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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mcp on June 27, 2004, at 13:45:18
I used to be on Ativan and they switched me to Lexapro and Zyprexa. Coming off Zyprexa was so hard I had to go back on Ativan. It made me horribly sick and now I feel like I am losing my mind after being off of it for over a week. Does anyone know how long the withdrawals can last? Now I am desperate to get off the Lex. Before all this all I had was GAD and Ativan kept that in check. Now the brilliant doctors switched me to all these things that messed with my brain's chemistry and I seriously fear my brain has been lost and is on the verge of some sort of breakdown. I am at wits end and am losing all hope. Someone, anyone, have any suggestions.
Posted by utopizen on June 27, 2004, at 16:35:11
In reply to Zyprexa and SSRIs ruined my life, posted by mcp on June 27, 2004, at 13:45:18
Your body just needs to adjust, and the Ativan (are you still on it?) or any benzo will help with that. Benzos help even severe alcoholism withdrawl, so don't despair. If you're not on the Ativan, or another benzo, you should ask if you can get on that. Or if you are on it, ask if your dose should be adjusted or another drug could help you cope as you withdraw.
It's short, although it must be hard to believe that. Just try not to let yourself obsess over it, and think about how evil docs are, or how your body's brain is now fundamentally flawed somehow. We've all been down that road, and it's self-fulfilling if you steer yourself to think that way.
It will not stay like this, and as hard as it is to believe, you have a happy day or two still left in this world. Keep up the hope, and don't demonize the ones who are trying to help, and you'll find relief.
Keep an open watch for the typical signs of depression, and don't hesitate to seek help (counseling+meds) if they crop up. Easiest way to notice is if you can't immediately answer, "am I happy?" without negative thoughts creeping up to the surface.
And no, don't be afraid about antidepressants or antipsychotics in the future. They're not evil, but sometimes they have unexpected effects. There's other meds, don't develop an aversion to the classification of antidepressants or antipsychotics like I did-- depression gets worse over time when you neglect it.
Hang in there. I can relate to where you're coming from, and let me just say it's been better for you before this and that will return before you know it. But if it's depression associated with withdrawl, which is not uncommon, you need to treat that with something or it will get worse.
Posted by Sebastian on June 28, 2004, at 18:10:10
In reply to Zyprexa and SSRIs ruined my life, posted by mcp on June 27, 2004, at 13:45:18
Seb
This is the end of the thread.
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