Posted by blueberry on May 17, 2006, at 6:13:40
In reply to this is what I'm on,someone please give insights, posted by heaven help me on May 16, 2006, at 21:54:08
Hi Mary,
As a long time prozac (8 years) and zyprexa user (5 years) I can offer some comments to think about.
It didn't develop until after a few years, but I did start getting that late day nervousness you spoke of. Exactly the way you described. I couldn't tell if it was the prozac or zyprexa or the combination.
After getting off prozac those symptoms diminished quite a bit but were still there.
I weaned off zyprexa. That was very very hard.
Beginning about a week after I was all done with it, I got the same hypersensitivity you spoke of. Exactly the way you described. After 10 weeks being med free, I had to give up and go back on zyprexa. The hypersensitivity diminished quite a bit, but is still there a little bit. I am only on half the dose I used to be.My gut feeling tells me it has something to do with the combination, that both meds contribute. And that long after zyprexa has been discontinued, symptoms continue for a long time and maybe indefinitely. At least 10 weeks for me with no hint of letting up.
Suggestions...replace prozac with another ssri that is more suited for anxiety...such as lexapro or paxil. One that is cleaner and more specific to just serotonin. Prozac is not clean in that way. You can do a cross taper. Just stop prozaz and then slowly over a two week period introduce the new med in very small amounts (lexapro 2.5mg example). After the majority of the prozac is out of your system, about 2 weeks, then you can move up the doses of the new med.
You might have to try a different antipsychotic. Seroquel is a possibility. Risperdal is a possibility. Both are good for anxiety hypersensitivity stuff. Or possibly go back on zyprexa with a carefully strategized diet to control blood sugar.
In any case, based on my own experience, I would point the finger at prozac, and I would point the finger at zyprexa even though you have been off of it. I think somehow zyprexa creates some supersentivity on the dopamine receptors after they have been accustomed to being blocked. Possibly the same thing with the 5th2 serotonin receptors.
In the meantime, benzos like xanax and klonopin can help a lot, if they don't worsen your depression.
poster:blueberry
thread:644970
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060515/msgs/645055.html