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MedHelp Member's Question

what are antidepressant W/D???

by terter, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
I stopped a 20 a day hydro addiction 20 days ago. I have been on Elavil 25mg a day since then. Will I have w/d when I stop? When is the best time frame to stop? and should I tapper? What are the symptoms of this w/d. Thank You
Member Comments (50)

by suummerrwwinnd, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
I caved this a.m.  I took 1/2 sleeping pill to curb the anxiety.  It was soo bad.  The minutes were just slowly creeping by, I didn't think I could make it all day.  I tried distraction and my body wouldn't work, the shakes were pretty bad!

by Chezz2, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
To: terter
Sorry to hear your Mom has fought these demons for most of her life. You are right, you should use conversations with her to better understand what you are experiencing and going through.



As to your questions regarding amitryptaline(elavil) you should not have any withdrawals when stopping it. I have been taking it for years and haven't had trouble stopping it at will. Although since I take it at bedtime I did notice sometimes it was harder to fall asleep, so I took benadryl or sominex instead and had no problemss.



Hope this helps, and good luck on your journey,

Chezz

by suummerrwwinnd, Jun 01, 2003 12:00AM
Sorry to take up space, I know I'm real needy right now.  I had a strong minute, and called the pharmacy to void my Ambien refill.  I have about 5 whole ones left.  I gave them to my husband and he's going to help me taper down. I'll do 1/2 for 2 nights and 1/3 for 3.  What do you think.  He thinks thats why I'm still having such bad anxiety.  If its not I'm screwed because no one will give me any benzo's anymore.  By the way I AM on buspar. 1 whole in a.m. and 1/2 at night.  Thanks

by theGolden1, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: summer
So sorry, I forget things, but are you the girl that was taking ten ambiens a night? If not, what is the problem with using ambien? It's a good medicine when used as perscribed in a responsible way. It's really hard to measure amounts because everyones body works differently. A good nights sleep is very important. If you are kicking the pain meds and can't sleep ...

you could use something for a couple of weeks .... if this is from benzos, you need a doctors advice. Benzo withrawal can be very dangerous. Ambien is NOT a benzo. I used it for a few years and just stopped. Nothing happened. I took benedryll or sonata. I have a sleeping disorder caused by fibromyalgia and will be using something for sleep for a while. They also have something over the counter called alluna .... valarian root and kava kava. Some people swear by herbal treatments ..... hope you feel better ..... Goldie

by suummerrwwinnd, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: TheGolden1
No, I didn't take 10 at night, I was taking 2, and now 1.  The reason I feel I should stop is because my husband thinks thats why I'm having bad anxiety.  He thinks my brain is "looking for something"  I know my dr. won't give me anymore refills either because I went thru de-tox, and he doesn't want me on any thing addictive.  I went for a walk this morning before it gets too hot (100 and above)I hope this will help w/the anxiety.  Thanks for your post.

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
Good Morning Everyone--How are you doing Peaz/Gracie97?--I've been hanging in there--i have a question that I hope someone will be able to answer--Although the Wellbutrin did wonders for the post withdrawal depression I finally had to discontinue it because of the gastro-intestinal side effects--My husband and I went to the health food store this weekend and bought SAM-E and 5-htp--Can these be taken together? and in what doses? I really need to take something in place of the Wellbutrin and I have read that both of these products are good for depression/anxiety--Any info will be greatly aappreciated--

I hope everyone is doing great--All my love Peace/Prayers N.O. Lady AKA Mystere



Anne

by Chezz2, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: Anne/NOLady
I Am not sure on the answer to your question regarding 5htp and Sam-E.

Although I am sure if you called GNC they would give you an answer. Or if you went there yourself and checked it with the computer they have there. It will tell you what you can take together and in what doses. I have used it before and found it to be very helpful.

Good luck,

Chezz

by NEW ORLEANS LADY, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: CHEZZ/Everyone
Thanks so much for responding--I took your advice and called General Nutrition Center and unfortunately no one had a clue as to whether or not I can take Sam-E and 5-htp together!  I find this very ironic that I'm "worried" about possibly combining these two supplements when not too long ago I was taking fistfuls of hydrocodone along with any other mood altering chemical I could get my hands on.  Geeee !!!

by Chezz2, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
Sorry, I thought it was worth a try. The computer that they have located at most location WILL tell you though. If you do want to go back and give it a try. I wanted to find out if I could use Valerian Root with GABA at the same time, and wa given quite a bit of information on both supplements and he okay that they could be used together.

Good luck,

Chezz

by Roxy30mg, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
I suffer from low back pain. My doctor prescribed Vicodin 7.5's. He also prescribed me Amytrytoline for nerve pain in my wrist. I'm taking 25 mg's a day before bed. I have also been taking, although I know I should not, 1mg of Klonipin. After taking the three things together I seem to fall asleep pretty fast. I only get to sleep about four or five hours at the most because of a busy schedule. I know I should not take these things together but, I need to fall asleep fast and it seems to work for me. So far I've been waking up OK without any hang overs. Do you think I'm just looking for trouble doing this? I can't seem to help myself, I've become too dependdant on this combination to get to sleep and stop my pain.

by rodewc, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: NOLA~hippee~
Where do I find 5 HTP? I have been looking since hippee recommended it. How many for sleep? 4? I s'pose I get enuf (sleep), but sleep is almost as much fun as sex, food and some (men) say.. the bathroom for extended time frames.

r\w/c

by Dr. Chezz, Jun 02, 2003 12:00AM
To: rodewc
The best place to find what you are looking for would be a health food store, GNC, or Walmart.



Happy hunting and I hope it works for you,

Chezz

by Alleychat, Jun 03, 2003 12:00AM
To: summerwind
I tried Ambien last week and I had terrible anxiety the next day as a result. I've been taking liquid calcium/magnesium just before bed, and it seems to put me out pretty well and keep me asleep. I talked to my father and he gets the same reaction from Ambien - racing heart, feelings of anxiety.

by peaz, Jun 03, 2003 12:00AM
To: Anne
Hey You!!!    Good to hear from you!!  This is the best advice I can give regarding your drug interaction question:  ASK YOUR PHARMACIST.  I know, I know, I'm biased, but stop and think about it:  who knows MORE about drugs??  I would rely on a PharmD with any of these kinds of questions INFINITELY before any MD. or GNC clerk or other pseudo-authority.  It just plain makes sense....





   I've been wondering how you're doing---aren't you approaching 40 days or some such?   How's the sleep, anxiety, depression and overall well-being?  I need a full report by the end of business today. :-)  

  Just HOW HUMID IS IT down there these days????  I think of you and pass out.....Love from the Hinterland--peazy

by mystere, Jun 03, 2003 12:00AM
To: peaz/gracie97Everyone
Good evening from the "Sweaty Frizzy Hair" capital of the world-- This is one of those days down here in the Big Easy when we become "One with our Clothes"---Sorry i haven't been around much--I had to finally get rid of the Wellbutrin--The G-I symptoms were overwhelming--I was walking around soooo bloated--I felt like I was 8 months pregnant!--Hubby and I went to the health food store and picked up some 5-htp and sam-E--I am hoping that one or both of these will work as well as the Wellbutrin--I am also trying to deal this #@#@ing chronic pain by ingesting massive amounts of Advil which I'm sure has contributed to my stomach problems--From an orthopedic standpoint I am a trainwreck--My right hip joint is destroyed from having surgery as a child--(they will not do a total hip replacement because I'm "Too Young")--I have had previous surgery