CopinginCalgary: Link between SSRI withdrawal management and chronic pain management

[CopinginCalgary]

A consulting psychiatrist (Dr. Sanil Rege) recently posted a video on his YouTube channel (Psychiatry Simplified) called SSRI Withdrawal: It’s Not Just About Tapering).
Most interesting to me were the parallels  that he drew between SSRI withdrawal and chronic pain. I found the information about allostasis (including allostatic load, the prevention of symptom cascades through careful management of allostatic load, etc.) to be especially helpful in both understanding SSRI withdrawal and managing the tapering process. 

This insight strikes me as exceptionally promising. For example, if doctors could be instructed to approach SSRI withdrawal in a manner consistent with their approach to chronic pain, they may not be so lost, uninformed and unhelpful. As another example, people struggling to find support for SSRI withdrawal could potentially connect with psychologists and/or local peer support groups who work with chronic pain management. 
Has anyone else seen this video? Do you have any thoughts about it?

Edited January 8 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome @CopinginCalgary

I haven't seen the video, so I can't comment.

 

3 hours ago, CopinginCalgary said:

they may not be so lost, uninformed and unhelpful

 

I look forward to this outcome. The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines from Dr Horowitz are a promising development.

 

How are you progressing with your taper?

 

Do you have any questions for us at this time?

 

Emonda

[CopinginCalgary]

Hi Emonda. Thanks for your note.
 

My taper is going reasonably well, thanks. It’s been difficult finding reliable information, but my understanding about SSRI tapering, withdrawal, and how to manage both has increased substantially over the last 20 months or so. Given individual differences, the challenge is always about finding the right personal mix, and the target is never completely stationary. I’ve found that adjustments and fine-tuning have to be made all along the way. 
 

If you decide to watch the video, it would be great to hear your thoughts. 

[Emonda]

4 minutes ago, CopinginCalgary said:

My taper is going reasonably well, thanks.

 

Wonderful to hear

 

5 minutes ago, CopinginCalgary said:

my understanding about SSRI tapering, withdrawal, and how to manage both has increased substantially over the last 20 months or so.

 

I've found it's an ongoing self-education process.

 

Other than Dr Horowitz, I've found doctors to be of little use. Altostrata (the founder of the site) should be an honorary doctor 😊

[LostInCanada]

3 hours ago, CopinginCalgary said:

as anyone else seen this video? Do you have any thoughts about it?

I saw this video. I really appreciated that point about allostatic load as well.

It definitely is not a one size fits all. We have to pace ourselves based on our own withdrawal symptoms and ability to cope.

Even the Maudsley Deprescribing Guide shows different speeds depending on various factors.

Looks like you are doing well with your taper...Mine is definitely going slower than yours. 

We used to live in Calgary for 20 years. How is your doctor in regard to tapering?