Posted by Brainfart on November 24, 2002, at 12:24:02
In reply to Re: SSRI Poop-Out, posted by cubbybear on November 24, 2002, at 5:19:03
> Hi Fee,
like you, I have been on an SSRI -mostly Zoloft- for 11 years. Usually after 1 year or so I experience poop-out and switch to a drug within the same class. Right now I am on Effexor XR. I have been experimenting with my dosages and found that if a dosage increase didn't alleviate my depression often a decrease did. It is my theory (and it is only a theory!!!) that over time our livers don't metabolize the drug as effectively as they did when we first started taking them. I call it liver-clutter. So you decrease the dosage and give your liver a break. Try it, but talk to your doc if you feel worse. This strategy worked for me, but it may not work for everyone else.
Over the years I have become unable to metabolize Zoloft at all without exhibiting effects of toxicity at the smallest dosage. I have fibromyalgia as well and this could be what is causing my sensitivity. Or I am developing multiple chemical sensitivities over time, including one to Zoloft - I do not really know what is going on. Time will tell!
Right now - after my switch to Effexor XR (37.5mg) I feel great. I also exercise half an hour every day, which is a MUST for anyone with depression and I make sure I sleep well. You might want to look into trying Milkthistle, as this herb supports the liver in detoxifying the meds. You see, as your liver becomes more effective in breaking down the medication, you require less of it to be effective, which is exactly what I have found. Pretty much all of the SSRI's are metabolized through similar liver enzyme pathways.
Again, please note that this is my personal experience and theory! I could be totally off the wall too! Let me know what you think!Good luck to you,
Brainfart
poster:Brainfart
thread:128540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021122/msgs/129045.html