Posted by Rani on September 23, 2006, at 6:28:16
In reply to Re: Luvox to Lexapro - ON MY WAY DOWN - HELP!!!!!!, posted by Shaun W on September 23, 2006, at 4:29:19
I can relate to what you are saying. Thanks.
I have had excellent results with CBT and feel it is the main reason why my anxiety has lessened. I have the odd Xanax now and then but am not reliant on them. When I look back I feel most of the mood issues except for the anxiety are related to SSRI use.I dont seem to get a terrible withdrawal syndrome when I have ceased other SSRI's slowly in the past so I am happy to cut back the Lex slowly.
Thanks for the info regarding Prozac. I am VERY aware of sjs - patient of mine had it last year, survived but with some incredibly horrid long term problems (wheelchair bound and blind).I feel sometimes like the typical psych patient who stops taking their meds when they feel better but I think there may be some merit in the SSRI's causing more problems than before I restarted them.
Thanks for listening. I am ok.
> Rani, i'm thinking maybe in the long run you may do better off medication altogether. You've done well to get out of that violent relationship and make a new life for yourself. Your response to ssri's is uneven and unpredictable; i know at the beginning of treatment they can really increase your anxiety, as is the case when you come off some of the shorter acting ones. Maybe a switch to Prozac (sticking to 20mg) and a gradual taper after a month, ie one every other day, until you are off completely maybe one option. Work closely with your doctor and try not to juggle with the dose at the first sign of trouble.
>
> Prozac has a very long half life, about 6 days so coming off will be much easier. If you still have problems with anxiety take the occassional Prozac to see if it's part of a withdrawal syndrome or a return of the old symptoms.
>
> You could always try CBT for the panic / anxiety, or maybe a little buspar in the background. Carrying a zanax xr for any emergencies. Try not to stay on them long term! Other options maybe Lamotrigine, very good mood stabilizer virtually without side effects (beware of sjs syndrome which your Doc will wil inform about).
>
> There are lots of options should any of these fail, so hang in there and good luck,
> Regards, Shaun
poster:Rani
thread:688090
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/688388.html