Graciebeads: Prozac withdrawal schedule?

[Graciebeads]

Hi,

I'm Gracie and a new member. Can't remember if I already introduced myself. LOL

Was so blessed to find your group!!! TY for being here and for letting me join.

 

My main question was how often do you lower Prozac dose to lower mg per day? I am lowering dose every 2 weeks... think that's cool?

Dr. & Pharmacist are NO help at all!

 

I am currently tapering off of Prozac... started at 60mg and am down to 25mg now. What a ride this has been as anyone reading this already knows!

 

The lower the dose gets, the harder the withdrawal symptoms are. I am now cutting back 2.5mg (1/4 of 10mg tablet - lowest dose made) per ...

I read to come off this stuff at 5% per decrease... At 25mg dose (my current Prozac dose) I should be lowering my dose by 1.5mg NOT 2.5mg... my doctor AND my psychiatrist both did not know what I could do to get 1.5 mg tablets for my taper... thanks, Guys!

If anyone has any ideas, I would LVE to hear from you.

 

And I am angry with Big Pharma for putting me through yet another withdrawal!

 

Hoping to get off ALL of BIG Pharma's poisons all together via eating right and becoming healthy! 

If I may add, I don't think it's OK that they release meds that have ANY side effects! GRRRR  LOL

Thx for listening to me vent. Appreicate it and feel better... thanks!

Edited October 16, 2020 by Gridley

[Gridley]

Welcome to SurvivingAnidepressants, Graciebeads.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly. Please include the date you started your taper from 60mg and the rate of your taper.  You'll need to use a computer rather than a telephone.  Use this link, enter your information (a list format is best) and press "save."

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current (not original) dose every four weeks.  The four week time frame gives your body a chance to get accustomed to the lessened dose before the next reduction.  From your post, I'm not sure of your method of taper, but It's better to taper by a percentage of current dose than an unvarying straight drop of however-many mg. Decreasing by a straight drop accelerates the amount that you  would be decreasing each time making it rougher and rougher with each drop. Decreasing by a percentage however decelerates the amount of each drop and makes things gentler on your system.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

There are much easier and more accurate and consistent methods of tapering than cutting pills.  The vast majority of doctors know nothing about safe tapering or withdrawal or, in your case, the fact that in the U.S. Prozac comes in a prescription liquid.  This is the easiest and most accurate way to taper.  It's also possible to make your own liquid Prozac  All this is described in the following link.

 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

If you are experiencing significant withdrawal symptoms, that means you're tapering too fast.  Withdrawal symptoms can build up over a too-fast taper, which would explain why the longer you taper, the harder the withdrawal is.  II suggest you hold where you are at 25mg for at least a month, maybe more, to let your system acclimate itself to your reduced dosage.  That will also give you a chance to absorb the information in this post, especially about switching to a liquid form of Prozac before continuing your taper.

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can complete your drug signature, ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.