The Prozac switch or "bridging" with fluoxetine

[BD19]

Hey @Sebas , yes, I know, that it can be very risky. I've read the tips for tapering and I've read experience reports. The problem is, that I have to switch to a medication with tiny beads inside. I've only got the compound with the 12.5mg mini tablets. 

Even if i taper properly there is a risk, that it comes to a point, where it goes no further. A switch can or can not work, I don't know.

My consideration is, that I've taken Effexor for 9 months. If I decide to taper, a switch may become more difficult because of the time that passes.

I am really stuck between the two options. Taper or switch. I've seen a  video from Doktor Shipoko, where he says, that even when tapering in very small steps, there is a risk of getting Akathisia. That made me think. Before that video I was with the taper. Now I'm not so sure anymore.

I wrote with a guy, where the switch was succesfull, but I have also read stories, that ended up with severe withdrawl symptoms. So, where to go?

I know that I've to make that decission by myself. But when the taper comes to a point, where is no further going, do I have to count the beads forever?

Thank you very much for your answer. I really appreciate that because I know, we all have our burdens to bear and many days are really hard.

[hxdaro]

On 11/29/2024 at 9:00 AM, BD19 said:

@hxdaro Are you still trying to taper, or did you went back to Zoloft?

 

Trying to switch to Prozac was a huge mistake.

 

The Zoloft withdrawal subsided in about 8 days, and then about 5 days later I think withdrawal from the 11 days of 10mg Prozac has begun. Awful chest discomfort, heart palpitations, anxiety, exhaustion and lots of nausea. It's like I've had the flu since 11/18. I don't think I'm still experiencing Zoloft WD because usually nausea and this damn exhaustion isn't a symptom. Also I don't think it's side effects of Prozac itself because by now I should only have about ~15% remaining in my body. So it's gotta be prozac WD and I'm frankly very worried, because it won't be 99% out for another couple weeks meaning I could be dealing with this withdrawal for at least a month! 

 

I'm mad at myself because I've spent so much of this year dealing with withdrawals and side effects because I keep thinking switching/changing medications will somehow help me.

 

I feel like at this point my CNS is so destabilized I'm hypersensitive and my body will more-or-less reject any additional medications or changes.

 

Does anyone know how long it takes for hypersensitivity to subside?

 

[Sebas]

On 12/1/2024 at 7:47 PM, BD19 said:

Even if i taper properly there is a risk, that it comes to a point, where it goes no further

The link mentions possibilities for the end of the taper using liquid solution.

[BD19]

Unfortunately there is no liquid solution for Effexor. The UK has one, but it is unaffordable. 450€ per month. I wouldn’t think about a switch, if a solution was available. 
But thank you for your engagement ☺️. 
I’ve literally played all scenarios through. At least for my position. 

[Sebas]

I meant a homemade liquid solution.

[DutchMaddy]

What about the “ regenboog apotheek” in the Netherlands. They can make every drug in very small amounts. Just mail them! 

pharder@regenboogapotheek.nl

 

good luck!

 

Contact

Contact

Taperingstrip
p/a Stichting Psychosenet
Waterlooplein 339
1011PG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Email: info@taperingstrip.nl

Taperingstrip
p/a Stichting Psychosenet
Waterlooplein 339
1011PG Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Email: info@taperingstrip.nl

 

[hxdaro]

I can say also - I think the nausea and diarreah I'm having every day is a result of side effects of the Prozac. 

 

The problem is Prozac lasts like, 28 days in your body and it's metabolite lasts even longer.

 

NIH says, "Fluoxetine may still cause medicine interactions 5 or 6 weeks after stopping, as fluoxetine and its active metabolite have a long half-life."

 

Which means I may be experiencing side effects for weeks to come and that's even after stopping Prozac almost three weeks ago.

 

Ugh.

[BD19]

Thank you all very much for your replies. As I wrote above, I really appreciate this because I know, how difficult this process is for you too. Yes, today I am thinking about a taper with the bead method. Therefore I have to switch my medication. 

The point that so many changes have been made to my medication is something I really need to consider.

Hoi @DutchMaddy. Yes, I've altough contacted the regenbookapotheek. When I am at a lower dose, I will use tapering strips. Provided I manage to stop my “main medication” completely. Unfortunately, I have been taking antidepressants for 11 years.

 

Kind regards 🙂 

[DutchMaddy]

Good luck!!!🌹

[BD19]

I wanted to give you a little update.
So, I went to another doctor to get a second opinion. So, he gave me Desvenlafaxine. I took it as a crosstaper for two days and then stopped.
Instead, I reduce venlafaxine. No changeover. I know that the 10% method would be the safest way. However, I have now reduced 12.5mg as the next step. From 75mg to 62.5mg. 
If everything works out, I will keep my entire dose, that means all medication, for at least 3 months and not make any changes. Venlafaxine even longer. 
I can reduce Pipamperon by 10% because I have it as juice. But even that will only be reduced after 3 to 4 months, if not later. 
Keep your fingers crossed that the reduction of venlafaxine works. The critical level often begins at 37.5 mg. From then on I would switch to a remedy with Beats. 
I know it's fast, but I'm not planning to keep cutting back every few weeks, I'm giving my body a longer break now. 
What I learned is that there is no miracle pill, even though that was my hope. I wanted my old self back so badly that I trusted my old psychiatrist and took Desvenlafaxine until I realized that unfortunately that's what many psychiatrists do: "You can't tolerate the medication, then just take another one." But that is not the way. The path is the reduction. 
Sometimes faster, sometimes slower. Every path and every body is different. And take your time. Make a reduction and then wait. And if it's months. Perhaps I will continue to reduce the 12.5mg, but then only one every 6 - 12 months. I don't know myself yet. I first have to find my way.
For example, a friend of mine came off venlafaxine after six months without any problems. That won't be possible for me, but I just want to say that every path is different. 
 

Hang in there and best wishes 
BD19

[hxdaro]

Since my failed switch to Prozac, despite stabilizing back on Zoloft I continued to have palpitations and racing heartbeats a month later, I thought perhaps I'd sensitized myself to SSRIs and tried going from 25mg Zoloft to 12.5mg and it only made the problem worse. I assume that I am experiencing Prozac WD as the base issue and am compounding the problem by trying to taper down.

 

All I can do is wait, I suppose. 

 

 

[BD19]

@hxdaro when I was tapering Zoloft by myself, I had this palpitations too. I think they were a reaction of my wrong taper. When I tried to switch back to Zoloft last summer, the palpitations returned, too.

[BD19]

I just wanted to give a short update. Well, the step was a bit too large. I am having withdrawal symptoms, but they are manageable. I am more anxious, at the evening I get flue like symptoms and around noon I am having electrical sensations all over my body.

I am currently at 62.5mg. I will stay on all my doses till August. Then I will switch my Effexor to a preparation with tiny beads inside. This will probably be my vacation homework. If I stabilised on that, I am doing a 10% taper, like I should have done. I did a bit of calculation. My Effexor taper will last 6 years. After that, I am tapering Pipamperon for almost the same duration, like the Mirtazapine, too. All together it would take me about 18 years of tapering. But it is, what it is. 🙈