Angus: Prozac Taper

[Angus]

I need help in tapering 10 mg of Prozac. I have liquid form. I am already experiencing brain zaps, electric shocks down my arms and some burning/body flushing. I reduced my Prozac from 12.5 mg to 10 mg three weeks ago and these symptoms go worse 5 days ago. My physician doesn’t think they are withdrawal symptoms but doesn’t think Prozac is a fit. She wants me to drop to 5 mg. I will only do a 10 percent taper I told her. How should I proceed?  

[FireflyFyte]

Hi Angus,

 

Please summarize your drug history in your signature. You can find instructions at How to Summarize Your Drug History in Your Signature. You may need to be on a computer to complete this.

 

14 hours ago, Angus said:

I am already experiencing brain zaps, electric shocks down my arms and some burning/body flushing

 

All of these are withdrawal symptoms. I would recommend holding at 10mg, if the symptoms are bearable, and stabilizing before dropping since 12.5mg to 10mg is a 20% drop and higher than the 10% drop of the pervious dose per month than we recommend. 

 

You can read specifics on tapering Prozac at Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine). Having the liquid version will make the tapering process easier.

 

We don't recommend many supplements to help during withdrawal but we do for the following

• King of supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)
• Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker

Thanks,

 

Firefly

[Angus]

I am nervous I won’t be able to stabilize my symptoms. I am going to stay at 10 ml for the time being. Is there hope they will subside? Besides taking the supplements is waiting the only course of action? My dr swears I am not having withdrawal. 

[FireflyFyte]

17 minutes ago, Angus said:

Is there hope they will subside?

 

You can read about stabilization at The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization and Stabilizing, what does that mean?.

 

It can take several weeks, if not longer, to stabilize after a reduction. You can also consider a small up-dose to 10.5ml or 11ml to see if that helps with some of your current symptoms.

 

23 minutes ago, Angus said:

My dr swears I am not having withdrawal. 

 

The majority of our thousands of members are here because their doctors also didn't believe in withdrawals.

[Angus]

I am realizing I didn’t enter my Prozac drug history correctly. I am taking liquid and I am taking 2 ml which is 4 mg. I was confused on equivalents and just read the attachment on the ammounts. I also realize I haven’t been an exact enough on measuring amounts. I wasnt given any directions on this by my dr:((.

[FireflyFyte]

1 hour ago, Angus said:

I also realize I haven’t been an exact enough on measuring amounts.

 

Try to be as exact as possible on your measuring amount and hold at 2ml/4mg to see if that helps with stabilization. Having a consistent dose might help alleviate some of your symptoms.

[Angus]

I replied incorrectly again- obviously I’m pretty stressed about all this- I’m taking 2ml which is 4mg. Sorry!!! Yes, I will measure very carefully from now on. 

[Angus]

Oops - I did it once more. I am taking 2 ml which is 8 mg!

[FireflyFyte]

11 minutes ago, Angus said:

obviously I’m pretty stressed about all this

 

This is understandable. You might want to read about Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms.

[Angus]

How long should I wait after my symptoms stabilize to start tapering?When I am stabilized, how do I figure out my taper amounts of 10 percent?

[Angus]

Is there a calculating tool I can use? I’ve tried to find a link that works on this site…can’t seem to find it.

[FireflyFyte]

14 hours ago, Angus said:

How long should I wait after my symptoms stabilize to start tapering?When I am stabilized, how do I figure out my taper amounts of 10 percent?

 

I would recommend waiting at least a month after you stabilize before resuming your taper.

 

Since you are on the liquid version, you would take 2ml * .90 to get your new dose which would be 1.8ml. Your next drop would be 1.8ml *.90, etc.

[Angus]

How does one finally get off? When I keep multiplying the doses of the amounts on the lower end(example- .45x .9= .41 etc)…When does the tapering end? It’s going on 2 plus yrs of time… 

[FireflyFyte]

32 minutes ago, Angus said:

How does one finally get off? When I keep multiplying the doses of the amounts on the lower end(example- .45x .9= .41 etc)…When does the tapering end? It’s going on 2 plus yrs of time… 

 

I have reached out to the other moderators to determine a safe jumping off amount for Prozac.

[Angus]

I’m realizing that I’ve probably been experiencing withdrawal symptoms the entire time I’ve been trying to get on Prozac.I’ve mentioned my symptoms to my dr and she explained it as anxiety as I was dose increasing. Is there hope that if I just stay on my current dose I’ll be able to stabilize since I’ve never been stable and was not aware what my symptoms were withdrawal?

[FireflyFyte]

55 minutes ago, Angus said:

I’m realizing that I’ve probably been experiencing withdrawal symptoms the entire time I’ve been trying to get on Prozac.I’ve mentioned my symptoms to my dr and she explained it as anxiety as I was dose increasing. Is there hope that if I just stay on my current dose I’ll be able to stabilize since I’ve never been stable and was not aware what my symptoms were withdrawal?

 

What symptoms specifically? Do they get worse after you take Prozac?

[Angus]

1.I have the cortisol/anxiety feeling when I wake up. Feels like my upper body/ arms fill with buzzing warmth

2.Brain zaps

3.Headache

4. Racing thoughts

5. Chest pain, burning 

6. light sensitivity in am 

The symptoms come and go through out day but mornings can be tougher. I take the 2 ml liquid in am.

[Angus]

Forgot- 

7. sweating, body burning/ temperature regulation 

[Angus]

Sorry-

8. Interrupted sleep- sleep only in chunks, maybe 4-5 hours a night at best

9. Fatique, nausea

10. depressed mood

[Angus]

I also don’t understand once you dose down to .1 ml, do you measure the small, small amounts- even with liquid and a 1ml syringe

[Angus]

Is there a tool that can measure out liquids to the hundredths and thousands? (Example- .056, .0005)

[Angus]

I am discouraged because I told my dr at lower doses I was having these symptoms and she never recognized them as withdrawal and just pushed the dose up and now I am stuck in a holding pattern on a drug that never worked in the first place:(. I can’t believe it’s going to take such a long time to reverse all this:((

[FireflyFyte]

56 minutes ago, Angus said:

I am discouraged because I told my dr at lower doses I was having these symptoms and she never recognized them as withdrawal and just pushed the dose up and now I am stuck in a holding pattern on a drug that never worked in the first place:(. I can’t believe it’s going to take such a long time to reverse all this:((

 

I encourage people to remember that to go fast, we need to go slow so while it will take awhile to safely get off of the Prozac it will hopefully be time where you feel decent. 

 

Have you been stabilizing at all on your steady dose?

[Angus]

I am feeling some periods of time during the day of break in symptoms but there are some that are daily - like waking up with warm buzziness that fill my body, like electricity. Do I have to wait until all my symptoms alleviate before tapering? I fear it’s going to be a long time.

[getofflex]

Just wanted to let you know I answered your question about measuring liquids under .1 ml, and moved it to the topic on oral syringes.  You can find it here: 

 

 

[Angus]

Thank you for your help. I read over the post. I am using a 1.0 ml syringe to measure out 1.0 ml x 2 = 2.0 mls or 4 mg of Prozac. Is it more exact to dilute? I was confused on how to do this though…

[FireflyFyte]

On 9/4/2023 at 12:31 PM, Angus said:

I am feeling some periods of time during the day of break in symptoms but there are some that are daily - like waking up with warm buzziness that fill my body, like electricity. Do I have to wait until all my symptoms alleviate before tapering? I fear it’s going to be a long time.

 

You want to be stable before tapering which means that any symptoms you are experiencing are manageable and don't cause issues for day-to-day activities but you don't have to be symptom-free.

[Angus]

Ok thank u

[Altostrata]

On 9/1/2023 at 11:21 AM, Angus said:

How does one finally get off? When I keep multiplying the doses of the amounts on the lower end(example- .45x .9= .41 etc)…When does the tapering end? It’s going on 2 plus yrs of time… 

 

You are correct, the exponential taper never reaches zero. The jumping-off point is dependent on how your taper is going.

Quote

 

Prozac- started July 5 2023- liquid

1 ml for a wk (4 mg)

1.5 ml- for a wk 

2 ml- for a wk

2.5 ml- 2wks, bad side effects 

2 ml- currently, 3 wks 

 

 

On 9/2/2023 at 12:43 PM, Angus said:

1.I have the cortisol/anxiety feeling when I wake up. Feels like my upper body/ arms fill with buzzing warmth

2.Brain zaps

3.Headache

4. Racing thoughts

5. Chest pain, burning 

6. light sensitivity in am 

The symptoms come and go through out day but mornings can be tougher. I take the 2 ml liquid in am.

 

These are withdrawal symptoms.

 

On 9/2/2023 at 12:44 PM, Angus said:

Forgot- 

7. sweating, body burning/ temperature regulation 

 

These are withdrawal symptoms.

 

On 9/2/2023 at 12:45 PM, Angus said:

Sorry-

8. Interrupted sleep- sleep only in chunks, maybe 4-5 hours a night at best

9. Fatique, nausea

10. depressed mood

 

These are withdrawal symptoms.

 

Since your taper has resulted in withdrawal symptoms, your taper is not going well. You are nowhere near the jumping-off point. You are tapering too fast. If I were you, I'd stop tapering now and let your nervous system settle down from the decreases you've made so far.

 

If you're lucky, your symptoms will settle down in a month or so. After they go away, strongly recommend the very gradual taper described here:

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Why taper? SERT transporter occupancy studies show importance of gradual change in plasma concentration
Discussion of a scientific journal article with data supporting a very gradual taper. 

Tips for tapering off fluoxetine (Prozac)

[Angus]

Thank you for your responses. I appreciate your help. I’m new to all of this so still figuring out what I’ve gotten myself into :(. Thank you.

[Angus]

Since I’ve been taking Prozac, (July 5/23), I’ve experienced on and off side effects from the drug as well. When my with drawl symptoms stabilize and I can begin to slowly taper, will these start to decrease? Also, is a burning chest a withdrawal symptom?

[Angus]

I am wondering if I am experiencing adverse effects from the Prozac as well as with drawl.

[FireflyFyte]

14 hours ago, Angus said:

Also, is a burning chest a withdrawal symptom?

 

You can use the search function to look for "burning chest". I do believe that others have reported it as a withdrawal symptom.

 

9 hours ago, Angus said:

I am wondering if I am experiencing adverse effects from the Prozac as well as with drawl.

 

You have experienced a lot of drug changes since April so you might be in a state of hypersensitivity. You can read more at Hypersensitivity and Kindling.

 

For now, I would encourage you to work on some Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms. Anxiety can feed in withdrawal symptoms and make you feel worse so trying to lower it can be beneficial during this process.

[Angus]

I am just trying to get to a place of acceptance about all of this - I am just so disappointed that I’ve created such a huge mess.

[Altostrata]

What symptoms do you think are adverse effects from Prozac? When do they occur?

[Angus]

After taking the Prozac, I get very anxious. I feel unsettled most of the day, have trouble sitting still, forgetful. The only real relief is the evening. It gives me racing thoughts. It makes me nauseous. It seems agitate me. I don’t think there is much I can do now since I’ve been on it since 7/5. I’m guessing I’ll just have to ride it out. I’m just disappointed because my dr told me I could just step off it no problem.