Posted by Ritch on April 14, 2003, at 13:18:29
In reply to SSRI discontinuation is telling me what?, posted by Eddie Sylvano on April 14, 2003, at 10:34:45
> It's been an odd month.
> I started a regimen of Celexa several months ago for what has become an increasingly disorienting depression. It got better at first, then just slid down to the floor like goo on a wall. I was pretty miserable anyway, so I decied to augment the Celexa with some leftover Serzone and Effexor (spaced out in modest dosages). I got calmer, but flatter.
> So this weekend, I go to Atlanta for a trip, and forgot to bring my meds. Zing! 3 days cold from what had been a growing army of SSRIs and fish oil and I'm frenetic. Apathy, lethargy, and confusion are replaced by energy, interest, and confusion. Suddenly have a strong libido and an ability to follow-through. I feel an intense, mixed lot of emotions. I'm always moving. I feel like I can't contain myself at times.
> Anyway, it's nice. I'm assuming that the rapid drop in serotonin has a lot to do with this, along with a possible rise in dopamine. Anyone else get this effect from stopping ADs? How long does it last? I'm refilling my prescription today, so things should return to "normal" soon, but I don't know that I really want them to. If I'm going to be chaotic and addled, I'd rather it be in a positive form such as this, than the dopey, SSRI autopilot I've been on.
> Also, if this is an unusual reaction to discontinuation, what might it indicate about my overall chemistry?
Eddie, it sounds to me that perhaps it might be best to avoid SSRI's. If you feel that you need to be back on an antidepressant you might want to consider something from a different class such as an MAOI or a TCA or Wellbutrin. Maybe a noradrenergic med could help straighten out the confusion without creating apathy? Perhaps Straterra could be an option.
poster:Ritch
thread:219204
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030411/msgs/219244.html