LoneWolf066: New to the site but not to antidepessants

August 1

Hello all, I am new here. I was on prozac for 12 years. In Feburary I started to tamper down slowly over two months while I was going to the gym at least three times a week. I was doing great, feeling good and ready to enjoy my life. I noticed that I could feel more emosions both good and bad. I had bad days but nothing that I didnt get through. The reason I wanted to get off the drugs are both not wanting to be dependent on it to be happy and also had sexual side effects(low-no sex drive). I was and still are stressed because of owning and building a small business. I am almost always working alone and doing everything in the business. I am 1.5 years into it and have already almost quit several times, but I push through because I beleive it will be worth it.

About two months ago I fell off my workout rutine, just being busy with work. Two weeks ago I was sick after returning from some traval. I asked my doctor for some anti anxity drugs but he wanted me to get back on antidepessants. He suggested welbutron. I tried it for three days and could not do it. That led me to go back on the prozac. I have been having a terible time. I have been back on 20mg for 9 days and I really want to stop. I couldnt get out of bed for the last three days. Suisidal thoughts are almost daily. I plan on stopping tomorrow.

my question is if I stop now, how bad will my withdrawls be?

What are some natural ways to go about coping with withdrawls and/or regulating mood so Im not so stressed all the time?

What can help over the sexual side effects as the didnt come right back when I got off prozac in the first place?

Anyone deal with PSSD?

Edited August 1 by Emonda
Name to title

August 5

Hello, and welcome to Surviving Antidepressants. We are a peer support forum to assist in tapering off psychiatric drugs safely, or recovering from psychiatric drug withdrawal.

This topic is for anything relating to you, and any questions you have. Please do not start another topic.

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of your CURRENT dose each month, to limit withdrawal symptoms. E.g. 10mg --> 9mg --> 8.1mg --> 7.29mg

All the answers you are looking for regarding tapering and antidepressant withdrawal are on this site. Please search around and continue to read as much as you can manage. Use the site search function to search for specific words or phrases, such as drugs or symptoms.

The long half-life of Prozac means you likely didn't experience the worst of withdrawal before reinstating. It can take up to 3 months for withdrawal symptoms to kick in, as that is when the final liver metabolites are cleared from the system for the majority of people. After prolongued use we would expect it to take multiple years to taper down from a dose of 20mg, as opposed to a few months.

You have also probably reinstated at too high of a dose. It is likely you will stabilise on 20mg with time, as your brain is still dependent on it after 10 years of use. If you cannot tolerate symptoms it may be beneficial to drop down to a lower dose, followed by a long period of holding.

Here are a few of the most useful links:

--------Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ--------

Micro tapering

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Taking multiple psych drugs? Which drug to taper first?

How to make a liquid from tablets or capsules

Using a scale to weigh and measure doses

--------From the Symptoms and Self-Care Forums--------

What is withdrawal syndrome?

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

Hypersensitivity and Kindling

We only recommend two supplements. Omega 3 Fish Oil and Magnesium. Both should be introduced separately and increased slowly.

Regards

Erimus