you figure that people more knowledgable than you have already done so, big mistake.
>
> I appreciate the many commments, everytime one comes in I call my attorney's office, am not able to get beyond the receptionist, must put everything on voicemail and fax a copy. I understand that after 7 weeks the medical records still have not been received, am told that is not unusual and doctors like to drag it on and jerk off investigators as long as possible.
>
> Tomorrow is our 21st anniversary, had to leave work early today, am not able to deal with everything, cannot get my mind off her, am googling about her meds and bipolar and epilepsy and there is just so much junk out there about the harmful effects of the meds that she was taking and particularly the doses that she was prescribed, am really bummed out, wish I had been so proactive when she was alive, I really miss her and have let my kids down.
>
> It really sucks being a single parent and single grandparent.

 

Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder

Posted by T_R_D on April 21, 2004, at 12:23:57

In reply to Re: Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 20, 2004, at 19:26:32

I really miss her and have let my kids down.

Please try not to be hard on yourself. What happened is NOT your fault. It's a very unfortunate situation but you weren't wrong in trusting the prefessionals. That is what they are supposed to do--be knowledgeable and assist those of us who need help.

*HUG*
Karen

 

Special thoughts for you.

Posted by shadows721 on April 21, 2004, at 18:55:04

In reply to Effexor XR/Death by Seizure Disorder, posted by bethesdabob on April 19, 2004, at 18:50:39

Bethesdabob, I really just can't express in words how much I feel for your situation. It isn't just the medication issue here. More importantly, you lost a spouse that played many roles in your life.

Your life has been thrown upside down by this major loss. You are experiencing guilt. You and surely your wife didn't know this would happen. Please don't blame yourself. I bet your wife wouldn't at all. There is a grief board here for you to help express your feelings. You may also benefit from a grief counselor or grief groups in your area. It always helps to be able to talk with people who can really relate to your situation.

A lawsuit may help direct some of your anger about her loss. But, I really want you to have the support you need too. It sounds like you are giving it your all. The lawsuit may bring up other feelings you may be unprepared for, so I really hope that you have a friend, family member, clergy member, and/or a counselor to help you through this process.

Again, I am very sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts of peace for you and your family.

Shadows721

 

Re: Special thoughts for you.

Posted by bethesdabob on April 21, 2004, at 20:52:21

In reply to Special thoughts for you., posted by shadows721 on April 21, 2004, at 18:55:04

Today (April 21) was our 20th anniversary, have tried not to let any of this bother me, today I collapsed.

Normal work day starts at 9, was not able to arrive till about 1, visited cemetary after taking kids to school, talked with my bride, then just wandered, had a good long cry, drove around city.

Cannot get too depressed, my kid are teenagers, all sorts of stuff in their lives going on, prom dates, baseball practice, student council, dances etc etc--

Picked them up shortly after cemetary visit, all I heard was What's the matter with you Dad----

With wife's absence these guys are the most important things in my life, cannot focus on work, who cares how the house looks, so what if you did not pick up your dirty underwear---

Had further confirmation from people that meds my wife was prescribed were way over the line, pro-convulsant, and not worth a shit, looks to me the casual innocent bystander that doctor fucked up in prescribing them and that pharmacy really let the ball drop in filling them.

Unfortunate thing, stuff could drag out for years.

Love you all,

Leo

 

Re: Special thoughts for you. » bethesdabob

Posted by Simus on April 21, 2004, at 23:40:41

In reply to Re: Special thoughts for you., posted by bethesdabob on April 21, 2004, at 20:52:21

Leo,

Your story breaks my heart. I just wanted to let you know you and your family will be in my prayers.

God bless.

 

Re: Special thoughts for you. » bethesdabob

Posted by judy1 on April 22, 2004, at 23:48:20

In reply to Re: Special thoughts for you., posted by bethesdabob on April 21, 2004, at 20:52:21

My heart goes out to you and your children. I think you understand that your wife's death is a result of malpractice and I hope you are able to find an attorney to help you. More importantly, I truly hope you seek some counselling for yourself- I can understand not seeing a psychiatrist but perhaps a therapist or support group (for people who have lost spouses) will help. You can find support here on the social board. Losing your wife is truly one of the worst stressors that can happen to someone, and you need to be kind to yourself and get some help.
please take care, judy


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