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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KimStereo on November 25, 2008, at 11:49:55
Started Serzone about 2 weeks ago after a complete taper and med free body cleansing x 3 weeks from Celexa. I started Serzone at 100mg twice daily and now on first day of week 2. My neck is so stiff and my legs and feet are all over the place. I feel sever inner restlessness. I get some relief with Benadryl which would suggest Akathesia as Xanax only sedates me but doesn't get rid of symptoms. I'm wondering if this is more of the Celexa withdrawal that was horrible for the first 2 weeks completely off of it, but then let up in the 3rd week. I hate not knowing what is causing what. So, can one get Akathesia from starting an A/D such as Serzone?
Posted by Racer on November 25, 2008, at 11:59:42
In reply to Can you get Akathisia from starting an Antidprsnt?, posted by KimStereo on November 25, 2008, at 11:49:55
Posted by bleauberry on November 25, 2008, at 16:38:25
In reply to Can you get Akathisia from starting an Antidprsnt?, posted by KimStereo on November 25, 2008, at 11:49:55
Yes, antidepressants do carry akathisia risk.
Based on my own experience, a full withdrawal where you return to some sort of baseline takes about 2 to 3 months. It takes that long for the drugs to really take hold when you start them, and logic says it takes at least that long to undo. That has been my personal experience anyway. Sure, the major withdrawal symtpoms can be gone in 2 to 3 weeks, but the lingering adaptations taking place under the surface take a lot longer. And while they are still in motion, one can be susceptible to all kinds of weird reactions.
Whether you are experiencing serzone-induced akathisia, withdrawal adaptations, a mix of withdrawal plus startup weirdness, or what, I have no idea. Your symptoms are bad enough in my opinion that if it were me I would cut the dose back and plan on this switch taking longer than you had hoped. Just being safe.
Posted by Tony P on December 1, 2008, at 21:24:06
In reply to Can you get Akathisia from starting an Antidprsnt?, posted by KimStereo on November 25, 2008, at 11:49:55
Definitely, especially with the long-term withdrawal effects added in. I am akathisia-prone. I never experienced it on Serzone by itself, but I have had it with trazodone, which is a close relative.
I also experienced it when tapering from Wellbutrin & overlapping with Serzone.
The worst for me was Remeron, which nearly drove me to suicide the first time I took it. I was so sleepy I couldn't stay awake, but after about a minute of sleep I would jerk awake with an overwhelming need to move. Then I'd fall asleep for another minute...you get the picture.
Strangely, I now take Remeron with no problems, (maybe it's purer than it used to be?), unless I take too much Seroquel with it. I do take Requip (ropinirole) as well, as a preventive for akathisia. It is officially prescribed for RLS -- my inital reaction to Remeron was like restless leg only over my whole body. As Requip also has a mild dopamine-related A/D effect, I take it both day & night -- .25 mg 3x a day, then .75 mg with my Remeron at night. That combo works well for me.
You might ask about trying Requip for the akathisia. About its only side effect is sudden drowsiness early on, very mild compared to the drowsiness I experienced early on with Serzone; and if you're taking most of your dose at night, that wouldn't be a problem. My pharmacist says there's a wide dosage spectrum, and I'm at the low end; you can titrate up to what works for you.
Tony
This is the end of the thread.
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