Furious Seasons

July 30, 2007

Mr. B. Gets Mugged, Mary Z. Leaves TAC, And The Filing Of An Adverse Event Report

Hi. This is a bit of a kitchen sink post, as I am trying to catch up on a few things. I think my posting will be more active this week as well.

First, Mr. B., whom I've chronicled in the past, was mugged the other night while walking home. I knew the new neighborhood his social worker moved him to--after he got kicked out of his old apartment because he smokes--would prove to be a problem for Mr. B. Basically, three men intercepted him on a street not far from where I live. They started punching him and demanding his money. Like many schizophrenics who manage to get out and about, Mr. B. looks like he's got victim on his forehead. He's been set upon by assholes like these guys many times in his life. Mr. B. coughed up $30 and they demanded the keys to his apartment. About that time, a private security patrol drove by and saw what was going on. The rent-a-cop chased off the bad guys and took some kind of report from Mr. B. Mr. B. doesn't know if a report was made to the police or not. It's a bit unusual for someone to be openly mugged in that part of the city. Mr. B. is 62, gets 300 mg. injections of Haldol every few weeks and can barely walk. It annoys me deeply that some criminals would set upon him. Guess that's why they are criminals.

Anyhow, Mr. B. is basically OK. He won't tell his social worker about what happened because he doesn't like his social worker. Getting mugged near the housing said social worker moved him to isn't going to improve their therapeutic alliance too much. More later.

Second, Mary Zdanowicz, the Treatment Advocacy Center's executive director, resigned the other day. You can read about it here. Despite my many differences with TAC, I appreciate Mary's work all the same. We are all trying to make things work better for people like Mr. B., after all. I wish her much luck and success.

Third, today I filed an adverse event report with the FDA over my withdrawal experience with Lamictal. I don't really expect any action, but these sorts of reports need to be brought to the attention of the proper authorities in case a pattern of patient experiences turns up. From recent comments on this blog, I'd say there is a pattern of withdrawal problems for Lamictal users.

I think patients should always file these reports. It's the only way the system will change.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at July 30, 2007 12:25 PM

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Comments

Not Mr.B! I've had just about enough of this crap. Including the housing/residentail care facilities and social workers.Of course that is a general statement not directed at any one agency, but if the shoe fits, it will get stolen at most any place a social worker places these people, hell it happened to my daughter.ON the note of violence I wonder if my own sick stomach is due to a SHOOTING within a few minutes of my daughter's hospital, it appears dead men are found on grass all of the time.[Seattle area crime has increased in the recent month, hard to not notice].
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Good for you reporting to FDA adverse effects, because that is truly the only way any stats get recorded, right down to edema, and some of the 1% stuff that doctors tend to ignore. Patients need to report ALL events.
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I admire your nice departing note re: Mary Z. considering she has written some explosive loaded headliners in her day, that don't exactly appear too kind toward un-medicated Schizophrenics.

Posted by: Stephany at July 30, 2007 02:11 PM

Frankly, I had a bit of difficulty with your kind words to Mary. What's up with that? I'm not at all convinced she wants anything remotely similar to what we want. Perhaps I shouldn't say we. I don't think she wants anything similar to what I want.

Posted by: Gianna at July 30, 2007 07:46 PM

Not to gang up on Mary, but then think about how she treats her "two schizophrenic siblings." She's a lawyer and hence could easily afford to provide the care for them that is not available through the system and yet she's angry that she couldn't dump them in a state institution for free. I guess this sort of disablism is not limited to people labeled mentally ill, but still, it leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. I suspect you (PD) have information that might redeem her slightly.

Posted by: Sally at July 31, 2007 06:05 AM

I'm with you, Gianna. Mary Z. is just another hate-monger who has spent most of her career stigmatizing people like me. Good riddance, you stupid cow.

Posted by: Francesca Allan at July 31, 2007 07:55 AM

Re: Being a lawyer and able to pay for care outside of a state institution:

When my daughter turned 18 and a Children's hospital sent her to the state institution; I asked the Chief of Staff where I could send her ?[since he refused her legal release]This widely respected psychiatrist said this to her sister and I: "Sadly, unless you have $500,000 a year it would be out of state and frankly the care not much better."
I remember sitting there feeling as I do today. Frustrated that there really are very few [if any]places one can send a loved one for care if needed beyond state institutions.
Also, considering the legal adult age and consent topic, it is not for MaryZ. to ultimately decide where any relative resides. If she were to represent her siblings it would be a grave conflict of interest being an attorney/relative.
One of the hardest jobs I have had to this day in my life is being appointed temporary guardianship for my daughter. The weight to carry to choose another's fate is tremendous. Personally, I am watching over her like a hawk. Some relatives don't do that. Some relatives really do just place their loved ones in institutions and throw away the key. In fact, this is such a stressful and ethical situation I am in, I have yet to find one person who can relate to my role I have, because most people I have spoken with[friends, relatives]cannot understand why I would want her "out".
Can one imagine this? What I am seeing inside this system is beyond sad, and outpatient choices are not much better.[and yes, I want her "out"].

Posted by: Stephany at July 31, 2007 10:42 AM

It's sad that confinement in psychiatric "hospitals" is ever considered a treatment option, much less legally mandated as one. Your daughter is lucky to have you.

Posted by: Sally at July 31, 2007 11:38 AM

Sally, that is kind of you to say.Thank you.

Posted by: Stephany at July 31, 2007 05:07 PM