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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 14:52:18
The background: I was was suffering from ongoing insomnia and my doctor suggested i go on Luvox. In search of a therapeutic dose/effect I got up to 150mg. Turns out i was extremely tired all the time felt terrible and symptoms of my ADD was out of control not to mention my insomnia got worse.
I have been tapering off for the last 4 months and have gotten all the way down to 10mgs, 5mg in the morning and 5mg in the evening. I purchased a scale and began to compound my own medicine.
The Question: If I were to stop taking the luvox altogether at the possibility of negative reactions would a simple single dose alleviate many of the negative symptoms?The story: As you know I am weaning myself off of luvox and have found myself very perceptible to the withdrawal symptoms. I realize from a pharmacokinetics standpoint I should have washout within three days and after that it is largely just the brain trying to find equilibrium; which may take days, weeks or months
The reason I am asking about this is I have a dream interview setup for a company on the 17th and I would like to be fully present for the interview. Normally I would suggest someone in my position to stabilize their dose and not ater anything until after wards however, I feel the effects of the drug even at this extremely low dose have a tremendous effect on my functioning. Yesterday an hour before my second dose I was in an extremely good mood, I was goofing around , singing along to music while reading research articles. This is the first time I remember feeling like I had any energy what so ever in a year or more. This was in stark contrast to just ten minutes after taking my 5mg evening dose, after which the usual irritable, extremely fatigued disposition was found; I tried to pick up the research article I was reading just minutes before and found myself rereading sentences and trying to find my place as the sentences seemed to blur before giving up. I just laid on the couch instead. But even with a complete lack of any resemblance of energy I didnt sleep a minute last night, just laid there.
*First, this seems to indicate that the luvox has very potent physiologic effects for me at just 5mgs. *Second these physiologic effects are most certainly maladaptive.
It would seem logical that my functioning under the withdrawal conditions may actually be favorable than that of tapering. If I were to run into an instance were I felt differently, could I theoretically just take a dose and be back to the alternative stupor?
Worst of all I am currently in grad school and am in need of finishing my thesis.
Thanks for any input!
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2011, at 19:01:32
In reply to Luvox withdrawal help, posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 14:52:18
I also take luvox but when was on high doses had opposite response. Got up to 250mg and with ativan at time felt great tons of energy got up earlier than ever had. Then celexa came out and My pdoc at time said I was catatonic which wasn't as he needed 10 for the trial. I couldn't function on celexa it was a straight switch over. Went back on luvox after a month but never could tolerate higher doses ago. I think I've been on luvox 50mg for over 6 years. I've added lexapro 5mg and a bit better. But three years a go a pdoc took me immediately off the the 50mg and gave me extremly high doses of benzos. I didn't sleep for two weeks went to ER and they said go back on the luvox. And I slept well again. I find luvox extemly addictive. Presently cutting a ragged piece off each night to get off it for good. I guess the brain gets used to it? I'd say adding back the same as feel well on would work. I only take meds at night time. Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on January 7, 2011, at 19:32:38
In reply to Luvox withdrawal help, posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 14:52:18
> > The Question: If I were to stop taking the luvox altogether at the possibility of negative reactions would a simple single dose alleviate many of the negative symptoms?Wow, that is one slow taper! But in answer to your question above, yes if you stopped the Luvox altogether a single dose (even a tiny one) would alleviate any withdrawal symptoms. However, this only last one day. HOw many days do you plan on being off it before the 17th?
Posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 20:55:31
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help » Confused2, posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2011, at 19:01:32
Thanks for the info. WOW 250mg I couldn't even imagine. I definitely agree that there is a give and take, but I feel a bit cheated as even during the medication's onset I felt terrible.
Posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 20:59:11
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help » Confused2, posted by Maxime on January 7, 2011, at 19:32:38
I guess I'm not entirely sure. I'm just trying to figure out whether it would be best for me to abstain from taking it to see if any symptoms clear up, or just try to keep it as steady as possible to minimize any homeostatic dysfunction.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2011, at 21:33:10
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help, posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 20:55:31
Seriously other than benzos only medication I sat waiting for side effects and none occurred. Started at 50mg one night and next morning another 50mg and then 50mg that night, next day 50 am and l00 that night. Then 50mg am and l50 at night. Was in hospital and when got home another 50mg think in am. That was 250mg. And seriously never a side effect did I experience. Strange? Phillipa
Posted by vitalsign0 on January 18, 2011, at 8:20:09
In reply to Luvox withdrawal help, posted by Confused2 on January 7, 2011, at 14:52:18
> The Question: If I were to stop taking the luvox altogether at the possibility of negative reactions would a simple single dose alleviate many of the negative symptoms?
>I've been on Luvox for 14 years. I only take 50mgs a day, but to answer your question taking a single does will alleviate your withdrawal symptoms almost instantly.
Hope the interview went well!
Posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2011, at 19:27:08
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help » Confused2, posted by vitalsign0 on January 18, 2011, at 8:20:09
Seriously luvox 14 years at 50mg and I thought I was the only person on it. Are you well? Seriously Phillipa
Posted by vitalsign0 on January 21, 2011, at 10:43:06
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help » vitalsign0, posted by Phillipa on January 18, 2011, at 19:27:08
I'm not well. My OCD is still really bad however the low dose of Luvox does help with general anxiety. I think because it is so sedating. I take it at night and I'll still get really sleepy.
I would like to try and stop taking it to see how things are but the withdrawal is overwhelming.
Posted by Phillipa on January 21, 2011, at 19:22:04
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal help » Phillipa, posted by vitalsign0 on January 21, 2011, at 10:43:06
I have to agree with you on that as a doc wanted to see a baseline on me once cold turkeyed a mere 25mg of luvox from me gave me incredibally high benzos doses. Didn't sleep for two weeks went to ER. Long story short that doc said go back on the low dose luvox and low dose benzo and I slept again. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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