decim
05-09-2009, 12:49 AM
I respectfully request a Mod stickies this as a warning to others who might be told this is what they need to get better.
I went to the GP with a chest infection I couldn't shift.
I was trusting of my GP until he prescribed me this sh#te.
Read up on this poison he wanted me to take 3 times a day.
Just one side effect makes your skin detach from the body & die, another causes Permanent disablement.
This was prescribed on a verbal consultation, with NO tests at all.
I urge EVERYONE to check out online What exactly it is that they have been prescribed, BEFORE getting it filled & taking it.!!
Ofloxacin<---Death in Pill form
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofloxacin
Here are some of the 'highlights':-
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic considered to be a second-generation fluoroquinolone. The fluoroquinolone (quinolone) class of chemotherapeutic agents are considered to be a drug of last resort to treat life threatening bacterial infections.
Like other quinolones, ofloxacin has been associated with a significant number of serious adverse drug reactions, such as tendon damage (including spontaneous tendon ruptures) and peripheral neuropathy (which may be irreversible); such reactions may manifest long after therapy had been completed, and, in severe cases, may result in life-long disabilities. Ofloxacin has also been associated with severe psychiatric adverse reactions.
Hepatotoxicity has also been reported with the use of ofloxacin.[5][6] Case reports of hepatitis have been published for the older fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin.
Though the FDA requested additional Black Box Warnings concerning the tendon issues in 2008, these warnings were still not present in the inserts for ofloxacin or levofloxacin that are being dispensed by pharmacists in 2009
Oral and I.V. Floxin and other fluoroquinolones are not licensed by the FDA for use in children due to the risk of fatalities[22][23] as well as permanent injury to the musculoskeletal system.
Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Pyelonephritis due to Escherichia coli as well as Inhalational Anthrax (post-exposure) and recently levofloxacin received approval to treat Anthrax (post-exposure).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revoked its recommendation regarding the use of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) as a first line agent in treating anthrax due to the unacceptable risk documented within the Antimicrobial Postexposure Prophylaxis for Anthrax study (aka Cipro 60 day study).[30] However, the fluoroquinolones are licensed to treat lower respiratory infections in children with cystic fibrosis in the UK.
Prescribing Floxin (ofloxacin tablets) Tablets in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of severe adverse drug reactions. Within the current package insert it is stated that:
"FLOXIN (ofloxacin tablets) Tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria."
In the adult population Floxin is limited to the treatment of proven serious and life threatening bacterial infections such as:
* Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis
* Community-acquired Pneumonia
* Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections
* Nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis
* Mixed Infections of the urethra and cervix
* Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
* Uncomplicated cystitis
* Complicated urinary tract infections
* Prostatitis
* Acute, uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonorrhea
There continues to be considerable debate as to whether or not this DNA damage is to be considered one of the mechanisms of action concerning the severe and non abating adverse reactions experienced by some patients following fluoroquinolone therapy.
Pregnancy
Research indicates that the fluoroquinolones can rapidly cross the blood-placenta and blood-milk barrier, and are extensively distributed into the fetal tissues. Peak concentration in human breast milk is similar to levels attained in plasma. Breast-feeding mothers who take ofloxacin may expose their infants to severe adverse reactions.
Other flouroquinolones have also been reported as being present in the mother’s milk and are passed on to the nursing child, which may increases the risk of the child suffering from this syndrome as well, even though the child had never been prescribed or taken any of the drugs found within this class
For this reason the prescribing of ofloxacin is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of spontaneous abortions and birth defects.
Such spontaneous abortions and birth defects have also been found with other drugs within this class, i.e. Ciprofloxacin [63], Pefloxacin [64], Norfloxacin [65] and Nadilixic acid [66] It is generally accepted that the fluoroquinolone class should not be used to treat women who are pregnant due to such risks.
Ofloxacin is not licensed for use in the pediatric population due to the risk of serious, life threatening and permanent injury to the pediatric patient.
The two most recent pediatric studies involving the use of levofloxacin, indicates that the pediatric patient has a greater than 50% chance of experiencing one or more adverse reactions.
Which would be consistent with the studies found within the NDA (new drug application) for Levofloxacin[3] which showed and ADR rate in excess of 40%, as well as a number of reported fatalities. Within the first study[72] it is stated that “Of the 712 subjects evaluable for safety, 275 (52%) levofloxacin-treated subjects experienced one or more adverse event....
As such the current ban on the use of ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in the pediatric population appears to be both reasonable and supported by various clinical studies. The risk of permanent injury may outweigh the potential benefits.
Within the United States the FDA has stated that it is their intention to pursue the licensing of the fluoroquinolones for pediatric use in spite of the evidence presented at that 62 Meeting of the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee that the fluoroquinolones cause irreversible joint damage in the pediatric population.
The psychiatric adverse events as well as CNS (Central Nervous System) and PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) associated with ofloxacin has been well documented within the literature.
The serious events may occur with a therapeutic dose of ofloxacin as well as with acute overdose. At therapeutic doses serious reactions include: central nervous system toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, tendon/articular toxicity, and rarely hepatic toxicity.[83]
Events that may occur in acute overdose are rare and include: renal failure and seizure.
Seizures have however, been reported to occur at therapeutic dosage as well as severe psychiatric reactions.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, but possible, adverse effect of ofloxacin.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is also a rare, but possible, adverse reaction to ofloxacin as this has also been associated with Norfloxacin, of which ofloxacin is an analog, as well as other drugs in this class, particularly ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell's syndrome, is a life-threatening dermatological condition that is frequently induced by a reaction to medications. It is characterized by the detachment of the top layer of skin (the epidermis) from the lower layers of the skin (the dermis) all over the body.
There is broad agreement in medical literature that TEN can be considered a more severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and debate whether it falls on a spectrum of disease that includes erythema multiforme.
History of medication use exists in over 95% of patients with TEN.[1] The drugs most often implicated in TEN are antibiotics such as sulfonamides; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; allopurinol, antiretroviral drugs; corticosteroids; and anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproic acid.[1] The condition might also result from immunizations, infection with agents such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or the herpes virus; and transplants of bone marrow or organs.[1]
TEN affects many parts of the body, but it most severely affects the mucous membranes, such as the mouth, eyes, and vagina.
The severe findings of TEN are often preceded by 1 to 2 weeks of fever. These symptoms may mimic those of a common upper respiratory tract infection. When the rash appears it may be over large and varied parts of the body, and it is usually warm and appears red.
The dermal layer fills with fluid being deposited there by the body's immune system, usually as a result of a negative reaction to an antibiotic. The skin then begins to sag from the body and can be peeled off in great swaths.
The mouth becomes blistered and eroded, making eating difficult and sometimes necessitating feeding through a nasogastric tube through the nose or a gastric tube directly into the stomach. The eyes are affected, becoming swollen, crusted, and ulcerated and blindness may occur.
The mortality for toxic epidermal necrolysis is 30-40 per cent.[1] Loss of the skin leaves patients vulnerable to infections from fungi and bacteria, and can result in sepsis, the leading cause of death in the disease.
Adverse reactions may manifest during, as well as after fluoroquinolone therapy.
Liver damage and dysglycemia has been associated with ofloxacin but this is considered to be a rare, but serious adverse reaction.
Another very rare but serious adverse effect is autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Additionally in 2005 acute rhabdomyolysis has been associated with ofloxacin/levofloxacin therapy.
Some groups refer to the presentation of these multiple adverse events as "fluoroquinolone toxicity". These groups of patients claim to have suffered serious long term harm to their health from using fluoroquinolones.
This has led to a class action lawsuit being filed by these groups as well as action by the consumer advocate group Public Citizen.
Partly as a result of the efforts of Public Citizen the FDA requested a Black Box Warnings on all fluoroquinolones advising consumers of the possible toxic effects of fluoroquinolones on tendons.
Tendon damage
As with all fluoroquinolones, there is a possibility of spontaneous tendon rupture.[109] Such ruptures may occur both during therapy and long after therapy has been discontinued; there are documented cases where rupture has occurred six months after therapy.
The status of the patient’s renal function and hepatic function MUST also be taken into consideration to avoid an accumulation that may lead to a fatal drug overdose.
NOTE: The patient’s serum levels should be monitored during therapy to avoid a drug overdose.
The manufacturers (Johnson and Johnson/Ortho McNeil) of ofloxacin are currently embroiled in litigation concerning levofloxacin/ofloxacin in regards to spontaneous tendon ruptures.
There are a significant number of cases currently pending before the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, involving spontaneous tendon ruptures alleged to be caused by these drugs.
On June 13, 2008 a Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) granted the Plaintiffs’ motion to centralize individual and class action lawsuits involving levaquin in the District of Minnesota over objection of Defendants, Johnson and Johnson / Ortho McNeil.
Such ruptures have also been associated with ofloxacin, as well as other drugs found within this class.
As a result of this order, product liability attorneys are currently aggressively seeking additional plaintiffs who may have been damaged by ofloxacin as well as levofloxacin. Douglas & London in New York, who represents more than 200 such plaintiffs from 38 States, expects to file many additional product liability suits involving levofloxacin/ofloxacin.
As plaintiffs attorney, lawyer Michael London had recently asked the New Jersey Supreme Court to accord mass-tort treatment to their suits against the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc.
Several class action lawsuits had been filed in regards to the adverse reactions suffered by those exposed to Ciprofloxacin during the Anthrax scare of 2001 as well.
Floxin:
* 12-28-1990 The approval of the new drug application (NDA for floxacin).
* The regulator history beginning 12/28/1990 to 03/06/2004 (fourteen years worth of data) has been removed from the FDA website.
As such, this information is no longer available. The NDA (new drug application) documents have also been removed from the FDA site
FDA warning letters
In January 1997 R.W. Johnson was cited by the FDA for promoting the use of ofloxacin for unapproved uses as well as failing to disclose that ofloxacin is not approved for use in severe infections.
The FDA also cited the manufacturer for promoting the use of ofloxacin in the pediatric population while falsely stating that it was both safe and effective, while failing to provide any information regarding the adverse effects associated with its use, or that such use is contraindicated. We find similar violations with levofloxacin/ofloxacin ophthalmic solution as well.
Normally ofloxacin should only be used in patients who have failed at least one prior therapy. Reserved for the use in patients who are seriously ill and may soon require immediate hospitalization.
The use of the ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones had increased three-fold in an emergency room environment in the United States between 1995 and 2002, while the use of safer alternatives such as macrolides declined significantly.
Within a recent study concerning the proper use of ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in the emergency room it was revealed that 99% of these prescriptions were in error.
Ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones had become the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics to adults in 2002. Nearly half (42%) of these prescriptions were for conditions not approved by the FDA, such as acute bronchitis, otitis media, and acute upper respiratory tract infection, according to a study that was supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Additionally they are commonly prescribed for medical conditions that are not even bacterial to begin with, such as viral infections, or those to which no proven benefit exist.
Social and economic impact
Any number of adverse drug reaction forums related to ofloxacin, as well as the fluoroquinolone class, may be found on the Internet.
The various manufacturers and the members of the medical community’s reaction to these forums have been one of disbelief and denial. Claiming that “Some of the personal stories {of these members} on the Internet are truly wacky....” <---wankers
I went to the GP with a chest infection I couldn't shift.
I was trusting of my GP until he prescribed me this sh#te.
Read up on this poison he wanted me to take 3 times a day.
Just one side effect makes your skin detach from the body & die, another causes Permanent disablement.
This was prescribed on a verbal consultation, with NO tests at all.
I urge EVERYONE to check out online What exactly it is that they have been prescribed, BEFORE getting it filled & taking it.!!
Ofloxacin<---Death in Pill form
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ofloxacin
Here are some of the 'highlights':-
Ofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic considered to be a second-generation fluoroquinolone. The fluoroquinolone (quinolone) class of chemotherapeutic agents are considered to be a drug of last resort to treat life threatening bacterial infections.
Like other quinolones, ofloxacin has been associated with a significant number of serious adverse drug reactions, such as tendon damage (including spontaneous tendon ruptures) and peripheral neuropathy (which may be irreversible); such reactions may manifest long after therapy had been completed, and, in severe cases, may result in life-long disabilities. Ofloxacin has also been associated with severe psychiatric adverse reactions.
Hepatotoxicity has also been reported with the use of ofloxacin.[5][6] Case reports of hepatitis have been published for the older fluoroquinolones including ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and norfloxacin.
Though the FDA requested additional Black Box Warnings concerning the tendon issues in 2008, these warnings were still not present in the inserts for ofloxacin or levofloxacin that are being dispensed by pharmacists in 2009
Oral and I.V. Floxin and other fluoroquinolones are not licensed by the FDA for use in children due to the risk of fatalities[22][23] as well as permanent injury to the musculoskeletal system.
Complicated Urinary Tract Infections and Pyelonephritis due to Escherichia coli as well as Inhalational Anthrax (post-exposure) and recently levofloxacin received approval to treat Anthrax (post-exposure).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revoked its recommendation regarding the use of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin) as a first line agent in treating anthrax due to the unacceptable risk documented within the Antimicrobial Postexposure Prophylaxis for Anthrax study (aka Cipro 60 day study).[30] However, the fluoroquinolones are licensed to treat lower respiratory infections in children with cystic fibrosis in the UK.
Prescribing Floxin (ofloxacin tablets) Tablets in the absence of a proven or strongly suspected bacterial infection or a prophylactic indication is unlikely to provide benefit to the patient and increases the risk of the development of severe adverse drug reactions. Within the current package insert it is stated that:
"FLOXIN (ofloxacin tablets) Tablets should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by bacteria."
In the adult population Floxin is limited to the treatment of proven serious and life threatening bacterial infections such as:
* Acute bacterial exacerbations of chronic bronchitis
* Community-acquired Pneumonia
* Uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections
* Nongonococcal urethritis and cervicitis
* Mixed Infections of the urethra and cervix
* Acute pelvic inflammatory disease
* Uncomplicated cystitis
* Complicated urinary tract infections
* Prostatitis
* Acute, uncomplicated urethral and cervical gonorrhea
There continues to be considerable debate as to whether or not this DNA damage is to be considered one of the mechanisms of action concerning the severe and non abating adverse reactions experienced by some patients following fluoroquinolone therapy.
Pregnancy
Research indicates that the fluoroquinolones can rapidly cross the blood-placenta and blood-milk barrier, and are extensively distributed into the fetal tissues. Peak concentration in human breast milk is similar to levels attained in plasma. Breast-feeding mothers who take ofloxacin may expose their infants to severe adverse reactions.
Other flouroquinolones have also been reported as being present in the mother’s milk and are passed on to the nursing child, which may increases the risk of the child suffering from this syndrome as well, even though the child had never been prescribed or taken any of the drugs found within this class
For this reason the prescribing of ofloxacin is contraindicated during pregnancy due to the risk of spontaneous abortions and birth defects.
Such spontaneous abortions and birth defects have also been found with other drugs within this class, i.e. Ciprofloxacin [63], Pefloxacin [64], Norfloxacin [65] and Nadilixic acid [66] It is generally accepted that the fluoroquinolone class should not be used to treat women who are pregnant due to such risks.
Ofloxacin is not licensed for use in the pediatric population due to the risk of serious, life threatening and permanent injury to the pediatric patient.
The two most recent pediatric studies involving the use of levofloxacin, indicates that the pediatric patient has a greater than 50% chance of experiencing one or more adverse reactions.
Which would be consistent with the studies found within the NDA (new drug application) for Levofloxacin[3] which showed and ADR rate in excess of 40%, as well as a number of reported fatalities. Within the first study[72] it is stated that “Of the 712 subjects evaluable for safety, 275 (52%) levofloxacin-treated subjects experienced one or more adverse event....
As such the current ban on the use of ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in the pediatric population appears to be both reasonable and supported by various clinical studies. The risk of permanent injury may outweigh the potential benefits.
Within the United States the FDA has stated that it is their intention to pursue the licensing of the fluoroquinolones for pediatric use in spite of the evidence presented at that 62 Meeting of the Anti-Infective Drugs Advisory Committee that the fluoroquinolones cause irreversible joint damage in the pediatric population.
The psychiatric adverse events as well as CNS (Central Nervous System) and PNS (Peripheral Nervous System) associated with ofloxacin has been well documented within the literature.
The serious events may occur with a therapeutic dose of ofloxacin as well as with acute overdose. At therapeutic doses serious reactions include: central nervous system toxicity, cardiovascular toxicity, tendon/articular toxicity, and rarely hepatic toxicity.[83]
Events that may occur in acute overdose are rare and include: renal failure and seizure.
Seizures have however, been reported to occur at therapeutic dosage as well as severe psychiatric reactions.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis is a rare, but possible, adverse effect of ofloxacin.
Stevens-Johnson syndrome is also a rare, but possible, adverse reaction to ofloxacin as this has also been associated with Norfloxacin, of which ofloxacin is an analog, as well as other drugs in this class, particularly ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin.
Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), also known as Lyell's syndrome, is a life-threatening dermatological condition that is frequently induced by a reaction to medications. It is characterized by the detachment of the top layer of skin (the epidermis) from the lower layers of the skin (the dermis) all over the body.
There is broad agreement in medical literature that TEN can be considered a more severe form of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and debate whether it falls on a spectrum of disease that includes erythema multiforme.
History of medication use exists in over 95% of patients with TEN.[1] The drugs most often implicated in TEN are antibiotics such as sulfonamides; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; allopurinol, antiretroviral drugs; corticosteroids; and anticonvulsants such as phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproic acid.[1] The condition might also result from immunizations, infection with agents such as Mycoplasma pneumoniae or the herpes virus; and transplants of bone marrow or organs.[1]
TEN affects many parts of the body, but it most severely affects the mucous membranes, such as the mouth, eyes, and vagina.
The severe findings of TEN are often preceded by 1 to 2 weeks of fever. These symptoms may mimic those of a common upper respiratory tract infection. When the rash appears it may be over large and varied parts of the body, and it is usually warm and appears red.
The dermal layer fills with fluid being deposited there by the body's immune system, usually as a result of a negative reaction to an antibiotic. The skin then begins to sag from the body and can be peeled off in great swaths.
The mouth becomes blistered and eroded, making eating difficult and sometimes necessitating feeding through a nasogastric tube through the nose or a gastric tube directly into the stomach. The eyes are affected, becoming swollen, crusted, and ulcerated and blindness may occur.
The mortality for toxic epidermal necrolysis is 30-40 per cent.[1] Loss of the skin leaves patients vulnerable to infections from fungi and bacteria, and can result in sepsis, the leading cause of death in the disease.
Adverse reactions may manifest during, as well as after fluoroquinolone therapy.
Liver damage and dysglycemia has been associated with ofloxacin but this is considered to be a rare, but serious adverse reaction.
Another very rare but serious adverse effect is autoimmune hemolytic anemia.
Additionally in 2005 acute rhabdomyolysis has been associated with ofloxacin/levofloxacin therapy.
Some groups refer to the presentation of these multiple adverse events as "fluoroquinolone toxicity". These groups of patients claim to have suffered serious long term harm to their health from using fluoroquinolones.
This has led to a class action lawsuit being filed by these groups as well as action by the consumer advocate group Public Citizen.
Partly as a result of the efforts of Public Citizen the FDA requested a Black Box Warnings on all fluoroquinolones advising consumers of the possible toxic effects of fluoroquinolones on tendons.
Tendon damage
As with all fluoroquinolones, there is a possibility of spontaneous tendon rupture.[109] Such ruptures may occur both during therapy and long after therapy has been discontinued; there are documented cases where rupture has occurred six months after therapy.
The status of the patient’s renal function and hepatic function MUST also be taken into consideration to avoid an accumulation that may lead to a fatal drug overdose.
NOTE: The patient’s serum levels should be monitored during therapy to avoid a drug overdose.
The manufacturers (Johnson and Johnson/Ortho McNeil) of ofloxacin are currently embroiled in litigation concerning levofloxacin/ofloxacin in regards to spontaneous tendon ruptures.
There are a significant number of cases currently pending before the United States District Court, District of Minnesota, involving spontaneous tendon ruptures alleged to be caused by these drugs.
On June 13, 2008 a Judicial Panel On Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) granted the Plaintiffs’ motion to centralize individual and class action lawsuits involving levaquin in the District of Minnesota over objection of Defendants, Johnson and Johnson / Ortho McNeil.
Such ruptures have also been associated with ofloxacin, as well as other drugs found within this class.
As a result of this order, product liability attorneys are currently aggressively seeking additional plaintiffs who may have been damaged by ofloxacin as well as levofloxacin. Douglas & London in New York, who represents more than 200 such plaintiffs from 38 States, expects to file many additional product liability suits involving levofloxacin/ofloxacin.
As plaintiffs attorney, lawyer Michael London had recently asked the New Jersey Supreme Court to accord mass-tort treatment to their suits against the manufacturer, Johnson & Johnson subsidiary Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical Inc.
Several class action lawsuits had been filed in regards to the adverse reactions suffered by those exposed to Ciprofloxacin during the Anthrax scare of 2001 as well.
Floxin:
* 12-28-1990 The approval of the new drug application (NDA for floxacin).
* The regulator history beginning 12/28/1990 to 03/06/2004 (fourteen years worth of data) has been removed from the FDA website.
As such, this information is no longer available. The NDA (new drug application) documents have also been removed from the FDA site
FDA warning letters
In January 1997 R.W. Johnson was cited by the FDA for promoting the use of ofloxacin for unapproved uses as well as failing to disclose that ofloxacin is not approved for use in severe infections.
The FDA also cited the manufacturer for promoting the use of ofloxacin in the pediatric population while falsely stating that it was both safe and effective, while failing to provide any information regarding the adverse effects associated with its use, or that such use is contraindicated. We find similar violations with levofloxacin/ofloxacin ophthalmic solution as well.
Normally ofloxacin should only be used in patients who have failed at least one prior therapy. Reserved for the use in patients who are seriously ill and may soon require immediate hospitalization.
The use of the ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones had increased three-fold in an emergency room environment in the United States between 1995 and 2002, while the use of safer alternatives such as macrolides declined significantly.
Within a recent study concerning the proper use of ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones in the emergency room it was revealed that 99% of these prescriptions were in error.
Ofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones had become the most commonly prescribed class of antibiotics to adults in 2002. Nearly half (42%) of these prescriptions were for conditions not approved by the FDA, such as acute bronchitis, otitis media, and acute upper respiratory tract infection, according to a study that was supported in part by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Additionally they are commonly prescribed for medical conditions that are not even bacterial to begin with, such as viral infections, or those to which no proven benefit exist.
Social and economic impact
Any number of adverse drug reaction forums related to ofloxacin, as well as the fluoroquinolone class, may be found on the Internet.
The various manufacturers and the members of the medical community’s reaction to these forums have been one of disbelief and denial. Claiming that “Some of the personal stories {of these members} on the Internet are truly wacky....” <---wankers