Posted by steve on February 28, 2001, at 4:36:45
In reply to Re: Effexor Withdrawl (sigh!) » steve, posted by Cam W. on February 26, 2001, at 20:00:23
When I was started on SSRIs, nobody told me that a) there was a withdrawal, and b) often times there was what babblers call a poop-out, and the Crusaders (or should I say Jihadis) in the War on Drugs (well some off-patent drugs) call habituation.
Don't get me wrong, I've seen SSRIs do a lot of good for many people, but I think it is cynical and unethical to pretend that on patent psychotropics don't have some of the same problems that cause others to be banned, ie withdrawal and habituation.
I would love to see NIDA perform some of its brain dead studies pertaining to addictiveness on SSRIs.
S.
> > Cam,
> >
> > You might want to read Glenmullen's book. It describes the withdrawal syndrome associated with the SSRIs, which is also mentioned in the literature.
>
> Steve - I am well aware of serotonin withdrawl symptoms and it's treatment. I have been aware of it for at least the past 5 years. It is just a shame that many docs do not realize the extent of this problem and the simple methods used to treat it.
>
> Wyeth-Ayerst has not been diligent enough in disseminating this knowledge because it could save a lot of grief. If you check the archives, I have, on several occasions given ways in combating serotonin syndrome, which incidentally has been seen with all serotonergic agents, but most commonly those with shorter half-lifes (Effexor, Paxil, and Zoloft are the three that I have seen problems with, most commonly).
>
> When withdrawing from a serotonergic agent one must give the body time to readjust the concentration of certain serotonin receptors. This is easiestly done by substituting a long acting serotonergic agent (eg. Prozac) for the offending agent and slowly weaning from this long acting agent.
>
> This method, in certain people, takes quite a bit of time to complete properly; possibly due to factors involving the slow down regulation of serotonin receptors in these people. Diligent monitoring by the physician can minimize many of the disturbing effects of serotonin withdrawl.
>
> Sincerely - Cam
poster:steve
thread:54599
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010221/msgs/55073.html