Prozac 10mg Withdraw (cold turkey)

[SSRIWithdraw]

Hi all,

 

I have been on Prozac 10mg for over a year and a half. My doctor told me I can stop taking it whenever I want and I won't have the same terrible withdraws as I did getting off of Lexapro 10mg. 

 

It has been off it for about 3-4 weeks (first two weeks no symptoms). I excepted some anxiety to come back but I am now experiencing the following:

 

- Heart palpitations

- high blood pressure 

- Tight chest/ chest pain (especially during acute mild stressors)

- Light headiness and dizziness 

 

These usually come on after dealing with children or important work stuff. It is especially predominated after working out or laying down before bed. I know it would be important to visit a cardioloigst but all of these symptoms occurred right after I quit Prozac cold turkey in which I assume is the cause. when I quit Lexapro cold turkey (without medical assistance), I have bad heart palpitations and flutters which just caused more anxiety and panic, therefore getting on Lexapro. When I went to the doctor last year, there was nothing wrong with my heart in which the symptoms obviously came from withdraws. Symptoms are really powerful after working out (palpitations, tight chest, light headed). I did not have this after working out while on prozac.

 

Are these common symptoms? The heart stuff and chest discomfort are scary, but if it's a common withdraw side effect then it eases my anxiety knowing it's normal. 

 

Any advice? thank you 

 

[Emonda]

Welcome @SSRIWithdraw

 

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

 

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

My doctor told me I can stop taking it whenever I want and I won't have the same terrible withdraws as I did getting off of Lexapro 10mg. 

This site has ~22,000 members that would disagree with your doctor.

Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

all of these symptoms occurred right after I quit Prozac cold turkey in which I assume is the cause. when I quit Lexapro cold turkey (without medical assistance), I have bad heart palpitations and flutters which just caused more anxiety and panic,

 

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

Heart palpitations

- high blood pressure 

- Tight chest/ chest pain (especially during acute mild stressors)

- Light headiness and dizziness 

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This Daily checklist of antidepressant withdrawal symptoms is a helpful summary of what many experience.

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

These usually come on after dealing with children or important work stuff.

Stress can flare up WD symptoms.

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

Are these common symptoms?

Yes, the symptoms are common. With the AD you took, it would normally take around 3-4 weeks for you to notice an uptick in symptoms.

2 hours ago, SSRIWithdraw said:

Any advice?

Reinstating a partial dose, stabilising, then tapering off very slowly is what many have done:

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

Kindling

Once you add your signature, someone will comment on what a suitable amount to reinstate may be.

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 fatty acids (fish oil)

Avoid alcohol.

Don't change the manufacturer of your AD...if you reinstate.

Once again, welcome to S.A.

Emonda

[Yesyes123]

On 12/13/2024 at 1:56 PM, SSRIWithdraw said:

I know it would be important to visit a cardioloigst

Welcome, it’s great you found this website. I too seeked a cardiologist when I first started taking an antidepressant (Lexapro) as I felt something was wrong with my heart. They found nothing unusual, and it seems there’s nothing they can do for you in this situation. You will find a lot of valuable information on this website.