craig...Prozac Taper due to severe dystonia

[Craig]

I'm very pleased to have found this site.  Looking back over the last 19 years it is incredible how much I see myself in many of the posts on this site. Due to severe dystonia I've reduced Prozac from 40mg to 5mg over the last month and a half since. 

 

In December I read the book Prozac Backlash (PB) that describes many people that have this "EPS" response and that doctors DONT usually know about it (even though it apparently happened to the first  human given Prozac in the late 70s) , and that people are typically unaware that it is happening unless asked, and also that it gets mistaken for or looks like "worse depression."  

 

I've felt SO much better since decreasing the dosage that I have hardly noticed anything that even comes close to as bad as having my neck, Jaw and shoulders locked together in dystonia.  In fact it was so bad that I was sent to a neurosurgeon to be evaluated for surgery since my brachial plexus nerve on my right arm was severed by the vertebrae's c4-c5, causing me to lose the majority of my right bicep and triceps permanently I did not notice any negative signs until I started going down below 20mg. 

 

I did feel beat and tired intermittently, but I have felt like this for the last ten years easy.  I noticed the windows and waves and they have not been too bad.  I have found EMDR therapy to be a godsend and works very good to decrease emotional disturbances (guilt, anxiety anger, resentment etc.)  triggered by thoughts or memories. 

 

My biggest problem at this point is not having anyone to talk to about this AND the  dismissal I receive from people is very demoralizing.  The windows have been quite nice (almost like reuniting with my old self) but I know I am becoming more and more sensitive.  I'm currently raising my 2.5 yrs daughter and her mother clams up any time I talk about it and is so nonchalant.  I have to beat this for my daughter who is the light of my entire universe  ANY help, encouragement, ideas, conversations or support would be so very helpful.  Thanks!!!  Craig

Edited February 7, 2016 by KarenB
added paragraph breaks

[KarenB]

Hi Craig,

 

I'm very glad you've found this site when you did.  Quite a journey you've been on with Prozac and then learning about it in that book. 

 

You've actually tapered very quickly, which can catch up with you after a few months in the form of w/d symptoms.  Are you having any symptoms yet?  Is that what you are referring to when you mention becoming more sensitive? 

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your current dose each month.  And considering that the last part of the taper is usually the trickiest, it's probably a good idea to hold at your current dose for a good month or two before considering further reductions.  This will allow your Central Nervous System time to stabilise.  You can also see Tips for Tapering Prozac.

 

It's so good to hear you are feeling a lot better after reducing your dose.  I'll bet it brought great relief to you too.  You may like to read the threads in the Symptoms and Self-Care forum.  In particular, many people in w/d find magnesium and fish oil helpful.  Keeping things stable is key to tapering safely. 

 

That's probably plenty for starters.  Have a read around, and if you have any further questions just come back to this thread.  It's good to have you here.

 

Karen. 

[Craig]

Thank you so much for the response and yes I am having my share of "neuro emotions."  It feels like I am intermittently in the throws of a deep PMS for lack of a better way to describe it.  I have been so grateful that i have not had more than mild zaps and it must be due to the fish oil.  I just purchased some Mg Citrate and I hope this will help too.  I have decided to take your advice and hold my current dose in hopes of avoiding a crash later.  Do you have any thoughts on ways I can meet people in my area?  I have left messages in the Texas forum but have not heard a response yet.  Thanks again for the support Karen!

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Craig.

 

Very happy to hear the dystonia has eased.

 

You might find that physical therapy and acupuncuture helps any residual body symptoms.

 

I agree with KarenB, a nice hold at 5mg is a good idea, let your nervous system settle down from all the changes.

[KarenB]

Perhaps visit the people in the Texas forum's threads and leave a comment introducing yourself. 

 

Glad you are going to hold for a while.  You can use this time to build up your self-care.

[Fresh]

Moved from Supplements thread in  Symptoms and Self Care:

 

Posted 12 February 2016 - 02:23 PM

Hello my good buddies!!!  I think I may be on to something since I have had a great day today and I've been "getting the horns" really bad up until today!!!!  I started taking CBD oil which is thought to have extraordinary CNS protective effects.  Check out this product if you want to treat your brain to some TLC.  You can buy it in many forms and Ive found that "vaping it" in the oil form is very nice since I can vape it or put five or six drops in my coffee.  My friend told me about it and said as soon as he discovered it he told his parents to start taking it because it has helped with EVERYTHING!!! 

He said he lost 10 lbs without even trying and has more energy, less anxiety and helps with being around people too.   Maybe it is a placebo but my intuition and the current research suggests this is the real deal.  I'm coming off twenty years of Prozac and am down to 5mg from 40mg over the last two months or so.   I'm taking magnesium citrate and fish oil too (I have to say the brain zaps have been very mild.  I think I had only a half of a brain zap today so I downed some extra fish oil.  Hopefully I wont jinx myself by writing this and I will continue to post to let you know how long this window lasts.  Has anyone else tried this stuff???  I'm a psychotherapist and I felt at the top of my game today which has given me some hope that I will not have to abandon my practice.  Peace out homies!!!

 

Hi Craig , I've moved your post from the supplements thread to here as cbd oil is not considered a supplement. There are other threads that discuss cbd oil if you'd like to post there.

 

bw , Fresh