The importance of full disclosure

[barfer]

This has been a bad week for me.  There are two people who I cared about that are no longer on this forum.  One because she inadvertantly took an overdose of medication.  If I had know that Summer had been mixing alcohol with xanax and was also taking Ambien, I would have warned her of how dangerous it was.  She had just gone off of many other medications and was struggling with sleep and anxiety, but I wasn't aware that she was on Ambien.  You can't blame this on the medication because each one on it's own is OK for certain individuals.  It is the combination of the drugs and alcohol that made it fatal.  

When someone posts on this site that they are desperate or need advice about a medication, it is IMPARATIVE that the individual fully disclose what other medications or vitamin supplements or natural remedies they are taking as well as the medication they are needing advice on.  I say this because sometimes, it turns out that the medication they think isn't working for them actually would if they weren't on one of the others or because of the combination of a natural remedy.  Some people think that just because something is a natural remedy and comes from a health store, that there won't be any serious issues with it.  The fact is that a lot of natural remedies can do more damage than one would think and they aren't government regulated, so you are in actual fact taking a bigger chance with them, in some cases, than you would if you took something from the pharmacist.  That is why, if you are going to pose a question about medication then you should be prepared to disclose ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE TAKING.  That way, those that answer your post, can give a more accurate OPINION, NOT a definite order, of what they might do in your position.  There isn't one single person on this site who has the knowledge to tell you exactly what you should do regarding dosage or medication suitability for your particular case.  Remember that.  I've read more inaccurate recommendation on this forum from people, some who because they say they are a nurse or in the medical field, which makes the person asking the question feel they are getting a "professional opinion".  When someone is at his or her lowest anxiety point, they look at posts like that and think, "Well, that person is a nurse, so she must know what she is talking about."  When it is in fact just an OPINION and could have come from anyone on the forum, but because they say they are in the medical profession, the opinion becomes something other than an opinion.  Even those of us, myself included, who have had first hand experiences and excellent medical advice about a certain subject, have to make sure that the person asking the question, check with their doctor or better yet, pharmacist regarding medication.  Pharmacists are generally far more knowledgeable about medication than general practitioners.  If you are asking a medication question, you really should be posting to the Mental Health Expert forum. I am a very lucky person to have personal friends who are in the medical profession and none of them would ever recommend a medication that they do not deal with in their own practice.  My friend who is a neurologist would never comment on a medication for someone who has arthritis or my psychiatrist friend would not comment on medication that he doesn't deal with. They wouldn't even comment on it because it is not something they deal with in their practice.  You wouldn't take the advice of a plumber as being absolutely correct if you were asking him a question about your stove.  So why would you take the advice of any of us as being gospel knowing that we aren't psychiatrists.  Don't get me wrong, it is good to share information, but when it comes to actually putting that information into practice, your psychiatrist is the person you should talk with and show him/her what you have learned from members of the forum and then come up with a mutual decision about your care.  

At the beginning of this message, I said that there were two people who are gone from this forum and I've already mentioned the passing of Summer who I will dearly miss.  The other is Ryan who has helped more people on this forum than anyone else. He was the exception to the rule, to a point.  He usually would say in his response to posts "If I were you I'd do....."  or "Take with your doctor about trying this method..."  I have never known anyone with the amount of knowledge he has.  For someone so young, he was an amazing fountain of information.  Unfortunately, he is gone because he received a letter of warning from Medhelp.  For two years and 850 posts, he has help people, including me, on this forum to make sure that they were getting the right medication and even set up reducing schedules for people so that they could go off meds with as little difficulty as possible.  Because of his knowledge, maybe the assumption was made by some who did not read his profile page, that he was in the medical profession when in fact he wasn't (he is now going to med school).  Ryan's information was so good that I recall a post in the Expert Forum referring a patient to Ryan's reducing schedule.  But, someone on the Anxiety Forum complained and after two years of helping people, he is gone.  Shame on the person who complained and shame on Medhelp for blocking him from the forum.

I had initially intended to keep this information to myself, but with the passing of Summer, I had a change of heart.  I think it is important to realize the impact that people make on our lives and in the case of Ryan, this forum has lost an incredible resource possibly because of some one's ego that got hurt.            

[xanweaner]

I sure like to use the word, certainly, don't I? (talk about tedious postings...)

[xanweaner]

Thanks for your reply. I can certainly appreciate privacy protection, and I certainly respect that. I'm glad to hear that he was not banned.

I certainly hope that he returns soon...this site needs him!!!!! My brain is getting a bit stale...

[Med Help]

We will not comment on the specifics regarding Ryan due to privacy reasons, but to be clear, Ryan is not banned and was never banned. We would welcome him back if he chose, but clearly that is his decision.

MedHelp

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

SO SORRY FOR SUMMER READA FEW OF HER POST,   RYAN IS THE BEST HE HELPED ME WHEN I THOUGHT THERE WAS NO OTHER HELP HES AWESOME, I STILL SEE HIM ON NOW AND THAN AND I DO SEND HIM A E-MAIL IF I NEED TO. ITS A SHAME HES WAS VERY VERY UP-TODATE ON HIS STUFF HE KNEW WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT , SHAME ON MEDHELP AND THE ONES WHO COMPLANED THEY HURT THE REST OF US. BARBARA

[JSGeare]

"Cards-R-Us" is standing by!

-JSGeare

[lonewolf07]

Big hugs right back atcha.

I think somebody (JSG) designed a card for Carole and then put on the names of everyone who supported her.  Maybe you can ask him - just a thought.

wolf

[xanweaner]

I know exactly how you feel about Summer...I didn't know her well, but her death has really impacted me. I've thought about her throughout today, and I do feel like crying. I also am still mourning the loss of Ryan, too. He is clinical - that's what I love about him. I like to see different perspectives here on the forum. The variety is good...too much of the same posting becomes tiresome and tedious.

I'm still waiting for a response from Medhelp. I don't know how to present my request to reinstate him. I'm hoping that one of the community leaders will provide some input here.

You can pm Barfer and find out how you can get a card to her family. I didn't know Carole, so I didn't know what type of card was sent to her.

I think all of us who are impacted by these events needs a large group hug right now...
-sadxan  = (

[lonewolf07]

Summer is dead?  OMG.  I can't believe it.  I didn't know her well but am still stunned by her death.  Please don't judge me for this but was it really an accident or was it suicide?  Difficult to believe she wasn't informed by her drs not to drink alcohol while taking these meds.  I'm so sorry to hear about this.  Is it possible to send a "card" to her family - something similar to the card that was sent to Carole?

Ryan I didn't know that well.  I found him to be a bit clinical towards some folks but he might have had his reasons.  His answers to my questions were clear, concise and easy to understand.  He also added some extra information which I appreciated.  Actually thought he was a pharmacist.

Why would MH remove him just because one person complained?  Maybe someone should get a petition going to re-instate him - I'd sign it.  He helped a lot of people.

I could just cry ....

wolf

[xanweaner]

Will you please consider reversing your decision on Ryan? This forum definitely benefits from his expertise and input. As I have written, I've learned quite a bit from reading his posts. He provides invaluable information and offers us discussion that we can carry forward to our medical professionals as we try to maneuver our way around the medical maze of information that many of us are lost in.

I really appreciate your consideration on this matter.
Much thanks,
xan

[againnot]

I would also jump on the bandwagon for MedHelp to reconsider this decision on Ryan.  He never claimed to be a doctor, and provided as mentioned above, some of the best and detailed advice on this forum.

[xanweaner]

I am incredibly sad to read your post about the passing of Summer. She seemed to be a genuinely sweet girl/woman and was very thought\ful in her notes and posts. I just can't believe it...how tragic...what a horrible loss for her family and friends...

And, I am also deeply saddened by the loss of Ryan. He is an incredibly knowledgeable young man who benefited this forum greatly. I learned so much from him, and I felt that his posts were quite responsible and made sure to include that a person check with their physician first before they proceeded with any of his suggestions. I don't know who this person is who complained, but whoever you are - shame on you. You have now taken away an individual who provided great benefits to many, many people in need. I have been waiting for his return, as I thought he was busy at school.

So, now what? Dr. Gould, our medical expert, is difficult to connect with, as many, many times his quota is reached and you can't post a question to him. On top of that, his responses are rather short and not filled with much detail. Who will fill Ryan's shoes?

I would like to request that Medsearch reconsider this decision on Ryan. How would I put this request to the powers-to-be?

All I can say is that I'm now feeling quite sad and greatly disappointed - the wind has been knocked from my sails..

[nursegirl6572]

Hey there.

Great post...

I just wanted to clarify if you were referring to me with your comments.  If so, that's absolutely fine.  I'm ALWAYS careful to temper my posts with the consistent suggestion to always contact a physician...and am also very careful not to EVER get too specific in recommendations (as in meds, etc)...that is the job of the docs...preferably the docs that KNOW the patient uniquely.

Anyway...I just wanted to put this out there.  I NEVER take issue if someone disagrees with any of my posts for ANY reason.....medical-related or not.  I welcome the conversation...and I'm learning from each and every one of you...which means a lot to me.