Posted by Jakeman on May 27, 2006, at 21:49:59
In reply to ssri washout before EMSAM, posted by 4WD on May 27, 2006, at 18:55:54
Marsha,
I was taking 20 mg Celexa and stopped it for 6 days prior to starting Emsam. The description monographs on the company website says approximately 1 week for all ssri's except for prozac which needs a 5 week break due to it's long half-life.
I had no noticable withdrawal symptoms from the Celexa. It had already ceased to have any antidepressant effect for me. I continued taking Lyrica, which has helped some with anxiety and mood and maybe with making the transition.
warm regards, Jake
> Has anyone switched from Celexa/Lexapro/Paxil/Zoloft, etc. to EMSAM? Have you waited one week or two as a washout period? How did you deal with the SSRI withdrawal issues in the meantime? Did the brain zaps, etc. disappear when you started up the EMSAM?
>
> I'm on Celexa (plus Neurontin and Klonopin) and I'm a bit scared of stopping the Celexa cold turkey for a week or two. Return of depression plus withdrawal could be mighty unpleasant since I'm not doing all that great as it is. My pdoc says I can take Zyprexa during the washout to help deal with depression (it comes back pretty quickly when I stop or reduce my meds).
>
> Has anyone on EMSAM had problems with stiff neck or upper back?
>
> Thanks,
> Marsha
poster:Jakeman
thread:649467
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060525/msgs/649526.html