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Re: Question for Larry HooverLarry

Posted by mcp on July 27, 2004, at 13:12:18

In reply to Re: Question for Larry Hoover » mcp, posted by Larry Hoover on July 27, 2004, at 8:32:06

At first I went from 10 to 5 and that was rough. I stayed there for a couple of weeks. After that I have spent the last two weeks weaning it down to about 2 mg. I was going to go off totally later this week. I have to start the final phase soon because I have been fortunate enough to take some time off of work to get through this, but that will lapse soon and I want to be free and clear of this when I go back.

This all started 8 months ago when I checked into a clinic for alcohol abuse. They took my Ativan on the spot and made me endure cold turkey withdrawals, which were hell on Earth. Since then they put me on Depakote, ZYprexa, and Lexapro. Coming off the Zyprexa was no picnic and now I have to endure this. The reason I am coming off all these is because they really made me feel sluggish and fogged up. Also, I put on a ton of weight.

Unfortunately, the doctor I have now doesn't seem to believe in SSRI withdrawal and hasn't given me any Prozac, although I suggested it. I am back on the Ativan and this time I will come off of it VERY SLOWLY when I get everything in my life back in order. In the meantime, I am gonna give the aforementioned vitamins and minerals a shot. One other question which I have broached with you before. I have some tryptophan that I was planning to use once I am totally off the Lexapro. Out of fear of seratonin syndrome I am gonna wait until I am completely off the Lex. How long do you think I should wait and do you think that will help with the withdrawals as well?

> > I am currently going through withdrawals on Lexapro. I am taking a multi-vitamin, a b complex, Vitamin E, and fish oil. Someone suggested Gingko Biloba for the headaches and dizziness. What is your take on that?
>
> Might help. Can't hurt.
>
> However, you're not exactly explicit about how it is that the withdrawal reaction is occurring. Have you stopped completely? Are you still in the taper? Did you just decrease the dose substantially?
>
> There are two management protocols that are commonly suggested. The first is to substitute Prozac for whatever SSRI is giving problems. It has an extremely long half-life, which means your body tapers itself off Prozac. Some doctors say a single 20 mg dose of Prozac is sufficient to overcome withdrawal problems from other SSRIs. Dr. Healy even recommends St. John's wort as a possible substitute. (I.e. set the dose of SJW at roughly the proportion of the SSRI you're no longer taking, e.g. at half dose Lexapro, take half dose SJW.)
>
> For symptomatic relief, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is often recommended. The generic (Walmart) is much cheaper than Benadryl brand.
>
> Some doctors will also give e.g. clonazepam, to be taken during the acute withdrawal phase.
>
> You're doing lots of good things by keeping those vitamins and nutrients coming.
>
> You can always eliminate the withdrawal symptoms by taking a little more Lexapro. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it gives your body more time to adjust.
>
> Lar
>


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