Clynn

[Clynn]

Clynn: Othelp

 

I took Prozac 20 mg for 5 days and have had withdrawal symptoms for past 4 months. Should I reinstate 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Songbird]

Hi Clynn, welcome to SA.  With only five days on and four months off, I would not be inclined to reinstate, but I think we really need to know some more about your situation.

 

Were you on any other meds at the time you were taking Prozac?  Any med history before you started Prozac?  Why did you stop the Prozac after just 5 days?

[Clynn]

Thank you for responding. I was on Celexa for approx 10 years but had been off of it for 2 years when I started the Prozac this January. I had dizziness when getting off the Celexa and had taken 10 mg of Prozac for a few weeks to wean off. I had no problems with it then. I had a back injury over a year ago with numbness and tingling in my right leg which is improving. Anyway the Prozac that I only took for 5 days made the tingling worse in my leg. That’s why I stopped taking it. The symptoms I have now I have never had before. The waves and windows that others talk about,  is it a complete relief of symptoms during the window or just a reduction?  I have not been symptom free at all. 

[Clynn]

Clynn: off Prozac

 

What are the time limits for reinstating an SSRI 

 

Edited July 21, 2022 by ChessieCat
added Intro topic title before merging with intro topic

[Gridley]

Please start a topic about yourself in our Introductions and Updates forum and post further questions there.

Please start a topic about yourself in this forum 

It is recommended that you reinstate as soon as possible after your last dose.  You have a better chance of success if you reinstate within 1-3 months after your last dose. 

 

Please read:

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

Reinstatement isn’t a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone, but it’s the best tactic available.  We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, and when updosing/reinstating it is better to start with a small amount and increase of symptoms remain unbearable.  If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.  Sometimes it can be hard to regain stability after this happens.

 

[Clynn]

I took Prozac for 5 days and stopped abruptly. A week later I woke up with pins and needles in my feet and hands, burning in my feet and fasiculatios in both legs. These symptoms have not stopped for 4 months. I have good days and bad but they’re always there. Does this sound like withdrawal syndrome 

[Gridley]

Pins and needles (known as paresthesia)and burning in feet are recognized withdrawal symptoms.  For more information, Google  survivingantidepressants.org pins and needles

 

It is possible to have withdrawal symptoms after very short term use such as yours.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

 

 

[Clynn]

Is there any correlation with length of time on an SSRI and length of protracted withdrawal 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Clynn.

 

Did you have a bad reaction to Prozac while you were taking it?

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

A lot of people find them helpful. Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

[Gridley]

The withdrawal time doesn't necessarily correlate with the time you were on the drug.  These drugs alter the architecture of the brain, and the time necessary to heal the brain and return to homeostasis is, unfortunately, impossible to predict.  

[Clynn]

I am in the middle of reinstating Prozac. 1mg. I am only on day 3 of reinstating.  Burning in feet is better fasciculations are worse.  Is there any guide as to keep going or stop?

[Altostrata]

The improvement is a good sign. It will take about a week for the Prozac to get to steady-state.

 

What do you mean by fasciculations? Where, when, what severity?

[Clynn]

Twitching in legs and feet

[Clynn]

Forgot to include severity. It’s probably moderately bad. I’ve had it at varying degrees since stopping the Prozac. 

[Altostrata]

Has it gotten better or worse over 4 months?

 

You might try the magnesium oil or Epsom salts baths. Magnesium can relax muscles.

 

To help us out, see these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature

[Clynn]

The fasciculations go through ups and downs like all the other symptoms. They have increased somewhat since I reinstated the Prozac.  Do I move forward the the Prozac as long as I am seeing improvement although not in all areas?

[Altostrata]

Yes, the Prozac is still ramping up. This will take a week or more. Please let us know how you're doing.

[Clynn]

I have had 4 doses of Prozac reinstating after stopping 4 months ago. I had little to no burning in feet yesterday and day before. Today the burning is back and a little worse than normal. The other symptoms are pretty much the way they always are. Is this normal?  Do I continue to reinstate?

[Altostrata]

Yes, you may have waves and windows of symptoms while your nervous system settles down. This can take many weeks. Stay calm and keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages. You should see wobbly but overall improvement.

[Clynn]

I reinstated Prozac a week ago 1mg after going through withdrawal for 4 months. I’m not worse but overall no better. How long do I continue the dose I’m taking? Do I stay at 1 mg or increase, or wait?  How long do you stay on the medication before you know if it’s going to work? I know all of this is relative to the individual.  I just really don’t know what to do. 

[Clynn]

In the information provided here. It states to stop reinstatement if there is an immediate bad reaction. I did not have an immediate reaction upon reinstating but 8 days in I’m feeling worse. How do I know if this is a wave or reaction. I’m really struggling. If anyone has advice I would  appreciate it. 

[SkyBlue]

On 5/15/2018 at 12:40 PM, Gridley said:

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- 

 

Reinstatement isn’t a guarantee of diminished symptoms for everyone, but it’s the best tactic available.  We usually suggest a much smaller reinstatement dose than your last dose.  These drugs are strong, and when updosing/reinstating it is better to start with a small amount and increase of symptoms remain unbearable.  If you take too much it may be too much for your brain and can cause you become unstable.  Sometimes it can be hard to regain stability after this happens.

 

 

Hi Clynn, You said you're feeling worse. Are you feeling worse than when you started the reinstatement? 

 

Like Alto says, it could be wobbly. There might be bumps in the road. The main thing is to keep things stable--pick a dose and stick with it-- and it looks like you just reinstated on Friday. Above, Alto said to give it a week.

Please have a look around the site to see how other members have dealt with withdrawal symptoms such as the ones you're having. 

 

When possible, please update your signature to include the reinstatement. 

(For example: 5/20 Reinstated 1mg of Prozac.) That will make it easier for people to stop by, immediately see where you're at, and be able to share ideas without having to read too much. 

 

Also just a reminder to keep notes on paper of your symptoms. 

[Altostrata]

11 hours ago, Clynn said:

In the information provided here. It states to stop reinstatement if there is an immediate bad reaction. I did not have an immediate reaction upon reinstating but 8 days in I’m feeling worse. How do I know if this is a wave or reaction. I’m really struggling. If anyone has advice I would  appreciate it. 

 

How exactly are you feeling worse? Do these symptoms happen at any particular time of day?

[Clynn]

I took Prozac for 5 days in January and stopped abruptly. I woke up with pins and needles and burning in hands and feet a week after stopping. I reinstated Prozac after 4 months and it has not worked. I’m taking 2.5 mg. How do I start weaning off? What dose do I decrease and how long do I stay at each dose when weaning off?

[ChessieCat]

5 minutes ago, Clynn said:

I reinstated Prozac after 4 months and it has not worked. I’m taking 2.5 mg.

 

In what way is it not working?  When do you take your dose?  What is your current daily symptom pattern?

 

Q:  Had you taken any psychiatric drugs prior to starting Prozac in January 2018?

[Clynn]

I was on celexa for 8 or 9 years but got off of it 2 years ago. I thought the Prozac reinstatement was helping because I had less burning in feet for almost a week. Now it’s back. I don’t know if it’s a wave or just not working. I take it at night before bed. My symptom pattern is all over the board. Good days and bad. This is pretty much the same pattern as before the reinstatement except for the decrease in burning for that week. 

[ChessieCat]

5 minutes ago, Clynn said:

I was on celexa for 8 or 9 years but got off of it 2 years ago.

 

Please include this information in your drug signature.  Thank you.  Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

[Clynn]

First of all forgive me I’m not sure how to edit my signature. I’m not sure who all can see my posts. I reinstated Prozac 2mg after 4 months of withdrawal. I have been on 2 mg for 4 weeks. I thought I was improving having less burning in feet. But when I look at my journal since this began, I would have a couple of days at a time that the burning would be better. I’m definitely not worse. Do I stay where I’m at longer or start weaning off of it?

[ChessieCat]

You say you "reinstated Prozac".  Did you take Prozac prior to this?  The mods needs to be able to see your psychiatric drug history at a glance.  We use the signature for this purpose.    Please ensure that the information in your signature includes dates, drugs, doses of ALL drugs - no symptoms or diagnoses.  Thank you.

 

If you click on this link Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature it will take you straight to your own signature.  You edit it and then click Save at the bottom.

 

For more information please see:  Instructions:  Withdrawal History Signature

[Clynn]

First of all forgive me I’m not sure how to edit my signature. I’m not sure who all can see my posts. I reinstated Prozac 2mg after 4 months of withdrawal. I have been on 2 mg for 4 weeks. I thought I was improving having less burning in feet. But when I look at my journal since this began, I would have a couple of days at a time that the burning would be better. I’m definitely not worse. Do I stay where I’m at longer or start weaning off of it?

[ChessieCat]

15 minutes ago, Clynn said:

I’m not sure who all can see my posts.

 

Everyone, including guests, can see your posts.  Members can see your signature.

 

15 minutes ago, Clynn said:

First of all forgive me I’m not sure how to edit my signature.

 

Are you using a phone?

[Clynn]

Yes I am using a phone. 

[Clynn]

I believe I updated my signature. I still don’t know if I should continue with the reinstatement of Prozac 2 mg or wean off can someone please advise me ? I’m not worse but no better overall. It’s only been 4 weeks back on it. Will this set me back from any progress I might have made in the 4 months I was off of it  

[Clynn]

I really need advise if someone could guide me in the direction I need to go from last post I would really appreciate it. I am using a phone but right now in my life that is all I have access to. 

[ChessieCat]

Hi Clynn,

 

I've asked that other mods for their thoughts on your situation.  Because of where the mods live, it might be 12 hours or a bit longer before one of them responds, so please be patient.

[Altostrata]

clynn, in the last 4 weeks on 2mg Prozac, has the burning overall gotten better or worse? Can you tell from your journal when it was that you had relief from it?

 

Is it worse at any particular time of day?