Comments on: NIH Requires Emory To Disclose All Conflicts

By: LibraryGirl

LibraryGirl — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:49:49 +0000

Christopher,
I did not say I had lost faith in the profession as a whole. Like most people I also have a need in my life for the experts. I have merely learned to question everything I read and to research the research, if you may. I am acquainted with wonderful doctors and researchers and I do believe in the validity of their research. Funny thing is: many, if not most, of them are not ’sponsored’ by Pharma. I didn’t say that I don’t believe anything I read, only that I scrutinize that information in a much more thorough way. This current maelstrom of investigations, to any of the informed public, must bring about doubt in the minds of all. Without this doubt what would precipitate change? Without trust that there is unbiased and untainted data and information where does one go to enhance one’s knowledge? Those are my concerns. Not that there is not “true” and accountable research being done, but that the legitimacy of all research has been tainted by the greed of the few. As a member of the public I would only hope that legitimacy is returned to the profession by eradicating the biased reporting of the few and the greedy so that the legitimate research will once again garner the respect that it deserves. COI MUST be stated clearly and thoroughly for this to occur. With the complete picture about any given research being stated I then have the opportunity to draw my own intelligent conclusions. Without all information being disclosed that opportunity is taken away from me. Therein lies the doubt. Thanks for your response.

By: Christopher

Christopher — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 22:00:30 +0000

LibraryGirl,
That’s an interesting perspective. It’s a pity that the acts of some scientists and/or doctors have caused you to lose faith with all of them, and the journals that publish them. I may have overstated what you wrote but you seem to suggest that pharma has bought up the integrity of researchers. Surely not all of them - perhaps I’m reading too much into it. But a pity you feel that way. With increasing disclosure regs I understand that it’s expected and required that scientists and researchers reveal the source of funding and support. I think it should not be assumed though that all recipients are swayed or influenced and that their work reflects the wishes of the sponsor. Some do for sure, but not all. So a great shame that your research and screening has caused you to lose faith in the profession as a whole.

By: LibraryGirl

LibraryGirl — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:36:12 +0000

Christopher,
You say that you wonder what the general public feels about Pharma. I AM the general public. I have worked in libraries for over 20 years and have provided research assistance to some very respected doctors in the field of psychiatry. Because of what I have learned from them I read journal articles published by scientists in a much different and more enlightened way. I now look for COI statements to help me to determine what vested interests the authors may already have in the product they espouse. If their involvment is obvious I take what they say with a grain of salt. I no longer believe that everything written by scientists is for the greater good of the patient/public (me) and I feel a need to determine the degree of their authenticity. So, as a member of the ‘general public’ with no scientific ties to any research I feel that Pharma has indeed been successful in buying the opinions of researchers and I have lost trust in the published medical journals due to this. I have lost my trust in the published word of scientists and this is most unfortunate because now I have to wonder where the general ‘public’ goes to get honest information and who can be believed?
If the regulations become more stringent my belief may be restored, but for now I am saddened by the current trends. I feel a bit more informed than the layman in general, but not much and my respect for the scientific community, in general, has been waning due to these conflicts. Just my two cents.

By: Doug Bremner MD

Doug Bremner MD — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:00:31 +0000

Truthman30: I am sorry you had to go through that.

By: truthman30

truthman30 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:59:34 +0000

So you have seen Akathisia with several psychiatric drugs?
I am glad we have established that Dr Bremner..
Some psychiatrists deny it even exists, or at the least some psychiatrists deny they have ever seen it..( but these ones are usually in denial about a lot of things)

I am glad to see you recognize the fact that it does exist, that is at least one positive step on the right direction Doug..
I have experienced Akathisia myself, and I can tell you it is not a nice experience, it is in fact, one of the most inhuman sensations I could ever imagine experiencing.. Try to comprehend an intense agitation, so horrific to the point that you feel your nerves are on fire, you cannot keep still, It literally feels like your very atoms are about to explode..
Psychiatric induced Akathisia in an already vulnerable individual is like lighting the fuse on an emotional time bomb..
Is it no wonder teenagers and children literally massacre themselves in a suicidal (and sometimes) homicidal rage when in this condition..
Their emotions disconnected in an zyprexa haze or a Paxil rage..
Their feelings dislocated from themselves, their mind on the fritz from the psych drug induced nightmares, night after night, their souls in a state of inhibition , reality merging with the horrors of unreality..
A condition exacerbated by a brain and body literally frying from the inside out ..
Is it no wonder people go over the edge from this sensation Dr Bremner? ..
Do you still think these drugs are beneficial Doug?..
Or do you think they are quite possibly .. Lethal…

By: Doug Bremner MD

Doug Bremner MD — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 22:52:12 +0000

Yes, I have seen akithisia with a several psychiatric drugs (including SSRIs) and it is usually caused by moving the dose up too fast.

By: truthman30

truthman30 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 21:23:12 +0000

I read your intro from your website Doug ..
And your cause is indeed an admirable one, the more awareness about the deceit of industry the better ..
I do, however, remain sceptical about your research on SSRI’s increasing memory ..
And the fact that it was funded by Glaxo is not the only factor in that..
I would also like to ask you about Akathisia .. Have you observed many cases of the manifestation of Akathisia during your tenure and practice in psychiatry?..
Just curious..
Because, I believe Akathisia is the elephant in the room when it comes to understanding the adverse mechanisms of psychiatric drugs..

By: Doug Bremner MD

Doug Bremner MD — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:53:36 +0000

I’m not really “cashing in” that much. I explain why I wrote it in the book, why don’t you check it out from the library. Or read this post, which explains where I am coming from
http://www.beforeyoutakethatpill.com/2008/5/do-we-have-a-prescription-med-problem.html

By: truthman30

truthman30 — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 20:14:36 +0000

Thanks Doug..

I noticed the replies on your website..

Interestingly too, I noticed you are promoting a book you wrote about “side effects of medications” , am I correct? ..

It’s called “before you take that pill” ..
Why the drugs industry may be bad for your health..

http://www.beforeyoutakethatpill.com/

Do you not think it is ironic that you, as a psychiatrist, are cashing in on an epidemic which your profession created? ..
The epidemic I am referring to is one of over prescription of psychiatric drugs to every Tom, Dick and Harry for the last two decades…
I have always thought psychiatrists to be opportunistic but this kind of thing goes beyond the pale..
It is absurd ..

You originally promoted Paroxetine (and yes that is Paxil and Seroxat, they are the same drug Doug) and now you are coming out and cashing in on the side effects which were not originally disclosed by pharmaceutical companies who funded your research..
As I said call me a cynic if you will..
But, to me this looks like jumping on the bandwagon..
Peter Breggin, David Healy , Joeseph Glenmullen and Michael Corry have put their careers at risk for decades now because they spoke out against the dangers and risks of these medications, they stuck their necks on the chopping block because they told the truth when it was taboo to do so..
And now, the truth is well known , you decide to write the “definitive new drug guide” ..
Seems like psychiatry cashes in no matter if the drugs work or not..
In any other industry this would be perceived as lunacy…
I guess the cuckoo’s are lucky they have the internet now , as the nest has been well and truly blown…

By: Doug Bremner MD

Doug Bremner MD — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:51:17 +0000

Truthman30, I don’t know your history, or your name for that matter. I am only involved in studies of adults with PTSD, who suffer from memory problems, and for whom it seems to help memory function on neuropsychological tests. I haven’t heard alot about memory problems, although I have gotten some comments on that recently, and answered them on my web site. In my experience, usually memory gets better, but I couldn’t exclude the fact that it gets worse in some people. I am always open to new information from people who are actually taking the medication