Posted by Larry Hoover on July 27, 2004, at 8:32:06
In reply to Question for Larry Hoover, posted by mcp on July 26, 2004, at 20:23:05
> I am currently going through withdrawals on Lexapro. I am taking a multi-vitamin, a b complex, Vitamin E, and fish oil. Someone suggested Gingko Biloba for the headaches and dizziness. What is your take on that?
Might help. Can't hurt.
However, you're not exactly explicit about how it is that the withdrawal reaction is occurring. Have you stopped completely? Are you still in the taper? Did you just decrease the dose substantially?
There are two management protocols that are commonly suggested. The first is to substitute Prozac for whatever SSRI is giving problems. It has an extremely long half-life, which means your body tapers itself off Prozac. Some doctors say a single 20 mg dose of Prozac is sufficient to overcome withdrawal problems from other SSRIs. Dr. Healy even recommends St. John's wort as a possible substitute. (I.e. set the dose of SJW at roughly the proportion of the SSRI you're no longer taking, e.g. at half dose Lexapro, take half dose SJW.)
For symptomatic relief, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is often recommended. The generic (Walmart) is much cheaper than Benadryl brand.
Some doctors will also give e.g. clonazepam, to be taken during the acute withdrawal phase.
You're doing lots of good things by keeping those vitamins and nutrients coming.
You can always eliminate the withdrawal symptoms by taking a little more Lexapro. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it gives your body more time to adjust.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:370922
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040718/msgs/371089.html