Posted by swingsnroundabouts on July 30, 2002, at 6:15:07
In reply to Re: switch from venlafaxine to mirtazapine in Bipolar , posted by Shawn. T. on July 29, 2002, at 21:29:48
> The venlafaxine should definitely have been tapered down. Some people have warned about mixing it with mirtazapine (Remeron), so I don't know if I want to suggest that. You might see about getting some Prozac (which have a very long half life) to help withdraw from the Effexor. I doubt that the mirtazapine is going to create the level of serotonin availability in your synapses that your brain was accustomed to. You should not experience a manic switch because mirtazapine blocks 5-HT2 receptors which are involved in bipolar II. If you do experience a switch, you will need to drop your dosage down to 15mg/day to decrease noradrenaline levels.
>
> Shawn
Thanks ShawnI agree that the dose of the efexor should have been tapered. I spoke to my doctor over the phone yesterday and I don't think they are too sure what they are doing. I've found some literature now and it seems to suggest the same, but as it's now been a week it's too late to do much - I may as well sit tight and wait for the withdrawal syndrome to wear off. I'm bipolar 1 so hopefully I won't get a swing!!!!
I'm not on a mood stabiliser - I just use chlorpromazine as and when to prevent any threatening 'up'. Hope I won't have to add that or I won't wake up at all!!!!!!!!!
poster:swingsnroundabouts
thread:114137
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/114342.html