Laurie Oakley's Blog

RxISK Cards - Hope For A Cure

In response to the discussion on RxISK, I am posting the front and back of the cards here.  I wish they were available to download and print, but perhaps someone else wants to do that.  Otherwise, you can do like I did and go to the  Staples website  (or use something similar) to design your own and let them print them for you.  I paid $20 for 500 cards.  

I try to borrow words from RxISK.org when using their logos as opposed to adding any concepts not found there.  David has granted permission and here they are for easy access.  

All Souls' Day Remembrance - Renewed Hope

On Thursday, November 2nd, All Souls’ Day is observed around the world. People remember their departed loved ones with various ceremonies being enacted in many different countries.

Last year, Heather Roberts, a woman who lost her son in 2013 due in part to his prescribed medications, suggested that those concerned about prescription drug induced morbidity and mortality observe All Souls' Day by lighting a candle and sending hopeful thoughts out into the Universe...

…for the protection of all who have been, who are being, or who may in the future be, harmed by their prescribed medications;

…for the affected and their families to be listened to, taken seriously, and properly acknowledged and assisted;

…for tremendous care to be taken when medications are prescribed, as well as immediate and consistent monitoring be given for adverse effects;

…and for this ongoing wrong to be righted.


This past year we have seen some hopeful developments.  The widow of Stuart Dolin won a lawsuit in Chicago against the giant, pharmaceutical manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline, successfully holding the company accountable for her husband’s death after he suffered a medication-induced suicide.

A number of pharmaceutical companies behind the deceptive marketing of opioids have been hit with a huge wave of lawsuits  in several U.S. jurisdictions, with one company founder being recently arrested and charged for his part in the scheme to bribe doctors and other prescribers.  

Finally, RxISK (Data Based Medicine) has started a campaign in the way of offering a RxISK PRIZE, giving us fresh hope for finding effective treatments for many iatrogenic conditions, starting with the devastating condition of Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction and similar disorders where patients describe feeling as if they have been buried alive  while suffering long-term loss of sexual functioning following drug treatments for depression, hair loss, and severe acne.  RxISK, and the caring individuals joining with them, now represent an opportunity for real change.    

We should take hope in these developments and perhaps again ask the Universe, or God, for this shift to continue so that goodness, honesty and decency may prevail in the face of  epidemic rates of pharmaceutical-related illness -- from opioid dependence and death to the more hidden conditions that carry a similar burden of stigma -- including Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction , Post-Finasteride Syndrome , Post-Retinoid Sexual Dysfunction, and Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder .  As these injuries are deeply traumatizing, causing damage to both physical bodies as well as to identities, it is once again suggested that we lift up the souls of all who have been affected and ask…

...that the misuse of pharmaceuticals, power and professional status begin to be addressed by current prescribers and those who influence them;

...that all who have suffered not be abandoned or forgotten, and that illness and loss not have the last word or define us;

...that a new awareness and understanding take root in the fortunate who have thus far been spared the experience of drug devastation, and from that, spring a new compassion;

… that patients and families and all who care discover just how powerful we can become when we find the courage to speak out publicly and commit ourselves to action so that the ghosts of these traumatic events may be finally laid to rest.

In a spirit of Solidarity with all who are or have been touched by drug devastation, and aided by those whose words and action inspire me ,  I will be lighting my candle at 5:00 pm Eastern Time out of love and respect for those who have suffered or continue to suffer — both the living and departed.

Two Sentence Horror Story

"Doctor, how do you know the medication is safe when so much of the science
is ghostwritten?" I asked.
​
"Don't be silly!" he said, jabbing the needle deep into my flesh.

Inspired by this article.

RxISK PRIZE CAMPAIGN

Most people are aware that antidepressants can cause sexual side effects but almost no-one knows these can endure permanently after treatment stops – sometimes only emerging after treatment stops. This is a problem facing tens of thousands of people with:

​Post-SSRI Sexual Dysfunction (PSSD)Post-Finasteride Syndrome (PFS)Post-Retinoid Sexual Dysfunction (PRSD)
​Finasteride is used in younger men for the treatment of male-pattern baldness. Isotretinoin is a retinoid used in the treatment of acne.

These conditions lead to suicide, relationship and family break-up, job loss and lead to a lot of wasted money taking risks on dangerous options held out as cures. At present there is almost no support for those affected.

The problems affect both men and women and cause genital numbness, pleasureless or weak orgasm, impotence, loss of sex drive and other difficulties. They can start after only a few days exposure to these medications and in some cases persist for decades.

We want to change this.

On September 12, 2017, RxISK launched a campaign to raise $100,000 for a Prize which will be offered to anyone who finds a cure for PSSD, PFS or PRSD. This could be a doctor, a scientist, a drug company, a member of the public – anyone.

If you would like to support this cause you can contribute by helping get the word out to friends, family, co-workers and doctors or make a donation via RxISK.org.

All Souls' Day Rememberance

​On Wednesday, November 2nd, All Souls’ Day is observed all around the world. People remember their departed loved ones and there are some quite interesting ceremonies enacted in many different countries.

Heather Roberts, a woman who lost her son in 2012 in part due to his prescribed medications, has suggested that those of us concerned about pharmaceutical harms might observe All Souls Day by lighting a candle and sending positive thoughts out into the Universe...

…for the protection of all who have been, who are being, or who may in the future be, damaged by prescribed medications;

…for all persons now affected, that they be listened to, taken seriously, and properly assisted;

…for tremendous care to be taken when medications are prescribed, and for immediate and consistent monitoring;

…for this ongoing wrong to be righted, now and in the future.

Because the drug companies seem to hold all the cards, she has suggested we ask the Universe (or God) for a shift, so that goodness, honesty and decency might prevail. I will be doing this out of love and respect for all who have suffered — both the living and departed.

Katinka Blackford Newman, author of the book, The Pill That Steals Lives, will be sharing pictures others have submitted of this event on her Facebook page.  For more information please contact her at: katinka.newman@gmail.com.  

Visit Heather and David's website, Olly's Friendship Foundation, by clicking on the picture above.

True Dat

Having another talking head is not a way
​to solve problems. --David Healy

Change In Focus

I am deeply grateful for all of the support and encouragement I have received in the two years I worked on writing my books and getting them into the hands of readers.  I appreciate anyone who took the time to read and consider my words.

My heart is very much with all of those facing the challenges posed by corporate medicine.  At the same time I don't want my days to be primarily about this.  I have turned my focus back toward urban farming as I remain on a path of healing and recovery from the effects of prescribed medications.  I trust the process of life to show me if and when I might pick up the pharmaceutical issue again.  In the meantime, you will find me in the garden.

Rape Is Not A Metaphor -- A Framework For Understanding Everyday Pharmaceutical Harms

I began by writing a definition of Pharmaceutical Rape Culture and expanded it from there. Not because I wanted to shock people with the word rape, but because there were so many parallels. I have found that people who are offended by the language are not really aware of the actual damage being inflicted upon victims (including ongoing professional denial and retraumatization), nor do they understand the ways people are denied the right to give consent in a fully informed manner. The definition is meant to bring clarity, is especially for victims and survivors, so we may become emboldened, act collectively, and see some kind of justice.

You can find the full six part series on DavidHealy.org or click on the cover above to order a paperback version.    

Rape Is Not A Metaphor — A Framework For Understanding Everyday Pharmaceutical Harms

Martin Shkreli, the man who raised the price of Daraprim by 5000% on the back of claims that profit was necessary for research activities, exemplifies the greed that drives pharmaceutical injury.

PHARMACEUTICAL RAPE stems from the collective decisions of powerful individuals within an industry-government-medical trade alliance. It is an offense that results in an invasive violation of bodily autonomy for the victim. A pharmaceutical product is introduced into one’s body that causes harm — something one did not consent to — something that one had a legal right to more information about so that a different choice could have been made. Most often, it involves trusting and having that trust violated.

The driving causes of pharmaceutical rape are drug industry influence in the medical setting and the commodification of healthcare. Because this type of violence does occur, it constitutes a social problem that must become an accepted fact to be addressed within wider society.

See the first in my five part series​ here.

#Medicated And Mighty

 

I'm not ashamed for needing Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Pumpkins to rebalance the chemicals in my brain. No one judges those who take insulin for diabetes, so why judge me for getting the chocolate I need?
​#KeepsMeAlive #MedicatedAndMighty #HersheyMySavior