wow this is such a eloquent and insightful essay ! You pose very powerful questions about the whole humanity that I believe we should all think about. I love all the literary references and I love your writing style. I read all your other publishings and I was simply blown away. In all of them you present very deep and astute thesis. Thank you for these !
I just wanted to say, thanks for writing this. I found your words to be very evocative and I felt like I could get a sense of the individual person behind the words. In particular, the image of it being like a party where everyone is loud, you're never having fun, and the party guests never leave made me smile—it was a humorous way to describe it, and also painful, because you said "imagine" and I was like, "Yes, I can imagine that, and it sounds awful!" As someone who has never been incarcerated, but who really likes quiet and privacy, your words really hit home to me as I imagined how the lack of privacy, peace, and quiet would affect me.
It sounds like it would be challenging to anyone to find mental space to think one's own thoughts in your environment. I hope for you that you are able to find moments of peace and tranquility despite your surroundings. I believe that moments of quiet and reflection are so important to all of us, to allow us to grow and be in possession of ourselves, regardless of our circumstances. I wish the best for you!
I transcribed your poetry “Survive” on “between the bars” website. I had already transcribed a poetry of yours entitled “Sonrie” a few months back. In fact I read your thank you message, you are welcome, it is a pleasure for me to transcribe and comment poetries. I am Italian and live in Italy and like poetries.
The poetry “Survive” was sad but I appreciated how you can express your sadness with appropriated comparisons. It was excellent the second verse of your poetry, where you smartly mix two languages (English and Spanish): “My heart has become empty like the stomach of a nino de las calles”.
I imagine how difficult it is to live in a cold cell “when the lights are dead”.
It is a good poetry. Well done!
I am sorry if my English is not perfect, as you know it is difficult for an Italian to speak English properly.
I will try to transcribe and comment other poetries of yours.
Yes, Hannover is in Germany, but this must be an old address as it has a 4-digit zip code. Since 1993 there have been new 5-digit zip codes due to Germany's reunification. The new zip code for this address is 30625, this Eilenriedestift does still exist, it's a retirement home. Hope that helps...
I can't find any information to validate some of what you write about (drug-wise) - despite looking for quite some time. I know a bit about psychopharmocotherapy - and, of course, I know that all drugs alone or in combination can cause dramatic reactions.
Even a simple antidepressant.
However, you say that the FDA outlaws the combination of the two drugs.
That's not true. These two drugs are still prescribed together - as far as I can see - both here and abroad (I checked in the UK, too). Doctors are told they are contraindicated (in combination) unless "the benefit outweighs the risks." So, there is a warning.
Here is what is written about using amitriptyline and sertraline (an SSRI and a tricyclic) together:
MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration with sertraline may increase the plasma concentrations of some tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The proposed mechanism is sertraline inhibition of CYP450 2D6, the isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic clearance of many antidepressant and psychotropic drugs. Moderate to significant increases (up to 250%) in plasma levels have been reported for desipramine and nortriptyline. Pharmacodynamically, the combination of sertraline (or any other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and a TCA may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5HT1A receptors. The syndrome has been reported in a case involving sertraline and amitriptyline.
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if sertraline (or other SSRIs) is prescribed with TCAs. Pharmacologic response and plasma TCA levels should be monitored more closely whenever sertraline is added to or withdrawn from therapy in patients stabilized on their existing antidepressant regimen, and the TCA dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of TCA toxicity (e.g., sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention) and/or excessive serotonergic activity (e.g., CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension, and tachycardia).
This is not to say that I understand Mr. Shuman's case or situation. But it is to say that the drug interaction CAUSING the murder is a hypothesis. I think it's something that has to be argued in court with a lot more information than just the two drugs interacting negatively.
In any case, this is slightly out of my specialty - so perhaps someone might jump in with more knowledge in this area than I have. I just wanted to track down some facts that didn't make sense to me and see what I could come up with.
RSS
Thank you for these !
"I am light
but one that's unwelcome"
I thought these two lines were especially powerful.
Also, you have really beautiful handwriting. Is that something you have practiced, or have you just always had nice handwriting?
Best wishes,
VB in Massachusetts
It sounds like it would be challenging to anyone to find mental space to think one's own thoughts in your environment. I hope for you that you are able to find moments of peace and tranquility despite your surroundings. I believe that moments of quiet and reflection are so important to all of us, to allow us to grow and be in possession of ourselves, regardless of our circumstances. I wish the best for you!
Cheers,
VB in Massachusetts
I transcribed your poetry “Survive” on “between the bars” website.
I had already transcribed a poetry of yours entitled “Sonrie” a few months back. In fact I read your thank you message, you are welcome, it is a pleasure for me to transcribe and comment poetries.
I am Italian and live in Italy and like poetries.
The poetry “Survive” was sad but I appreciated how you can express your sadness with appropriated comparisons. It was excellent the second verse of your poetry, where you smartly mix two languages (English and Spanish):
“My heart has become empty like the stomach of a nino de las calles”.
I imagine how difficult it is to live in a cold cell “when the lights are dead”.
It is a good poetry. Well done!
I am sorry if my English is not perfect, as you know it is difficult for an Italian to speak English properly.
I will try to transcribe and comment other poetries of yours.
Saludos de Italia.
Alberto
it seems my last message didn't come along?
Shall put something short to see??
x Rita
it seems my last message didn't come along?
Shall put something short to see??
x Rita
It's been a while hearing from you. Did you get my letter on your blog here?
I didn't get a response though. So,I wondered?
Tell me how you are doing? What are you busy with?
I will write more as soon I hear you.
love, Rita
Hope that helps...
Even a simple antidepressant.
However, you say that the FDA outlaws the combination of the two drugs.
That's not true. These two drugs are still prescribed together - as far as I can see - both here and abroad (I checked in the UK, too). Doctors are told they are contraindicated (in combination) unless "the benefit outweighs the risks." So, there is a warning.
Here is what is written about using amitriptyline and sertraline (an SSRI and a tricyclic) together:
MONITOR CLOSELY: Coadministration with sertraline may increase the plasma concentrations of some tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs). The proposed mechanism is sertraline inhibition of CYP450 2D6, the isoenzyme responsible for the metabolic clearance of many antidepressant and psychotropic drugs. Moderate to significant increases (up to 250%) in plasma levels have been reported for desipramine and nortriptyline. Pharmacodynamically, the combination of sertraline (or any other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and a TCA may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5HT1A receptors. The syndrome has been reported in a case involving sertraline and amitriptyline.
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if sertraline (or other SSRIs) is prescribed with TCAs. Pharmacologic response and plasma TCA levels should be monitored more closely whenever sertraline is added to or withdrawn from therapy in patients stabilized on their existing antidepressant regimen, and the TCA dosage adjusted as necessary. Patients should be monitored closely for signs and symptoms of TCA toxicity (e.g., sedation, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, urinary retention) and/or excessive serotonergic activity (e.g., CNS irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, myoclonus, ataxia, abdominal cramping, hyperpyrexia, shivering, pupillary dilation, diaphoresis, hypertension, and tachycardia).
This is not to say that I understand Mr. Shuman's case or situation. But it is to say that the drug interaction CAUSING the murder is a hypothesis. I think it's something that has to be argued in court with a lot more information than just the two drugs interacting negatively.
In any case, this is slightly out of my specialty - so perhaps someone might jump in with more knowledge in this area than I have. I just wanted to track down some facts that didn't make sense to me and see what I could come up with.