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Hope4All New here- Would love adivce on Prozac/ benzo tapering

Hope4All

By Hope4All
in Introductions and updates

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Hope4All Newbie

Hope4All

Posted
Posted

Hi...I have been on antidepressants on and off for about 18 years; initially prescribed for panic disorder.  I am currently on Prozac 20mg and Xanax 0.25 - 0.5mg/ day.  I have always heard that you should taper off the benzo first, but is there anything wrong with tapering off Prozac first?  Also, because Prozac has such a long half-life, do I really need to do such a slow taper - 10% per month?  At this point, I don't feel like the Prozac is helping me, and I am having odd headaches and pseudo-brain zaps (not quite the same but similar) that I can only think is from the medication (everything has been ruled out- I am healthy).

 

Any input/ suggestions greatly appreciated !!

 

Thanks.

Currently on Prozac 20mg; have been for 6-7 years... other antidepressants before that...a few years on nothing. 

Currently on Klonopin 0.5mg for one month; switched from Xanax which I started in April, 2015.  Tapered from 0.5mg 3x/day to 0.5mg once/day.

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AliG Newbie

AliG

Posted
Posted

Hi Hope ,

 

Welcome.  You will find a lot of support and information here.  There is no need to taper off the benzo first.  In fact , tapering off the A/D first is preferable.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-which-drug-to-taper-first/ . 

 

 

 

Tapering by 10 %, is the preferred method.  It's easier on your nervous system , and will help minimize  withdrawal symptoms.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/ .

 

 

 

It's likely the Prozac isn't agreeing with you. How long have you been on it ?   Also, if you can fill in your signature, it will help.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

 

 

Please let us know , if you have any other questions or concerns. 

 

Ali.

Many SSRI's and SSNRI's over 20 years. Zoloft for 7 years followed by Effexor, Lexapro, Prozac, Cymbalta, Celexa, Pristiq, Valdoxan, Mianserin and more - on and off. No tapering. Cold turkey off Valdoxan - end of May 2014

 

                                                  Psych Drug - free since May 2014
.
         

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Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

Hey Hope yes please do the 10% taper I am so happy you found the site as most of us are on here from the recommended taper! 

Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant  30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently.  using zantac as needed.  Benzo is currently 0.10mg 

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Petunia Newbie

Petunia

Posted
  • Moderator Emeritus
Posted

Welcome Hope,

A slow taper will not only minimize withdrawal symptoms, it will give you the best chance at getting through the post-withdrawal year or two without having to go back on the drug. Do read the links which have been posted, it will explain it in more detail. Here is our Prozac tapering topic:

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

Please stay in touch and let us know how you are doing.

 

Petunia.

I'm not a doctor.  My comments are not medical advise. These are my opinions based on my own experience and what I've learned. Please discuss your situation with a medical practitioner who has knowledge of tapering and withdrawal...if you are lucky enough to find one.

My Introduction Thread

Full Drug and Withdrawal History

Brief Summary

Several SSRIs for 13 years starting 1997 (for mild to moderate partly situational anxiety) Xanax PRN ~ Various other drugs over the years for side effects

2 month 'taper' off Lexapro 2010

Short acute withdrawal, followed by 2 -3 months of improvement then delayed protracted withdrawal

DX ADHD followed by several years of stimulants and other drugs trying to manage increasing symptoms

Failed reinstatement of Lexapro and trial of Prozac (became suicidal)

May 2013 Found SA, learned about withdrawal, stopped taking drugs...healing begins.

Protracted withdrawal, with a very sensitized nervous system, slowly recovering as time passes

Supplements which have helped: Vitamin C, Magnesium, Taurine

Bad reactions: Many supplements but mostly fish oil and Vitamin D

June 2016 - Started daily juicing, mostly vegetables and lots of greens.

Aug 2016 - Oct 2016 Best window ever, felt almost completely recovered

Oct 2016 -Symptoms returned - bad days and less bad days.

April 2018 - No windows, but significant improvement, it feels like permanent full recovery is close.

VIDEO: Where did the chemical imbalance theory come from?



VIDEO: How are psychiatric diagnoses made?



VIDEO: Why do psychiatric drugs have withdrawal syndromes?



VIDEO: Can psychiatric drugs cause long-lasting negative effects?

VIDEO: Dr. Claire Weekes

 

 

 

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Hope4All Newbie

Hope4All

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thank you to all who replied....much appreciated!  The support really does mean the world.  So, I am getting mentally ready to start  my Prozac taper...I need to write out a taper schedule and then figure out how to do the titration.

 

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I embark on this journey!

 

Hugs to all.

Currently on Prozac 20mg; have been for 6-7 years... other antidepressants before that...a few years on nothing. 

Currently on Klonopin 0.5mg for one month; switched from Xanax which I started in April, 2015.  Tapered from 0.5mg 3x/day to 0.5mg once/day.

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Mort81 Newbie

Mort81

Posted
Posted

You will be fine and are ahead of the game! finding this site and knowing how to properly taper is huge! 

Was on 30mg (Lexapro) for 7-8yrs20mg for 3 months (This was my choice my Doc wanted me to drop much faster)15 mg 2week10mg 2 weeks 5 mg 1 week0 since August 24th . PPI Dexlant  30 mg taper has begun. Cutting 20% currently.  using zantac as needed.  Benzo is currently 0.10mg 

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nz11 Newbie

nz11

Posted
Posted

You will be fine and are ahead of the game! finding this site and knowing how to properly taper is huge! 

Seconded.

Thought for the day: Lets stand up, and let’s speak out , together. G Olsen

We have until the 14th. Feb 2018. 

URGENT REQUEST Please consider submitting  for the petition on Prescribed Drug Dependence and Withdrawal currently awaiting its third consideration at the Scottish Parliament. You don't even have to be from Scotland. By clicking on the link below you can read some of the previous submissions but be warned many of them are quite harrowing.

http://www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/PE01651   

Please tell them about your problems taking and withdrawing from antidepressants and/or benzos.

Send by email to petitions@parliament.scot and quote PE01651 in the subject heading. Keep to a maximum of 3 sides of A4 and you can't name for legal reasons any doctor you have consulted. Tell them if you wish to remain anonymous. We need the numbers to help convince the committee members we are not isolated cases. You have until mid February. Thank you

Recovering paxil addict

None of the published articles shed light on what ssri's ... actually do or what their hazards might be. Healy 2013. 

This is so true, with anything you get on these drugs, dependance, tapering, withdrawal symptoms, side effects, just silent. And if there is something mentioned then their is a serious disconnect between what is said and reality! 

  "Every time I read of a multi-person shooting, I always presume that person had just started a SSRI or had just stopped."  Dr Mosher. Me too! 

Over two decades later, the number of antidepressant prescriptions a year is slightly more than the number of people in the Western world. Most (nine out of 10) prescriptions are for patients who faced difficulties on stopping, equating to about a tenth of the population. These patients are often advised to continue treatment because their difficulties indicate they need ongoing treatment, just as a person with diabetes needs insulin. Healy 2015

I believe the ssri era will soon stand as one of the most shameful in the history of medicine. Healy 2015

Let people help people ... in a natural, kind, non-addictive (and non-big pharma) way. J Broadley 2017

 

 

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