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Jenk: Prozac and Sam-e withdrawal


Jenk

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August 2015 I started to have mild depression when my son turned 1. I have a history of anxiety but never experienced depression until August. My primary care doctor suggested I try Zoloft. Took it for 4 weeks. Had depersonalization, terrible sinus pressure, anxiety. Went back to my PCP who thought I was having sinus problems and put me on steroids which caused debilitating migraines. At that point I was referred to a psych. He switched me to Prozac (which I took in the past for over a year for anxiety)

 

As I started the Prozac my depression worsened tremendously. I thought that I was getting worse, I never thought that it could be caused from the medication. I stayed in that worsened depressed state for 11 weeks. During that time frame the Prozac caused me to feel severely dizzy. I had to hold onto my husband's arm to walk and I couldn't drive. I felt like something was moving in my brain. (NOT Brain ZAPS)

 

Went back to my psych and he suggested I add Lexapro on top of the Prozac! At that point I decided that I would not go back to him and begin to taper the Prozac.

 

As I tapered, my head started to clear and the depression was alleviated. Once I got myself down to a 5 mg dosage from 30mg, I added a natural supplement called Sam-e. I stopped taking the Prozac after a 4 week wean. I bumped the sam-e up to 800 MG a day.

 

About 5 weeks after stopping the Prozac I started to have some withdrawal. I started feeling off balance, my gait became abnormal and it felt as though the ground was moving. I could not concentrate. I work in Neurology and I told the doctor what I was experiencing. She told me to stop the sam-e.

 

As I started to decrease the dose I felt the withdrawal symptoms really worsen. My vision became blurry, I am very dizzy. When I turn my head I get dizzy. When I walk I feel dizzy. I feel off-balance still when I walk. When I see other people walking or doing activities, it make me feel off balance and dizzy. I have some perception difficulties. It's hard to explain but it's like my head doesn't connect properly with the action of my hands. It feels like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff and I'm about to fall over. I have these weird sensations in my head. Its feels like something is moving in it.(NOT brain zaps) It's hard for me to read because my eyes go blurry easy. I feel like I can't think straight. My cognitive function is impaired. I have trouble finding the words I want to say.

 

I am 32 and have never had any health issues prior to taking these medications. The neurologist did an exam an she does think it is all withdrawal symptoms associated with both the Prozac and the Sam-e. I have been off of the Prozac 10 weeks and the Sam-e for 14 days. It is frightening to feel this off balance. I am so afraid something else is wrong but I just keep trying to tell myself that it is from these brain altering substances. If you have had an experience like this please share so that I know I'm not alone.

Edited by Petunia
added paragraphs breaks for easier reading

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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Nope, you're not alone.  Though I never took SAM-E, I have, and continue to have the balance, dizziness, and seems like everything is constantly moving sensation, derealization, and I'm a year and half off of SSRI's after a 2 year stint on them.  Prior to meds I also never got motion sick and now I can't walk fast without feeling queasy. 

Year 0:      Social anxiety, obsessive thoughts, NO depression, NO suicidal ideations

Years 1-2: Ativan (benzo) <1mg as needed, not abused but developed physical dependence

Years 2-3: Paxil (20mg) augmented with Adderall XR (10-20mg) due to withdrawal from Ativan

Years 3-Present: Severe depression, headaches, psychiatric hospitalization, lost job, etc.

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Welcome Jenk,

I'm sorry to hear about what you are going through. It sounds like a combination of adverse effects and now possibly withdrawal symptoms. I also became depressed after taking Zoloft for anxiety, unfortunately I stayed on it, for years and then switched to other antidepressants.

 

This site is full of members experiencing similar problems, have a look through some of the introduction topics and you wont feel so alone.

 

It would be great if you would put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature. Doing this helps people understand your context, it appears below each of your posts. Here are instructions for how to do it:

 

http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

It sounds like the sam-e may have been masking Prozac withdrawal, until you stopped taking it. You tapered the Prozac much too fast. We suggest reducing by no more than 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks, this reduces the risk of withdrawal symptoms arising. Please read through this which will explain why:

  

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Over time, these drugs change your nervous system. Their effects on your nervous system change as well.  These changes are temporary, but the CNS does take quite a while to right itself after the drugs are out of the body.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

Its possible that reinstatement of a small amount of Prozac may help your symptoms, perhaps 2mg might be enough, without causing adverse effects, you may be able to stabilize on that and then taper slowly.

 

Reinstatement of a small amount of the drug can often work well to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. According to medical knowledge, reinstatement is the only way to alleviate withdrawal. Reinstatement is best done immediately upon appearance of symptoms. The more time that passes, the less likely it is to work. Once you have stabilized on a low dose of the drug, then a slower, safer taper can be started. Here is some information about reinstatement to help you decide if its something you would like to try:  About reinstating and stabilizing to stop withdrawal symptoms

 

Also see:  Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

Here is the link to our symptoms and self care section, you may find some useful ideas to help manage symptoms as you recover.  Especially read the topics pinned at the top.

 

You can use this thread as your ongoing journal to track progress, write about symptoms, ask questions and communicate with the community, add to it whenever you want. Its a good idea to bookmark it or follow it, so its easy to find again.

 

Petunia.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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Jenk

Member Since 23 Mar 2016

ONLINE Last Active Mar 25 2016 01:09 PM

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Jenk: Sam-e, Prozac Withdrawal Off balance, dizzy

23 March 2016 - 09:14 AM

August 2015 I started to have mild depression when my son turned 1. I have a history of anxiety but never experienced depression until August. My primary care doctor suggested I try Zoloft. Took it for 4 weeks. Had depersonalization, terrible sinus pressure, anxiety. Went back to my PCP who thought I was having sinus problems and put me on steroids which caused debilitating migraines. At that point I was referred to a psych. He switched me to Prozac (which I took in the past for over a year for anxiety)

 

As I started the Prozac my depression worsened tremendously. I thought that I was getting worse, I never thought that it could be caused from the medication. I stayed in that worsened depressed state for 11 weeks. During that time frame the Prozac caused me to feel severely dizzy. I had to hold onto my husband's arm to walk and I couldn't drive. I felt like something was moving in my brain. (NOT Brain ZAPS)

 

Went back to my psych and he suggested I add Lexapro on top of the Prozac! At that point I decided that I would not go back to him and begin to taper the Prozac.

 

As I tapered, my head started to clear and the depression was alleviated. Once I got myself down to a 5 mg dosage from 30mg, I added a natural supplement called Sam-e. I stopped taking the Prozac after a 4 week wean. I bumped the sam-e up to 800 MG a day.

 

About 5 weeks after stopping the Prozac I started to have some withdrawal. I started feeling off balance, my gait became abnormal and it felt as though the ground was moving. I could not concentrate. I work in Neurology and I told the doctor what I was experiencing. She told me to stop the sam-e.

 

As I started to decrease the dose I felt the withdrawal symptoms really worsen. My vision became blurry, I am very dizzy. When I turn my head I get dizzy. When I walk I feel dizzy. I feel off-balance still when I walk. When I see other people walking or doing activities, it make me feel off balance and dizzy. I have some perception difficulties. It's hard to explain but it's like my head doesn't connect properly with the action of my hands. It feels like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff and I'm about to fall over. I have these weird sensations in my head. Its feels like something is moving in it.(NOT brain zaps) It's hard for me to read because my eyes go blurry easy. I feel like I can't think straight. My cognitive function is impaired. I have trouble finding the words I want to say.

 

I am 32 and have never had any health issues prior to taking these medications. The neurologist did an exam an she does think it is all withdrawal symptoms associated with both the Prozac and the Sam-e. I have been off of the Prozac 10 weeks and the Sam-e for 14 days. It is frightening to feel this off balance. I am so afraid something else is wrong but I just keep trying to tell myself that it is from these brain altering substances. If you have had an experience like this please share so that I know I'm not alone.

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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Hi Jenk welcome too SA,

 

Sorry your going through a rough time, rest assured you are definitely NOT ALONE, it is WD, could you fill in your drug signature, it will help the mods and other members to be able to give the best advice. Have a read through the self help, you will get a better understanding of what's happening. Your CNS will take time to stabilize after the changes that have gone on, the site recommends a 10% taper, to prevent terrible withdrawal. Some people get relief from reinstating a very small amount, to stabilize and do a slow taper from there, you can read about that in the self help portion as well. A mod will be by soon to advise, hang in there, you WILL Get better. Ali

10 years citalopram 30mg- tapered down in December 15/2015- Jan 15/2016 to 20mg for two weeks, ten for one week and five for another week, then stopped, less then two weeks later, sheer hell broke lose with debilitating withdrawal symptoms.

 

Update-- reinstated 5mg of celexa on feb 5-- within hours noticed immediate difference in WD symptoms-- Holding holding and more holding.

 

Updose- March 23/16 too 10mg- relieved the harsher head symptoms- current symptoms headaches, dizzy, numbness and tingling in my head.

 

Benzos- 2015-Ativan on and off for 6 months 2mg- switched to clonazepam nov 2015- 2mg till Jan 2016 Zopiclone 7.5mg nov-dec 2015- was tapered off over 4weeks- Currently in protracted withdrawal. ????????????????????????????????

 

Update- ended up in the hospital April 18/16 major suicidal ( never had that before) was admitted/ been there ever since, put me back to full dose celexa 30mg no drugs added, IAM FINALLY STABLE AFTER 3 months of tortuous hell. Got a great physiatrist that new all about WD, he will help me taper properly in a couple of months at 5% deductions holding 8 weeks. I never want to relive that hell again.

 

Udate- stable and holding, doing things slowly is key.

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I stopped taking Prozac the end of January and starting feeling off balance and dizzy about 5 weeks later. I just weaned from Sam-e and have had SSRI withdrawal symptoms as well. When should I get my balance back and stop feeling dizzy? TIA

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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Thank you, Ali!

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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Thank you all for your responses!

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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  • 2 weeks later...

2 days after discontinuation of 800 MG of Sam-E taken over the course of 2 and a half months with a 3 week wean I started experiencing the following symptoms hallucinations in the side of my vision, blurred vision, severe dizziness, fatigue. I have continued to have these symptoms the last 4 weeks along with severe cognitive function(misspelling words, reversing letters, slurred speech, trouble with word finding). I have also had perceptual disturbances(for instance, when I'm switching lanes I get a feeling like I'm going to fall over a cliff.) Also experiencing joint pain and pins and needles in my face, hands, feet and toes. I had a brain MRI, blood work and an exam by a neurologist and my tests are completely normal. Each day the symptoms can change however, the dizziness remains all of the time. I feel like I'm dying.

Edited by KarenB
merged Intro topics

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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  • Moderator

Sam-e is a rather powerful serotonin antagonist which causes an increase of serotonin in the brain, which is why it is believed to help depression.  It also makes it so the body/brain becomes habituated to it and reacts by making changes similar to the ones made for SSRs.  There for it should be tapered slowly over a long period of time by the methods we usually recommend.  To fast taper or CT is inviting sever WD symptoms.  It is also dangerous to mix it with Prozac because of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome.  You may want to reinstate a partial dose of the Sam-e, allow time to stabilize and then do a proper taper to avoid further discomfort.

20 years on Paxil starting at 20mg and working up to 40mg. Sept 2011 started 10% every 6 weeks taper (2.5% every week for 4 weeks then hold for 2 additional weeks), currently at 7.9mg. Oct 2011 CTed 15oz vodka a night, to only drinking 2 beers most nights, totally sober Feb 2013.

Since I wrote this I have continued to decrease my dose by 10% every 6 weeks (2.5% every week for 4 weeks and then hold for an additional 2 weeks). I added in an extra 6 week hold when I hit 10mg to let things settle out even more. When I hit 3mgpw it became hard to split the drop into 4 parts so I switched to dropping 1mgpw (pill weight) every week for 3 weeks and then holding for another 3 weeks.  The 3 + 3 schedule turned out to be too harsh so I cut back to dropping 1mgpw every 4 weeks which is working better.

Final Dose 0.016mg.     Current dose 0.000mg 04-15-2017

 

"It's also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life is, because you can loose all hope if you can't laugh at yourself and at life in general."  Stephen Hawking

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Thank you,  Goldstar! I am at my wits end and everyone I speak to seems extremely shocked to hear I'm still having withdrawal from a natural supplement. I am also shocked and that is why I thought that something is deathly wrong with me. I really did not want to reinstate but I think I should maybe try just to confirm that it is from the Sam-e. The lowest dose is a 200 mg enteric coated pill. Any suggestions on how I should taper once I reinstate?

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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  • Administrator

Welcome, Jenk.

 

Please use Google search for

 

survivingantidepressants.org SAM-e

 

I believe Romido and others have explained how they dealt with SAM-e withdrawal symptoms on their way to recovery.

 

Also see our Symptoms and Self-care forum  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/for suggestions about how to cope with symptoms.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Almost 4 months since stopping Prozac and 2 months since stopping Sam-E. I am having a terrible time with brain fog. I feel like I have to try so hard to think. Everyday is a struggle at work and at home. I feel like my mind is just blank. It's just mush. I misspell words and I am forgetful.  I stare off, can't concentrate and my reaction time is slowed.  I am afraid that my brain is permanently damaged. Will I recover? 

Prozac 9/2015-1/2016 - Caused depression. Withdrawal symptoms - joint pain, fatigue, off balance, blurred vision, perceptual disturbances. 1 month taper.

Sam-E 1/2016- 3/2016 - Withdrawal symptoms - pins and needles in face, arms, hands, legs, feet. Joint pain and muscle twitching. Depersonalization. Brain fog and severe cognitive thinking issues(reversing the spelling of words), slowed reaction time. Hallucinations from the sides of my eyes, blurred vision. Feeling like I'm going to fall off a cliff. Fatigue, flu- like symptoms, Brain shivers. 3 week taper.

 

Had Brain MRI 4/5/16- Completely Normal

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Hi Jenk.        I know it's hard not to worry about this being permanent , when you're right in the middle of it , but it will improve.

This is temporary and you will move on and recover. Try if you can , not to let the fear overwhelm you . All these symptoms are quite common in withdrawal .

Here's the link for SAMe:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/572-sam-e-s-adenosyl-l-methionine/

This is fun :

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8631-withdrawal-dialogues-encouragement/

 

And it would be worthwhile reading through this as well:

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

Ali

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

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  • 1 month later...

I believed I would not feel better and it was permanent, but I am getting better and better as I taper.

2010 started 10 mg celexa, 2011 went up to 20 mg

06/2014 started tapering (20 mg,10 mg alternate days)

19/09/2014 crashed at 10 mg

20/09/2014 updosed to 20 mg to try and stabilize- Never stabilized and CNS basically plummeted

August 31 2015- Started my 5% taper anyways

May 3 2016- At 14 mg the tapering caught up with me- Withdrawal included severe anxiety, feeling like im on speed, suicidal and homicidal ideation, akathesia, feeling like I was on heroin, memory loss, PGAD, feeling like I was on an acid

May 4 2016- Updosed to 15.5 mg to try and stabilize

​June 4- Started taking 2 mg 5 times a day which adds up to 10 mg because of akathesia when taking my full dose. Akathesia symtpoms smaller

July 27th- Dropped from 15.5 mg to 10 mg because could no longer tolerate taking drug- bad side effects mainly akathesia and emotional deadness.

​Oct 11- Improved a lot since May 4th after my crash. Withdrawal symptoms still left- DR/DP, emotional anasthesia, akathesia, tingling in head, feeling like my body and face disappears, messed up sound interpretation, perception and difficulty reading social and emotional cues during DR/DP, apathy, inability to tell if I am in dream or reality, disturbed sleep. Started having few windows

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