Response to Treatment - August 21, 1993

     In spite of the fact that I had given detailed history about my
treatment of Seth with Xanax, and my belief that he had used
too much of the medication over the previous few weeks, this
information does not appear on the chart. The final words 
exchanged between myself and the E.R. attending were, "Xanax
is a tricky drug to withdraw from. You'd better get someone from
Psychiatry who knows how to do this." The attending's response 
was, "Don't worry. We'll take care of it."

     Nevertheless, it appears that my information was ignored. Seth,
delirious from both the seizure and having struck his head on the floor
must have been denying everything I had said. The doctors tragically
believed him. He was admitted to the ward with the diagnosis of 
"Elavil Toxicity." There was no treatment for withdrawal and he was
simply put on a monitor. The blood pressure was high, and he
remained in Sinus Tachycardia.

Click here for Heart Rate Graph
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