Posted by 49er on October 27, 2010, at 8:11:21
In reply to Alternate dosing question help, posted by rculater on October 25, 2010, at 11:26:29
> Sorry a bit long winded - I suffer from dysthemia.atypical depression
>
> I always struggle on SSRis at about the month mark and panic that im going to gain weight, or get paranoid that im turning into a unmotivated apathetic procrastinating lazy being - this usually leads to an abrupt discontinuation.
>
> I've discovered that after a day or 2 after discontinuation, I feel great. This as happened on long term and short term failed treatments.
>
> The good mood obviously doesn't last long, a few days maybe then im back to stage 1.
>
> I was wondering if alternate dosing would be an answer. Currently been on 10mg lexapro for a month and im at the stage where im wondering if its worth it - I was thinking about taking one every other day ? Is that feasible ?
>In my opinion, alternate dosing would be a huge mistake as you would be putting your body into withdrawal with an every other day schedule.
Abrupt discontinuation will lead to withdrawal symptoms that look like a return of the illness but aren't. If you have only been on a med for 30 days, you don't need to taper as slowly as I usually recommend which is 10% of current dose every 4 to 6 weeks. But you still need to taper.
If you're interesting in taking Lexapro, ask for the liquid form so you can try it at a lower dose.
Jay Cohen, a psychiatrist who is definitely not anti meds advocates the start low approach on this site:
http://www.medicationsense.com/
Good luck.
49er
poster:49er
thread:966924
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101020/msgs/967116.html