monicaf: Tapering off Prozac after 23 years

[monicaf]

Hard to believe I have been taking Prozac for 23 years.  History of depression, anxiety, and OCD.  First diagnosed at 21, but remember being a sad child.  I started tapering from 20 mg to 10 mg in January 2015.  So far I'm doing pretty good.  The anxiety has ramped up a bit but I'm able to manage it fairly well by using meditation, magnesium, herbs and kefir.  For so long I've been afraid I couldn't cope with life without taking antidepressants.  Then one day I decided being on Prozac for so long was probably not a good thing.  It had lost most of its efficacy many years ago.  I had gone through trials of switching to Zoloft for a short time then back to Prozac in order to recharge the antidepressant effect.  That did work but the improvement didn't last very long.  My hope is to someday be totally off Prozac, even if it takes years.

[peggy]

hi Monica!

23 years is a long time on AD's.  This site recommends reductions at 10% of your dose every month.  I see you did a 50% reduction in January - based on my experience (and many others) sometimes you get a delayed withdrawal effect a few months later.  Seeing as you are having some anxiety now, if i was you I would plan to stay on 10mg for a few months to really consolidate this reduction and then start a slow 10% taper after that.  

 

Good luck and welcome!

[Addax]

Hi Monicaf.

 

Welcome to SA! I'm glad you found this site.

 

I'm tapering off Fluoxetine as well, and after over 25 years.  Congratulations on getting to 10mg!  This is a critical dose you're at and I'm going to suggest you slow way down.  A 50% reduction is quite large, and as peggy mentioned, there tends to be a delay in the onset of withdrawal symptoms, particularly with Prozac/Fluoxetine.  This doesn't mean you'll suddenly fall off a wall, but don't be surprised if you feel a little worse over the next months or so.  Many people report about a 4-6 month delay.  4 months has been my experience, twice.

 

I say that 10mg is a critical dose because at this point your body is likely metabolizing the fluoxetine more quickly, and the plazma level of prozac is droping more rapidly with each reductions, so you could be much more sensitive to drops in your dose.  Are you symptomatic now? What sorts of symptoms are you experiencing?

 

I'm simply a member here.  A moderator will be along shortly to welcome you and help guide you further.  In the meantime it will help them and anyone that comes to your thread if you could create a signature.  Here's a link to how you do that: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Also, as peggy indicated, It's reccomended that you reduce your dose only by 10%, and do so every 5-6 weeks or so.  It varies by person, what they are able to tolerate and severity of symptoms.  Because you're dose is low at this point you might want taper by less than 10% and/or hold for longer.  Here's some guidance on tapering Prozac: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

Again, Welcome to SA!

[dalsaan]

Hi monicaf

 

Welcome to SA. You have already been given some great advice and links by Peggy and Addax. This thread is where you can ask questions, seek advice, record what's happening for you etc. We all have a personal thread. It's one per member so you might like to bookmark this page so you can come back to it.

 

I don't want to add too much at this stage. Might I recommend that you read the links provided and then come back here and post any comments, questions, concerns?

 

You have been on Prozac a long time. Other members have too. Our ethos is to support people to come off drugs well rather than quickly. Slow and steady wins the wellness race!

 

Dalsaan

[monicaf]

Thanks for your responses.  The side effects I am currently dealing with are mainly irritability and anxiety.  I am also more emotional, but was expecting that because Prozac blunted my emotions.  I am wondering whether I should go back up on the dosage a bit.  I do think the suggestion of slower tapering might be better.  I have tried a few times before to get off Prozac but have not succeeded.  I am hoping that won't be the case this time.  This is the longest I have made it.

[dalsaan]

Updosing a bit might be worth thinking about.  A 50% drop is significant and given the experiences of lag time with prozac an updose now might avoid trouble round the corner.   

 

Have your symptoms got worse/better/stayed the same since you dropped down?   and when was that start/mid/end Jan?   If you could fill out your signature with details of drops, doses, dates and symptoms that would be great.   Addax gave you a link on how to do that and we all have examples of a signature you can model yours on

[monicaf]

In January 2015 I had reduced my Prozac from 20 mg down to 10 mg -with no tapering.  By the end of March I was having quite a bit of anxiety and irritability, so I increased my dose to around 11 mg and am now feeling much better.  I plan to stay on the 11 mg dose for at least 4 weeks before reducing the dose another 10%.  Then I will adhere to the slow taper of 10% each time.  Hopefully that will allow me to one day be completely off Prozac.  Thanks to the support of this group I think I am finally going to succeed this time.

[Fresh]

Hi Monica , that's wonderful news that things have settled for you.  

It's amazing what a difference one or two mg's can make!

 

I think you're going to succeed this time too   .

[Altostrata]

Very good to hear. Please let us know how you're doing.

[monicaf]

I hit a wall last week.  Overwhelming depression and fatigue hit out of the blue.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  I had tapered down to 11 mg and things had been fine, other than life's general ups and downs.  I increased my dose to approximately 12 mg and after two days am feeling stable again.  I feel it was a set-back and am questioning whether I am ever going to be able to totally live without Prozac since I have been taking it for so many years.   I'm so glad to be feeling better and hope it continues.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

Thanks for the update and here is your original thread:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8710-monicaf-tapering-off-prozac-after-23-years/

[Petunia]

I'm glad you are feeling better after the small updose, you may need to slow your taper.

 

I joined the new topic you started to your original intro thread, its one introduction/update topic per member.  Please add information and updates about your changing circumstances, and ask questions here.

 

Thanks for finding the original thread CW.

[Altostrata]

monica, you may wish to hold here for a bit to let your nervous system settle down, then consider smaller decrements for the next leg of your taper.

[rapunzel2]

you have done extreme cuts, no wonder you are getting late onset withdrawal. I have been withdrawing from 40mg prozac for two years, and I'm now at 10,6mg. it takes time. 

 

If I were you, I would wait several months before any new reductions. 

[Aliwill]

Hold hold hold. You will stabilize but it may take time. If it's any consolation I've been on Ad's for 12 years total. Firstly Zoloft then Prozac for the last 5. I've successfully tapered to 2mg from 40mg. That has taken me 2.5 years so far.

 

I'm currently holding for a couple of months to really give my CNS some stability before I try to taper the last 2mg and I'm expecting this last taper to take me another 6 months to a year.

 

Someone on this site once told me that holding would become my friend. The holding pattern is as important as the tapering. That certainly has been the case for me.

I'm hoping that this post gives you some hope that it can be done.

Good luck.

[monicaf]

Thanks for the support.  I am feeling better and do intend to hold at this level for a few months.  I will use a slow and steady taper thereafter.

[monicaf]

On 4/8/2015 at 3:41 PM, monicaf said:

Hard to believe I have been taking Prozac for 23 years.  History of depression, anxiety, and OCD.  First diagnosed at 21, but remember being a sad child.  I started tapering from 20 mg to 10 mg in January 2015.  So far I'm doing pretty good.  The anxiety has ramped up a bit but I'm able to manage it fairly well by using meditation, magnesium, herbs and kefir.  For so long I've been afraid I couldn't cope with life without taking antidepressants.  Then one day I decided being on Prozac for so long was probably not a good thing.  It had lost most of its efficacy many years ago.  I had gone through trials of switching to Zoloft for a short time then back to Prozac in order to recharge the antidepressant effect.  That did work but the improvement didn't last very long.  My hope is to someday be totally off Prozac, even if it takes years.

I'm finally off Prozac!!  I slowly tapered down over several months.  I truly thought it would never happen as I had tried many times before.  What made it possible for me to get off this time was the use of CBD Oil from a reputable company during my taper.  It really helped with the withdrawal symptoms I always experienced during my numerous attempts before.  I want to thank you for the support I have received from the moderators as well as the many posters who shared their stories.

[monicaf]

I just wanted to update my status.  I am still Prozac - free and am doing really well with the exception of encountering frequent spells of weepiness.  They usually hit unexpectedly but I am hoping they will begin to diminish before long.  Other than that I remain encouraged that I will continue to improve as time passes.  I wish you all good luck on your journeys.  

[Altostrata]

Hello, monicaf. At what dose did you stop taking Prozac? How frequently do you get weepy spells? When did they start? Do you have any other withdrawal symptoms? How's your sleep?

[monicaf]

I stopped at 1 mg.  The weepy spells started mid February of this year and happen approximately 3-4 times per week.   Some weeks more, some weeks less.  I still experience more irritability and anxiety than when taking Prozac.  On most nights my sleep is good.  Interestingly, my interstitial cystitis/overactive bladder has greatly improved since stopping Prozac.  I am delighted to finally be off this drug.

[Altostrata]

In the last month, has the pattern of the weepy spells changed? Do they bear any relation to your menstrual cycle? Are you taking any other drugs?

 

Please update your signature with the information about going off Prozac.

[monicaf]

Yes, the weepy spells have become far worse.  Almost like PMS weepiness, except that I am postmenopausal.  I’m taking no other drugs except CBD oil.  I thought I had updated my signature.  I must be doing it incorrectly.  Instructions please and I’ll try again.

[Altostrata]

Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature

 

That sounds like withdrawal syndrome. Do you have any other odd symptoms?

 

Many people find fish oil and magnesium supplements helpful, see
https://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
https://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

You might try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

[monicaf]

No other odd symptoms currently.  I do agree that the weepiness is likely connected to the withdrawal.   I did start a magnesium supplement this morning.  I’ve felt calmer today, but that could just be a coincidence.  I was already taking a fish oil supplement but not on a daily basis.  I had thought about reinstating Prozac at 1 mg, but I really don’t want to.

[monicaf]

On 11/8/2019 at 5:03 PM, monicaf said:

I'm finally off Prozac!!  I slowly tapered down over several months.  I truly thought it would never happen as I had tried many times before.  What made it possible for me to get off this time was the use of CBD Oil from a reputable company during my taper.  It really helped with the withdrawal symptoms I always experienced during my numerous attempts before.  I want to thank you for the support I have received from the moderators as well as the many posters who shared their stories.

 

[Altostrata]

You may be able to surf whatever waves are left from withdrawal if you treat your nervous system gently. Regular magnesium and fish oil might help quite a bit.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[monicaf]

I just remembered one other odd symptom.  Heart palpitations.  Maybe the magnesium will help with that as well.

[Altostrata]

38 minutes ago, monicaf said:

I just remembered one other odd symptom.  Heart palpitations.  Maybe the magnesium will help with that as well.

 

When did this start, how often does it happen, how long do episodes last? How has this changed in the last 2 months?

 

Please update your signature.

[monicaf]

They started late January 2020.   I tend to have them off and on during most days. Anxiety seems to make them somewhat worse.  

[Altostrata]

Are they getting better or worse over the last 2 months?

[monicaf]

They were worse in April and seem about the same this month, so far.

[Altostrata]

Are you taking any B vitamins or other supplements?

 

You might try fish oil and magnesium supplements.

 

Also see

 

Taurine (L-taurine amino acid)
 
L-Theanine for anxiety, insomnia

 

Vitamin B12: essential for mood, nervous system

 

When trying supplements, try only one at a time, in a fraction of a dose, so you can see what it does.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

[monicaf]

I do take a multivitamin.  I am going to try taking Taurine and see if that helps.  I do notice that my nervous system seems very fragile.  Sometimes I experience a strange phenomenon like my insides are shaking.  Kind of like having internal chills.  Stress makes it worse.  I find that putting a heating pad behind my back tends to calm it down most of the time.  

[Altostrata]

You may be reacting poorly to the B vitamins in the multivitamin.

[monicaf]

Since adding daily Taurine 500 mg and a Magnesium supplement the heart palpitations and excessive weepiness are better.  Slept quality has also improved.