Jables221: coming off Prozac after 16 years

[Jables221]

Hi there! I was recommended to this site by a few people because I have recently come off Prozac after being on them since I was 17 (I’m 33 now). I was advised by my psychiatrist to take about 6 weeks or so in between dose changes. I started at 60 mg and went down to 40 for 6 weeks, followed by 20 for a few weeks. I took it upon myself (maybe not the best idea) to go from 20 down to 10 mg for a week or so and finally stop. My last dose was June 21. Since then I have gained almost 15 pounds and am having mild/moderate side effects. One of the most difficult being the constant leg movements when I’m laying in bed, it’s becoming unbearable. My mood is erratic with lots of spontaneous crying and lashing out at my husband, and I definitely feel on edge at all times. I’m at the point where I don’t know what to do or even how long to expect these unpleasant side effects to last. Any advice would be so helpful! Thank you in advance!!

[Frogie]

@Jables221

 

Welcome to SA. We are a volunteer ran site helping people taper off psychiatric medications or have tapered off and are now healing.

 

This is your introduction page where you will receive information, ask questions and meet other members. We ask that you only have one introduction page so we can keep all your information in one place.

 

Can you please create a signature.

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Although Prozac stays in your system a long time, that is why you are having delayed withdrawal symptoms.  It can stay in your system up to 16 days.  We don't suggest more than 10% taper a month and many go much slower than that.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

The slowness of slow tapers

 

Brass Monkey Slide

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

 

 

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications:

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

Here are some links that may help.

 

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

 

Stabilising After a Reduction - What Does That Mean?

Withdrawal Normal Description

 

 Waves and Windows in SSRI Withdrawal

Non-drug treatments for restless legs

 

Irritability, Anger, Rage

Dr. Joseph Glenmullen's withdrawal symptom checklist

 

 

You could try to reinstate a small amount of Prozac and see how you do. I would try 1 mg and wait 7-10 days as that is the amount of time it takes to reach full stability in your system. It could always be adjusted after that. 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

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

 

We don't suggest supplements on here as they can stimulate the nervous system, except 2. You could try one in a small amount and wait a few days before introducing the other.

 

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

King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) - Symptoms and self-care - Surviving Antidepressants

 

Please reach out with any questions you may have after you read the links provided.

 

 

[Callieflower]

Hi! I tapered off my Prozac beginning in April and have been totally off since the beginning of July. It’s intense! I’ve had a lot of the crying spells and feeling on edge as well as tons of other withdrawal symptoms. From what I’ve read on others’ posts here the worst of the symptoms are in the first couple months after discontinuation, but you can have random flare-ups for years to come.

 

At the behest of one of the posts on supplements I started taking Omega 3 and Magnesium Glycinate. I’ve been taking these for a week along with high dose vitamin D and have noticed a marked decrease in my symptoms. I know it might not work for everyone, but it’s made things much more manageable for me. There’s a lot of good information in the symptoms and self care section.

 

Any changes since your initial post?