Posted by RUKynd on February 26, 2009, at 4:31:31
In reply to Re: selegiline pill side effect (dyskinesia), posted by RUKynd on February 26, 2009, at 2:38:20
Hi all--I have another atypical situation regarding withdrawl, but again, I hope it helps someone, or at least adds to what little info. seems to exist on stopping Emsam.
Before stopping, I'd tapered down from alternating days of one or two 6 mg. patches. Given the long action, I was basically on 9 mg./day, and over 3 weeks, I had tapered down to one patch every other day, ~3mg./day. Then I took selegiline pills for 3 days, from 10 up to 20 mg/day, then stopped completely due to side effects (in my other post today). That was 2 weeks and 3 days ago.
My temper has been awful, but that was one of the ways my depression manifested. It was at its worst the first week after stopping and has improved some, but I don't know if it's a withdrawl symptom. I once stopped Paxil cold turkey (a VERY bad idea), and I had definite withdrawl symptoms, from tingling in my extremities to sudden, frequent bursts of despair and crying. I haven't had anything like that, either while tapering off or since I stopped, but for the latter, another drug may be covering any withdrawl symptoms--morphine as MS-Contin.
The third and last day I was on the selegiline pills, my balance was off (side effect of pills), we had an ice storm, and I fell and chipped my tailbone. Two days later, my doc had the x-ray results, and I've been on 15 mg. of MS-Contin 2x/day (and on a hemorrhoid donut) since then. Although I no longer have the euphoric (manic?) feelings it gave me the first few days, I can't help but wonder if it's masking any withdrawl symptoms I'd be having otherwise. Also, by the time they switch me to a less powerful pain killer (next week, I think), I may be beyond the withdrawl period. Can anyone tell me how long this was or has been for them?
It's also possible that the tapering-down period was enough for me, as I'd only been on the higher, alternating dose for about six months. Before that, I used one 6 mg. patch/day for just under two years.
Sorry--longer than I'd planned ('verbal diarrhea' being an MS side effect), and given the unusual situation, perhaps not very helpful. For anyone who knows the brain chemistry effects of opiates (beyond endorphins, e.g. on serotonin, dopamine, etc.), it might be useful, if there's a psyciatric drug with similar effects that could help with the transition.
To Timon and anyone else going through Emsam withdrawl, I'd be interested in what the symptoms are (or, I hope, _were_ by the time you read this!) and how long they last. My psychiatrist just submitted a request to have my Emsam paid for, but I'm not sure how much it really helped me or whether I want to go back on it, as I'm sure I'd stop it again at some point and I defintitely don't plan to break another bone to get through the withdrawl! Thanks, and best wishes to all.
poster:RUKynd
thread:876580
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20081229/msgs/882566.html