![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 21:17:06
I haven't for ages asked for any help for me but I do need too. As you know luvox 50mg for years and added from 2.5mg to 5mg of lexapro and afraid of serotonin syndrome. Will this happen? I know luvox and only ativan don't raise levels of benzo but I was given xanax and valium and taking less as usual than prescribed. I've taken for so many years. So at the risk of higher addiction on luvox would you raise the dose or add the lexapro up the benzos or leave the same. All liver enzymes fine just check and other bloodwork. Also take bioidentical hormones and haven't taken proper dose as afraid as so med phobic. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by crazyjoe on July 23, 2011, at 21:58:04
In reply to Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 21:17:06
if your dr cannot get you off of 50 mg of luvox after all these years i'd consider another dr.
Posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 23:16:59
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by crazyjoe on July 23, 2011, at 21:58:04
Not the doctor it's me. One other cold turkeyed me off it and raised benzos xanax first to 4mg long acting twice a day and then 6mg of ativan. ER after not sleeping said go back on it. Phillipa
Posted by zonked on July 24, 2011, at 13:24:39
In reply to Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 21:17:06
> I haven't for ages asked for any help for me but I do need too. As you know luvox 50mg for years and added from 2.5mg to 5mg of lexapro and afraid of serotonin syndrome. Will this happen? I know luvox and only ativan don't raise levels of benzo but I was given xanax and valium and taking less as usual than prescribed. I've taken for so many years. So at the risk of higher addiction on luvox would you raise the dose or add the lexapro up the benzos or leave the same. All liver enzymes fine just check and other bloodwork. Also take bioidentical hormones and haven't taken proper dose as afraid as so med phobic. Thanks Phillipa
Phillipa, you've been so supportive (to me and everyone else) I want to help you the best I can.
First, what are your diagnoses/symptoms? From the Luvox, I am guessing OCD *or* it's being used off-label for depression/anxiety. And also from the benzos I am guessing some sort of anxiety disorder. Once I have more info, I can try to help you with what I know...others, too.
Thanks :)
-z
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 19:16:29
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » Phillipa, posted by zonked on July 24, 2011, at 13:24:39
Started years ago with panic disorder. Been on benzos low doses for 41 years hard to believe. During menopause and when diagnosed with lymes disease took baby doses of paxil (worked at l0mg and took for two years) doc at time thought depression but wasn't depressed. I stopped as Son coming to live with us and he didn't believe in meds so stopped to please him. Was fine for two years and hasimotos acted up and didn't know it was that thought just anxiety hospital and the doc to justify the hospitalization switched me to luvox. Got to 250mg then and was fine. He took me off as celexa was new and he needed l0 patients to trial it and I said no. Next time I saw him again felt fine he claimed I was catatonic from the luvox he lied and I went on the celexa horrible med for me. Have trialed all the snri's and ssri's and always end back on luvox. Pdoc said try some estrogen so taking bioidentical estrogen/progesterone/testosterone cream compounded ordered by an anti aging doc was an ob gyn. Some okay but feel someone my age isn't meant to have the hormones of a premenopausal woman. Was said to have depression but it's the anxiety that is the real main problem. Had Ocd and luvox seemed to calm that down significantly. Rest are medical problems. Thanks for asking. Phillipa
Posted by crazyjoe on July 24, 2011, at 21:55:57
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » zonked, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 19:16:29
phillipa is it not true that luvox can have an effect on hormones??
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 21:58:09
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by crazyjoe on July 24, 2011, at 21:55:57
No effect Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on July 25, 2011, at 2:27:40
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » crazyjoe, posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2011, at 21:58:09
Phillipa, I'm not certain you are addicted to Luvox. Just saying. Sounds to me that some doctors have made some pretty abrupt changes in your medication. That could be rough.
So once you were on 250mg of Luvox if I read you correctly? And the doc said you were 'catatonic'. Do you remember how you felt at 250mg?
Did you say some OCD symptoms and anxiety more than depression?
So now you are at about 50mg of Luvox. How would you feel about a trial of the next dosage level up? (I don't now how it's dosed. 75mg or 100mg.?)
When the new shrink I saw talked briefly about Luvox, he said it potentiated benzodiazepines, but that they were not contraindicated. I'm by no means a benzodiazepine pusher, but sounds like your brain is no longer chemically naive to them. Maybe a Luvox increase would help your low dose benzo work better.
Just seeing if I read you correctly. What would you say is your chief symptom at present?
Best wishes. Just thinking out loud here....
Posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2011, at 19:08:23
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by floatingbridge on July 25, 2011, at 2:27:40
FB you are l00% correct and the only benzo not potentiated is ativan. So on the 250 of it still needed probably 4mg of it. Also had choral hydrate at time. How did I feel when the doc said catatonic I felt great good energy and was also relaxed at same time. Used to attend a support group there at the time and enjoyed it a lot. So it was working fine. BTW this poc now has lost his license I hear from current pdoc medicaire fraud. Once in the past the government seized all his records I guess mine also. Love Phillipa
Posted by Chris O on July 26, 2011, at 15:04:39
In reply to Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 21:17:06
We all know the truism that none of these drugs affect anyone the same way. But 50mg of Luvox, it's the lowest dose, I think, right? (I was taking 300mg to 400mg at one time for my GAD/panic disorder, which is pretty extreme.) It seems that ... I feel like at that dosage level, there is a good chance you are not "addicted" to Luvox, as your doctor says. I don't know about taking Lexapro with Luvox. Is it possible that the long-term benzo use is causing some of your symptoms? Is it possible to try a different med (despite your med phobia)?
Posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2011, at 15:57:08
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » floatingbridge, posted by Phillipa on July 25, 2011, at 19:08:23
> FB you are l00% correct and the only benzo not potentiated is ativan. So on the 250 of it still needed probably 4mg of it. Also had choral hydrate at time. How did I feel when the doc said catatonic I felt great good energy and was also relaxed at same time. Used to attend a support group there at the time and enjoyed it a lot. So it was working fine. BTW this poc now has lost his license I hear from current pdoc medicaire fraud. Once in the past the government seized all his records I guess mine also. Love Phillipa
Ativan and Librium did not help me at all. Actually, they made me feel worse. Ativan is preferred by some, but not by me. I would take the depressant klonopin over Ativan any day (personally. But this is all subjective, right?)
My idea was that with a Luvox increase, you could leave your low dose benzo in place and maybe get better relief. No one wants to be on a benzo (unless they have abuse issuses, and that's an equally difficult story).
I also agree with some posters that if you wanted to switch out, you could. I don't see you as addicted. Maybe dependent because it is a medication, but I don't think you are trapped. Do you feel the possibility that you are under medicated?
How's it going today?
fb
Posted by Phillipa on July 26, 2011, at 21:16:30
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2011, at 15:57:08
FB same old same old. I have just about all the ad's ssri's and cymbalta, and remeron in a box. Prozac also. I'm not sure what to do as the back pain over powers me after excercise. And the nightmares haven't figured out yet what med is causing them. And hanging over head Granddaughter's BD on Aug 3 no address even, the social security checks maybe not being sent out in August, the wedding, and a party I just don't want to attend this Sat here on street. So my mind is spinning. Phillipa
Posted by Laney on July 29, 2011, at 11:07:03
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by floatingbridge on July 26, 2011, at 15:57:08
P-
Sorry your having such a difficult time. I know how you feel about being stuck on Luvox. You know mine is paxil. I can get to 10mg. and then going below that is murder. I've been on .5mg klonopin for almost 18 years. I'm thinking about switching over to valium and then withdrawing from there.
Shoot, I don't know what to say except we're here for you. Your such a thoughtful person to all of those around you and I hope you find some answers soon. Sending warm wishes and prayers your way!
Laney
Posted by hyperfocus on July 29, 2011, at 21:15:45
In reply to Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea, posted by Phillipa on July 23, 2011, at 21:17:06
Phillipa I read in the Wikipedia article on Luvox that it has the shortest half-life of all the SSRIs. Could it be that you're tapering it too fast? How quickly do you taper it - how long do you wait between dose-reductions?
Have you tried Prozac? I remember you telling me that Prozac had a positive effect on you. Prozac has a very long half-life and takes a while to build up in your system - maybe you could try a therapeutic dose of Prozac while reducing the Luvox. I haven't really heard about serotonin syndrome with two SSRIs - it's usually an MAOI with a SSRI or TCA that causes it.
I'm rooting for you - you can beat this thing.
Posted by floatingbridge on July 29, 2011, at 21:39:34
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » Phillipa, posted by hyperfocus on July 29, 2011, at 21:15:45
Following HP, if Luvox has such a short half life, then maybe it's best dosed twice a day? I needed to do that with wellbutrin and effexor. I wonder if a once a day dose would create a daily withdrawal period mistaken for the symptoms originally being treated.
Does this idea hold any water? That even during a slow taper, the dose might be better divided? Maybe you already do that Phillipa..... Sorry if I missed that part.
> Phillipa I read in the Wikipedia article on Luvox that it has the shortest half-life of all the SSRIs. Could it be that you're tapering it too fast? How quickly do you taper it - how long do you wait between dose-reductions?
>
> Have you tried Prozac? I remember you telling me that Prozac had a positive effect on you. Prozac has a very long half-life and takes a while to build up in your system - maybe you could try a therapeutic dose of Prozac while reducing the Luvox. I haven't really heard about serotonin syndrome with two SSRIs - it's usually an MAOI with a SSRI or TCA that causes it.
>
> I'm rooting for you - you can beat this thing.
Posted by Phillipa on July 29, 2011, at 21:39:56
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » Phillipa, posted by hyperfocus on July 29, 2011, at 21:15:45
Thank you so much for reinforcing in me that two low doses of SSRI's don't cause serotonin syndrome. I just did some googling on caffeine and luvox and with the short half life since only take at bedtime with xanax .5 and l0mg valium and that's the only time I dose. How is it possible that I can drink tea then two bottle of green tea during the day feel better than when woke. And then eat all the dark chocolate and not be toxic? I almost feel like a crack addict or something from the googles I read. forgot the 2.5 of lexapro. Laney that paxil also has you. I ran into a woman that has been on prozac for 20years and xanax and still works. Hyper I've often wondered what would have happened if I done what that doc said way back and taken 20mg every three days with xanax? I felt so good first day. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on July 30, 2011, at 21:43:45
In reply to Re: Addicted to luvox and Doesn't work what to do plea » hyperfocus, posted by floatingbridge on July 29, 2011, at 21:39:34
FB it's true it does which is what is so strange. The longer I"m up and drinking green tea, chocolate, riding bike, doesn't make sense I know but feel better than when get up in late am when the benzos are still effective. So what is it? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.