cyopher72 not sure what to do

[cyopher72]

Seen the psychiatric nurse practitioner today. I thought I was seeing a psychiatrist but i guess not. She didn't see entirely on board with my issues being withdrawals. She wanted to put me on Prozac 20mg she said that had worked in the past on people having acute withdrawals from Effexor/Pristiq. I told her I was concerned introducing that high a dosage to my system that was already stressed and asked for liquid so that I could start with 5mg, She said she would need to consult the psychiatrist. Said I am a unique case and that she has never worked with anyone experiencing withdrawals this far out from stopping. I feel so defeated, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I find myself worrying that I have cancer or something seriously wrong with me.

 

My current symptoms

 

Jitters (mostly at night when trying to sleep)

Waking multiple times during the night

Bed Sweats at night

Chills during the day

Dizziness

Loss of appetite

Eye floaters

Weight loss

Irregular bowel movements (Not going for days then soft stool various colors)

Depression

Lack of energy

Head feels weird/spacey etc.

[cyopher72]

After another sleepless night due to bed sweats and jitters I decided to give the Prozac (Fluoxetine) another try and took 5mg this morning. I dissolved a 20mg capsule in 1 cup water, and drank 1/4 cup. I'm going to try and do this for a week if it doesn't make me worse.

 

One question If I do not feel better or worse in a week would I increase the dose or discontinue?

[cyopher72]

psychiatric nurse practitioner called me back today, she had spoken with a psychiatrist that has many years experience and he called me in a script for liquid fluoxetine so that I can start with a 5mg dose. Beats trying to make my own from capsules. fingers crossed.

[cyopher72]

Day 2 of the 5mg fluoxetine. I'm not noticing any major improvements yet, but I do feel I slept a little better last night (not sure if its just the placebo effect or not). I feel like I had more energy earlier today I am hitting a wall this afternoon tho. I'm feeling really tired and a bit anxious at the same time. My head is still feeling weird/cloudy, etc.

[Pdg610]

Cyopher72 -

 

Your thread caught my attention.  I stopped taking Pristiq in the fall of 2013.  By February of 2014, all hell broke loose...insomnia, anxiety, shakes.  Before I knew about withdrawal, I literally thought I was going crazy.  And then I found this board and I realized it was all because of the meds.  I did reinstate Pristiq in March 2014.  My symptoms slowly became more bearable.  And I am slowly, slowly weaning off the Pristiq.  I used the cutting method and really try to listen to what my body needs.  By no means, is this process easy!

 

Take care,

pdg

[cyopher72]

Cyopher72 -

 

Your thread caught my attention.  I stopped taking Pristiq in the fall of 2013.  By February of 2014, all hell broke loose...insomnia, anxiety, shakes.  Before I knew about withdrawal, I literally thought I was going crazy.  And then I found this board and I realized it was all because of the meds.  I did reinstate Pristiq in March 2014.  My symptoms slowly became more bearable.  And I am slowly, slowly weaning off the Pristiq.  I used the cutting method and really try to listen to what my body needs.  By no means, is this process easy!

 

Take care,

pdg

 

I feel for you and can totally relate. It's been 4 months off Pristiq for me and my insurance company will not pay for it any more so I am hoping to be successful knocking these symptoms back and stabilize using Prozac.

 

Before finding this site I had EKG's, ECG's, MRI's, a nerve induction study, and 20-30 blood tests. I really thought I was going to die. It wasn't until I found this site that I started to realize this was all most likely withdrawals.

[cyopher72]

5pm at dinner, feeling panicky, haven't experienced this yet. Should I stop the Prosac? I'm on my second day of 5mg

 

This is not a good feeling. It's really freaking me out!

[cyopher72]

The panicky feeling has passed. I am however concerned that it is not a good sign. Any thoughts welcomed?

[cyopher72]

So tired but cannot sleep, mind is going 1000mph, terrified and sweaty. Ohh god what can I do? I just want some peace.

[cyopher72]

Took 4mg this morning. Stayed home from work today, stayed in bed trying to sleep until 1:30pm got some off and on zzz's. I feel all kinds of anxious energy coursing throughout my body that was previously only happening at night when I was trying to sleep. Should I keep taking the Prazac? I wanna give it a fair shot but it seems to be making things worse.

[cyopher72]

Went to see the nurse practitioner. She says that my symptoms may be placebo effect and that I shouldn't see any effects after just two days but that it was up to me rather I keep taking it or not. Maybe it is just my anxiety making me think I'm having a negative reaction. Anyone have any thoughts?

[mammaP]

Hi Cyopher, I just read through your thread and agree that you are suffering post acute withdrawal syndrome.  Your nurse practitioner is great because she does acknowledge PAWS, but I disagree that any improvement must be a placebo effect. Withdrawal can be eased within hours of reinstating a drug for some people, others take longer.  5mg is obviously too high a dose for you, Can you measure out 1mg? maybe it would be better to try that dose for a while to see if it is better for you. You will need to stick with it for at least a couple of weeks, it takes around 4 days to get a steady level in the blood.  If you are doing ok with 1mg you can stay at that dose and after a few months start to taper slowly, with no need to increase. If it doesn't help much you can increase gradually until you are at a level which is comfortable.  Hopefully you will start to improve quickly but it is very important to keep to the same dose every day without going up and down trying to find the magic dose! I am supporting a real life friend who messed about with doses trying to get it right and ended up at the hospital where they just added more drugs.

Thankfully she started a low dose and stuck with it and is now much more stable.  

 

Your nervous system is struggling and needs stability, with routines and regular food, lots of fluids and regular dosing. You will probably still have what we call windows and waves, but they should be easier to cope with when the drug is at a steady level. You can read about windows and waves here.....http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

Keep us updated.. 

[cyopher72]

Thanks mammaP.......I have liquid so I can measure out 1mg. I will do that starting tomorrow morning for a couple of weeks.

 

I'm feeling ok this evening just have a little anxious energy and some dizziness, we'll see how well I sleep tonight. The panicky feeling was not good at all.

[cyopher72]

I'm not feeling so great, not sure this is going to work. I'ts been 6 days since I started taking the Fluoxetine. Today I took my 4th 1 mg dose. I don't feel like there has been any improvements, and I feel like anxiety has increased. I don't really know where to go from here. I can't go on feeling like this forever. I'm barely able to work. This is so debilitating.

[Nomoreheadmeds]

Hi 'cyopher72' Have you got steadily worse since starting the prozac ?

[cyopher72]

Hi 'cyopher72' Have you got steadily worse since starting the prozac ?

 

It's hard to tell. I'm not sure I am steadily getting worse. I feel like the anxiety is worse since starting the Prozac. I'm back to not feeling like eating anything. I'm sitting at work right now and I feel like I'm trembling inside, and my head feels dizzy/spacy/cloudy. 

[Nomoreheadmeds]

Have you any hives anywhere on your body ?

[cyopher72]

Have you any hives anywhere on your body ?

Not that I am aware of........ The first two days I took 5 mg, and on the second night I had a mini panic attack at dinner, and then a more major one woke me at night. (hadn't had those before)

[Nomoreheadmeds]

Its sounds like prozac is very activating for you.

[cyopher72]

Its sounds like prozac is very activating for you.

Seems so... I'm just having a really hard time deciding what to do. I don't want to quit without giving it a chance, and if I do quit whats left except to try and ride out the withdrawal which could go on for who knows how long. The anxiety if pretty much present all the time.

 

I'm not a diabetic but have been testing my blood sugar because of the jitters, and my blood sugar waking in the morning has been 115, 100, 105. couple months ago it was high 70's. Seems like this anxiety is keeping my body juiced up with energy all the time.

[Nomoreheadmeds]

when you going to see the doc next ?

[cyopher72]

when you going to see the doc next ?

 I don't have an appointment with my primary care doctor. Wednesday I have appt. with nurse practitioner. She already told me I can stop taking the Prozac if I want. I don;t think she has a clue...

[Nomoreheadmeds]

Its a tough call just listen to your body  'cyopher72' .

[cyopher72]

Its a tough call just listen to your body  'cyopher72' .

I'm trying.....If not for this board I'd be completely alone

[mammaP]

Hang in there a bit longer Cyopher, prozac has a long half life so those two 5mg doses are still in your system, it will take longer to stabilise.  

[cyopher72]

Thank you for you encouragement mammaP. It really is helpful  . Some days just having someone reply to my post makes all the difference

 

I was thinking I was going to keep at it for a little longer. So you think I'm still experiencing bad feelings from the three days I took (5mg, 5mg, 4mg) and that I should stay the course with 1mg? I'll need to continue for 14 days to get at a steady level of the 1mg dosage correct?

 

Has anyone tried Dr. Andrew Weill's 4-7-8 yoga breathing exercise to get back to sleep when waking with anxiety? Seems promising..... I'm going to try it tonight and let you know if it works for me. Here is a video if anyone else wants to rty.

 

https://youtu.be/gz4G31LGyog

[cyopher72]

I really think this fluoxetine is causing me more anxiety. I haven't been depressed as much since a few days into taking the 1mg but my anxiety seems to last almost 24x7 now and my head feels even more cloudy, and dizzy.

 

Has anyone heard of fluoxetine causing more anxiety/panic? as a side effect?

 

I'm wondering if I should stop taking it?

[Altostrata]

Do these symptoms follow any daily pattern?

 

Can you hang in with 1mg for 2 more days? mammaP is correct, the earlier Prozac doses will take 2 weeks to wash out. The level in your blood should gradually diminish and your symptoms should change.

[cyopher72]

Since taking the Prozac I have more anxious energy during the days, and jitters all through the night and mornings. Sleep is coming very infrequently and I wake multiple times a night.

 

Prior to taking the Prozac I was having jitters in the evenings and it was waking me thru the night but the jitters only lasted thru the morning then I was depressed for the rest of the day.

 

Prior to taking the Prozac I was getting my appetite back but now I am having to force myself to eat again, sometimes I get hungry later in the evening but not every day. So far the only positive is that the depression seems to be less or taking a backseat to the anxiety. So as terrible as I feel I can at least motivate myself to get out of bed to go to work.

 

Just this afternoon I started to have a panic attack but was able to talk myself down. Those hadn't happened prior to taking the Prozac.

 

I usually feel my best between 5pm - 9pm that seems to be pretty consistent.

 

I can hang on for a few a few more days. I really want the Prozac to work because I'm not sure what to do if it doesn't, but so far I'm feeling pretty discouraged.

 

Ohh and I have a new symptom: My right thigh now feels like it is jittering or twitching. but it isn't. This has been hapening since Friday afternoon.

[cyopher72]

I have some Xanax that is prescribed to me for when I fly. What are your thoughts on taking .5mg to help me get some sleep? If yes. How long or often could I take it without running the risk of becoming addicted to it?

 

I'm also open to other suggestions I really need some sleep. I'm currently taking a small dose of melatonin once in a while but it doesn't seem o work too well. It makes me sleepy and somethings puts me to sleep but I wake 1 1/2 hours later with jitters.

[Altostrata]

Okay, I would stop taking the 1mg. Perhaps try it again in a couple of weeks, after the earlier Prozac goes away.

 

Please keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to when you take drugs, and what dosage. This will help figure out whether to try 1mg again.

[cyopher72]

The only drug I am currently taking is the 1mg of Prozac in the morning. How much longer do you think those first 3 doses of 5mg, 5mg, 4mg will be around? They will be getting weaker daily correct? I'm ok roughing it a little bit longer if you think soon. Also do you have any thoughts on the questions I asked about sleep?

[Altostrata]

Yes, the earlier doses will gradually wear off but no need to supplement whatever is left in your body with the 1mg you're taking every day.

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

See Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems and other topics in our Symptoms and Self-care forum http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/for suggestions about how to cope with symptoms. There is a topic on melatonin there also.

 

Melatonin triggers sleep, it's not a sleep drug. You may be taking too much.

[cyopher72]

This morning after another night of really poor sleep I decided to stop taking the 1mg Prozac. I think it is causing me more anxiety or at the very least not helping. I need to see if this jitteryness will go away.

 

I have anxious energy during the day but the jitteryness I am having is at it's very worst once I go to sleep. I always wake about an hour after falling asleep real jittery inside and have trouble getting back to sleep. Once I get back to sleep it happens again about an hour to two hours later and continues to wake me every hour or two until about 4am at which I cannot get back to sleep again.

 

My head feels really weird and I am slightly dizzy 24x7. I can't remember that last time I had a clear headed day.

 

Not really sure what I am going to do now 

[cyopher72]

Day 3 without Fluoextine......

 

I slept the best in recent memory last night. I woke a few times but wasn't all jittery inside, and was able to sleep until 5am (was pretty jittery at that time tho). I did feel a little depressed / hopeless this morning (didn't really want to get out of bed), and am having a lack of motivation and energy at work today. I'm hoping the depression doesn't get progressively worse as the Prozac wears off.

 

My head is and has been consistently an issue. I have feel weird/cloudy/dizzy in the head for just about 4 months now. Really hoping my head clears that would be a huge win for me.

[cyopher72]

Day 8 without Fluoextine......

 

Still waking a few times throughout the night however I'm not jittery. Waking for good around 4:30 - 5:00 am feeling jittery and unrested. I am still having that just wanting to stay in bed sick feeling in my stomach in the morning, and lack of motivation to do anything. I'm really tired at work.

 

My head is still a significant bother. Feeling dizzy, not myself, cloudy pretty consistently. My doctor ordered some more labs. (CBC, Thyroid, Liver, Cortisol, and Urine) I'm thinking they are going to find cortisol given my jitters in the morning but I'm not sure what they would plan to do about it or even if anything should be done?

 

I noticed a new symptom over the last week. My Bowel movements don't have the normal smell they seem to have a slight chemical smell.