SSRI withdrawl and medication change

[Beatennotdefeated]

Has anyone found a doctor who has expertise in the difference between the withdrawal symptoms and new medication side effects?

[hb_kenzie]

No I am actually trying to find one myself. I am looking to get off of my lexapro one day and I really want someone that knows what they’re doing because I’ve had a bad experience with another doctor trying to wean off.

[Beatennotdefeated in reply to hb_kenzie]

No one seems to know how to handle the situation. They say try whatever and come back for a half hour appt in 6 weeks. Well 6 weeks is a long time to feel terrible only to repeat the process for 2 years

[hb_kenzie in reply to Beatennotdefeated]

Yeah it’s definitely frustrating

[Marshall64 in reply to hb_kenzie]

I just read that you are wanting to get off Lexapro too so I like at your previous posts to see why you are wanting to get off that med. You mentioned that your brother has switched from Lexapro to Welbutrin. What difference has it made for him?

[hb_kenzie in reply to Marshall64]

He likes it better than lexapro and says it helps him better than lexapro did. But I’m not sure how well it’s actually working because he is drinking and doing drugs while on this medication.

[HearYou in reply to Marshall64]

I am on Welbutrin and Cymbalta with good results. I am taking the generic of both in the morning as I am on a bone medication that has a depression as a side effect. Took a few weeks to ease the depression but good results afterward.

[Marshall64]

That is a great question as I'm pondering the same thing. I'm on Lexapro now but it stopped working. A couple of people mentioned Welbutrin.

Love your username btw....

[Beatennotdefeated in reply to Marshall64]

Thanks on the username. It's how I feel. See my reply above

[Hidden]

They don’t call it withdrawal. They call it discontinuation syndrome. No body knows much about the long term effects of antidepressant use. They haven’t studied it.

[HearYou]

Sorry, your are finding it difficult to locate a doctor who can monitor and change your meds without suffering withdrawal from current meds and side effects of new meds. I have a neuropsychiatrist who has done this from several times. My doctor has been treating me for a number of years, for depression, anxiety, and brain injury, so he knows me well, and he has been successful with med changes....maybe because he is board certified in neurology and psychiatry. Sorry can't offer more. Hope you succeed in your search for such a physician.

[Beatennotdefeated in reply to HearYou]

What city do you live in??

[HearYou]

Well, we try to keep some privacy.......I live a subtropical area in US. Already in the 90s. Does that help? Are you asking because of my neuropsychiatrist? Sad news is he hasn't taken a new patient in years. Is only treating us long timers like me ..,have been seeing him for almost 18 years, with monthly 15 minute checkups unless an issue arises.....like my current one where I have developed expressive aphasia after epidural procedure....the doctors havent' figured that one out yet and are waiting until the next procedure on Monday to see what happens. Are you looking for a neuropsychiatrist?

[Beatennotdefeated in reply to HearYou]

I was asking because I we would travel to find a doctor with expertice in discontinuation syndrome. Sorry about your expressive aphasia. I am a speech pathologist so I understand about that

[HearYou in reply to Beatennotdefeated]

If the medications relate to the psychiatric realm, I would suggest checking out physicians who are board certified in neurology and psychiatry. Not all are. But they appear to the best in understanding the chemistry and neural system and how meds play in the mix. So don't be disappointed. Look around where you are. There actually may be some near you who have admitting privileges to special units in a hospital for this.

I won't ask where you live, but could you share any ideas why expressive aphasia has popped with me? The content of the pain epidurals has been ruled out, as well as any possible TIA or stroke. Where should I start looking now? Oral meds or food?

[Beatennotdefeated in reply to HearYou]

But nevermind about where you are then.

[HearYou in reply to Beatennotdefeated]

Sorry coudn't be more help. Took a long time ad phone calls from other psychiatrists to get him to take me years ago.

[Needabuddy]

I have not and it’s very frustrating. I just spent three weeks trying to switch from Effexor to Lexapro and caved because I was just so miserable. Don’t know if it was the Effexor withdrawal or the Lexapro. But I’m going back to Effexor because I thought I was going out of my mind.