Blueness047 Prozac withdrawal

[Blueness047]

Glad to be here......I had been on Prozac for 20 years.....for Panic attacks and Anxiety.   I have been symptom free for 15 years,   but out of habit I guess I continued to take the Prozac.   8 weeks ago,  on my own I decided to stop taking them.   In the last 4 week I have had problems sleeping,  or not being able to stay awake at odd times,  and just feeling "not right" ....  I had my blood work checked looking for answers....Never even mentioned to my Doctor that I quit taking Prozac.  then it dawned on me,  maybe this is why I felt so bad,  and I started goggling on the internet and found all this stuff out.  Atleast I know why I am feeling this way....that helps,  now I am just wondering how long these symptoms are going to last.   I am 68 and I do not want to go back on them if at all possible......  Would love to hear others stories....  So thankful to have found this support....

 

Blueness047..   

[Blueness047]

I have been off Prozac 8 weeks,   mostly sleep problems,  either not enough sleep or can not fall asleep.   Anger problems a little.  Just wondering about others and what they have gone thru and how  long until they felt more normal.....  Thank you

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Blueness.

 

I moved your posts here to start your Introductions topic, which is a place where you can discuss your particular situation and track your recovery.

 

You are suffering from withdrawal syndrome. Please read

 

What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

As it hasn't gone away in a few weeks, it is prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome. You may be able to reduce the symptoms by reinstating a small amount of Prozac, stabilizing, and tapering from that dosage. Read

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Prozac comes in a liquid for taking a small amount, or you can make your own liquid, read

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

How much Prozac were you taking? How did you come off?

[ChessieCat]

Hi Blueness,

 

Welcome to SA.  Really good that you have found the site.  The members here are very supportive and encouraging and there is a wealth of information.

 

It would be really helpful is you would Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature OR Complete your Signature from Phone or Tablet.  Please include ALL drugs, dates, doses and how you decreased/increased.  This will enable to the staff to make suggestions based on your individual situation.  Thank you.

 

Are you taking any supplements?  Some supplements can be activating.  Do you drink coffee or cola drinks?  Alcohol?

 

If you decide to reinstate I suggest you post back here to let us know of your intention to do so and then the staff can suggest a low dose to try.  DO NOT go back on the last dose.  The idea of reinstating is to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

 

This site recommends a 10% taper of the previous dose followed by a 4-6 holding period to stabilise.  This allows the brain to gradually adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  If you reinstate you would then hold on that dose and once stable you would taper.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

These might help:

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

If you click FOLLOW (top right) you will be notified when someone responds.  To search this site it is best to use a search engine and type in survivingantidepressants.org + topic

 

It is also a good idea to learn non-drug coping techniques:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope

 

Claire Weekes' Method of Recovering from a Sensitized Nervous System

 

Audio:  How to Recover from Anxiety - Dr Claire Weekes

 

Audio:  First Aid for Panic (4 minutes)
 

I realise I've given you lots of things, and I understand it can be a bit overwhelming, but if you start from the top and work your way through as you are able, I'm sure that you will find them helpful.

[Blueness047]

Thank you everyone. My symptoms seem to be slowing down. Sleep is coming back. Anger has stopped. Been off Prozac for 8 week. Quit Cold turkey without

my Doctors knowledge. Not sure why, just tired of taking it. I am now practicing thought control, relaxation exercises, walking, spending 20 min in the sun,

massages doing everything I can to build up the Serotonin in my body. I can sometimes build up phony fears and think that this will last forever and get worse. I can imagine more symptoms that may not come. So I am doing all that I can. I do not make any other meds, except BP pills, vitamins, C-10 and Cinnamon for

PreDiabetes. Thank you for all the information to read. Really appreciate it.... Great group, Great information.. I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow to let himknow this, and he will be upset with me, but I do not plan on going back on the Prozac.

 

Antidepressant: 26 years (only 20 mg Prozac)

February 28, 2016: Last dose of 20mg Prozac 2 weeks after: no sleep or to much sleep, anger issues, tension, feeling "off"

Current: No Antidepressants taken symptoms subsiding

[ChessieCat]

Hi Blueness,

 

You may be one of the lucky ones and be able to get off Prozac easily, but in many cases people may feel okay for several weeks and then the withdrawal symptoms start.  This is because the brain has become used to the drug and when it isn't getting it it is trying to reach homeostasis or regulating itself.  Please make sure that you have some Prozac on hand just, or can get some quickly, in case you need to reinstate.

 

I understand that you don't want to go back on Prozac, and many people who come here feel the same way.  I will give you some links to read so that you have the information if you start to get withdrawal symptoms.  The idea of reinstatement is to reduce the withdrawal symptoms and then once your are stabilised you can do a 10% taper.

 

It is best to reinstate at the first sign of withdrawal symptoms.  I suggest if you do decide to reinstate, you post your intention here first so the mods can suggest a small dose to try.  DO NOT go back on your last dose because your brain will have made some changes during the 8 weeks you have been off the drug and that dose will probably be too much.

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen's Symptoms Checklist

 

Also some information to help when you see the doctor:

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

[NoMoreADs]

Thank you everyone. My symptoms seem to be slowing down. Sleep is coming back. Anger has stopped. Been off Prozac for 8 week. Quit Cold turkey without

my Doctors knowledge. Not sure why, just tired of taking it. I am now practicing thought control, relaxation exercises, walking, spending 20 min in the sun,

massages doing everything I can to build up the Serotonin in my body. I can sometimes build up phony fears and think that this will last forever and get worse. I can imagine more symptoms that may not come. So I am doing all that I can. I do not make any other meds, except BP pills, vitamins, C-10 and Cinnamon for

PreDiabetes. Thank you for all the information to read. Really appreciate it.... Great group, Great information.. I have a Doctors appointment tomorrow to let himknow this, and he will be upset with me, but I do not plan on going back on the Prozac.

 

Antidepressant: 26 years (only 20 mg Prozac)

February 28, 2016: Last dose of 20mg Prozac 2 weeks after: no sleep or to much sleep, anger issues, tension, feeling "off"

Current: No Antidepressants taken symptoms subsiding

 

Hi, has your sleep gotten any better? How much sleep are you getting a night now? Are you still med free? Hope you're well