Posted by Cygnusx1 on March 15, 2002, at 10:25:11
In reply to Re: Luvox Withdrawl - Rational Taper Strategy » CygnusX1, posted by fachad on March 15, 2002, at 7:49:07
Yes. Rush fan is the correct answer. Hemispheres being my favorite album.
Today I cut back to 25mg. I feel pretty good. No shocky feelings and just very moderate hot flash spells. My thinking has been sharp and I seem more alert.
I think I will try to stick to 25mg for about 4 to 6 weeks as you said. From there I will go to 12.5 instead of dropping off completely. If it gets bad now ( the shocks ) I will simply take 50 mg for a day. That usually clears them up.
I am in no hurry. I simply want to get off because I fall asleep at work constantly. Xanax plus Luvox = sleepiness. I have also spent the past 5 years on the medication training myself to deal with OCD mentally and to not view the pills as a cure. I think the pills are now actually hindering my progress.
I will be the first however to say that I have nothing against Luvox. I think that drug saved my social, love, and work life. It really helped me get my marbles together and look at my OCD more objectively without denial.
So Luvox and I will part as friends. I would like to use this board as kind of a diary for my progress. Please post any advice, experiences, or information you'd like. I would love to hear them. Thanks!
> Hmm, with a handle of "CygnusX1", are you a Rush fan or an amateur astronomer? (I'm both)
>
> My suggestion for tapering is to be very conservative if there is no medical emergency reason to be off the med quickly.
>
> Most people think about half-life of the drug when they devise a tapering strategy, but I think it's more important to give your neurons time to adjust to each dose change. If it takes 4 -6 weeks for an AD to start working, that means it takes that long for your brain cells and brain chemistry to adjust and make changes.
>
> Have your doctor RX for Luvox 25 mg tablets, 2 per day. Start the taper at 37.5 mg or 1 and 1/2 tablets.
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> Keep at that level for a month or two. If at any time you feel any withdrawal symptoms, go back to 50 mg for a day or two. Then go back to 37.5 mg.
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> When you have been comfortable at 37.5 for a whole month, then go to 25 mg for a month or two, then 12.5, then try to "quarter" the 25 mg tablets to get 6.25 mg.
>
> Just don't be in a hurry and try to move things along too quickly. If you go too fast, at best you will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and at worst you will precipitate a new depression.
>
>
>
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> > I have been on 50 mgs. of Luvox for 3 years now. I also take 1mg of Xanax a day. I really want to get off of the medicines and I feel that Luvox would be a good choice for the first one to get off of.
> >
> > I have tapered down to 50 from 150 with little problems. However, about a year ago, I stopped taking Luvox all together ( 50 mgs. ). I went to a friend's wedding out of state and everything seemed fine. I spent the week there and I was a little shaky but nothing extreme. All was well until the plane ride back.
> >
> > I was sitting in my seat and suddenly ejaculated for no reason. I wasn't even aroused. I entered into a panic attack from there. When I got home the first thing I did was get back on.
> >
> > What is the best way to get off of Luvox? Take it down to 25mgs for a few weeks? Then nothing? Switch 25 to 50 every other night? Suggestions would be appreciated!
poster:Cygnusx1
thread:98034
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/98147.html