Try contacting Skip's Pharmacy in Florida. He is fairly well connected, and has a website online.

Cherie

I guess it depends on how "dependant" you are. I didn't really use it for depression, except during PMS time. Celexa can be taken for just 3 - 10 days a month though (for that purpose).

Once I got up to between 3.0 mg - 4.5 mg, I probably could have dropped it fairly quickly, but I had a really hard time withdrawing. It took me three attempts just to get through the "withdrawal" side-effects . . . but I am VERY sensitive to going on, being on, and weaning off ANY med. (That's why I don't even try many to start with).

Cherie

I did not know Celexa was for occasional use. YLSNED! (you learn something new ever day)!

Cherie, this is dumb question, but I haven't had much experience with prescription drugs. I managed to live 50 years w/o them!

What are the possible side effects of quitting an AD? Depression is the most obvious, but are there others?

Twink, if you have been on an AD for awhile, there is a possibility of withdrawal sx with some. I was so afaiid to go off off Paxil, because of all the scary stories out there, but I didn't have a problem at all. Some do though, so check with you Doc, before dropping the AD, suddenly.....you may have to taper off?

ATTENTION PLEASE: Noone should drop any of their prescribed meds, without informing your Doc.. LDN will not take the place of your other Meds, I don't care what anyone spouts or brags. You may come to find that you don't need your AD or Muscle Relaxant...etc.., after seeing what LDN does for you, but please don't think that LDN will take the place of all your other meds.

I agree with Sally on not doing anything until you talk to your doc. My doc was very much involved in my choice to stop Celexa, and in helping me withdraw from it.

In all honesty, I can't remember all the withdrawal effects, but I know it was hard for me. I basically followed my doctors instructions, but if I remember correctly, I tried to go even slower then he suggested (just because I know I am so sensitive). I don't even think I got 1/2 way down, over several weeks, before I thought I was losing my mind. That's about all I remember . . . a majorly messed up head (which explains why I can't remember ).

That was my second attempt, as I had tried several months earlier and had the same problem. My doc ended up putting me on Wellbutrin, and I was supposed to ramp up on that while I withdrew from Celexa. That didn't seem to make much sense to me though . . . so I just went on the lowest level of Wellbutrin that he started me on, and continued on the lowest level I had gotten myself to with Celexa.

As I weaned off the Celexa (over about three weeks), I also did the Wellbutrin (I think alternating days, or something to that effect). When I finally got off, everything (in my head) was good again.

I know some people have considerable difficulty (maybe even danger) with weaning on some drugs, especially AD's. Not something to play around with, without your doctors involvement!!

I don't even think I needed the Celexa for PMS after that, and it had been a lifelong problem for me. I may have used it a couple of times, for a few days, but my hormones had balanced out a lot by then.

Cherie

it 08-08-08, and well, what a good night to start my LDN

Sounds like a plan, Weegot! Much success!

's

Is it advisable to wait to take LDN after stopping interferons and if so, for how long? I tried to search the thread but unless I missed it, didn't see this addressed. I'm asking for someone who just stopped taking Rebif.

Well, I'm going to do it. I'm going to get a prescription for LDN and start it just as soon as possible. I have to fill out some forms first, then have a telephone consult, then get my script filled.

I've been off my Beta for a while now and I'm pretty sure it's all out of my system. The more I think about the fact that there's only a 30% chance that the DMDs are helping the more I want to stop them.

I'm hoping the LDN will help with the pain I'm experiencing. I will continue to take my Zoloft, my thyroid and bp meds and also my Baclofen. Hopefully I'll be able to stop the Baclofen.

I can't wait to take my first dose!! Sally, is there any certain side effects we should be looking for? I've heard that sleep disturbances are one of the most common ones. I never sleep more than 4 hours at a time anyway so if I get that one I won't know about it!

Good luck!!

What dosage do you plan to start on? If it is 1.5 mg, you are very unlikely to have any side-effects (or notable benefit).

I started on 3.0 mg, and am very sensitive. The first few nights, I had a "rush" for about a 1/2 hour, and I hardly slept (BUT was no worse for wear because of it). I also had a slight headache, and some nausea (until I read the instructions and realized I should be downing a glass of water after taking it). Both of those went away by some time during the second week.

It was when I tried to up to 4.5mg, in late Sept, that I noticed the worst side-effect for me. That is when the weather turns colder here too, and my spasticity acts up when that happens. The first time I tried to go up, my spasticity kicked into high gear . . . so I waited about a month, until I adjusted to the weather change, and then increased the dosage by only .5 mg each month to get up to 4.5 mg. I was on "liquid" LDN though . . . so that made it easy to increase in small increments.

Spasticity is something that some people get, which can be a short-term or a ongoing side-effect of a higher dosage. Some people have an initial "awakening" of some symptoms (buzzing, numbness, etc.) for the first few weeks (it's LIKE the nerves are trying to repair) and this freaks them out. This is considered "normal" and nothing at all to be alarmed about.

Others mention vivid dreams, and this is one side-effect that might stay forever for a few people.

I know lots of people who've started on 4.5 mg though, and had absolutely no side-effects at all. I'm just listing all that I can think of at the moment so that you know not to be concerned if one of them does occur.

Cherie