RainstormRunner: Prozac taper

[RainstormRunner]

Hey,

 

I’ve been on Prozac since October 19 for Panic disorder (I also have OCD but that wasn’t the reason I got on the drug). Most of the time I’ve taken 20 mg and everything was fine, no panic attacks and no anxiety. OCD was also milder. During my time on Prozac I’ve increased to 30 and 40 mg. 
 

5 months ago I’ve decided to try to taper off the drug for the following reasons: fatigue and very low libido. I’ve felt that 5 years on the drug is enough and that I should at least try to see how I’m doing without it. My psychiatrists’ ideology was that I should stay on the drug indefinitely. 
 

I’ve read about tapering on the forum (tapering 10 percent each time) but decided to take a more aggressive approach and went for 50 percent. Started in June 2024, I decreased from 40 to 20 for 5 weeks. All went great. Then went from 20 to 10 and got withdrawals. Insomnia, for 2 weeks it took me a few hours to fall asleep whereas it usually takes me 10 minutes. Started sweating in my hands and feet. OCD increased. Stayed here around 2 months (tried to jump to 5 after 3 weeks but it was too soon and went back to 10 after a week of feeling dizzy). Since then I went down to 5 mg. Started sweating again in my hands and feet but didn’t have any insomnia. OCD increased again. After 3 weeks on 5 mg I’ve decided it’s time to try to stop completely. 
 

I’ve managed 18 days drug free. After 12 days I’ve gotten dizzy for the first time,

for about a second. Since then, it just kept getting worse. At day 18 I’ve decided to reinstate 5 mg. It’s day 9 on 5 mg and I don’t see any improvement. Last 3 days been having dizziness and vertigo. 
 

I’m writing here to get some advice. My plan is to reinstate and stay on 5 mg for a few months to let my brain adjust after a few months of tapering. But my question is why am I not feeling better now. Is 5 mg too low? Should I increase to 10 to get faster relief? Or should I hold on a few more days on 5? I just want this dizziness to stop. I read that reinstatement should work with a lower dose but I’m 9 days in and this withdrawal dizziness doesn’t get any better. 

[Jane318]

Greetings @RainstormRunner, and welcome to SA!  We are a community of volunteers providing peer support in the tapering of psychiatric medications and their associated withdrawal syndromes. 

 

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. This link should go directly to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

13 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I’ve felt that 5 years on the drug is enough and that I should at least try to see how I’m doing without it. My psychiatrists’ ideology was that I should stay on the drug indefinitely. 

I commend your decision to get off Prozac. Studies show that long term outcomes of people on ADs are worse than those that who do not take drugs (Ref:  Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker).  And yes, most psychiatrists and other mainstream healthcare professionals will advise us to stay on the drugs forever because they are misinformed and/or not acting in your best interest.  Also, many do not understand how difficult it is to get off these drugs and are unable to distinguish between withdrawal and relapse.

 

13 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I’ve read about tapering on the forum (tapering 10 percent each time) but decided to take a more aggressive approach and went for 50 percent. Started in June 2024, I decreased from 40 to 20 for 5 weeks. All went great. Then went from 20 to 10 and got withdrawals.

I am sorry you are suffering right now.  Like many of us, you have discovered that tapering too quickly catches up with you.  In fact, the lower you go, the most important it is to go slowly.  It is at the low doses that the physiologic changes these drugs cause occur the fastest.  

 

13 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

My plan is to reinstate and stay on 5 mg for a few months to let my brain adjust after a few months of tapering. But my question is why am I not feeling better now. Is 5 mg too low? Should I increase to 10 to get faster relief? Or should I hold on a few more days on 5? I just want this dizziness to stop. I read that reinstatement should work with a lower dose but I’m 9 days in and this withdrawal dizziness doesn’t get any better

You were wise to reinstate.  You can choose to stay at 5 mg to stabilize, but this will likely take a long time since your symptoms have not improved after 9 days.  So I would increase to 10 mg if I were you.  Wait another 4 to 7 days.  If symptoms are still not improving, you may need to increase further - maybe to 15 mg. 

 

Please read:  

Reinstatement: About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

Once you find the dose that alleviates your symptoms, you will want to "sit" at this dose until you stabilize - and this could take several months.  Only then should you begin a slow, controlled taper to freedom from Prozac!

 

Here at SA, we recommend the hyperbolic taper method, which you can read about here:  Why taper by 10% of my dosage?   You may also want to read topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ.  

 

 

As you stabilize and then begin your taper, it is very normal to have periods where you feel better, and periods where you feel terrible.  This is what we call the windows and waves pattern of stabilization.  This is actually a good sign of healing!  Read more about windows and waves here:

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

It’s important to keep tabs on your symptoms and adjust your taper amount and schedule as needed.  I now track my symptoms every day, rating them on a scale of 1-10 for severity.  This will help you identify your windows and waves and reveal your progress, which is encouragement we need!  You can use the following list of typical withdrawal symptoms as a template for a journal, if you wish:

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

There are a few things you can do to help your nervous system heal.  Most are intuitive.  Eat a balanced, whole foods diet, stay well hydrated, engage in gentle exercise, and get adequate rest/sleep.  Avoid all neurologically active substances, like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and recreational drugs- these are like pouring gasoline on a fire for your symptoms.  Avoid adding any further psychiatric medications to deal with your withdrawal from psych meds- the effects of these meds on a destabilized nervous system is unpredictable, and taking something else could make you worse.

 

There are a few things you can do to help your nervous system heal.  Most are intuitive.  Eat a balanced, whole foods diet, stay well hydrated, engage in gentle exercise, and get adequate rest/sleep.  Avoid all neurologically active substances, like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and recreational drugs- these are like pouring gasoline on a fire for your symptoms.  Avoid adding any further psychiatric medications to deal with your withdrawal from psych meds- the effects of these meds on a destabilized nervous system is unpredictable, and taking something else could make you worse.

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

 

It takes time and patience to get off these drugs, but you WILL be successful, you WILL heal.

 

Please keep us updated and feel free to ask any other questions here.

 

Best wishes.

 

Edited November 10, 2024 by Jane318
added links pertaining to reinstatement

[LostInCanada]

@RainstormRunner welcome to SA.

Please be aware that fluoxetine has a very long half life and also metabolizes into norfluoxetine which has an even longer half life. This means that changes in your dosage can take a minimum of 30 days to show up and sometimes even longer. 

Be very patient once you settle on a dosage. Allow your body time to settle down and stabilize. When reducing this drug it is so important to go slowly and never taper more than 10% maximum from the current dose every 4 weeks. 

Always hold longer when withdrawal symptoms are present, waiting for them to resolve before continuing your taper.

[MyBrainHurtsALittle]

One question: Can I taper 20mg like this: taking every x day 20mg for several weeks? and then every x-1 day and so on? Thanks!

[LostInCanada]

@MyBrainHurtsALittle please write your own intro with a drug signature so the moderators can help you individually. Thanks.

 

 

[RainstormRunner]

On 11/10/2024 at 4:02 AM, Jane318 said:

Greetings @RainstormRunner, and welcome to SA!  We are a community of volunteers providing peer support in the tapering of psychiatric medications and their associated withdrawal syndromes. 

 

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. This link should go directly to your own signature: Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature

 

I commend your decision to get off Prozac. Studies show that long term outcomes of people on ADs are worse than those that who do not take drugs (Ref:  Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker).  And yes, most psychiatrists and other mainstream healthcare professionals will advise us to stay on the drugs forever because they are misinformed and/or not acting in your best interest.  Also, many do not understand how difficult it is to get off these drugs and are unable to distinguish between withdrawal and relapse.

 

I am sorry you are suffering right now.  Like many of us, you have discovered that tapering too quickly catches up with you.  In fact, the lower you go, the most important it is to go slowly.  It is at the low doses that the physiologic changes these drugs cause occur the fastest.  

 

You were wise to reinstate.  You can choose to stay at 5 mg to stabilize, but this will likely take a long time since your symptoms have not improved after 9 days.  So I would increase to 10 mg if I were you.  Wait another 4 to 7 days.  If symptoms are still not improving, you may need to increase further - maybe to 15 mg. 

 

Please read:  

Reinstatement: About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms.

How long does it take to stabilize after reinstating or updosing?

Hypersensitivity and kindling

 

Once you find the dose that alleviates your symptoms, you will want to "sit" at this dose until you stabilize - and this could take several months.  Only then should you begin a slow, controlled taper to freedom from Prozac!

 

Here at SA, we recommend the hyperbolic taper method, which you can read about here:  Why taper by 10% of my dosage?   You may also want to read topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ.  

 

 

As you stabilize and then begin your taper, it is very normal to have periods where you feel better, and periods where you feel terrible.  This is what we call the windows and waves pattern of stabilization.  This is actually a good sign of healing!  Read more about windows and waves here:

 The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

It’s important to keep tabs on your symptoms and adjust your taper amount and schedule as needed.  I now track my symptoms every day, rating them on a scale of 1-10 for severity.  This will help you identify your windows and waves and reveal your progress, which is encouragement we need!  You can use the following list of typical withdrawal symptoms as a template for a journal, if you wish:

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

There are a few things you can do to help your nervous system heal.  Most are intuitive.  Eat a balanced, whole foods diet, stay well hydrated, engage in gentle exercise, and get adequate rest/sleep.  Avoid all neurologically active substances, like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and recreational drugs- these are like pouring gasoline on a fire for your symptoms.  Avoid adding any further psychiatric medications to deal with your withdrawal from psych meds- the effects of these meds on a destabilized nervous system is unpredictable, and taking something else could make you worse.

 

There are a few things you can do to help your nervous system heal.  Most are intuitive.  Eat a balanced, whole foods diet, stay well hydrated, engage in gentle exercise, and get adequate rest/sleep.  Avoid all neurologically active substances, like caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and recreational drugs- these are like pouring gasoline on a fire for your symptoms.  Avoid adding any further psychiatric medications to deal with your withdrawal from psych meds- the effects of these meds on a destabilized nervous system is unpredictable, and taking something else could make you worse.

 

This is your introduction topic -- the place for you to ask questions, record symptoms, share your progress, and connect with other members of the SA community.  I hope you’ll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation.  I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but I am glad that you found us.

 

It takes time and patience to get off these drugs, but you WILL be successful, you WILL heal.

 

Please keep us updated and feel free to ask any other questions here.

 

Best wishes.

 

 

 

On 11/10/2024 at 5:58 AM, LostInCanada said:

@RainstormRunner welcome to SA.

Please be aware that fluoxetine has a very long half life and also metabolizes into norfluoxetine which has an even longer half life. This means that changes in your dosage can take a minimum of 30 days to show up and sometimes even longer. 

Be very patient once you settle on a dosage. Allow your body time to settle down and stabilize. When reducing this drug it is so important to go slowly and never taper more than 10% maximum from the current dose every 4 weeks. 

Always hold longer when withdrawal symptoms are present, waiting for them to resolve before continuing your taper.

Thank you both for the reply. I’ve been on 5 mg for a month now. There is a noticeable improvement. The vertigo is mostly gone but I’m still fuzzy and lightheaded and not completely back to normal.
 

Since it’s been a month after the reinstatement, should I increase to 10 mg or stay on 5 mg? It’s worth noting I’ve been tapering since June (started at 40 mg) and since I got that far I really don’t want to take a higher dosage, but willing to consider it since my withdrawal symptoms are still present.

 

Thanks for the support. 

[Jane318]

@RainstormRunner - Please complete your drug signature so we will have the information we need to address your questions.

[LostInCanada]

8 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

should I increase to 10 mg or stay on 5 mg?

Though we need a drug signature, I strongly advise against raising the dose. Even if, after seeing your drug signature, a dosage increase was suggested, it would never be to double a dose. There would be a concern about kindling.

Your central nervous system has been majorly affected. Your body had become dependent on this drug and the fast taper and abrupt stop has caused trauma to your system. Once this happens it is very difficult to get back to normal. It will take a long time and increasing the drug can just cause further destabilizing. I would suggest holding for a few months till you feel even better. The fact you have seen improvements at this dose is very encouraging. I wouldn’t mess with that.

Please familiarize yourself with how to taper by either making your own liquid and how to transition from pills to liquid. Look through the various topics that apply so you will know what to expect.

 

[RainstormRunner]

5 hours ago, Jane318 said:

@RainstormRunner - Please complete your drug signature so we will have the information we need to address your questions.

 
I’ve updated my signature. 
 

4 hours ago, LostInCanada said:

Though we need a drug signature, I strongly advise against raising the dose. Even if, after seeing your drug signature, a dosage increase was suggested, it would never be to double a dose. There would be a concern about kindling.

Your central nervous system has been majorly affected. Your body had become dependent on this drug and the fast taper and abrupt stop has caused trauma to your system. Once this happens it is very difficult to get back to normal. It will take a long time and increasing the drug can just cause further destabilizing. I would suggest holding for a few months till you feel even better. The fact you have seen improvements at this dose is very encouraging. I wouldn’t mess with that.

Please familiarize yourself with how to taper by either making your own liquid and how to transition from pills to liquid. Look through the various topics that apply so you will know what to expect.

 

Thank you for your reply. I understand that it might take a few months before I proceed with my taper, but I thought that I would already be back to feeling normal. Since it’s a lot better now than how it was at the first two weeks, I believe I’ll be able to wait it out. When in your opinion might it get better?

[Evelyne]

Hi ❤️ I read through your thread and I feel you, I'm also in early stages of stabilizing journey. I know very well how each day feels like a year and things seem to improve in a snail's pace, but that's the thing - nervous system recovers slowly, as do other parts of the body affected by the medication. Time and patience are your best friends. 

Only in recent months there's been several changes in your medication. Your body needs more time. I encourage you to take it day by day and maybe keep some kind of chart of your symptoms or journal about them, so you can see the improvement and what might make you feel better and if there's any things that make situation temporarily more difficult. It's such a good sign you are seeing improvements! Remember that you can get through this.

[LostInCanada]

@RainstormRunner thanks for the signature update. 👍

5 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

When in your opinion might it get better?

I have seen people do better after 3 months to 2 years. Thankfully you hadn't been off the drug for very long. These drugs are so powerful and the consequences are far reaching. Just know you will get there. 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

Accuracy is important in dosing. Also stick with the same manufacturer as composition can very.

 

 

[LostInCanada]

This may also answer some questions 

 

 

[Jane318]

@RainstormRunner

16 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I’ve updated my signature. 

Thank you.

 

From the taper history in your signature we see that you tapered way too quickly, a mistake many of us, including myself, have made.  This throws the brain / central nervous system into chaos, and it takes time for the brain to re-establish its normal state in the absence of the drugs.  

 

16 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I understand that it might take a few months before I proceed with my taper, but I thought that I would already be back to feeling normal. Since it’s a lot better now than how it was at the first two weeks, I believe I’ll be able to wait it out. When in your opinion might it get better?

It is good to hear that you've been able to notice improvement.  I agree with @LostInCanada, it is best to maintain at 5 mg dose since you are improving.  Updosing further could cause kindling.

 

Everyone is unique, its not possible to give a timeline for stabilizing.  It will likely take several more months.  I would plan on at least six months since reinstating at 5 mg.  You do not want to resume tapering until you are stable.  I am still holding at my mid-July updose, looking to resume tapering in January at the earliest.

 

Hope this helps - please keep us posted.

[Jane318]

How are you doing @RainstormRunner?  Wishing you the best for the holidays!

[RainstormRunner]

14 hours ago, Jane318 said:

How are you doing @RainstormRunner?  Wishing you the best for the holidays!

 
Hey, I’m doing pretty good! Thanks for reaching out. I’m almost 2 months since reinstating 5 mg. The dizziness is almost gone and I’m feeling pretty normal. A little more anxiety and OCD flares up once in a while but it’s manageable. I’ve recently got some blood work done and found out I have low LH, FSH and Testosterone, which might explain me feeling fatigued most of the time and having low libido. I’m only 29 so I suspect Prozac has something to do with that. I really want to stop it to know if it’s really the problem, but I can’t. I thought that reducing dosage would make those side effects improve but nothing changed. My psychiatrist wants me to change to Zoloft but I don’t really want to change medication. I don’t want to go through Prozac withdrawal while getting size effects from another medication. I want to stop completely, but just can’t do it at the time. How much longer should I stay on the current dosage? Thanks you again and Happy Holidays!

[Jane318]

On 12/24/2024 at 11:33 AM, RainstormRunner said:

I’m almost 2 months since reinstating 5 mg. The dizziness is almost gone and I’m feeling pretty normal. A little more anxiety and OCD flares up once in a while but it’s manageable.

This is good news - this is a lot of progress in only two months!

On 12/24/2024 at 11:33 AM, RainstormRunner said:

I’ve recently got some blood work done and found out I have low LH, FSH and Testosterone, which might explain me feeling fatigued most of the time and having low libido. I’m only 29 so I suspect Prozac has something to do with that.

One of those pesky little side effects they never bother to tell you about beforehand - SSRIs are known to depress libido and/or cause other sexual dysfunctions.  This will resolve with time.  You might search the site to learn about the experience of others.

 

On 12/24/2024 at 11:33 AM, RainstormRunner said:

I thought that reducing dosage would make those side effects improve but nothing changed.

I suspect improvements would not be noticeable right away.  With most withdrawal symptoms, healing takes time.

 

On 12/24/2024 at 11:33 AM, RainstormRunner said:

My psychiatrist wants me to change to Zoloft but I don’t really want to change medication. I don’t want to go through Prozac withdrawal while getting size effects from another medication

I agree with you.  We've seen more problems caused than solved by switching medications.  SA usually discourages it for that reason.

 

On 12/24/2024 at 11:33 AM, RainstormRunner said:

I want to stop completely, but just can’t do it at the time. How much longer should I stay on the current dosage?

I would stay at 5 mg until you feel you stabilize.  Plan on 5 to 6 months.  Once stable, you can begin a gradual tapering from 5 mg to zero.  Recommend reading:

 Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ  

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

SA recommends a 10% hyperbolic taper - this allows your body and nervous system to gradually adapt to the absence of the medication. For more detail, please read:   

Why taper? SERT transporter occupancy studies show importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

and

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? 

 

Experience indicates that the lower you go in dosage, the more slowly you need to go.  Once you decide to begin tapering and given that you are at a pretty low dose right now, you might consider choosing to taper even more slowly, with longer holds or smaller cuts.  You can read about this approach here:  The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering

 

Let us know if you have any questions.  Best wishes and Happy New Year!

[RainstormRunner]

On 12/27/2024 at 5:22 AM, Jane318 said:

This is good news - this is a lot of progress in only two months!

One of those pesky little side effects they never bother to tell you about beforehand - SSRIs are known to depress libido and/or cause other sexual dysfunctions.  This will resolve with time.  You might search the site to learn about the experience of others.

 

I suspect improvements would not be noticeable right away.  With most withdrawal symptoms, healing takes time.

 

I agree with you.  We've seen more problems caused than solved by switching medications.  SA usually discourages it for that reason.

 

I would stay at 5 mg until you feel you stabilize.  Plan on 5 to 6 months.  Once stable, you can begin a gradual tapering from 5 mg to zero.  Recommend reading:

 Important topics in the Tapering forum and FAQ  

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

SA recommends a 10% hyperbolic taper - this allows your body and nervous system to gradually adapt to the absence of the medication. For more detail, please read:   

Why taper? SERT transporter occupancy studies show importance of gradual change in plasma concentration

and

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? 

 

Experience indicates that the lower you go in dosage, the more slowly you need to go.  Once you decide to begin tapering and given that you are at a pretty low dose right now, you might consider choosing to taper even more slowly, with longer holds or smaller cuts.  You can read about this approach here:  The Brassmonkey Slide Method of Micro-tapering

 

Let us know if you have any questions.  Best wishes and Happy New Year!

Hey! Thanks for the reply. I’m currently feeling pretty much back to normal so I’m thinking to resume tapering in a month.
 

The problem is that my tablets are 20 mg each and I’m already splitting them to quarters. I’ve tried the solution (made by the same company) but got withdrawals from it. I’m not sure if I want to start making my own solutions. I’m worried to get something wrong, or to take the wrong dosage. At these small amounts it’s easy to make a mistake.
 

Because of fluoxetine’s long half life I was thinking about taking 5 mg every other day (which will be 2.5 mg a day). I know it’s a 50 percent reduction, but it’s better than what I did before, since 5 mg was the last amount I took before stopping. Otherwise, I can also take 10 mg once every 3 days. This will equal to getting 3.3 mg a day which is a 34 percent reduction. The prbolem is that I’ll be taking 10 mg instead of the 5 mg I take now, which will temporarily result in higher blood concentrations of the drug, which I don’t know how they will affect me.
 

What in your opinion is the better option, or should I still try to make my own solutions?

[LostInCanada]

Never skip doses... Also if you transition to making your own liquid it has to be done slowly . Quote:

Our general recommendation for a crossover,  tablet to liquid is:

 

3/4 pill 1/4 liquid for 3 to 7 days 

 

1/2 pill, 1/2 liquid for 3 to 7 days

 

1/4 pill, 3/4 liquid for 3 to 7 days

 

all liquid thereafter

Stay at the same dose during the crossover period.

 

 

 

[Jane318]

3 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I’m currently feeling pretty much back to normal so I’m thinking to resume tapering in a month.

This is really good news!

 

3 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

I’ve tried the solution (made by the same company) but got withdrawals from it. I’m not sure if I want to start making my own solutions. I’m worried to get something wrong, or to take the wrong dosage. At these small amounts it’s easy to make a mistake

Many people have problems switching directly from pill to liquid - gradual transition is required - see links from Lost-in-Canada in previous post.   It's not possible to get accurate dosing by cutting pills at lower doses.  You should probably be using a scale now for your 1/4 pills:  https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/31834-rainstormrunner-prozac-taper/#findComment-714037

 

 

 

Making your own solutions can be daunting, but it is is easy once you get used to it.  You might try searching the site and reaching out to other members who make their own Prozac solutions for tips.  But since you have access to the liquid from your pharmacy, this is the simplest way if it is not too expensive.  You will still need to know how to accurate measure doses, whether you make your own or use the pharmacy's solution.

 

3 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

Because of fluoxetine’s long half life I was thinking about taking 5 mg every other day (which will be 2.5 mg a day). I know it’s a 50 percent reduction, but it’s better than what I did before, since 5 mg was the last amount I took before stopping. Otherwise, I can also take 10 mg once every 3 days. This will equal to getting 3.3 mg a day which is a 34 percent reduction. The problem is that I’ll be taking 10 mg instead of the 5 mg I take now, which will temporarily result in higher blood concentrations of the drug, which I don’t know how they will affect me.

As LIC replied, we advise to never taper by skipping doses.  Even for longer half-life drugs, it's putting your brain on a roller coaster.  We want to try to achieve as near constant dose levels in the body as we gradually decrease.  Also, switching doses as you suggest results is a much higher taper rate than we suggest.  Experience of many on this site proves that it is unwise to try to taper too quickly.  Gradual and slow is the surest path to success.

 

Have you read the links on tapering that I gave you here?  https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/forums/topic/31834-rainstormrunner-prozac-taper/#findComment-716276

 

I cannot over emphasize how important it is to understand this material and be prepared to proceed slowly and thoughtfully.  

 

Let us know if you have any other questions.

 

[RainstormRunner]

Thank you both for the reply.

 

I wanted to consult you on another topic. I’ve been on Prozac for 5 years. I could always fall asleep as soon as I’ve hit the pillow. Ever since I’ve started my taper 6 months ago I’ve been having insomnia and hard time falling asleep. It did get better and worse along the way. It’s been 8 weeks since I’ve reinstated 5 mg and most of the withdrawals are gone. I’m falling asleep faster now (though not as fast as before). But my main issue is that my sleep is very fragmented. I keep waking up every hour, for no apparent reason. I’ve tried using earplugs and an eye mask, but nothing changed. Could anyone give me advice on what to do? I’m very fatigued and brain fogged during the day. I didn’t seem to wake up that frequently before. 

[LostInCanada]

25 minutes ago, RainstormRunner said:

my sleep is very fragmented

This is something I am plagued with. To compensate, I go to bed about 9:30 pm and stay in bed till about 7 am. I try not to stress about it and just take the time to relax if I can't sleep. I do take 1/4 of a 1 mg tablet of melatonin. (30 minutes before bed) Less is better. That helps me initially fall asleep. I stay off devices an hour before. I eat at 5 pm and have a snack about 7:30 pm.

A good routine has made it more bearable.

Of course no caffeine, alcohol, etc.

Some find listening to soothing music, etc helpful. I try to read something up building and calming before bed and then think about that as well.

[Jane318]

5 hours ago, RainstormRunner said:

Ever since I’ve started my taper 6 months ago I’ve been having insomnia and hard time falling asleep. It did get better and worse along the way. It’s been 8 weeks since I’ve reinstated 5 mg and most of the withdrawals are gone. I’m falling asleep faster now (though not as fast as before). But my main issue is that my sleep is very fragmented. I keep waking up every hour, for no apparent reason. I’ve tried using earplugs and an eye mask, but nothing changed. Could anyone give me advice on what to do? I’m very fatigued and brain fogged during the day. I didn’t seem to wake up that frequently before. 

Unfortunately, sleep disruptions are common in withdrawal / while tapering.  It will continue to improve as you hold.  Like LIC, I try to get off screens at least an hour before bedtime, spend some time in bed reading before I turn out the lights.  I find white noise is helpful - I run a fan.  When I wake, I listen to music or an audio book to help me fall back asleep.  I take magnesium and fish oil in the evening.  Like you, when I have a bad sleep night, I'm fatigued and moodier during the day.   

 

If you haven't already, recommend you check out this thread, including the additional links on the first page: Tips to help sleep