I've sat here in disbelief for quite some time. Thinking about any motive Robin Williams could have had to end his life so tragically. You could tell through his work that he was a beautiful, dynamic, and unique person. That's why I've been conflicted in writing this. I could probably not do him any justice by putting my convictions out on the internet to see. My light will never shine that bright. However, being emotionally attached as I am, to someone I barely know; I will bare it here for everyone to understand.
It's widely known. The date Robin Williams left us in bewilderment a final time. I had to investigate recently because things were just not adding up. Two plus Two doesn't always parael; depression+addiction= suicide.
Being Reasonable
How do I know? Why did it bother me so much? Because I am a survivors of both. And myself, of a weaker mind. Robin came from a machismo time. Where men weren't bested by thing like "disease". They worked when they were sick. They took pride in paying the bills. The generation that faced their problems head on, then suited up for the next.
There had to be some sort of catalyst. Something was wrong here. After reading and watching numerous interviews and articles from trusted sources, I went on to the official coroner's report. [Link below] Pouring over it closely, I believe the catalyst to be none other than the trusted psychiatric medicine, Quetiepine aka Seroquel. Manufactured by Astra Zeneca.
Health and Mental State
Now, it was a widely known fact that he suffered from addiction and depression. He was pretty candid in his affairs and the media covered it like flies. However, one article I read stated that he'd checked himself into a facility in Minnesota to continue his ongoing sobriety. So how would ilicit drugs be affecting his mental state at the time of his death? It wouldn't. Just because you're an addicted person doesn't make you a user. Besides, nothing illicit was found in his system; per the coroners report.
Robin was diagnosed wrongly with the beginning stages of Parkinson's disease. (As far as HE knew, it was Parkinson's.) Which, in all eventuality can be debilitating in later stages. But not all people show severe symptoms right away. And the symptoms can be treated. It wasn't necessarily a death sentence. He wasn't going to be a horrible burden on his family right away and for years to come.
For all accounts and purposes, his children recalled him fondly and they shared a very private, loving bond. I see no problems with them affording his care or looking after their father into old age. It seems he had a wonderful support system. Furthermore, I believe he whole heartedly knew this.
Where the Doctors and probably the coroner went wrong
There was a study conducted in San Francisco in 2001 that stated Quetiapine/Seroquel could improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease on a six month trial therapy basis. But the group who'd benefitted the most within the study, was the Parkinson's patients with no other disorders. Robin also suffered from what they misdiagnosed as schizophrenia and bi-polar depression. The FDA later issued a warning in 2006:
Analyses of seventeen placebo controlled trials that enrolled 5106 elderly patients with dementia related behavioral disorders revealed a risk of death in the drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times that seen in placebo-treated patients. Clinical trials were performed with Zyprexa (olanzapine), Abilify (aripiprazole), Risperdal (risperidone), and Seroquel (quetiapine). Over the course of these trials averaging about 10 weeks in duration, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4.5%, compared to a rate of about 2.6% in the placebo group. Although the causes of death were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (e.g., heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (e.g., pneumonia) in nature.
Now you're asking me, "How does this relate?"
Simply, really. Quetipine should have never been prescribed in the first place. Not even to control his bi-polar episodes. Simply because he was a "Parkinson's Patient". But it gets even better than this! I promise.
Here's a part of the warning label INCLUDED in the package:
What is the most important information I should know about quetiapine (Seroquel)?
Never take quetiapine in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. High doses or long-term use of quetiapine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder include tremors or other uncontrollable muscle movements.
Quetiapine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Quetiapine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.
Stop using quetiapine and call your doctor at once if you have the following symptoms: very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, uncontrolled muscle movements, feeling light-headed, blurred vision, eye pain, increased thirst and urination, excessive hunger, fruity breath odor, weakness, nausea and vomiting.
Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: mood or behavior changes, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), more depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.
Quetiapine and Parkinsons??
Parkinson's is a "brain damage inducing" disease. And the FDA knows this. They know that any person could have these symptoms as well. Tremors, uncontrollable muscle movements, agitation, restlessness, impulsive, depressed and suicidal.
What IF..the final diagnosis wasn't "Lewey Body Disease"?
What if it WAS the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, backed with his depression medication making him, his symptoms and medical conditions worse? Has anyone even thought of that?
Final Thoughts
Out of respect for his family, I haven't gone in to gross detail about the state Robin was found deceased. But there are a few clear things that state intent and hesitation and then intent on suicide. As if he were flipping a switch back and forth between " I'm going to do this" and "I can't". Three or four times he went over it in his head before deciding to neatly do his final act. He also managed to do it to where he wasn't grossly neglected or found in such a way he would traumatize anyone. It's scary that someone would go to such lengths and still have people believe he had " no mental clarity". Its not true. This medicine which was supposed to help him; killed him. He had very well versed memory and clarity, yet still no functional reasoning to stop himself.
I hope his family and friends take proper actions and lay blame where its due. I hope they demand compensation from Astra Zeneca and the prescribers of this awful medication. We all miss him very much. I'm sincerely sorry for the loss.
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