People who've switched from SSRI's to SNRI's, how's it been?

Question

Currently on Citalopram (Celexa), but mildly tired. If I don't get perfect sleep, exercise, and perfect eating, I'm wasted tired. Lexapro, another SSRI, was the same for me. So....have thought about SNRI; scared off a bit by the high dosage required, and also by the idea of switching meds at all. 'Try' out too many meds, your brain fries I think. Just like try out too many drugs, you end up like Bob Dylan or Osbourne: ******. So....if you have stories about your transition, please tell. Thank you

Answer 1

SSRI's and SNRI's both have definite problems with withdrawal. In switching you might find some symptoms of withdrawal since the drug chemistry is different. For more personal opinions on SNRI"s just type "SNRI's" into Yahoo! web search and a number of forums with comments comes up plus other info. For more technical info go to "Selective Nor-epinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitors" on Yahoo! web search.

Yes, drug effects on the brain are a worry. I took Sertraline for years (an anti-psychotic) and developed irreversible Tardive Diskonesia (Parkinsonism like tremors). Benzodiazapines have proved to be addictive. The FDA has been very lenient in granting licenses to pharmaceutical manufacturers and don't require rigid testing for long term side effects. They really can't because it may take a lifetime for some effects to develop.

Good luck, good health, peace and love!

Answer 2

I don't think it fries your brain to try different meds. It's kind of the rule rather than the exception...finding the right medication (s) is trial and error.
Recent research indicates that some psych meds actually result in an increase of neurons (brain cells)...which means they are sort of doing the opposite of frying your brain.
On the other hand, it's true that there is not sufficient data regarding the long term use of most psych meds.
I've been on SSRI's and an SNRI and had similar results with both. They did work but they aso had sexual side effects that led to me going off of them and trying something else.
I'm bipolar and will most likely need medication for the rest of my life if I have any hope of having any sort of stability. Learning as much as I can about meds and brain functioning has become a bit of an obsession for me the past few years.