Posted by 4WD on October 2, 2005, at 0:09:27
In reply to Re: Luvox withdrawal. Any advice? » 4WD, posted by SLS on October 1, 2005, at 11:03:36
> > Do you think that the slow taper/withdrawal is necessary or desirable when switching directly from one SSRI to another? (Celexa to Luvox)
>
> No. I think you can just switch over from one to the other.
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> > I stopped Celexa (10mg) one week ago (after tapering down to 7.5 for about one week) and started Luvox immediately.
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> That sounds good to me.
>
> > I started the Luvox at 12.5 for 3 days, then 25mg for the last five days. I have been plunged into deep deep depression.
>
> Ouch. Sorry. This is very likely a relapse. It is occuring because you have not yet reached a therapeutic dosage of Luvox (100-300mg). It's almost like you are taking nothing. I would report this to your doctor and see if you can accelerate your titration of Luvox. If you do decide to add back some Celexa, know that Luvox will increase the blood levels of Celexa substantially. You could probably simply take half of what you were taking before to recapture an antidepressant effect.
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> I don't know what to suggest.
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> Depression is a pain that one will do anything to escape from.
>
> You might add back 5mg of Celexa until you get up to a therapeutic dosage of Luvox and then attempt to remove the Celexa. Just be aware that there is a small risk of developing serotonin syndrome when combining serotonergic drugs. You might want to become familiar with the symptoms associated with this reaction:
>
> http://www.anxiety-and-depression-solutions.com/serotonin-syndrome.htm
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> What made you decide to switch from Celexa to Luvox?
>
>
> - Scott
>
>
> > I was okay on Sunday, bad on Monday-Wednesday, good yesterday and horrible today. Should I take some Celexa?
>
> If I were in your shoes, I sure would be tempted to. This is a situation that I think communication with your doctor is important to address your present condition. You don't want to lose your doctor's trust that you can act responsibly with the potent drugs that he prescribes.
>
>
> - Scott
>
Thanks, Scott. I knew I could count on you.> Depression is a pain that one will do anything to escape from.
You are right. Anything. Even suicide. Though I'm not there yet.
I fear increasing the Luvox because so far I am having a side effect that I also had with Celexa (big part of the reason for the switch). The muscles in my neck and upper back spasm and clench so tightly that it causes chronic burning aching pain. My neck gets so stiff I can't turn it from side to side. This has happened with every SSRI except Paxil. It didn't happen with Effexor but Effexor quit working. (And I'm still not sure that going off Effexor isn't the reason I'm having such awful anxiety in the first place even though it's been 6 months.)
Can you think of any reason this would happen - the neck pain and muscle tightness?
I think I will stick with the 25mg of Luvox until I can talk to my doctor. If it gets totally unbearable I will take a small amount of Zyprexa.
Thank you Scott.
Marsha
poster:4WD
thread:537494
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050822/msgs/561815.html