Posted by 88ivories on April 3, 2003, at 16:12:49
In reply to Re: Advice please...., posted by JackD on April 3, 2003, at 14:21:20
> Hey man, i've been there. Technically the drug leaves your system completely in less than a week i believe. The problem is that there is then a rebound depression from lack of a previously unnaturally hightened level of serotonin, which is then likely really low. It's more complex then than that, but you get the idea of rebound depression. That my friend, blows, and can last a month or sometimes a little more. Just telling you the cold hard facts. How do I cope? I usually end up drinking and smoking ALL the time until it goes away. Hang in there.
Jack...funny you mention drinking as a coping w/ the withdrawals. My doc discretely suggested that as a temporary copeing mechanism...something to mask the discomfort until it subsides. I am still taking meds - at low doses. I have gone from a doc that pushed high doses (2400mg Depakote, 300mg Luvox, + 4mg Klonopin - I was a walking zombie) to 30 mgs of Celexa and 7.5mg Valium. The withdrawals from the Luvox/Klonopin were almost fatal for me. I referenced several books by Peter Breggin, M.D. that convinced me the dosages were excessive and a bad match for my body. I was having serious liver problems. Back to the books...they throughly cover the expected withdrawals, rebound, the works. "Toxic Psychiatry", and "Your Drug may be Your Problem". However, these books will try to convince you not to use the meds at all. I think they are very much in order for some of us, but it helps you become more aware of dosage and what to expect when you lower it.
poster:88ivories
thread:109458
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030402/msgs/215881.html