Harvey Pekar died from accidental overdose of two anti-depressant medicines

[Yeahyeah]

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2010/10/coroner_rules_that_harvey_peka.html

Coroner rules that Harvey Pekar's death due to 'natural causes'

Published: Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 4:18 PM CLEVELAND, Ohio -- >

Fluoxetine is used as a treatment for major depression, and bupropion is used for depression and smoking cessation. The latter drug can lower a person's seizure threshold when used incorrectly.>

Pekar, a 1957 Shaker Heights High School graduate, chronicled his life and times in the acclaimed autobiographical comic book series American Splendor. He portrayed himself as a rumpled, depressed, obsessive-compulsive 'flunky file clerk' engaged in a constant battle with loneliness and anxiety.

Describing American Splendor, Pekar wrote, "the theme is about staying alive...Life is a war of attrition. You have to stay active on all fronts...I've tried to control a chaotic universe. And it's a losing battle."

He became a working man's celebrity with his raucous appearances on "Late Night With David Letterman" until Pekar was banned after an on-air argument.

[Panaconda]

1. RIP

K&R

[virgogal]

2. Sad. I'm amazed it took 3 months to get the results though.

[Starry Messenger]

3. RIP Harvey.

[nannah]

4. pay attention

pschotropic meds are powerful and not well understood.

[Morning Dew]

5. bupropion (wellbutrin) - awful stuff

as far as I'm concerned.

I'd rather smoke,

I tried it and it made my brain feel like mush, spaced out and couldn't concentrate for long... and continued for months after I quit taking it. I was getting worried I'd be in permanent lala land.

YMMV.

[county worker]

6. I've been taking Wellbutrin for about 20 years and it has saved my life.

Anyone who understands mental illness and psychotropic drugs knows that a drug can have different effects on different people and that doctors monitor drug taking because of this.

Anyone on this board with the motive of telling people that these drugs are of no use in the treatment of mental illness is a bully in my opinion. You are risking people's lives by your words. You are not a professional and should not be giving medical advice.

[cliffordu]

7. I agree, completely.

Lamictal gave me my life back.

[county worker]

8. Thank you, I have been fighting this ignorance for a long damned time.

It's those views that I listened to for years and refused professional help. The "just snap out of it" crowd has a lot of suicides on their hands.

[Morning Dew]

9. I was taking it as an aid to quit smoking -

and, as I said, for me it was awful. I also posted YMMV - as in "your mileage may vary".

I never said these drugs are of no use, I dispensed no medical advice.

It sounds like this topic is sensitive for you and I'm sorry my post wasn't clear enough.

[county worker]

10. People see what you posted and think "Maybe I can deal with this depression by myself."

Depression is contagious in the context of it effecting everyone around you and can lead to their depression. I lived with depression for years refusing to take drugs because of statements like yours. I ended up in a safe house because I was so suicidal. Today I have a pretty normal productive life as long as I take my meds.

I work for the alcohol, drug and mental health services dept of our county. I see how people can be helped every day.

[Wednesdays]

11. You posted "awful stuff" without a qualifier

If you'd said, "awful stuff for me," that would have been different...but worded as it was, it seemed aimed to motivate others to avoid that medication.

[Morning Dew]

12. reread my post

[provis99]

13. if not for Wellbutrin, I'd probably be a crazed homeless man.

It's done wonders for me, though I am careful about taking them at the proper times, due to the possible (but very unlikely) seizure possibility.