Suggest Treatment For Irregular BP And Heart Rhythm While On Fluxetine

Posted on Thu, 15 Oct 2015

Question: I have Lupus SLE/ Arthritis. Fibromialgia. I am taking tramadorl+acetominophen and lyrics and monthly Benylista infusions. Lungs are affected.

Question:
I stop Fluoxetine after 25 years for PTSD because it could not combine with the other medication. I keep taking alprazolam. Now I have more irregularities in the blood pressure and heart rithm as I change movement, very dizzy I am somehow depressed. Should I go back to fluoxetine?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
let me know exact timings of events

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

Actually fluoxetine has very long half life and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms and those are also less in severity than other SSRI. But rebound anxiety can cause fluctuation in blood pressure.

Let me know exactly when did you stop the fluoxetine?

- What was the duration between stopping the fluoxetine and you noticed irregularities in BP?

- What was doe of fluoxetine?

- Are you taking any medicine for blood pressure?

- If you aware about reading of blood pressure measurement let me know how much fluctuation is there and at which time?

I will be happy to help further after your response.

Regards

Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (46 minutes later)

Dr Solanki
I stopped fluoxetine in 2nd week of July.

I noticed significative irregularities 1st /2nd wek of September.

I was taking 40 mg

I am NOT taking any medicine for blood pressure.

I know some readings of last week when I did the infusion.

10- 14: 6-13 on a hour later.

Yesterday some of the readings I remember while doing goes from 9-15 t0 6-80.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Problem Not likely directly due to stopping of fluoxetine

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for information.

After one and half month it is not likely fluoxetine discontinuation symptoms.

But yes if you are feeling depressed or there is anxiety autonomic nervous system changes due to the same can cause fluctuation in blood pressure(BP). Fluoxetine can control depression and anxiety and in turn controls fluctuation in BP.

So of no other cause is found out for your BP problem restarting fluoxetine 20 mg may help. And we can also confirm the reason if problem stops after starting fluoxetine.

And there is no significant drug interactions between fluoxetine and the other drugs you are taking. So you can restart fluoxetine after informing your treating doctor.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (20 hours later)

Thank you.

I wanted this second opinion.

I will inform my doctor, but I will restart the 20mg and see if it helps.
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Wish you good health

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

Hope that will help.

If still any query there, I will be happy to answer. If not, you can close the discussion and if feasible give your feedback and rating so I can improve my service. In future you can contact me directly on this site if you wish with this link:
http://bit.ly/drchintansolanki
by clicking on 'Ask me a question' on same page.

All the best.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar