Posted by Bill L on August 7, 2003, at 16:29:23
In reply to Prozac while going off EffexorXR (or Paxil) » Bill L , posted by Janelle on August 7, 2003, at 14:11:39
I agree that the "should" word was a poor choice. It depends on the stategy that one wants to take. For example, if one wishes to try an SSRI after trying Effexor, then it would probably be a good strategy to start taking the SSRI while weaning off of Effexor.
> With all due respect, I do not quite follow the continuing references on here to how one "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off EffexorXR or Paxil. I understand the rationale behind it, but my objections are:
>
> 1) why add/take yet another SSRI just to help taper off another one, even for a short duration, and 2) there IS a SAFE, EFFECTIVE way to taper off EffexorXR, Paxil or any other such SSRI -- I have personal experience with both EffexorXR and Paxil, and the way my pdoc had me go off EffexorXR was to taper off SLOWLY and GRADUALLY. I was *only* at 150, so I went down to 75 for I don't remember how long (but it was quite awhile), then 37.5 for quite awhile, then off. I had NO PROBLEMS. The key is to be patient and lower the dose of EffexorXR in small increments and very slowly. Ditto for Paxil.
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> In my case with Paxil, however, it was just before the publicity came out about its withdrawal problems and the pdoc I had at the time didn't have enough experience with it to know that this one especially requires "low and slow" tapering. She had me go off it in only 4 days and I got so sick from withdrawal.
>
> So I have had BOTH experiences, neither of which involved taking Prozac. I just want to put out a *caution* about saying that a person "SHOULD" take Prozac while going off Effex. or Pax. There is no "should" -- this is just a suggestion, it's not carved in stone. Thanks!
>
> This all aside, I agree with the rest of what was said! :-)
poster:Bill L
thread:248906
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249065.html