Posted by garyengelm on December 17, 2007, at 8:19:41
In reply to What does your doctor say? » garyengelm, posted by Racer on December 17, 2007, at 0:42:34
One psych doc told me to Start Lexapro at 5mg and stop Serzone on day 4. I did so and landed up in the ER due to the major w/d (Akastasia) symptoms that developed. I was eating benedryl for 4 days after that even as the Benedryl was the only thing that would settle me down just a little, the worst 4 days of my life.
Another psych doc weaned me down from 400mg at 50mg/week. By the time I got to 150mg from 200mg, same thing happened with the Akasthasia and I landed myself in the ER again. If you've never hear of Akasthasia, look it up, it's terrible symptoms.
Other docs, have just added SSRI's to the Serzone or some other drugs to augment it without success. I always wind up with the pre-serotonin syndrome when they do this.
I need off of Serzone. It pooped out and really seems to be the culprit in getting well. On the other hand, I could go up higher, as 600mg is the max. No one has suggested this, but I'm scared if I do this, and it doesn't work, than I'll have a longer weaning period to get off 600mg rather than 400mg. My biggest problem is anxiety. The depression I have is mostly due to losing my 39 y.o. brother. Of the 6 psych docs I've seen, some say I have PTSD, others say it GAD, or Bipolar II, or co-morbid condition. They just can't get it right. Xanax has been my savior in all of this, but who wants to take it 4 x day forever. It appears I need a med that has 5HT2a antagonist properties as well as 5HT3 antagonist properties and one that has inhibits Serotonin reuptake which is 5HT1a agonistic properties. I have the knowledge, but feel so lost in this journey to find the right med.
Gary
poster:garyengelm
thread:801159
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20071213/msgs/801266.html