Posted by SLS on February 24, 2006, at 7:07:52
In reply to Re: Doctor Bob we want to know!, posted by benbetter on February 23, 2006, at 11:23:10
> Thanks SLS,
>
> That does help...
> I do welcome more than Bobs input. Please note the first several statements.
>
> I am still wondering why isnt it harmful to your brain to get on this drug abruptly as it is to go off abruptly... Is there a difference?That's a great, logical question.
Without getting too deeply involved with biological stuff, I would use the example of alcohol withdrawal as an analogy. One can start right off drinking themselves to inebriation and experience only drunkeness on a daily basis. However, once the chronic ingestion of alcohol is discontinued abruptly, one can experience the delerium tremens, a withdrawal syndrome that includes hallucinations and other altered cognitive states, irritability, insomnia, agitation, tachycardia, hyperthermia, hypertension, tachypnea, diaphoresis, tremor, mydriasis, and generalized seizures. It is a potentially fatal reaction. Usually, none of these things occur on the way up in dosage, but on the way down. Much is the case when working with many of the psychotropic medications.
The biology of drug tolerance and withdrawal syndromes often involves the increase or decrease in the sensitivity of neurotransmitter receptors. With the initial exposure to Effexor and SSRIs, serotonin receptors on nerves are placed in a position of overstimulation. The brain responds by reducing their sensitivity. When the drug is taken away, this reduced sensitivity can last for weeks during which a withdrawal syndrome can appear and persist. What is more, this condition can lead to the dysregulation and runaway stimulation of those nerves that are meant to be inhibited by the now underactive serotonin nerves.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:612298
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060117/msgs/612735.html