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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mcp on June 30, 2004, at 14:17:33
I finally got off the Zyprexa and that almost killed me. Now I am onto Lexapro. Any advice on the easiest way to do this and also the best things to take to offset the withdrawals. Thanks
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 2, 2004, at 9:52:32
In reply to any advice on SSRI withdrawals, posted by mcp on June 30, 2004, at 14:17:33
> I finally got off the Zyprexa and that almost killed me. Now I am onto Lexapro. Any advice on the easiest way to do this and also the best things to take to offset the withdrawals. Thanks
I have heard that Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can help with sleep disturbance, and Gravol (dramamine) can help with dizziness and queasiness. Also, if you have trouble with acute symptoms even during gradual dose reduction, switching to Prozac just for the discontinuation phase, can be an option. Prozac has a very long half-life, and has the least withdrawal effects. Dr. Healy specifically recommends liquid Prozac, because you can measure out an exact dose easily with liquids. He also suggests that switching to St. John's wort, then withdrawing gradually from it, is another valid option.
Lar
Posted by mcp on July 2, 2004, at 12:46:38
In reply to Re: any advice on SSRI withdrawals » mcp, posted by Larry Hoover on July 2, 2004, at 9:52:32
Thanks, do you think use of trytophan would be a help as well once you are finally off it?
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 3, 2004, at 10:05:20
In reply to Re: any advice on SSRI withdrawalsLarry Hoover, posted by mcp on July 2, 2004, at 12:46:38
> Thanks, do you think use of trytophan would be a help as well once you are finally off it?
People seem to like the effect of tryptophan, but whether you will like it cannot be predicted. What I'm suggesting is that you adopt a scientific perspective about changing nutritional intake variables. Hold everything as stable as you can, change one thing (e.g. tryptophan on an empty stomach), and see what happens. If you have any doubt about cause and effect, stop the supplement (noting if anything changes), and then try it again another time. That's called challenge-rechallenge, and tends to reduce confusion over the placebo response. Just the act of trying something new, and in your control, can make you feel better. But placebo response is hard to induce twice.
Lar
Posted by mcp on July 6, 2004, at 13:11:56
In reply to Re: any advice on SSRI withdrawalsLarry Hoover » mcp, posted by Larry Hoover on July 3, 2004, at 10:05:20
Should I wait until I am completely off the Lexapro or Prozac if that replaces it and for how long?
> > Thanks, do you think use of trytophan would be a help as well once you are finally off it?
>
> People seem to like the effect of tryptophan, but whether you will like it cannot be predicted. What I'm suggesting is that you adopt a scientific perspective about changing nutritional intake variables. Hold everything as stable as you can, change one thing (e.g. tryptophan on an empty stomach), and see what happens. If you have any doubt about cause and effect, stop the supplement (noting if anything changes), and then try it again another time. That's called challenge-rechallenge, and tends to reduce confusion over the placebo response. Just the act of trying something new, and in your control, can make you feel better. But placebo response is hard to induce twice.
>
> Lar
>
>
Posted by Larry Hoover on July 7, 2004, at 11:07:44
In reply to Re: any advice on SSRI withdrawalsLarry Hoover, posted by mcp on July 6, 2004, at 13:11:56
> Should I wait until I am completely off the Lexapro or Prozac if that replaces it and for how long?
That's a tough call. It would be simple enough to try tryptophan during dose reduction. If it eases your symptoms, great. It can't hurt you. I really don't know if it will feel good or bad, though.
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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