emmily Posted August 16, 2023 Posted August 16, 2023 Hello, I was on Prozac from 2018-2023 (5 years). Started taping in April 2023, off completely June 2023. Went from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 in two months. Was told Prozac you can taper off a little faster than others (by my doctor) because of the long half-life. The tapering wasn't the best experience, but I thought I was clear now. It's been two months! But now my face is numb-like, like it feels like coming in from the cold. I can still feel it, but it's just a weird numb feeling. Went to my primary doctor the other day, and she said she wasn't sure what it was but that it was probably nothing serious. Sigh, that didn't help answer anything. I asked if it could be related to the Prozac and she said "probably not." So I let it go. I did blood work, and everything came up normal. I've been frustrated because my face feels so weird, then it hit me, could it actually be the prozac though afterall and the doctor just wasn't taking it seriously?! Again, my last pill was two months ago now. But with everything coming back clear, I can't help but wonder... I did read it's common for numbness after SSSRI withdraw as your brain adjusts to the serotonin drop, but it's been two months, so I'm confused. Anyone have any clue if this is related? I DID feel some numbness during the taper but it would come and go in brief periods so I kind of forgot about it. Now, it's just constant. Doesn't hurt but feels very awkward. Oh, and all the other symptoms I had during tapering have thankfully gone away. It was a hard process, but I am Prozac free now and overall, I feel happier. I got off Prozac because my husband and I are trying to conceive, and I don't want to be on antidepressents while pregnant. Thank you for reading! Prozac- 2018-2023
emmily Posted August 16, 2023 Author Posted August 16, 2023 Hello, I also posted something in another forum but think that was the wrong one to post in so posting here. my apologizes. Hi, I was on Prozac for 5 years and chose to start tapering off in April 2023. Last pill was in June 2023. (Doctors had me on a two month taper plan). And while I had some rough symptoms for a couple weeks, I ended up feeling fine! Everything went back to normal, and I thought wow, I did it! I'm out of the woods. I got off Prozac! Well, fast forward to now, August. Two months later.. two months of no Prozac..... and suddenly my face is numb (mostly on one side)! It does not hurt but feels funny, almost like coming in from the cold where it's kinda numb but you still feel it. Could this at all be related to the Prozac? I went to my doctor to see about my face, worrying like what the heck is happening, and doctor said to keep an eye on it but didn't seem concerned. I asked if it could be related to the Prozac and she brushed it off saying not after two months. She said it could just be stress. STRESS? My face is numb-like due to stress?! But then my friend said SSRI withdraw can cause numbness! So then I looked more into it, and it said it's possible for symptoms to come back after being off it even months later! What the heck!! So my question is, is this normal? Could this be related to the Prozac? Again, I have been off it completely for two, almost three months now. I thought I was in the clear. Was my taper too fast? Any help or encouragement would be much appreciated. I just want my face to go back to normal and want to know if this indeed could be related to Prozac. Again, was on it for 5 years, tapered from 40 to 30 to 20 to 10 in two months, and have been Prozac clear for two months. Symptoms went away for withdraw completely, thought life was back to normal. Thanks for reading! Prozac- 2018-2023
Moderator Emeritus Onmyway Posted August 21, 2023 Moderator Emeritus Posted August 21, 2023 Hi @emmily can you pls fill in your signature as instructed in the email you received when you registered? this will help us help you better. OMW "Nothing so small as a moment is insurmountable, and moments are all that we have. You have survived every trial and tribulation that life has thrown at you up until this very instant. When future troubles come—and they will come—a version of you will be born into that moment that can conquer them, too." - Kevin Koenig I am not a doctor and this should not be considered medical advice. You can use the information and recommendations provided in whatever way you want and all decisions on your treatment are yours. In the next few weeks I do not have a lot of capacity to respond to questions. If you need a quick answer pls tag or ask other moderators who may want to be tagged. Aug 2000 - July 2003 (ct, 4-6 wk wd) , citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn, wellbutrin for a few months, trazodone prn Dec 2004 - July 2018 citalopram 20 mg, xanax prn (rarely used) Aug 2018 - citalopram 40 mg (self titrated up) September 2018 - January 2019 tapered citalopram - 40/30/20/10/5 no issues until a week after reaching 0 Feb 2019 0.25 xanax - 0.5/day (3 weeks) over to klonopin 0.25 once a day to manage severe wd March 6, reinstated citalopram 2.5 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 mg for sleep 2-3 times a week Apr 1st citalopram 2.0 mg (liquid), klonopin 0.25 once a week (off by 4/14/19- no tapering) citalopram (liquid) 4/14/19 -1.8 mg, 5/8/19 - 1.6 mg, 7/27/19 -1.5 mg, 8/15/19 - 1.35, 2/21/21 - 1.1 (smaller drops in between), 6/20/21 - 1.03 mg, 8/7/21- 1.025, 8/11/21 - 1.02, 8/15/21 - 1.015, 9/3/21 - 0.925 (fingers crossed!), 10/8/21 - 0.9, 10/18/21 - 0.875, 12/31/21 - 0.85, 1/7/22 - 0.825, 1/14/22 - 0.8, 1/22/22 - 0.785, 8/18/22 - 0.59, 12/15/2022 - 0.48, 2/15/22 - 0.43, 25/07/23 - 0.25 (mistake), 6/08/23 - 0.33mg Supplements: magnesium citrate and bi-glycinate
emmily Posted September 18, 2023 Author Posted September 18, 2023 On 8/20/2023 at 10:20 PM, Onmyway said: Hi @emmily can you pls fill in your signature as instructed in the email you received when you registered? this will help us help you better. OMW Hello, can you please resend this email? I am not seeing it in my inbox. Thank you Prozac- 2018-2023
Moderator FireflyFyte Posted September 18, 2023 Moderator Posted September 18, 2023 Hi emmily, You can also find the instructions at How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature Thanks, Firefly Pre- October 2022: Wellbutrin, Escitalopram, Citalopram, Sertraline, Adderall IR, Vyvanse, Propranolol, Buspar, Ativan, and Latuda Oct 13, 2022 - Oct 24, 2022 and Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Zyprexa (2.5 mg). Jan 29, 2023 = 2.375mg -> Jan 22, 2024 = 0.97mg -> Nov 26, 2024 = 0.295mg Oct 14, 2022 - Present: Prozac (40mg) upped from 20mg on Nov 1, 2022. Oct 31, 2022 - Present: Gabapentin (300mg 3x day) -> May 3, 2023 = 300mg 2x day -> Oct 1, 2023 = 570mg -> Oct 15, 2023 = 540mg -> Oct 29, 2023 = 510mg -> Nov 13, 2023 = 484mg -> Nov 27, 2023 = 460mg -> Dec 9, 2023 = 436mg -> Dec 24, 2023 = 414mg -> Jan 7, 2024 = 400mg
Administrator Altostrata Posted September 21, 2023 Administrator Posted September 21, 2023 Hello, @emmily On 8/16/2023 at 11:26 AM, emmily said: I did read it's common for numbness after SSSRI withdraw as your brain adjusts to the serotonin drop, but it's been two months, so I'm confused. Anyone have any clue if this is related? I DID feel some numbness during the taper but it would come and go in brief periods so I kind of forgot about it. Now, it's just constant. Doesn't hurt but feels very awkward. You've been off your antidepressant for only 2 months. It can take much longer for the emotional anesthesia to very gradually go away. Please be patient. Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/ https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/ You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you. To help us out, follow these instructions Please summarize your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this. Please let us know how you’re doing. This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner. "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein All postings © copyrighted.
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