Sandymay87: Weened myself off Luvox

[Sandymay87]

Hi,

 

I'm Sandy. I've been on Luvox for about 3 plus years. I was put on it by my family doctor to help decrease cortisol that I produced in abundance when I was stressed. Cortisol makes my muscles very tight, and in turn causes me to suffer from arrhythmias.  I was on 200 mg of Luvox divided into three doses per day, 50 mg at 5 am, 50 mg at 1 pm and 100 mg at 9 pm.  

 

My circumstances changed, and I felt that I didn't need the Luvox to help with cortisol control. I started reducing my dosage each week by 25 mg. My last dose was 3 1/2 days ago. I've ordered an Apollo Neuro to reduce the cortisol without medication. 

 

I was expecting withdrawal symptoms, but am looking for help in dealing with them. I am feeling dizzy and nauseous.

 

Any tips or suggestions are very welcome.  I do have a script for Lorazepam, which I take if my heart starts to act up. Lorazepam is a great muscle relaxer :), but I only take it on as "as needed" basis, which is very infrequently.

 

Thanks,

 

Sandy

 

 

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Congratulations for getting of the Luvox - that is a major accomplishment.  Unfortunately, the doctors wean people off these drugs too fast, and this results in the symptoms such as you are describing.  

 

On average how often do you take the Lorazepam?  Please be aware it's a benzodiazepine, and is addictive.  

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work, and about withdrawal.  These explain why we experience symptoms when we are tapered off too fast.  

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

What is Withdrawal Syndrome?

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. This is extremely important. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

When we recover, there are times of feeling OK mixed in with times of feeling bad.  This is called windows and waves.

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Are you having any other symptoms besides nausea and dizziness? How bad are your symptoms?  Are you able to function in your day to day life?  How is your sleep?  

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

Edited August 11, 2021 by getofflex

[Sandymay87]

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a peer owned and run forum of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  Congratulations for getting of the Luvox - that is a major accomplishment.  Unfortunately, the doctors wean people off these drugs too fast, and this results in the symptoms such as you are describing.  

Thanks for the welcome.

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

On average how often do you take the Lorazepam?  Please be aware it's a benzodiazepine, and is addictive.  

I'm only taking it as needed when my heart goes out of rhythm. I've learnt that my heart arrhythmias are caused by cortisol which causes my entire body to tense up, especially my upper traps, which in turn affects my heart and it acts up. I take it rarely, and only if stretching, deep breathing and mindfulness doesn't work. Just knowing I have it as a safety net is usually enough

2 hours ago, getofflex said:

 

Are you having any other symptoms besides nausea and dizziness? How bad are your symptoms?  Are you able to function in your day to day life?  How is your sleep?  

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please read through it, and mull it over, and we will take it from there. In the meantime, take care of yourself, and take heart.  We in this forum have been through this, and we understand first hand the pain and discomfort you are going through.  Please know that the brain is amazing in it's healing abilities.  It takes time, but healing can and will happen. 

Yes, I'm experiencing brain fog and brain zaps. Mine aren't really zaps, more like a short circuit that usually lasts a few seconds. It's a very weird feeling, like my body just shut off for a second. 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @Sandymay87

 

You have gone off Luvox too fast and are getting withdrawal symptoms. Given the arrhythmia, if I were you, I would get liquid Luvox and reinstate 5mg as soon as possible. Take at the same time each day. You'd stabilize on this for some months and then taper off by tiny amounts. See Tips for tapering off Luvox (fluvoxamine)

 

This is preferable to your becoming dependent on lorazepam. When did this arrhythmia start? How has going off Luvox affected this symptom? Have you had a cardiology examination for it?

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[Sandymay87]

I’m feeling not to bad actually all things considered. I don’t want to reintroduce Luvox back.  I haven’t had to take lorazepam any more frequently than I did when I was on Luvox, actually less. I took one almost a week ago now and haven’t needed one since. 
 

I started taking magnesium and fish oil today so that should help me too.  Thanks for that advise. 
 

I’ve also ordered an Apollo device that you wear and it helps with anxiety. The science looks promising. I’ll keep everyone posted on how it works for me. 
I can’t add the URL to this post but just google Apollo app. 
 

I’m also practicing yoga daily and eating healthy. 

 

Regarding my heart, I’ve had arrhythmia most of my life. I’m 63. I had open heart surgery in 1984 for Wolfe Parkinson White syndrome and again in 2014 for AF. 
 
I’m doing well heart wise but when it acts up it’s because my upper trapezius muscles are really tight because of stress That’s one of reasons I was on Luvox, to reduce the cortisol which caused the muscle tension. 
 

I’m working hard on reducing my stress levels and decided to go off the Luvox. I was getting more arrhythmia attacks on Luvox lately. Since I’ve given it up completely my heart has been happier. if my heart starts to act up deep breathing and stretching exercises have got me back into NSR. 
 

thanks so much for the comments and concerns. I’m happy to be part of such a caring group. 

 

[getofflex]

It sounds like you are doing pretty well, all things considered.  It's a good thing you are only taking lorazepam only occasionally, as a Benzo WD is pretty nasty, and it is easy to get addicted to benzos.  

[YachtRock]

@Sandymay87 I hope you are doing well. I was just looking at the Apollo Neuro wearable device and curious what your experience has been with it so far? It is VERY expensive but possibly worth the investment if it delivers on its promise. Appreciate any insights you might have.