Frankiegirl123: Tapering SSRI after 12 years

[frankiegirl123]

Hi, 

 

I started reducing my 10 mg of prozac on 1/1. My doctor recommended going down to 7.5 mg. I have been taking it consistently in the evening to no initial side effects for the first week, but today (about 8 days in) I am feeling the effects of the taper. Was 7.5 too much, too fast? Should I go back up to 10 mg and then wait for it to level out and then reduce it by 10% (per the guidance here)?

 

Thanks all,

 

Erin

Edited January 10 by Emonda
Name to title

[Emonda]

Welcome to S.A. @frankiegirl123,

 

So the moderators can best help you, please complete your drug signature by following these instructions. Adding a signature ensures your drug history appears at the bottom of every post, making it more efficient for those trying to assist.

 

2 hours ago, frankiegirl123 said:

My doctor recommended going down to 7.5 mg.

 

As you've noted, the recommendation on this site is for a maximum of 10% per month. Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

You've dropped 25%, so I would expect you would be feeling WD symptoms: Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

8 days in, you sould be ok to revert to 10mg...but the 10% drop would have been 9mg, so maybe you can find stability there. Everyone is different.

 

Once stable, give yourself a few months to stabilise, then cautiously proceed with a maximum of 10% per month.

 

A few helpful links for you to read:

 

Windows and waves pattern of stabilization

 

Emotional Spirals

 

Non-drug coping strategies

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but two that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. Add one at a time and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Avoid alcohol. 

 

Please post any updates here in your thread.

 

Once again, welcome to S.A....and please remember your drug signature.

 

Emonda.

 

 

[frankiegirl123]

Thanks so much! Do you know how I could manipulate a 10 mg tablet to be 9 mg? I am unsure how I would do that. For the 7.5 taper I cut the drug in half (5 mg), then split the half into quarters (2.5)

[LotusRising]

Hi @frankiegirl123

 

According to the below link, it looks as though you can get a liquid formula. If this is not feasible, the link also describes how to make your own liquid.

 

 

 

[frankiegirl123]

Thank you so much. Today I felt slightly better, not sure what tomorrow is like. I am wondering if I should hold at 7.5 for a bit longer? 

 

Also, I have been looking through this forum and am curious if there are any helpful threads on things you can do to help withdrawal i.e., sauna, cold exposure, exercise, etc. 

[KenA]

@frankiegirl123 Here is a forum thread that has multiple links to whatever symptoms you may be experiencing

 

 

[frankiegirl123]

Hi. Tomorrow will be my 11th day of 7.5 mg from 10 mg. I have had some on and off withdrawal symptoms. I am a little nervous and wondering if I should go back up to 10, hold for a while, and then taper with the liquid. Or try to stay at 7.5 to see if things even out. Any advice? I am just nervous because of prozac's long half life it's going to get worse at 7.5 since that was quite a big taper to start (recommended by my doctor). Thanks again. 

[frankiegirl123]

I went back up to 10 mg tonight. I am nervous but am hoping it hasn't been too long to go back to my original dose and that this won't have a kindling effect. 

[frankiegirl123]

Hi,

 

im beginning a liquid taper of Prozac. I am starting at my normal dose of 10 mg (2.5 ml). As I reduce by 10% each time, are there tips for measuring as I get to the more finite amounts I.e, when it’s something like 7.88?

 

thank! 

[frankiegirl123]

Hi, I began taking liquid prozac about a week ago but began just by taking the liquid equivalent of my 10 mg pill dose so that I can get used to the liquid. I have been thinking I am measuring 2.5 ml (equivalent to 10 mg), but I am having headaches and noticing some minor withdrawal symptoms, even though I am supposedly taking the same amount. Does anyone know why this may be the case? is the liquid slightly different than the pill form? or could it be that my measurement is slightly off?

 

really grateful for any help or insight. Thanks!

[Erimus]

It's generally suggested to cross from tablet to liquid in stages, as it can cause symptoms. Given you've already changed I wouldn't consider going back now. Give it a few weeks and monitor how symptoms change, it's likely just a result of the cross over.

 

We can't help with measurements if we don't know the dilution of the liquid you're using.

[frankiegirl123]

the dilution is 20 mg/5mL

[frankiegirl123]

Are there any links here that refer to the best practices for prozac liquid taper? I wasn't aware that its best to cross from tablet to liquid in stages. Thanks so much!

[frankiegirl123]

Also, i only just started the liquid prozac 5 days ago on 4/10. Would it be better to go back on the tablet, stabilize, and then restart the cross taper to liquid?

[Erimus]

23 minutes ago, frankiegirl123 said:

Also, i only just started the liquid prozac 5 days ago on 4/10. Would it be better to go back on the tablet, stabilize, and then restart the cross taper to liquid?

Like I said, now you've already done it I would stay on the liquid and wait for things to settle down. If symptoms are minor you just need to manage them.

 

48 minutes ago, frankiegirl123 said:

the dilution is 20 mg/5mL

Works out fine, then.

 

When you're ready to taper you'll need to dilute your prozac solution. You can find more information about all of that here: Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ

 

 

Edited April 15 by Erimus

[frankiegirl123]

Is it likely for these to work themselves out with the cross over?

[Erimus]

3 minutes ago, frankiegirl123 said:

Is it likely for these to work themselves out with the cross over?

Yes, it just needs time and patience.

Edited April 15 by Erimus

[frankiegirl123]

OK thank you. Are there any resources in this channel that shed light on this topic?

 

Since its only been 5 days, is it likely my symptoms will get worse before they get better? Right now my symptoms are brain fog, withdrawal headache, and light anxiety. 

[frankiegirl123]

@Erimus why would I need to dilute my Prozac solution when I am tapering? it comes in the liquid form. 

[frankiegirl123]

Hi,

 

I had originally started my taper back in January by decreasing my dose from 10 mg prozac by 25% - this was too much too fast and I went back up to 10 mg and held there. Last week, on 4/10, I switched from tablets to the liquid equivalent. I am taking the same dose. It hasn't been seamless - I am feeling brain fog, light anxiety and a near constant headache. Is this common with drug form changes? 

 

I learned that I should have done a slow cross over, but didn't know that -- my doctor didn't tell me. Since it's only been 5 days, should I go back to the tablet and then resume the cross over to the liquid as is directed? Or should I just wait it out on the liquid 10 mg? Someone here told me I shouldn't go back since I already started, but 5 days isn't very long so I was thinking it be fine to go back to the tablet

 

Thanks all. 

[Erimus]

19 hours ago, frankiegirl123 said:

@Erimus why would I need to dilute my Prozac solution when I am tapering? it comes in the liquid form. 

So you can do small cuts with more ease. I guess if you have a 1ml syringe you wouldn't need to dilute it, but the reductions might be difficult to measure.