Introduction

[Sheila]

annie -- It sounds like you have been through a lot, and learned a lot, and have good reason to distrust the medical establishment, and question "expertise" and authority.

I’m curious what differences you have observed among the SSRIs in terms of their withdrawal challenges. That's very interesting to me.

That’s great you have insight about your parents misleading you about yourself. I’m sorry that happened. As you heal, you will turn that hardship into a strength, and be very clear about what you know, and maybe help others to trust themselves more.

[Chris]

I’m curious what differences you have observed among the SSRIs in terms of their withdrawal challenges. That's very interesting to me.

There are differences--thus the musical chairs of docs switching patients to different ADs. Back in the bad old days of musical chairs, prozac and Wellbutrin were way too stimulating for me. I see Zoloft as sedating like a sedative. But also note its relation to dopamine recep. But, My views of ADs seem to be changing as I learn from this site and my own w/d. Probably, in terms of withdrawhell, the ADs are more alike than not. They all reconfigure the brain. It is just amazing to me that scientists who know how complex and sensitive the brain is for all body functions, think that you could radically alter neurotransmitters and not cause severe side effects. (sorry can't resist the editorial)

This is a link to a chart of some differences btwn ADs. The original chart is clearer than below which lost formatting.


http://www.emedexpert.com/compare/ssris.shtml

Secondary binding properties of SSRIs:

Citalopram (Celexa) most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Escitalopram (Lexapro) most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
Fluoxetine (Prozac) least selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
norepinephrine reuptake 18
dopamine reuptake 18
serotonin-2C receptors 21
cytochrome P450 2D6
cytochrome P450 3A4
Paroxetine (Paxil) muscarinic cholinergic receptors (most potent blocker of muscarinic receptors among the SSRIs)
histamine H1 receptors
nitric oxide synthase
cytochrome P450 2D6
Sertraline (Zoloft) dopamine reuptake (more potent dopamine uptake inhibitor than other SSRIs) 22
norepinephrine reuptake
sigma receptors