Posted by stargazer on November 19, 2006, at 0:47:25
In reply to Re: Anyone feel better on Less Lexapro than More?, posted by blueberry on November 16, 2006, at 20:16:52
Yes... over the years I have proved I need much less than recommended doses for many AD's. I just start at lowest dose and stay there longer. Attempts to increase the dosage too quickly have usually resulted in side effects or a feeling that is worse than the original symptoms. I only increase if there is no improvement after a week or better. My pdoc just listens to what I want to do and usually supports my decisions.
I think the drug companies overshoot the needed dosage to boost sales and perhaps to get patients really dependent on higher dosages than necessary. And when you have to come off the drug, the higher the dose you are on, makes it that much longer to come off it,all affecting the bottomline.
It seems though no one, patients and doctors included, try to stay at the lowest dose possible, as I believe should be everyone's goal. Perhaps a higher dose may be needed to get you out of a severe depression, but after period of stability passes, a reduction in dosage should be attempted to minimize side effects and to minimize dependancy. Else, withdrawing from them (which occurs fairly commonly) will be your worst nightmare.
This is particularly true of antipsychotics with the potential for tardive dyskinesia. The warnings to take as low a dose as possible and only when absolutely necessary, seem to have fallen on deaf ears lately. I have to remind my pdoc of this at our next appt., even though I am slowly tapering myself off Seroquel, for a veriety of resons, one being this very real SE...It just shows you have to be your own advocate if you're able to...SG
poster:stargazer
thread:704240
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061117/msgs/705153.html