Moonstoneblue: just come off Prozac

[Fresh]

It's not ABnormal moonstone. See what others say on this thread http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8142-pms-and-menstrual-cycle-problems-during-withdrawal/

 

Lovely to hear you're doing well overall.

 

[moonstoneblue]

Thank you it's just a bit scary having feelings and things ????

[moonstoneblue]

Okay, umm I've tried to fight it but I'm feeling really depressed, morbid even. Took the day off work today because I feel like I can't even get out of bed and I'll be calling in sick tomorrow.

I'm also going back to the doctors, I know they're going to try to put me on tablets but I'm going to try to say no.

I'm so tearful, I feel scared of everything. I feel pointless and hopeless.

I'm usually optimistic and able to carry on, but I feel like I want to be by myself with no stress or people.

I work in retail and the type of job it is is very demanding. I'll be serving someone and helping them with something and will have two impatient customers waiting, glaring at me. So I'll then excuse myself to my customer but they then get annoyed too. I just feel that I can't cope with it at the moment

[ChessieCat]

Hi moonstone,

 

When/if you see the doctor you will need to be really strong.  In most instances they will want to try and fix you with a pill.  I suggest that you post back here what is suggested and get the mods' opinions before taking anything.  I've also asked the mods whether you might need to updose a bit because you were on 20 mg and reinstated at 5 mg after about 12 days.

 

Also you might want to consider stopping the B Complex and the Magnesium with B6.  This is because the B vitamins can cause an issue.  Get some Magnesium without added vitamins.

 

Also it would be a good idea to read these before seeing the doctor:

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

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

[Fresh]

Moonstone , it's sounding like your hold for 3 weeks after reinstating was not long enough.

 

"Posted 05 April 2016 - 11:03 AM

Hey everyone I thought I'd pop back to update.

I'm on 4mg of Prozac now, I went down to 4mg last week."

 

We advise holding for 2 to 3 months after the type of hiccup you had to recover and allow your

brain to stabilize. Decreasing after 3 weeks had pulled the rug out from under you.

 

I would go back to 5mg and stay there for 2 to 3 months.

 

bw ,

[KarenB]

It's very common for PMS and other period-related things to intensify as a result of withdrawal.  I've never had PMS this bad - it's quite alarming actually, though worse for my husband . 

 

So, my response is that extra-awful symptoms get extra-soothing care.  Really give yourself some loving-kindness in whatever form appeals - hot baths, hot-chocolates, movies, snuggly blankets...

 

Hugs,

Karen

[moonstoneblue]

Hi everyone, I have an appointment at 12oclock, so that's in 2hrs and 40mins away. I've also phoned in sick to work which I feel terrible about, and I know sometimes when I'm at work I feel better for it, it's just I can't face anyone at the moment.

I will reinstate to 5mg. I just hope I see a decent doctor that helps me. I know they will try to push things on me.

I know it sounds silly but I feel I need to take the b vitamins because of my diet and it helps with my anemia. It's hard to know what to do.

It is probably related to my monthly as I'm 4 days away from it, but I've never felt this bad before my monthly. I use to feel a little down before it when on Prozac but I always pushed through.

Anyway I'll be back later to tell you what's happened.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and help. Xx

[bintuae]

Hi everyone, I have an appointment at 12oclock, so that's in 2hrs and 40mins away. I've also phoned in sick to work which I feel terrible about, and I know sometimes when I'm at work I feel better for it, it's just I can't face anyone at the moment.

I will reinstate to 5mg. I just hope I see a decent doctor that helps me. I know they will try to push things on me.

I know it sounds silly but I feel I need to take the b vitamins because of my diet and it helps with my anemia. It's hard to know what to do.

It is probably related to my monthly as I'm 4 days away from it, but I've never felt this bad before my monthly. I use to feel a little down before it when on Prozac but I always pushed through.

Anyway I'll be back later to tell you what's happened.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and help. Xx

 

I'm about a month and a half off Prozac. I took it to counteract Paxil withdrawal which was extremely horrendous. I felt more anxious on Prozac just like you described I had this surge of adrenaline. I find with Prozac it doesn't matter if you taper it gradually or not (it stays in your system for a long time) the WD will come no matter what increasing in intensity and frequency as time goes by. By tapering you're only delaying it.

 

On the first month I was ok. Second month it started I grew irritable and angry. The mental fog and loss of concentration have also started (symptoms I experienced with Paxil WD). I hate that time of the month because I become even more irritable. I have never experienced PMS before. Neither pre-treatment nor during. The fact that I'm having it all now depresses me. Did I mention the sexual function is completely absent? I lost hope already. I'm just wondering how others endure all this? I couldn't work because I don't want to be around people and I couldn't tolerate stress no more. I'm a recent grad and everyone (relatives) expect me to be employed by now. I'm thinking of going back on a drug (not ssri). It looks like I'll on one for life.  :(

 

P.s Don't have your complete trust on doctors. Every doctor I went to always denies the possibility of prolonged WD syndrome. I think they should try coming off one. Whats even worse is the tapering schedule they give. 

[Fresh]

Bintuae , you're having a hard time because you tapered by alternating days , which we advised against.

Please update your own thread and signature.

 

Thanks , Fresh

[moonstoneblue]

I'm back from the doctors and he was reluctant but he's given me oral solution Prozac. He tried to put me on citalipram.

I'll write more in a moment, when I'm at my computer.

[bintuae]

Bintuae , you're having a hard time because you tapered by alternating days , which we advised against.

Please update your own thread and signature.

 

Thanks , Fresh

 

Not sure if that's the reason. I saw someone who tapered off gradually and still had problems. I'd be completely devastated if I spent a long time tapering only to have WD symptoms come up later on. I gave up. To me it seems better to take a medication and enjoy life rather than stay off enduring this hell in hope for recovery. 

[Fresh]

I totally agree with you bintuae , and it would be good to explore that on your Intro. thread.

[moonstoneblue]

Sorry I couldn't reply earlier, I was still in the car when I wrote back (my mum was driving).

 

So when I went to see the doctor today even though when I made the appointment I said I needed to see a doctor about withdrawal, medication and depression, when I got to the doctors I was seen by a nurse practitioner again :/ I'm not sure why they send me to her, I want to talk meds and she had no idea about meds.

So I explained what was happening and I said I would really like some oral solution of Prozac so I know for certain I'm having the right amount. She had no idea that fluoxetine was made in oral solution form, so she had to look it up in a book.

Then she had to go get the doctor to authorise the prescription for me.

So she was gone a while and she came back and said the dr wanted a word. He followed her in, and he told me he didn't want to give me solution. He asked if I tried going cold turkey and what happened, so I explained. He then said that fluoxetine wasn't good for anxiety and can make it worse ( I felt like asking why they doubled my dose when I was at my most anxious then, but I didn't).

So he asked if I'd ever tried citalipram, he said it's excellent for anxiety. I said my anxiety is under control now with the cbt I'm having, and I told him that citalipram made me worse several years ago.

Anyway after him trying to get me on other tablets he gave up and gave me my fluoxetine solution, so I'm now taking 5mg of that.

I felt so upset that I went to see them about tapering and things and they just try to put me back at square one.

I'm a timid, shy person and I had to fight with all my might to get that today.

I just wonder how often does this happen to people (doctors with meds).

 

I don't feel at all depressed today, and I feel that not having the stress of having work is helping a bit.

Sorry for long post ????

[Fresh]

YOU TOTALLY ROCK !! Wow , you stuck to your guns and clearly held it together , and were respected.

Well done Moonstone , what a wonderful experience.

 

You might want to take half liquid , half tablets for a few days to make the transition smoother.

If you go straight to liquid and things get a bit rocky , know that it's from the transfer , and

will settle down. It's because the liquid is metabolized quicker with no buffers and fillers.

 

Again , well played.

 

Fresh

[moonstoneblue]

Thank you fresh I couldn't have done it without you.

Oh wow, I had no idea they'd metablotise differently :/

He's only given me two months worth and expects me to come off all together. I'm going to make sure I see a different doctor to him though next time.

 

I was wondering is the fluoxetine liquid solution more expensive or something?

 

Thank you again fresh

[Fresh]

I would guess the solution is more expensive , but it's a guess.

You can make your own solution if you can only get tablets in the future.

 

How have you been getting 5 or 4mg? You'll be able to relax now knowing your dose is precise.

[moonstoneblue]

I was mixing 20mg in a 20ml water solution before, so it's just nice to know I don't have to worry about making it for a while.

I've decided to start taking it in the morning too rather than before bed, to see if it helps with my insomnia.

One thing I have had lately is really bad restless legs, so I'm hoping a morning dose will help it a bit.

[Fresh]

Sounds like a plan. The least disruptive way to do that is to take it a around 4 hours earlier for 3

days , then 4 hours earlier again etc. till it's a morning dose.

Do let us know how you'e going.

 

[moonstoneblue]

Ok, I will let you know don't feel depressed like I had been, so it's been a positive day

[JanCarol]

Hey Moonstone - 

 

Welcome to SA!  It sounds like you've had a good reinstatement, and are well on your way!

 

Is it normal to feel depressed like this before my monthly now? 

 

What they don't tell us.  Why we never truly got "informed consent" before taking the drug:  these drugs don't affect just your brain.  They affect endocrine, hormonal, nervous, digestive systems - basically - the whole body.  90% of your body's natural serotonin is in the gut!  So - hormone shifts, digestion, the drugs cause all kinds of symptoms (NZ gave you http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2390-dr-joseph-glenmullens-withdrawal-symptom-checklist/ a checklist of symptoms)

 

Anything is fair game - over the next year, when you get a weird thing happening, the first thought should be:  it's probably withdrawal symptoms!  (not "omg my illness is returning," or "something is wrong with my brain" or whatever)  It's only symptoms.  Look at the list to see the variety of symptoms that can happen during withdrawal - and know that - this is only a partial list of the most common symptoms!

 

Thank you   it's just a bit scary having feelings and things  

 

That's the real challenge, isn't it?  

 

Our founder, AltoStrata, said that if you plan to go off psychiatric drugs, it is wise to find things in your life to replace what the drugs were doing for you.  CBT is a great start.  I can't remember if this was posted here, but we all go here often:

 

Non Drug Techniques for Coping with Emotional Symptoms

 

And emotions!  Wow!  This is so healing!  When you get access to emotions, you get access to your cellular guide to navigating your life!

 

I've been reading how feelings are chemical signals from our cells to our limbic system, which interprets them as "emotions."  The emotions tell us to run from the tiger, or hide from the bear, or to eat, sleep, or otherwise protect and nourish our body and clan.  In our modern society we're often cut off from them - and therefore confused by what they are trying to tell us.  And oh yeah.  There is no tiger or bear anymore, just peer pressure, financial woes and performance reviews (hargh).

 

 

Anyway after him trying to get me on other tablets he gave up and gave me my fluoxetine solution, so I'm now taking 5mg of that. 

 

 

As Fresh said:  YOU ROCK!  We get a little nervous at SA when folks go to the doctor - because it's not easy to stand up for what you want.  What was I saying about tigers? 

 

Oh.  That there were none?  I was wrong.  YOU are a tiger, and you rock!

 

I hope you see the sun today.

[moonstoneblue]

Hi JanCarol, thank you so much for writing all of that, it's made total sense to me. Also makes me realise how normal everything that is happening is.

I'm having a lot of those symptoms on that list, so now I realise what they are

 

Thank you so much, I can't express how grateful I am to everyone on here

[Altostrata]

moonstone, how are you doing now?

 

What is your daily symptom pattern and your drug schedule?

 

How are you sleeping?

[moonstoneblue]

Hey Altostrata I'm doing ok thank you. I'm off work this week ( I have a holiday, even though I'm at home). I feel okay, I think I have neuro emotions though, if something makes me feel a little sad it goes to really sad, and if something annoys me a little or stresses me out, it goes to major annoyed or stressed :s  So I have family members thinking I'm relapsing or need to go back on prozac, but I have explained many times why it's happening. I never cried on prozac, so now if I have a little cry my mum panics.

 

Still getting really bad restless legs at night, though I had one night where I didn't. My sleeping pattern is still a mess though and it's very hard to fall asleep, but I've always had problems. I'm still waiting for my monthly, I keep spotting for the days leading up to it lately, my pms symptoms leading up to it are crazy as hell though. I'm so forgetful too, and also have really, really bad fatigue some days.

 

My drug schedule is that I take 5mg prozac at 11pm before bed, I tried taking it earlier but it didn't work for me. I take 20mg of iron with my dinner at 6pm, along with salmon oil, it's the only fish oil my stomach tolerates. I also take magnesium later at night because I read it aids sleep. I also take spirulina during the day.

 

Ooh actually one thing I did have last night that was very strange was that my left hand was really cold (I've always suffered from really cold hands) but I felt I couldn't even feel my hand or wrist, it was strange.

 

Thank you for asking alto I hope you're doing well x

[moonstoneblue]

So I don't know what to do. My brother came over and he's talking about these people he's working with hunting animals and all this cruel stuff. I feel so upset I can't cope with my emotions.

I feel like at least on Prozac I didn't feel anything, I didn't cry etc.

[Altostrata]

Emotional anesthesia is a very common side effects of antidepressants. Some people welcome this effect.

 

Please do not be alarmed by having feelings. You might see Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Since you reinstated, how has your symptom pattern changed?

 

You may wish to work up to taking magnesium several times a day. What kind are you taking, and how much?

 

What happened when you tried to take Prozac earlier in the day?

[moonstoneblue]

I suppose I liked my emotions being numbed down, it helped me cope with things.

 

Umm since I reinstated I've had days when I'm moody, agitated, emotional, depressed in waves, forgetful and concentration can be off.

Physically I've been dizzy, headaches now and then, fatigued like crazy, I've started having spots on my face (never had them before, always had clear skin), restless legs.

There's probably other things but I can't think. Thing is I think a lot of the things listed have been down to pms this last week. I feel like I have an extreme version of pms, while on Prozac it controlled some of those symptoms a little for me.

 

Umm the magnesium I take is from Holland and Barrett and its 250mg . I take it once a day, at night.

 

The Prozac in the day wasn't a problem, it's just I found it a problem trying to take it at the same time everyday. I know when I take it before bed that I'll take it roughly at the same time every night.

 

I just wanted to note that now my period is in its second day my mood has really lifted and I feel normal again.

[moonstoneblue]

Having anxious feelings tonight.

I started taking some vitamin d with calcium the other day, I hope that's not causing it. I worry so much that what if it's not withdrawal and actual anxiety and depression. I only have waves of these feelings though and I'm happy sometimes and Normal. So I don't know.

[ChessieCat]

Hi moonstone,

 

If the symptoms came up after starting the Vit D with Calcium it might be worth stopping that for a while and then if you want to try again at a lower dose and built it up gradually.  It may have been a coincidence but it might be worth trying to find out if it was the Vit D.

 

It's good that you are noticing windows and waves.  If you stop the Vit D and are still feeling the anxiety, you might consider stopping the B Complex and Mag with B6.  B6 can be activating.  Our reaction to something we previously took with no problem may change and end up causing a problem once we are going though withdrawal.  This is a post Alto made about B Complex.

[moonstoneblue]

Hey chessie cat, ooh you just reminded me I've run out of my vitamin b complex so haven't had any for a few days. I completely forgot about those lol.

 

Do the windows and waves mean it's withdrawal and possibly not depression coming back?

I keep thinking back to when I first went on or just before I went onto antidepressants when I was 16 and the feelings are similar. I was doing my GCSEs at school. I was going through puberty at the time too though.

I just worry that what if the depression came back or what if I'm a right grouch naturally without antidepressants. I think I use to be quite fiery when I was younger though, but that might have just been puberty lol. Sorry I'm just going through all these thoughts in my head.

 

I will stop the vitamin d though for a few days

Thanks chessie

[moonstoneblue]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry to be a pain, I wasn't sure where to ask this. I'm worried about having really bad pms next month and depression I was wondering do you think I could take evening primrose oil? Would it affect my withdrawal? I wa just wondering if it's safe?

[KarenB]

There is some discussion here:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/6112-evening-primrose-oil/#entry129900

 

It mentions some who have found it to make quite a difference, and others for whom it didn't.  As with all supplements, start low and increase slowly.  You'll just have to experiment and see how it goes for you.  I think one warning was not to take it if you also take blood-thinners, but read through that thread for details. 

 

For maybe six months I've been making up a tea consisting of Oat Straw, Damiana, Chamomile, Hibiscus and Licorice Root.  Not sure yet if it helps with PMS specifically, but there's something in it my body REALLY wants, cause I feel compelled to have it each day.  The tag on the Oat Straw bag says "Excellent nervous system tonic.  Useful for insomnia, general debility, fatigue.  High in Vitamins A,C,B and K, and silica, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus.  Uplifting ,fortifying and nurturing." 

 

I know things do get talked up on labels, but it sounded good to me, and my body is liking it too.  I like the idea of taking in gentle amounts of things.  I got the idea at a women's health talk I went to. 

[Altostrata]

Your symptoms sound like normal withdrawal syndrome. Many women find they get worse at points in their menstrual cycles.

 

Please look on your magnesium bottle and tell us exactly what kind of mag it is.

[moonstoneblue]

Thank you both I've read through the threads just now.

 

Umm I never knew there were different magnesiums. I just looked at the ingredients and it said magnesium oxide.

[moonstoneblue]

I was just waiting for my bus to go back to work and as I was waiting I started crying uncontrollably, so I phoned my boss crying. She told me to stay off for today and see how I feel tomorrow.

I hate all of this so much. Every time I get a little stressed I get like this

[Altostrata]

Mag oxide is not very absorbable.

 

You will have spells of weeping, which might be over quickly. You might use meditative breathing to get through patches when you have withdrawal symptoms. Try not to dwell on them, that only makes it worse.

[moonstoneblue]

Oh, which magnesium is better? I'll have to buy some when I can.

 

Today was weird, I think it was because I didn't sleep at all last night. I had a panic attack as well, I did overcome it though with what my CBT therapist has been teaching me though. 

I can feel really excited with life and can't wait to get started in what feels like a new chapter, but then I can go from great to not so great very quickly. I'm no good with stress at the moment,

I'll try not to dwell, I'm just terrified everytime I feel not so great, or memories from my childhood come back that I'm having a relapse.