Posted by Cam W. on March 15, 2000, at 22:18:49
In reply to Me and My Thyroid , posted by Noa on March 13, 2000, at 17:55:29
Noa - I am really not positive how to lower these. I guess you would start with a slow taper of the antidepressants over a month period with a goal of around 223mg Effexor XR and around 150mg Serzone. Monitor your status and lower slowly every 4-5 days. Have frequent (weekly?) Lithium levels done and adjust accordingly, if necessary. If after the month you are feeling reasonably well, maybe drop the Ritalin SR to 20mg daily, if possible. Still monitor lithium (requirements may or may not drop). If euthymic at this point, you can start all over again with the lower of the antidepressants to half of their new dosages. Really Noa, I am not sure how this will work. Bounce this regimen off of your doctor and see what he thinks. I am not comfortable with doing this unless you are under close supervision. I'd hate to see you decompensate, which could happen when one makes drastic changes like this. I'm sorry, I'm not being much help, but I get nervous when wholesale changes of meds are done on an outpatient basis. You know your body, do what you feel comfortable doing and have someone monitor (or keep an eye on you) on a daily basis to watch for changes in your outward presentation that you may miss. Hopefully John or Scott or one of the other good "clinicians" in this room can critique my comments. I hope you will keep your doctor involved in this process, if you do indeed decide to proceed. Thinking of ya - Cam W.
poster:Cam W.
thread:26901
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000312/msgs/27159.html