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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by CygnusX1 on March 14, 2002, at 20:20:35
I have been on 50 mgs. of Luvox for 3 years now. I also take 1mg of Xanax a day. I really want to get off of the medicines and I feel that Luvox would be a good choice for the first one to get off of.
I have tapered down to 50 from 150 with little problems. However, about a year ago, I stopped taking Luvox all together ( 50 mgs. ). I went to a friend's wedding out of state and everything seemed fine. I spent the week there and I was a little shaky but nothing extreme. All was well until the plane ride back.
I was sitting in my seat and suddenly ejaculated for no reason. I wasn't even aroused. I entered into a panic attack from there. When I got home the first thing I did was get back on.
What is the best way to get off of Luvox? Take it down to 25mgs for a few weeks? Then nothing? Switch 25 to 50 every other night? Suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by fachad on March 15, 2002, at 7:49:07
In reply to Luvox Withdrawl, posted by CygnusX1 on March 14, 2002, at 20:20:35
Hmm, with a handle of "CygnusX1", are you a Rush fan or an amateur astronomer? (I'm both)
My suggestion for tapering is to be very conservative if there is no medical emergency reason to be off the med quickly.
Most people think about half-life of the drug when they devise a tapering strategy, but I think it's more important to give your neurons time to adjust to each dose change. If it takes 4 -6 weeks for an AD to start working, that means it takes that long for your brain cells and brain chemistry to adjust and make changes.
Have your doctor RX for Luvox 25 mg tablets, 2 per day. Start the taper at 37.5 mg or 1 and 1/2 tablets.
Keep at that level for a month or two. If at any time you feel any withdrawal symptoms, go back to 50 mg for a day or two. Then go back to 37.5 mg.
When you have been comfortable at 37.5 for a whole month, then go to 25 mg for a month or two, then 12.5, then try to "quarter" the 25 mg tablets to get 6.25 mg.
Just don't be in a hurry and try to move things along too quickly. If you go too fast, at best you will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and at worst you will precipitate a new depression.
> I have been on 50 mgs. of Luvox for 3 years now. I also take 1mg of Xanax a day. I really want to get off of the medicines and I feel that Luvox would be a good choice for the first one to get off of.
>
> I have tapered down to 50 from 150 with little problems. However, about a year ago, I stopped taking Luvox all together ( 50 mgs. ). I went to a friend's wedding out of state and everything seemed fine. I spent the week there and I was a little shaky but nothing extreme. All was well until the plane ride back.
>
> I was sitting in my seat and suddenly ejaculated for no reason. I wasn't even aroused. I entered into a panic attack from there. When I got home the first thing I did was get back on.
>
> What is the best way to get off of Luvox? Take it down to 25mgs for a few weeks? Then nothing? Switch 25 to 50 every other night? Suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by Cygnusx1 on March 15, 2002, at 10:25:11
In reply to Re: Luvox Withdrawl - Rational Taper Strategy » CygnusX1, posted by fachad on March 15, 2002, at 7:49:07
Yes. Rush fan is the correct answer. Hemispheres being my favorite album.
Today I cut back to 25mg. I feel pretty good. No shocky feelings and just very moderate hot flash spells. My thinking has been sharp and I seem more alert.
I think I will try to stick to 25mg for about 4 to 6 weeks as you said. From there I will go to 12.5 instead of dropping off completely. If it gets bad now ( the shocks ) I will simply take 50 mg for a day. That usually clears them up.
I am in no hurry. I simply want to get off because I fall asleep at work constantly. Xanax plus Luvox = sleepiness. I have also spent the past 5 years on the medication training myself to deal with OCD mentally and to not view the pills as a cure. I think the pills are now actually hindering my progress.
I will be the first however to say that I have nothing against Luvox. I think that drug saved my social, love, and work life. It really helped me get my marbles together and look at my OCD more objectively without denial.
So Luvox and I will part as friends. I would like to use this board as kind of a diary for my progress. Please post any advice, experiences, or information you'd like. I would love to hear them. Thanks!
> Hmm, with a handle of "CygnusX1", are you a Rush fan or an amateur astronomer? (I'm both)
>
> My suggestion for tapering is to be very conservative if there is no medical emergency reason to be off the med quickly.
>
> Most people think about half-life of the drug when they devise a tapering strategy, but I think it's more important to give your neurons time to adjust to each dose change. If it takes 4 -6 weeks for an AD to start working, that means it takes that long for your brain cells and brain chemistry to adjust and make changes.
>
> Have your doctor RX for Luvox 25 mg tablets, 2 per day. Start the taper at 37.5 mg or 1 and 1/2 tablets.
>
> Keep at that level for a month or two. If at any time you feel any withdrawal symptoms, go back to 50 mg for a day or two. Then go back to 37.5 mg.
>
> When you have been comfortable at 37.5 for a whole month, then go to 25 mg for a month or two, then 12.5, then try to "quarter" the 25 mg tablets to get 6.25 mg.
>
> Just don't be in a hurry and try to move things along too quickly. If you go too fast, at best you will experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, and at worst you will precipitate a new depression.
>
>
>
>
> > I have been on 50 mgs. of Luvox for 3 years now. I also take 1mg of Xanax a day. I really want to get off of the medicines and I feel that Luvox would be a good choice for the first one to get off of.
> >
> > I have tapered down to 50 from 150 with little problems. However, about a year ago, I stopped taking Luvox all together ( 50 mgs. ). I went to a friend's wedding out of state and everything seemed fine. I spent the week there and I was a little shaky but nothing extreme. All was well until the plane ride back.
> >
> > I was sitting in my seat and suddenly ejaculated for no reason. I wasn't even aroused. I entered into a panic attack from there. When I got home the first thing I did was get back on.
> >
> > What is the best way to get off of Luvox? Take it down to 25mgs for a few weeks? Then nothing? Switch 25 to 50 every other night? Suggestions would be appreciated!
This is the end of the thread.
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