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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 29, 2009, at 0:47:32
Sorry if I'm a broken record...I'm off fluoxetine for a sleep study, but am still on Ativan and Trazodone.
I actually find that I have been way less anxious and way less obsessional and compulsive than when i was on fluoxetine.
So...I'm guessing my old standby, fluoxetine, is not going to cut it for me anymore?
Posted by yxibow on April 29, 2009, at 2:07:58
In reply to Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD?, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 29, 2009, at 0:47:32
> Sorry if I'm a broken record...I'm off fluoxetine for a sleep study, but am still on Ativan and Trazodone.
>
> I actually find that I have been way less anxious and way less obsessional and compulsive than when i was on fluoxetine.
>
> So...I'm guessing my old standby, fluoxetine, is not going to cut it for me anymore?
>
>I know that I need a sleep study sometime soon, I have had bad insomnia for quite a while.
Why off the fluoxetine for the sleep study but not the sleepy/CNS depressants Ativan and Trazodone ?
Admittedly some sleep centers will still take studies because they know patients with medications for psychiatric needs may need to remain on them but its hard to monitor sleep fully I would think with the Trazodone at least ?
But anyhow back to the anxiety, its possible that fluoxetine may have helped you with other things, if you have depression, but its probably the most activating SSRI for a lot of people with anxiety and I would say that its quite possible it was overstimulating you. Thus it could trigger OCD symptoms.
Might want to try the 'calmer' SSRIs Luvox or Paxil possibly; Paxil though can cause weight gain and coming off of it can trigger anxiety symptoms, its a tradeoff. Or possibly a newer one such as Celexa, that is if you haven't tried these already.Anafranil is also a possibility although it can be stimulating and have other TCA effects at a large enough dose.
-- tidings
Jay
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2009, at 12:03:54
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD? » Amelia_in_StPaul, posted by yxibow on April 29, 2009, at 2:07:58
Amelia I agree with Jay but I know prozac stays in the body for a long time weeks hence no or little withdrawal so will you actually be prozac free for the study? If it's been weeks manybe no ad anymore? But luvox is the most sedating ad in my opinion only. I've taken first ad was l0mg of paxil. Took for two years with benzos low dose then off it by biting tiny pieces off. That avoided brain zaps and didn't gain weight on the l0mg but a low dose. But was the right one for me. Phillipa
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 29, 2009, at 12:41:00
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD? » Amelia_in_StPaul, posted by yxibow on April 29, 2009, at 2:07:58
Many thanks, Jay.
I think I would like to try Luvox--do you know, can it be taken at the same time as something like Trazodone or a sleep agent with a shorter half-life, like cyproheptadine? Have you ever taken it Luvox at night, and did it make you sleepy in the morning?
It turns out I cannot be on Ativan the night of the sleep study, but for some reason he didn't care about the Trazodone. I'll have to ask again when I'm there. I don't think, though, that I'd have to be off either for as long as the fluoxetine, as the fluoxetine has a super long half life and changes sleep architecture. Trazodone doesn't really change it beyond one pill--not sure its half life, but it's faster comparatively.
Thanks again!
> > Sorry if I'm a broken record...I'm off fluoxetine for a sleep study, but am still on Ativan and Trazodone.
> >
> > I actually find that I have been way less anxious and way less obsessional and compulsive than when i was on fluoxetine.
> >
> > So...I'm guessing my old standby, fluoxetine, is not going to cut it for me anymore?
> >
> >
>
> I know that I need a sleep study sometime soon, I have had bad insomnia for quite a while.
>
> Why off the fluoxetine for the sleep study but not the sleepy/CNS depressants Ativan and Trazodone ?
>
> Admittedly some sleep centers will still take studies because they know patients with medications for psychiatric needs may need to remain on them but its hard to monitor sleep fully I would think with the Trazodone at least ?
>
>
> But anyhow back to the anxiety, its possible that fluoxetine may have helped you with other things, if you have depression, but its probably the most activating SSRI for a lot of people with anxiety and I would say that its quite possible it was overstimulating you. Thus it could trigger OCD symptoms.
>
>
> Might want to try the 'calmer' SSRIs Luvox or Paxil possibly; Paxil though can cause weight gain and coming off of it can trigger anxiety symptoms, its a tradeoff. Or possibly a newer one such as Celexa, that is if you haven't tried these already.
>
> Anafranil is also a possibility although it can be stimulating and have other TCA effects at a large enough dose.
>
> -- tidings
>
> Jay
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 29, 2009, at 12:44:29
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD?, posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2009, at 12:03:54
Hello Phillippa, I think that after a couple of weeks it will be mostly out of my system, but my last experience with withdrawing was that it was really months until it was totally out of my system. I would like to not be on an AD altogether, but I know I would just crash. I would like to try alternatives, but am a little leery on it.
So are you on Paxil now (isn't it Luvox you are on, and if so, what is your experience of it and when do you take it, if you don't mind me asking?). You aren't on a benzo now are you? I have been withdrawing from Ativan, very slowly. I do chew the tab--so I just bite off a little bit less. So far, so good, but I should probably wait until I see a new psychiatrist--and decide what to do about my other meds.
:) Amelia
Posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2009, at 20:21:28
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD? » Phillipa, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 29, 2009, at 12:44:29
Amelia only take 50mg of luvox. Seems my brain needs it and yes take l0mg of valium and .25 of xanax all at bedtime. I've cut the benzos from 20 valium and .5 of xanax. Still tired. Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on April 30, 2009, at 0:51:41
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD? » Amelia_in_StPaul, posted by Phillipa on April 29, 2009, at 20:21:28
sometimes people have a rebound effect when they come off an AD, where they feel better for a few weeks.
trazadone can def. affect sleep arcitechture, i assume you won't be taking it the night(s) of the study? hypnotic dosages only really last one night, so taking it leading up would be no problem.
-d/r
Posted by manic666 on May 1, 2009, at 4:21:24
In reply to Re: Less anxious OFF prozac? Less OCD?, posted by desolationrower on April 30, 2009, at 0:51:41
i was on fluxerdine or prozac ,for 2 years an it worked great , made me fat .but ocd an depression went away for that time . then it pooped depression came again but not ocd , tried prozac again an like you it wasnt having it made me ill real ill. have you tried sertraline its a simular med im on it now feel better not 100% but never will. they put me on 100mg but thats to much for me down to 50mg on my own , at least i can do things , dont take high dose it gives you the s*i*s
Posted by manic666 on May 1, 2009, at 4:25:31
In reply to i no what you mean, posted by manic666 on May 1, 2009, at 4:21:24
This is the end of the thread.
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