Amber234: Tapering Fluoxetine

[Amber234]

Hi

 

My doctor diagnosed me with depression and prescribed me 20mg/5ml liquid Fluoxetine, I am also hypothyroid and it has been noted my thyroid results show undermedication. My thyroid consultant however is not increasing my thyroid medication even though she knows my results are not optimal.

 

I have tried to suddenly take myself off the Fluoxetine and within 2 days of not taking it I had very bad nausea. I then retook the Fluoxetine and the nausea went away within minutes. I have only been taking the Fluoxetine for a month so I didn't know I had to taper the doses. How do I need to taper the Fluoxetine please?

 

Thank you.

[ChessieCat]

Hi Amber and welcome to SA,

 

You did the right thing going back on the fluoxetine immediately the withdrawal symptom appeared.  About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms and Dr Joseph Glenmullen's WD Symptoms Checklist

 

Were you taking any other drug prior to starting fluoxetine?

If you didn't, you should be able to do a fast taper of the fluoxetine.

If you were taking another drug our suggestion may be different.

 

Once we have additional information of your drug history we will be better able to offer suggestions based on your individual situation.  Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature.  Please include details for the last 12-18 months of  all drugs, dates, doses and discontinuations & reinstatements.  If you can't remember dates, please write it as "early March" or "mid-August".  Please provide a summary of any drugs prior to that which can just be listed with start and stop years. Please include all prescription, non-prescription drugs and supplements you are currently taking.

 

I'm giving you a list of links to check out:

Before you begin tapering what you need to know

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? (this will still be helpful for you to read, even though you may be able to go faster)

 

These will hopefully provide tips about how to talk with your doctor.  It is helpful to be assertive and know the ways to talk to the medical profession so that you can get what you need for your taper.

 

What should I expect from my doctor about withdrawal symptoms?

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

These helped me to understand SA's harm reduction method of tapering which allows the brain to adapt to not getting as much of the drug.  They might help you to understand why you experienced withdrawal symptoms.

 

Brain Remodelling

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery
 

You can ask questions here in your Intro/Update topic and journal your progress.  Click "Follow" top right and you will be notified when someone responds.

[Amber234]

Thank you, I wasn't taking any other antidepressant other than Fluoxetine but I have been taking thyroid medication, supplements and other things, I will include in signature everything else.

Edited October 15, 2016 by ChessieCat
Removed quoted post

[ChessieCat]

Hi Amber,

 

Thank you for providing the information.  I am not familiar with thyroid issues, except that I know you have to have regular blood tests so that you are on the correct dosage.  Do you have blood tests done?  How often?  When was the last one?

 

A couple of the other mods are familiar with thyroid conditions so they will be better able to help with this.  However, these are the SA topics discussing thyroid:

 

thyroid-symptoms-hypothyroid-hashimotos

 

thyroid-problems-misdiagnosed-as-psychiatric

[Amber234]

Hi thank you ChessieCat, yes I have blood tests done, I am tested every 6 weeks at the moment because my endocrinologist is not happy with where my levels are. She admits my results aren't optimal but isn't adjusting the dose. The last blood test was done at the start of August.

Edited October 15, 2016 by ChessieCat
Removed quoted post

[ChessieCat]

Hi Amber,

 

There is no need to quote a post.  It just adds clutter to your topic.  I will edit your posts and remove the quotes.  Just start typing in the Reply to this topic box and then click Post.  Instead of quoting a whole post, I sometimes copy and paste the part I am referring to and put it is "...." especially if I am responding to something in a post which is 2 or more before my response or if it is in the previous post which mentions a variety of things and I am responding to 1 or 2 of them.

 

Thank you for responding to my question about blood tests.  I've notified the other mods about your situation with being on the fluoxetine for such a short time and asked them the best way to get off it quickly.

[nz11]

Amber Welcome to sa

You are very fortunate to find this place at this early stage.

 

Please consider doing your own research on the drugs the doctor gives you before taking them. Especially so when it comes to chemicals for subjective labels.

 

We are living in the information age and ignorance is now a choice ...well i  cant talk but i've had a turnaround. i have found putting my misplaced trust in doctors is pretty much akin to putting trust in a house of cards.

 

These are not 'medicines ' that are being peddled they are very dangerous chemicals, that have obtained approval by misconduct and once that happened the marketing machine kicked off big time selling diseases.

To use the 'D' word in front of a doctor is actually an extremely dangerous thing to do.

 

nz11

[JanCarol]

Hey Amber, I'm really worried about 2 things:

 

1.  You said:

My thyroid consultant however is not increasing my thyroid medication even though she knows my results are not optimal.

 

Please, seek a new thyroid consultant.  I know, sometimes it's hard to have choices, but this is negligent.

 

Please, go to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com.  Learn why you are hypothyroid and try and address it.  Is it Hashimotos?  (very common).  Is your water fluoridated?  (really, not meant for human consumption!)  If you are on Facebook, there are a number of Facebook thyroid groups, and often you can find a local one which recommends practitioners.

 

This is important.  Thyroid, especially chronic (long term) conditions, whether hypo- or hyper- can wreak havoc on your system, and start a cascade that affects other endocrine problems.

 

2.  Have you reinstated the Fluoxetine?  This is not clear from your signature, or from your intro post.  Please make sure that we know what you are currently taking.  Did you reinstate the full dose?  Have you quit it again?

 

Chessie wisely asked questions about your situation, and here's what we suggest:

 

When you quite the fluoxetine (CT = Cold Turkey) you have destabilized your system.

 

What symptoms are you having?

 

I suggest that you want to hold, now.  Wait for the symptoms to go away before starting a taper.  Then wait another 2 weeks.

 

Then, you can try a 10% reduction.  Depending on how that goes, you may be able to decrease 5-10% per week after that.  This is superfast by our standards, and you will want to slow down if you get symptoms.

 

Here is information on fluoxetine, and our usual tapering protocols:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

 You will need information to do that, because the pharmaceutical companies don't give us 10% increments - which is the safest reduction to make.  It would be best to ask for fluoxetine liquid, as that will make your taper easier.  If you cannot get the liquid, you can make it yourself:

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/235-using-an-oral-syringe-and-other-tapering-techniques/

How to Make a Liquid from Tablets or Capsule

 

I know this is a lot of information - 1 months seems like a short time - but normally, these drugs can get their hooks in with just 3 weeks exposure.  We've had people who had problems from ONE DOSE (in fact, there are studies that show that just one dose of these things can change your brain!).

 

I know many many people who wish they'd gone slower.

 

I don't know anyone who wishes they'd gone faster.

 

Slow, steady, simple - keep your system stable and you can control your symptoms.

 

Please let us know what they are - and how you plan to approach / attack this thyroid problem.  It's gone on too long.  It's time to let go of being a "passive patient," and take charge of your own well being!

 

ps - the omeprazole - will rob you of essential vitamins and can cause health problems.  We have plenty of people here who manage reflux and even hiatal hernia - with non-drug methods.  But that is for later (I'm mostly just making a note of it for mods).

 

Welcome to SA!  I'm glad you found us, but sorry that you had to look for us.  I hope you see the sun today.

[Amber234]

Hi thank you, I have Hashimotos (raised antibodies). I am still taking the Fluoxetine at the full dose. I experienced nausea when I can off it so I went back on it and the nausea went away. I can only assume it was withdrawal. The water is not fluoridated. Sorry did you mean hypo symptoms or withdrawal symptoms?

[ChessieCat]

Hi Amber,

 

"Sorry did you mean hypo symptoms or withdrawal symptoms?"

 

If you are referring to this:

 

"I suggest that you want to hold, now.  Wait for the symptoms to go away before starting a taper.  Then wait another 2 weeks."

 

JC is referring to withdrawal symptoms.  I suggest you keep daily notes on paper of withdrawal symptoms which improve, worsen or stay the same.  Rate Symptoms Daily to Check Patterns and Progress  That way you will be able to see how you are going, rather than trying to remember it.  It is also helpful, if issues arise, to be able to provide us with precise information so we can offer suggestions.