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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 19:27:48
Hello all and Happy New Year.
I just stopped my mood stabilizer (Depakote) a few days ago. I am still taking 50 mg of Prozac and some Neurontin.
The problem is that I feel Horrible w/o the Dep. I am agitated, can't sleep - may be heading toward mania. My pdoc wants me to wait at least a week before starting Lamictal, a possible new stabilizer.
Does anyone have any suggestions re: how to counteract the dreaded SSRI syndrome?
Thanks.
- K.
Posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 20:18:33
In reply to Feeling super-lousy on Prozac - any advice?, posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 19:27:48
Hi Krazy Kat,
Sorry you're not doing well on Prozac. Isn't Prozac a bit of an activating medication for someone on the bipolar spectrum? Especially without Depakote? Stopping Depakote may be destabilizing in itself, even if there aren't any other medications involved. Are any of the less activating SSRI's safe during pregnancy? I know that since my experience with Wellbutrin, I flatly refuse to take anything I hear associated with the work "activating".
I wish I did have some advice. I hate to mention breathing and meditation. They are poor weapons to use against agitation and sleeplessness and I nearly bit my therapist head's off when he mentioned it to me. I'm glad you're keeping in touch with your doctor. Please take good care of yourself.
Dinah
Posted by Willow on January 7, 2002, at 22:39:40
In reply to Re: Feeling super-lousy on Prozac - any advice? » Krazy Kat, posted by Dinah on January 7, 2002, at 20:18:33
Posted by Mitch on January 7, 2002, at 23:50:38
In reply to Feeling super-lousy on Prozac - any advice?, posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 19:27:48
> Hello all and Happy New Year.
>
> I just stopped my mood stabilizer (Depakote) a few days ago. I am still taking 50 mg of Prozac and some Neurontin.
>
> The problem is that I feel Horrible w/o the Dep. I am agitated, can't sleep - may be heading toward mania. My pdoc wants me to wait at least a week before starting Lamictal, a possible new stabilizer.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions re: how to counteract the dreaded SSRI syndrome?
>
> Thanks.
>
> - K.K.K.
It isn't a SSRI syndrome-it is a Depakote withdrawal syndrome! The behavioural neurologist I saw told me to taper off Depakote very slowly (when I was trying Gabitril), because it *caused* a definite withdrawal syndrome with agitation that you describe. I would go back on the Depakote at a lowered dose and taper back off slowly before starting the Lamictal. Call your doc up ASAP and discuss this. Maybe you can go on some Klonopin (if you aren't already taking it) instead to control this. Your body gets very used to the Depakote being there-it changes your metabolism, all sorts of stuff. You rip it away too quickly and you are going to get wound up big time.
Mitch
Posted by janejj on January 8, 2002, at 0:22:16
In reply to Feeling super-lousy on Prozac - any advice?, posted by Krazy Kat on January 7, 2002, at 19:27:48
Hey Kat,
I don't know if you can get your hands on any, but something like Ativan is good for getting rid of prozac agitation. I used it for the same thing until I got used to it.
Jane
Hello all and Happy New Year.
>
> I just stopped my mood stabilizer (Depakote) a few days ago. I am still taking 50 mg of Prozac and some Neurontin.
>
> The problem is that I feel Horrible w/o the Dep. I am agitated, can't sleep - may be heading toward mania. My pdoc wants me to wait at least a week before starting Lamictal, a possible new stabilizer.
>
> Does anyone have any suggestions re: how to counteract the dreaded SSRI syndrome?
>
> Thanks.
>
> - K.
This is the end of the thread.
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