Posted by Tony P on December 1, 2008, at 21:24:06
In reply to Can you get Akathisia from starting an Antidprsnt?, posted by KimStereo on November 25, 2008, at 11:49:55
Definitely, especially with the long-term withdrawal effects added in. I am akathisia-prone. I never experienced it on Serzone by itself, but I have had it with trazodone, which is a close relative.
I also experienced it when tapering from Wellbutrin & overlapping with Serzone.
The worst for me was Remeron, which nearly drove me to suicide the first time I took it. I was so sleepy I couldn't stay awake, but after about a minute of sleep I would jerk awake with an overwhelming need to move. Then I'd fall asleep for another minute...you get the picture.
Strangely, I now take Remeron with no problems, (maybe it's purer than it used to be?), unless I take too much Seroquel with it. I do take Requip (ropinirole) as well, as a preventive for akathisia. It is officially prescribed for RLS -- my inital reaction to Remeron was like restless leg only over my whole body. As Requip also has a mild dopamine-related A/D effect, I take it both day & night -- .25 mg 3x a day, then .75 mg with my Remeron at night. That combo works well for me.
You might ask about trying Requip for the akathisia. About its only side effect is sudden drowsiness early on, very mild compared to the drowsiness I experienced early on with Serzone; and if you're taking most of your dose at night, that wouldn't be a problem. My pharmacist says there's a wide dosage spectrum, and I'm at the low end; you can titrate up to what works for you.
Tony
poster:Tony P
thread:865184
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081123/msgs/866193.html