SSRI Withdrawal

Tate had a pretty good week. He gave us a little scare, but everything turned out to be okay. Wednesday afternoon Tate told us he was dizzy. It was alarming to watch him walk! His body parts were moving all over the place instead of together.

We were afraid he would fall. We were afraid something new was wrong. Phoenix Children’s Hospital is really great about getting their patients in for unscheduled appointments. Tate’s blood work was great. All the numbers are within range. I don’t feel like we’ve gotten to say that very often. Woo hoo!

It turns out that dizziness is one of the side effects of SSRI withdrawal. SSRIs are Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, drugs typically used to treat depression. When weaning off these drugs, patients often experience dizziness, nausea, headaches, and insomnia. Duloxotine, the SSRI Tate was taking to treat his nerve pain, is not compatible with a new drug he needs to take, so it had to go.

Tate should be okay within a couple weeks. The main thing is to keep him from falling while the drug exits his system completely.

Tate was well enough to go to his cello lesson this week. His body isn’t always cooperative when he plays, but I know that finally being able to do something he loves so much will help bring it back.

Next week Tate has occupational and physical therapy appointments, an eye exam, and a cello lesson. All good activities for a guy on the mend.