Posted by Dr. Kramer on April 2, 2002, at 12:14:52
In reply to Kramer re: SSRIs/Discontinuation symptoms/Provigil, posted by IsoM on April 2, 2002, at 2:10:01
> Thanks for taking the time to read & answer all the posts, Dr. Kramer.
>
> Many people have experienced discontinuation/withdrawal problems when stopping SSRIs, even over a long period of time. A number have even had long-lasting problems. I was one of them.
>
> When I stopped Luvox (over a 3 month period of gradually diminishing doses), I still never felt 'normal' until I went on Paxil a number of months later. When I weaned off Paxil after 3 1/2 years on it, I had the same reaction. It, too, was done over 3 months when I switched to Celexa. In fact, the vertigo & 'brain zaps' never did leave & necessitated going on 10 mg Paxil daily along with my regular Celexa. It quelled the symptoms but never stopped it completely at that dose.
>
> I have started taking Olmifon (adrafinil) along with the Celexa. I've found that I've been able to completely stop the Paxil & have had no more symptoms. Adrafinil's main metabolite is modafinil (Provigil) so my question is about Provigil & Olmifon.
>
> [Question #1]
> Can you hazard a guess as to why modafinil was able to stop these discontinuation symptoms? A report entitled "Adrafinil: A Novel Vigilance Promoting Agent"
> from CNS Drug Reviews Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 193-212 © 1999 Neva Press, Branford, Connecticut
> suggested that adrafinil (modafinil) had the effect of boosting overall brain metabolism and that it affected various neurotransmitters.
>
> [Question #2]
> Have you ever heard of Provigil being used to treat discontinuation problems in patients stopping an SSRI?
>
> [Question #3]
> Would you hazard a guess that it may be a potential medication used in that manner? Any thoughts on this?
>
> I seriously wonder if Provigil might not be a good strategy for doctors to use on patients with severe symptoms.Wow! How wonderful for you that you got that degree of relief, and what a wonderful psychopharm pearl! I've never heard of these drugs being used for SSRI withdrawal.
I'm not familiar with Olmifon, but I know something about Provigil. The problem is that no one knows exactly how it works. It does not seem to be interested in any monoamine receptors (Dopamine, serotonin, or norepinephrine) except glutamate, maybe. Without more data about a mechanism of action, who knows?
poster:Dr. Kramer
thread:101413
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020402/msgs/101476.html