Sueing over damage or addiction to anti-psychotics

A_Speedball

Greenlighter
Joined
Oct 10, 2010
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18
Location
Ohio
I have been prescribed various anti-psychotics and and been forced to take them for several years starting when i was about 14. Currently I am on 10mg of zyprexa (olanzapine) and have been on it for 6-8 months. In general life just feels extremely dull (im starting to feel like a vegetable) and i am starting to have jerking movements everyday which i think might be tardive dyskenisia. I also have read that olanzapine can have extreme physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.
My diagnosis is prodomal schizophrenia although my parents try to hide this from me. I dont agree with the diagnosis at all as I have never had any posotive symptoms whatsoever.
My question is would it be possible to sue doctors or my parents for brain damage and or addiction to olanzapine? I have no choice to not take it or my parents will call the cops or send me to a mental hospital. (Im f***ing 16)
If you have any experiences with problems from olanzapine you could share.
 
Why were you put on anti-psychotics in the first place? 14 is such a young age to be put on any medication. I don't understand what would incline a parent to do such a thing. I can completely sympathize with your situation but no, don't plan on being able to successfully sue anybody. I'm no lawyer, but that just seems like common sense.
 
I was first put on resperidone at 14 for mood stabilization. I had been on anti-depressants starting at about 13.
 
This link might interest you A_Speedball > http://breggin.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=51&Itemid=92 Also google anti-psychiatry but I have a caution, many anti-psychiatry groups are fronts for scientology. Bregin is not affiliated with scientology BUT Citizens Commission on Human Rights and many others are. There are-on going class action suits about many pharmaceuticals. You might find one that you could join, its usually less expensive and intense than starting individual litigation.
 
Hi Speedball, just a few comments from a schizophrenic.

First, I thought the word prodomal referred to the period of adjustment going from mentally well to full blown mental illness. As far as I know the prodomal stage cannot persist indefinitely without an outcome either way. My own prodomal period was insidious, meaning it developed slowly. Others have acute prodomal periods when things happen really fast.

Second, you might try "cheeking" your olanzapine. Put the tablet in your cheek or move it there with your tongue before you swallow the water, then flush them later. Parents will be none the wiser. 10mg is quite a small dose so I wouldn't worry to much. If things get a bit weird, start taking them again.

Third, here in Australia you can only be admitted involuntarily if you are a danger to yourself or others. Not sure if it's the same in the States.

Fourth, if you are getting tardive dyskinesia then your meds should be changed immediately.

If your parents are willing to lie to police/ambulance etc then you may be fucked until you are not dependent on them.

Sounds like you have had a rough time and I feel for you brother, especially having to deal with this shit at your age.
Feel free to PM me if you like.
 
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I didn't notice you were 16 when I scanned your post before. If you want to get a court to stop the treatment you would likely need to make a case to a court or an agency like child protective services that the treatment is harming you more than helping you. Your chances of prevailing against MDs and your parents on this issue are very slight.

I apologize for having only scanned your post before and having given an off answer as a result. Your best bet in my opinion is to gently campaign for a med change with your Doc. Tell him/her you would like something less sedating with fewer metabolic side effects. There are a quite a few meds that fit the bill.

You can also tell him you feel you are developing tardive dyskinesia and ask them to administer a formal AIMS assessment (autonomic involuntary movement scale). I've found that gentle but consistent lobbying for a med change usually works. Belligerence or ardent pushing though usually fails and can get you in a worse situation.
 
I was put on risperidone for several months when I was 8, and prozac + ativan/lorazepam for another several months when I was 10 or so... definitely contributed to the trauma and damage I experienced as a kid, but I'm not sure by how much. It was largely to control my aggression toward the staff at the group home (I was being pretty fair considering), and to reduce my homesickness which didn't seem to work well at all.

Just a few months ago I took Seroquel (another antipsychotic) daily for several weeks then stopped. I stopped because one day I took way more than was normal for me, and used speed to stay awake. I'd literally take a dexedrine when I'd start to nod off. While the drug did have positive effects, I decided it wasn't worth it anyway and stopped.

Antipsychotics can be quite beneficial to some people, but those who don't really need it (and those who do) may find they are being dulled in pretty much every way. Using them at a young age, I'm sure, can drastically change you. Fourteen isn't that young but it's still quite risky IMO. Do something before the changes become permanent... I dunno, take half or three quarters and act like you're on a full dose... watch yourself and practice or something. Remember that acting usually looks like acting. Or (tough as it may be on these disabling meds), study and practice. Read about how to have arguments or discussions that effectively cause a lean toward your side.

If I'm not mistaken, you're almost old enough to make your own legal choices, aren't you? Or you can practice (extensively) on ways to fool the doctor and others into thinking you have a bad side-effect or your problems are receding, I guess you'd be practicing so much and end up changing yourself in that case.
Well good luck.

Child protective services? I'm not sure how it works in Ohio, but don't trust these 'child-aiding' services... be very cautious.
 
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I have been prescribed various anti-psychotics and and been forced to take them for several years starting when i was about 14. Currently I am on 10mg of zyprexa (olanzapine) and have been on it for 6-8 months. In general life just feels extremely dull (im starting to feel like a vegetable) and i am starting to have jerking movements everyday which i think might be tardive dyskenisia. I also have read that olanzapine can have extreme physical and mental withdrawal symptoms.
My diagnosis is prodomal schizophrenia although my parents try to hide this from me. I dont agree with the diagnosis at all as I have never had any posotive symptoms whatsoever.
My question is would it be possible to sue doctors or my parents for brain damage and or addiction to olanzapine? I have no choice to not take it or my parents will call the cops or send me to a mental hospital. (Im f***ing 16)
If you have any experiences with problems from olanzapine you could share.

A_Speedball, I can empathize a lot with what you're saying. Although I do not have an answer to your question, I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! <3

I was diagnosed with ASPD when I was a heavy meth user at 17. Both my old psychologist, as well as my current therapist, completely disagree with the diagnonsense. Both they and I believe my diagnosis was made during a time when I may have exhibited certain traits of ASPD, but I believe that to be relative to the mass quantities of meth that were entering and leaving my body. I felt the urge to mention this, because I too was put on Zyprexa, as well as Abilify. I was put on 'as needed' Zyprexa for anxiety and anger management purposes, and I was put on daily Abilify for depression/mood swings. I was never diagnosed with bipolar disorder OR schizophrenia (which is what they prescribe Abilify for in teenagers). I was put on Abilify when I was 15 and it made me exceedingly suicidal. In fact, nearly all of the scars on my arms were from when I was taking Abilify. Now, I turn on the television years later, and what do I hear? Multiple commericials very clearly stating that 'teenagers and young adults who take Abilify may be at increased risk for suicidal thoughts or actions'. Fucking cute. Real fucking cute. :X

The Zyprexa definitely made me feel like a zombie, as well. Abilify and Prozac did the same exact thing. Hence why I told my Doctor I wanted to get off of them—I did—I was also underage. There is hope! :)

Personally, I think medications should be taken MUCH more seriously when given to adolescents. Especially ones who are actively using drugs. I have family members in the mental health profession, and drug use is known to mimic quite a few mental disorders.

Anyway, I'm sorry to hear that you had to go through that experience. I would advise you to speak with whomever you are seeing regarding how you feel on these medications. Although you are still underage, if you feel worse, the medication obviously isn't working with you. Medical and mental health professionals should be on your side regarding this.

Best of luck! =D
 
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If your getting movement disorder TD or EPS like side effects tell your doc ASAP. Ive been on anti-psychotics mostly seroquel, risperidone and olanzapine the latter for emergencies mostly for about 4 years now. Im one of the lucky ones that olanzapine is a lifesaver for but i have bipolar disorder not schizophrenia. I can't afford to take it everyday so i just use it if i get really bad and the risperidone or seroquel isint working.

The makers of zyprexa did have a lawsuit against them but it was over type 2 diabetes. I don't know if there are any currant ones going on.
 
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There are class action lawsuits currently before the courts in respect of a number of psychoactive drugs. These generally only prevail if it can be proven that a known risk was not disclosed. The successful lawsuits often relate to off-label uses rather than uses which have FDA approval. Tardive dyskenisia is a known risk and it's a well-disclosed one.

One thing you might want to check into is the extent to which you have the legal right to determine your own medical care. In many places, a 16 year old's right to determine their own medical care would be extremely difficult to over-ride and failure to obtain their informed consent for treatment would raise liability issues.

I'm not sure why you believe that if you refuse to take your meds your parents can call the cops and/or send you to a mental hospital. Are you subject to a compulsory treatment order?
 
Sounds tough. Stick to your guns calmly and rationally and you may be surprised how receptive adults can be.
 
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