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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
So I was just in the hospital for several days for heart problems (an episode of fainting caused by severe blood loss -- had to have two blood transfusions, and an episode of ventricular tachycardia that they can't find a cause for). They think that the irregularities in my heartbeat that they saw were caused by the Prozac and they just stopped it completely... and say that I absolutely can't take any SSRIs or SNRIs because they all have a small chance of causing this. The problem is that ever since about a day and a half after stopping the Prozac, I can't seem to stop crying all the time.
How long is this going to last? It's terrible. And does anyone know of any meds I can talk about with my GP that might help but don't have the small chance of cardiac risks?
sunnydays
Posted by Lou Pilder on April 20, 2010, at 18:59:14
In reply to forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
> So I was just in the hospital for several days for heart problems (an episode of fainting caused by severe blood loss -- had to have two blood transfusions, and an episode of ventricular tachycardia that they can't find a cause for). They think that the irregularities in my heartbeat that they saw were caused by the Prozac and they just stopped it completely... and say that I absolutely can't take any SSRIs or SNRIs because they all have a small chance of causing this. The problem is that ever since about a day and a half after stopping the Prozac, I can't seem to stop crying all the time.
>
> How long is this going to last? It's terrible. And does anyone know of any meds I can talk about with my GP that might help but don't have the small chance of cardiac risks?
>
> sunnydayssd,
I have read your situation and I would like to be your partner in tribulation.
I would like for you to look at this video, for I think that it has some aspects to help you in this situation that you find yourself and could help in any further discussion that we may have.
Lou
Here is how you see the video:
A. bring up google
B. type in:
Xanax (anxiolytic addiction and withdrawal)
if more than one comes up, use the one by Gwen Olsen
Lou
Posted by Phillipa on April 21, 2010, at 0:45:57
In reply to forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
Sunnydays hi I'm so sorry that this happened to you. Why did the doc say that prozac caused this to happen to your heart? I'd be cautious in not having your doc prescribe for you. Feel free to babble me and tell me or all of us your whole story as sure others would like to heart the corrolation of the prozac and you heart. Thankfully Your're better now. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on April 21, 2010, at 8:28:37
In reply to forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
Hi sunny.
That sounds like a scary experience. I hope you're feeling better physically at least.
Stopping any psych med abruptly is bound to bring all sorts of nasty withdrawal symptoms, as well as rebound depression. I experienced it, I think, going off Risperdal after only a couple of weeks and I wasn't even on it for depression. It will probably get better once your body readjusts. I'm not sure of the withdrawal period for Prozac.
Do you think maybe a psychiatrist with experience in medical issues might be a better bet than a GP? Even if it's just a consultation? I'll bet there are some that are used to dealing with patients who have health issues. And they're more likely to have intimate knowledge of antidepressants. Maybe your doctors could recommend someone?
Posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2010, at 9:15:54
In reply to Re: forced to stop Prozac cold turkey » sunnydays, posted by Phillipa on April 21, 2010, at 0:45:57
I guess that it's just one of the very very rare side effects of Prozac and other SSRIs is that they can cause heart irregularities. They can prolong the QT interval on the EKG and potentially mimic the heart rhythms that are normally only seen in patients with heart disease. So they're hoping that stopping that fixes it. I don't know a ton more details, but they told me not to take any SSRIs or SNRIs because they all have this small small chance.
sunnydays
Posted by sunnydays on April 21, 2010, at 9:17:19
In reply to Re: forced to stop Prozac cold turkey » sunnydays, posted by Dinah on April 21, 2010, at 8:28:37
Yes, I actually contacted psychiatrists and found one who is willing to take me... she's not particularly excited because she doesn't really want to mess with the heart stuff, but she will do it if I get her all of the documentation and everything from when I was in the hospital.
sunnydays
Posted by Deneb on April 21, 2010, at 9:22:05
In reply to forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
That really stinks Sunnydays and must have been a scary experience for you. On the positive side, at least they discovered the heart issue before anything bad happened.
I've read about some meds causing prolonged QT syndrome. I'm on two meds that can cause that, Risperdal and Prozac. It is rare though so I probably shouldn't worry.
I have nearly fainted before, but that was most probably from orthostatic hypotension.
I hope you find something else that helps you.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 21, 2010, at 13:44:13
In reply to forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by sunnydays on April 20, 2010, at 18:21:54
> So I was just in the hospital for several days for heart problems (an episode of fainting caused by severe blood loss -- had to have two blood transfusions, and an episode of ventricular tachycardia that they can't find a cause for). They think that the irregularities in my heartbeat that they saw were caused by the Prozac and they just stopped it completely... and say that I absolutely can't take any SSRIs or SNRIs because they all have a small chance of causing this. The problem is that ever since about a day and a half after stopping the Prozac, I can't seem to stop crying all the time.
>
> How long is this going to last? It's terrible. And does anyone know of any meds I can talk about with my GP that might help but don't have the small chance of cardiac risks?
>
> sunnydays1. Prozac probably wasn't the cause of the v. tach. I think you need a second opinion on this one.
2. If you do want a replacement, sertraline (Zoloft) is widely used in patients with underlying heart disease.
Posted by Phillipa on April 21, 2010, at 20:18:59
In reply to Re: forced to stop Prozac cold turkey, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 21, 2010, at 13:44:13
I agree with Ed as missed the blood loss first time. What caused that as would definitely effect your heart rhythmn. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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