Glenna L. Todovich -

MY STORY:

My name is Glenna Todovich, on November 14, 2003 ( the worst day of my life) I lost my youngest of two sons, please read my story below and please HEED the warnings. SSRI’s are poison plain and simple.  If you are taking them, please get help weaning off of them IMMEDIATELY.

Here is a summary of my son's demise. .

Aaron began on antidepressants at age 15 under the "care" of a

pediatric psychiatrist.  It's been so long ago, I can't remember the

first SSRI he received.  Over the course of ten (10) years and approximately

four (4) different psychiatrists, none of whom had the time to "TALK" to my son,

they would only see him for about ten (10) minutes and hand him another

prescription for the SSRI of the moment.

Here is a list of antidepressants that I KNOW Aaron was on at one time

or another from age fifteen (15) until his death at the age of twenty-five (25). 

There are also some meds I didn't know the name of, I just know that he carried

a backpack at one point, full of medications....HOW SAD IS THAT!

The List:

Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Luvox,

Buspar,Serzone, Remeron (I think). 

He was also diagnosed with OCD at some point and put on RITALIN.

The last SSRI he was on EFFEXOR, the supposed "miracle" drug put him in

the hospital for two (2) weeks with:

Liver Dysfunction

Severe Anemia

Enlarged heart

My son was quite an intelligent young man, he graduated from Youth

Performing Arts School, a musician, he played piano, guitar, and

saxophone.  He attended Bellarmine College (now University) and

graduated in 2000 with a BA degree; all the while working two part-time

jobs and playing music.  Over the years I saw his demeanor go on a roller coaster

ride depending on the Doctor's antidepressant of choice.  Aaron told me finally that

these medicines were destroying his brain (how strangely accurate was

this). During about the last three (3) years of his life, he suffered

several episodes where he would get totally off the meds and he even

admitted himself to the psych ward of a local hospital at one point, he

was there for a week (being treated with what else, more SSRI's). He

went through an episode of "anorexia" quit eating and lost 60 lbs in two

(2) months.

The final straw was the Effexor episode, when he came out of the

hospital and told me he was not going to take another anti-depressant.

The Effexor was stopped IMMEDIATELY when he was admitted to the hospital because of the severe detrimental physical problems it had caused, but no one ever mentioned what taking him off of this poison “cold turkey” would do to his poor brain.

Aaron had been off EFFEXOR for about six (6) months, but he complained that

he could no longer "think", carry on a conversation or enjoy himself with his friends. 

He suffered paranoia episodes and he used to hold his head and plead,

please make the voices STOP (my son NEVER had paranoia or any other “psychiatric disease” before being put on all of these poison meds).

He was obsessed with thoughts of suicide and on more than one occasion,

he tried to off himself – HE TOLD ME.  I tried to help him.  I would talk to

him every night on the phone, I didn't know what to do, where to go.

Then on Saturday November 7, 2003, we had lunch together and he had a

strange FLAT, sad appearance on his face ( I have since learned that this “flat” appearance was a sign of brain damage) He hugged me and I told him I

loved him so much.

On Sunday November 8, 2003, he tried to call me on

my cell phone, I never got the call. My son disappeared.  I searched

for him for one (1) week. I prayed, I begged GOD to let me find him.

On Sunday, November 14, 2003 – I did find him.  He had pulled his car into

a garage at some rental property we own and had gone to SLEEP. 

He finally found his peace.

By Glenna L. Todovich

Proud, Loving Mother of Aaron David Todovich

MY ANGEL