Weaning Off SSRI - Fluvoxamine

[Googsta]

I am currently weaning off this medication. I am starting out by reducing my dose 25mg (I was on 200mg daily) & hope to be able to reduce that amount again in 3-4 weeks.
I have read recently that SSRI's cause mitocondrial damage etc so I do not wish to continue with it but address the actual root cause (which I beleive is the effects of M.E).

Before that, I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help my body/brain as I come off it.

I am pre-diabetic so am following a mediterranean/low GI diet, taking magnesium, vit D, calcium & fish oil. I also take Nexium for chronic reflux.

 

[heapsreal]

I am currently weaning off this medication. I am starting out by reducing my dose 25mg (I was on 200mg daily) & hope to be able to reduce that amount again in 3-4 weeks.
I have read recently that SSRI's cause mitocondrial damage etc so I do not wish to continue with it but address the actual root cause (which I beleive is the effects of M.E).

Before that, I was wondering if there is anything I can do to help my body/brain as I come off it.

I am pre-diabetic so am following a mediterranean/low GI diet, taking magnesium, vit D, calcium & fish oil. I also take Nexium for chronic reflux.

Alpha lipoic acid and chromium are helpful with insulin sensitivity. I find low carb diets helpful.
You could look at cross tapering ssri with a low dose of 5htp, but have to be careful of serotonin syndrome and work closely with your doc. A few years ago i had some withdrawal type reactions coming off zoloft and the 5htp helped as it can boost serotonin naturally. Something that shouldnt react with an ssri is acetyl tyrosine that i am using now, this amino acid can help improve mood by boosting noradrenaline and dopamine, but double check with doc.

Are u finding the low GI diet curbing your appetitte and your feeling better for it?

cheers!!!

 

[Sparrow]

Hi,

Good luck to you getting off them. I hope that it's a smooth journey for you. From what I've been told, most people don't have any major problems with Luvox. I had awful ones, but I'm a special case, and very overly sensitive to antidepressants. Interesting to hear what you mentioned about mitochondria and SSRI's. Being put on antidepressants in an attempt to help my energy issues is part of what changed my health so dramatically for the worse.

In terms of getting off the pills, all I can say is that if you start to notice significant symptoms, slow down the rate of decrease and just wait it out until they pass before dropping down further. And be particularly cautious when it comes time to take away those last little bits. There are a few theories out there that some of the physical withdrawal effects come from low acetylcholine levels. I'm not sure if there's any truth to it or not, but natural acetylcholine boosters might be worth a try. I also had issues related to the change in serotonin (crazy carb cravings, very uncharacteristic rage issues, etc.). I think the more you can do to make the process gradual for your body, the better. For me, this meant listening to my body when it wanted carbs or chocolate for a while, though if you need to stay low GI that could be really hard. Tryptophin-rich foods, maybe? The 5-htp seems like a great idea, though you would have to be careful that the overlap doesn't raise your levels dangerously high.

If you do have more significant discontinuation issues, there are lots of resources out there. Some of the info here might be useful to you.

 

[taniaaust1]

I am pre-diabetic so am following a mediterranean/low GI diet, taking magnesium, vit D, calcium & fish oil. I also take Nexium for chronic reflux.

I am pre-diabetic as well (diagnosed insulin resistance). I was on Nexium for GERD and it turned out that my insulin resistance was the whole cause of the reflux. A specialist now has me on a far lower then diabetic low carb diet (even a normal roast dinner without bread is too high in carbs for my body and can give me symptoms) and have no GERD at all since being on this diet, so no longer need to take Nexium. When i break the strict low carb diet Im on.. I get GERD again.

Im not saying that is what is causing your GERD but insulin resistance could be.

 

[Googsta]

Thanks Tania,
My blood sugars only recently became a problem & I've been on Nexium 5 years so I's be suprised it it were that. An excellent suggestion though, if it continues despite diet I will definately check it out.
I've gained weight from the Luvox & now I am completely sedentary it has caught up with me. I have tried eliminating different things from my diet but the reflux persists. Sorry you have problems too, there's so much we have to avoid!

Glad you were able to get off Luvox Sparrow. According to the Crazy Meds site it is a nightmare to get off.
Interesting link thanks, I have been of Effexor before, THAT was a nightmare! So far so good with this one. I have tried dropping 50mg before but I'm told I'm a bit PMS-like when I do that! Yes I have heard the last bit is really hard & to ask for liquid prescription to make the dose decreases easier/smaller, will definately do that.
Trytophan rich foods sound like a good idea, will look at that. And will definately talk to my doctor about the other options. Thankyou!

Hey Heapsreal! low GI definately works, especially mentally. Is a challenge though when you are really off your food. My cravings have settled right down, I am able to ignore them & reach for a healthy option instead. I find if I go more than 3 hours the sugar cravings get bad, so I try to avoid that.
I'll talk to the doc about 5htp

 

[Googsta]

Sorry this is the only link I have saved regarding the mitocondrial damage, there are better research results out there.
http://beyondmeds.com/2008/07/18/ia...drial-damage-psychiatric-drugs-major-culprit/

This is an excellent article on Mitocondrial Dysfunction & M.E:
http://www.masscfids.org/resource-library/13/302