Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD Announces: Vets' Sudden Cardiac Deaths Are Not Suicides...

Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD Announces: Vets' Sudden Cardiac Deaths Are Not
Suicides or Overdoses

EL CAJON, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD today
announced the results of his research into the "series" of veterans' deaths
acknowledged by the Surgeon General of the Army.

Upon reading the May 24, 2008, Charleston (WV) Gazette article "Vets taking
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder drugs die in sleep," Baughman began to
investigate why these reported deaths were "different." And, why they were
likely, the "tip of an iceberg."

Andrew White, Eric Layne, Nicholas Endicott and Derek Johnson were four West
Virginia veterans who died in their sleep in early 2008. Baughman's research
suggests that they did not commit suicide and did not overdose as suggested by
the military. All were diagnosed with PTSD. All seemed "normal" when they
went to bed. And, all were on Klonopin (a benzodiazepine), Paxil (an SSRI
antidepressant) and Seroquel (an antipsychotic).

On January 15, 2009, the New England Journal of Medicine (Ray et al), reported
that antipsychotics double the risk of sudden cardiac death.

On February 7, 2008, Surgeon General Eric B. Schoomaker, said there has been
"a series of deaths in Warrior Training Units" -- "often as a consequence of
the use of multiple prescription and nonprescription medicines and alcohol ...
we all saw the unfortunate death of Heath Ledger, the 'Brokeback Mountain'
star, who died from an accidental overdose."

But Ledger was not on any heart-toxic medication. When found, his pulse and
respirations were intact! When found, none of the veterans were breathing or
had pulse. There's, most likely, were sudden cardiac deaths!

Sudden cardiac death is an unexpected death due to cardiac causes occurring in
a short time period (generally within 1 h of symptom onset) in a person with
known or unknown cardiac disease in whom no previously diagnosed fatal
condition is apparent. (Medscape e-Medicine 7/17/06)

As of April 16, 2009, veteran's wife, Diane Vande Burgt, had Googled 19 "dead
in bed," 36 "dead in barracks," or "... room," and 19 "under investigation."
Removing reported "suicides" shortened our original list by 15 names leaving a
total of 74 probable sudden cardiac deaths - most in soldiers or veterans in
their 20's. An article from the AP, San Antonio, 4/17/09, reported "The
deaths of two soldiers are being investigated ... both men apparently died in
their sleep."

It was reported in June, 2008, that 89% of veterans with PTSD are given
antidepressants and 34% antipsychotics (Mohamed & Rosenheck, June 2008). A
third, then, are exposed to the additive potential of both to cause sudden
cardiac death. (Sicouri & Antzelevitch, 2008)

On April 13, 2009, Baughman wrote the Office of the Surgeon General of the
Army: "the Surgeon General said there has been 'a series, a sequence of
deaths' Has the study of these deaths been published?

On April 17, 2009, the response came: "The assessment is still pending and has
not been released yet."

There being no such thing as an essential psychiatric drug, I call upon the
military for an immediate embargo of all antipsychotics and antidepressants
until there has been a complete, wholly public, clarification of the extent
and causes of this epidemic of probable sudden cardiac deaths.

For more information, please email Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD at
fabjrmd@cox.net.

SOURCE Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD

Fred A. Baughman Jr., MD, +1-619-504-6623, fabjrmd@cox.net