baffled: been off prozac 3 months feeling worse

[baffled]

im so pissed i was told that i would have no withdraw from prozac. yet here i am 3 months in and i feel worse than ever. I use to be an active person and now i can barely get up the stairs I'm so weak..when i try and talk to my friends first question i always get is why did you go off your prozac? And maybe you should try another anti depressant.. I am never going back on any of them i thing they are another way for big pharma to control us and get our money.. Anyways i did read a book called the mood cure by julia ross and have been taking supplements she recommends. Mostly it is the tryptophan that has helped me with my insomnia that i appreciate them most.

 

But its really scary to be a completely different person than i was a few months ago and no-one really understands.. they just say you probably have a serotonin deficiency and need to be on meds..And i want to say to them do you know what its like to go 7 years without being able to achieve an orgasim??

 

From what i can tell there is no real solution for what i am going thru.. or any kind of timeline.

[cymbaltawithdrawal5600]

 

its really scary to be a completely different person than i was a few months ago and no-one really understands..

 

we do...

 

 

they just say you probably have a serotonin deficiency and need to be on meds

 

we don't believe that anymore, that old tired red herring

 

 

do you know what its like to go 7 years without being able to achieve an orgasim??

 

yes we do, unfortunately

 

 

From what i can tell there is no real solution for what i am going thru.. or any kind of timeline.

 

yes there is (what to do); timeline, we prefer to leave that a bit fuzzy. Because it is different for everyone.

 

Hang in there, a moderator will help you figure it all out. You are in the right place and we can help.

[baffled]

yeah my nerves are fried right now can barely handle anything except sitting in a chair watching tv. i just amazed at 3 months i progressively feel worse than i did at a month off the prozac..I thought i was fine. everyone i talk to had gone back on their meds?? thats why i have joined this website or whatever it is.. I know one person who has made it two years and she says she feels better... but that is longtime to wait

[Addax]

Hi Baffled.  I've been where you are... twice.  The last time I spent a couple months doing nothing but laying on the couch, watching TV and ruminating over the same three things... You can actually the read my story of the 2nd time here: http://rxisk.org/antidepressant-withdrawal-a-prozac-story/ 

 

It's not meant to scare you. It's to explain where I was and that I'm in a very different place now.  I'm now stable on 20 mg and holding.  The thing about withdrawal is that when we're in it our brains have a way of making us believe will always be in withdrawal, despite so much evidence to the contrary. I can't recommend enough that you follow the guidance offered on this website.  I'm attaching some links for you to check out, but also take some time to brows around. 

 

Tips for tapering prozac: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

Threads about symptoms and selfcare: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/8-symptoms-and-self-care/

 

When you have time please write out your history with Prozac (and other psychotropics if there have been any), your current dosage, symptoms, and where you'd like to get. It'll help the moderates know how best to assist and guide you as well as others in this community. 

 

Welcome!

[baffled]

2009 went on 40 mg of prozac for depression. On it 7 years. Tapered the best i could given the doctor i had who said there was no withdraw from prozac.That was 2016 march 9th. 

[baffled]

so im not interested in tapering as i have been completely off for almost 3 months. I just can't tell if its getting any better at the moment i feel worse than i did a month ago

[Addax]

I didn't realize you had tapered completely off.  There is definitely withdrawal with prozac.  I and many others can attest to that. Going from 40 mg to 0mg in 3 or 4 months is a very faster taper. Probably much too fast. I wish I could tell you that you're going to feel better soon, but the truth is it could get worse before it gets better.  I know you wrote that you swore off medication, but I think you should seriously consider reinstating a small amount, stabilizing, then tapering.  Here's a link to the thread that goes over reinstating.  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/7562-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-reduce-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

What was the schedule you used to taper? Do you have any Prozac left?

 

You'll get through this.  If feels like you wont, but you will. 

[SquirrellyGirl]

Sorry, late to the party - welcome to SA, baffled!  I wish it were under better circumstances!

 

You are so not alone, and yes, you are in withdrawal from Prozac, as you already figured out. 

 

To better help you it would be great if you could fill out your signature block with your med history, including how you tapered and what dose you jumped from.  Include all meds you are currently on, OTC, Rx and otherwise.  

 

Please put your Withdrawal History in Signature

 

Your Intro is your place to ask questions, document your journey, give updates, etc.  By clicking "Follow" above, you will be notified when anyone responds to your thread.

 

We don't really know why it works this way though this video does a lovely job of explaining the Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

One of our members wrote this wonderful post on what's happening in the brain, why it seems to get worse after it seemed better.

 

Brain Remodelling (Rhi's Description of Brain Healing)

 

We have no way of knowing how long withdrawal will last for you.  We do know for many that there seems to be bad waves that come up somewhere around 3,6,9,11 months...well, you get the idea, that it can be quite a rollercoaster ride.  This is why we encourage reinstatement when applicable.  You are on the cusp of it being late to do so, so you'll want to mull the possibility over.  It really is a harm reduction approach.  We are not pro-drug here, but we are pro-stabilization and slow tapering.  

 

When people come off their meds too fast, they jump off at a point where there is still a huge differential between the amount of healing the brain has done and the amount yet to be done, the up-regulation, "growing a new brain".... When people do a very slow taper, most of that healing is being done AS they reduce, so that when they jump off that last little bit, there's hardly anything left to be done.  AND, the person is comfortable while reducing, living life, being functional.  It may seem awful, going back on the poison and taking all that time to taper, but it's really about the quality of life. Some in withdrawal take years to finally recover, with the windows and waves along the way. 

 

This all depends heavily on how long you were on the meds, how high you went, how many stops/starts/changes along the way etc.  Long timers like me (20 years of ADs) will need to take it good and slow to allow the brain to get kick-started into healing.  Short-timers (months) may be able to get over it more quickly and get on with their lives.  But it's all very individual.

 

Prozac's long half-life and accumulation in the brain made it possible to come off and not feel bad up front, but once it's out of the system, that's where the differential shows up, the amount of healing that HAD been done while tapering vs the amount of healing yet to be done.

 

If you choose to ride this out, that is fine.  It will be like a roller coaster ride that you can't get off of.  There is nothing that can stop withdrawal or speed up recovery, no drugs or supplements to make it all better, other than a bit of the drug you are withdrawing from. Addax gave you the link about reinstating.

 

What you CAN do is learn about Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms and Important topics about symptoms, including sleep problems

 

People get really distressed about their withdrawal experience and increase their suffering by allowing secondary fear to develop.  It is important to employ self-care and nurturing to ease your way along, and to practice Acceptance.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3533-acceptance/

 

It can also help to support yourself by taking Omega-3 Fish Oil and Magnesium.

 

Please fill out your signature and read the links we have given you, and then come back here with questions!

 

SG

[baffled]

thanks for all the information i actually understand more now about the tapering problem. which makes sense why I'm having such a hard time. I didn't have much of a choice of how i tapered because my doc was from the county and they only would prescribe capsules in 10 mil so thats what i had to work with. i read about the liquid and if i had tablets i would of cut them up. Actually if i knew it was gonna be this crappy of a time i might of tried to work with the powder in the capsules.. I'm actually happy that i found this site but i feel like i got screwed by not having a real doctor that was committed to working with me instead of the paper pushing bureaucrat that i had. 

[baffled]

you have got me thinking about the reinstatement but i really don't know if i can realistically do it knowing what i know now

[KarenB]

You got screwed alright Baffled - we all did.  Just keep mulling things over and sounding things out here on your thread - you'll find your way again.  Knowing what I know now I'd go for reinstatement, but because it's so unpredictable it has to be a decision you come to yourself.

 

Welcome to SA,

Karen

[baffled]

thanks karen i don't know if i might have some of my 10 mil capsules left but i wouldn't really know how to go about doing it with the powder it feels like with out some one to prescribe the right stuff I'm gonna get all mixed up again. at least this way i know what I'm doing i have nothing but the power of meditation instead of medication... I'm trying all the supplements now i was doing 5htp in morning and tryptophan at night but ran out of the 5htp but i might get some more as i think it could of been helping me with my energy during the day.. plus I'm doing fish oil and vitamin b complex.. plus i started seeing a homeopathic doc and she said my thyroid is messed up along with my pancreas and my adrenals. She put me on some herbs for those too.. its a lot to deal with besides i have chronic hepatitis c but haven't gotten approved for that medication yet.. my poor body its being put thru a lot right now..oh yeah and i forgot i was taking biodentical hormones.. and the doctor their said i wasn't in network anymore so the cut me off. so right now I'm weaning off testosterone and trying to find another doc for my progesterone so this is probably all making me feel terrible too

[baffled]

has anyone tried niacin

[apace41]

has anyone tried niacin

 

 

Baffled,

 

Welcome to SA.  Like the others who have greeted you, I wish you didn't have to be here.  You will get through this but it will take some time and commitment to a process that includes treating yourself as carefully as possible and minimizing stress on your central nervous system which has been hit hard.

 

In response to your specific quoted question, see the attached thread:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/43-vitamin-b3-niacin-niacinamide/

 

Best,

 

Andy

[baffled]

thanks i found an old bottle i had of the niacin its 100 mil i did make me flush hot but I'm a weirdo cause i kinda liked it.. I think i liked the fact i felt like it gave me some energy which I'm lacking in.

[baffled]

i read somewhere about folic acid and chromium picolinate helping in this wd process so i started taking those too.. I can not tell if they are doing anything though

[baffled]

 

has anyone tried niacin

 

 

Baffled,

 

Welcome to SA.  Like the others who have greeted you, I wish you didn't have to be here.  You will get through this but it will take some time and commitment to a process that includes treating yourself as carefully as possible and minimizing stress on your central nervous system which has been hit hard.

 

In response to your specific quoted question, see the attached thread:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/43-vitamin-b3-niacin-niacinamide/

 

Best,

 

Andy

 

where do you get spray magnesium that sounds cool 

[apace41]

You can get it online on Amazon.  It's a good means of application of magnesium.

 

A word of caution, Baffled.  It can be tempting to try to take many different supplements to help oneself through this process.  Some work for some people and not for others.  In fact, some can act in a paradoxical manner and create more problems than prior to their use.

 

One way to address this is to try anything new:

 

• in very small amounts to ensure no adverse reaction that is larger than one can handle
• in isolation because if you try two things at once you will not know what is having the effect that you either want or don't want

Over a long period of time we have ascertained that many people do well with magnesium and fish oil (Omega 3 supplements).

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

 

You will find many anecdotal stories of things that helped/harmed other members.  They may well be the same things.  The only way to do this properly is carefully and slowly so that you can determine what helps/harms you in the process.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[KarenB]

Here is the page for making a liquid from your prozac:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

[MostlyAlive]

I hope you are not letting your anger get in the way of making a kind decision towards yourself.

You may have gotten the short end of the stick but that doesn't mean you have to poke yourself in the eye with it.

[baffled]

your right about me being angry.. if i had a decent doctor i could of been more prepared..and i wouldn't be in this position now.  but now that i did a quick taper which was 4 months long now i realize this was probably not long enough..but I'm three months in with nothing and I'm prepared to go another 3 months and see if i can't treat this with diet, meditation, some supplements and exercise. exercise being the hardest because when i do go to the gym i have a hard time falling asleep and feel very fatigued..but I'm hoping that has got to subside with time and that I'm pretty well into this withdraw. 

 

oh plus I'm tapering biodentical hormone testosterone (cream) which i had been on for over 2 years. I'm 52. that could also be causing this fatigue but I'm still doing 3 days on 3 days off with that too

[daveycrocket]

Hey baffled. I went cold turkey off an MAOI in Feb. of this year....felt completely fine, almost euphoric for a month, then completely crashed. I went from functioning to non-functioning. I am currently trying to reinstate on a small dose to see if I can stabilize. However, the most important thing that's helped me so far is changing how I view my symptoms; instead of allowing them to scare me and propell me into full blown daily panic attacks, I try to view them as withdrawal, and not really *me.* I think it's really important to "de-fuse" or seperate yourself from the scary thoughts and the withdrawal symptoms. Hope this helps!

[baffled]

anyone out there know about trying to workout to deal with this depression?? Everything I've read says that working out can help with depression. Unfortunately when i workout i can't sleep and then the next day i feel terrible. So i don't think its very helpful..It feels good when i do it though..I am wondering if anyone else has this experience or is it just me?? trying to figure out what to do? any input would be helpful thanks.

[apace41]

Baffled,

 

Working out is one of the great conundrums for many people in w/d.  It is proven to combat depression in double-blind testing and has a better track record that antidepressants in terms of patient response.  HOWEVER, for those of us in w/d, with a sensitized CNS, it can be very activating and can ramp up our symptoms for some period of time after working out.  For people who respond in that fashion, it is critical to "dial it back" and try to exercise in ways that does not create a lingering reaction.  I know that I am a good example.  I was always someone who loved to workout hard.  In w/d I have taken to doing a lot more walking than sprinting or even running and a lot more stretching and bodyweight work than weightlifting.

 

Bottom line -- listen to your body.  If it is telling you that hard workouts are not good for you, don't continue.  But that doesn't mean you shouldn't do any exercise.  Find something that is less activating to your CNS so you can derive the benefits of exercise without the negatives.

 

Best,

 

Andy

[scallywag]

Working out and heavy exercise have always set me back in my recovery.  I have to take it easy and build up slowly. 

[baffled]

hi guys so I'm not crazy the working out isn't helping me in this withdrawal phase. even though its been 3 months now i am wondering if it goes back to normal.. so just keep the workouts light and don't go to hard? i will try that and see if it makes a difference in being able to sleep. because working out is the only thing i know to help reset our brains and body to homeostasis..I don't know any other way. I know its only been 3 months but i am really wanting to get back to what i was 7 years ago. because from what i can tell I am way more depressed than i was before i started taking the prozac. thanks for your input. if there is anyone out there that has gone back to doing the workouts  you use to do please give me a time frame. i know everyone is different but I'm just looking for some hope that things will eventually go back to normal.. or as normal to where i can stand to be in my body again.

[apace41]

hi guys so I'm not crazy the working out isn't helping me in this withdrawal phase. even though its been 3 months now i am wondering if it goes back to normal.. so just keep the workouts light and don't go to hard? i will try that and see if it makes a difference in being able to sleep.

 

Not crazy.  You get the picture.

 

because working out is the only thing i know to help reset our brains and body to homeostasis.

 

TIME, TIME and more TIME

 

please give me a time frame. i know everyone is different but I'm just looking for some hope that things will eventually go back to normal.. or as normal to where i can stand to be in my body again.

 

You answered your own question.  Nobody can give you a time frame for all or any part of recovery.  Some will be quick, some will be long, most will fall in the middle.  It is, as near as I can tell, the classic "Bell Curve". 

 

I know you are frustrated.  There isn't a person on this board that's not frustrated by the time and suffering and angst associated with this process.  But, if I told you, "oh, you'll be fine in 4 months and 6 days" would that make you feel better when you stopped and thought about it and said, "hmmmm. There' s no way he can know that."

 

Best,

 

Andy

[baffled]

ok i hear you on the time frame.. maybe better questions is: Is there anyone out there that has actually returned to how there were before starting the meds. So not a time frame but hope that there are people out there that have made it thru to the other side. I need hope and encouragement to keep going. To know that there will be an end even if its 6 more months or a year. I just need to know it is possible because i don't hear a lot of success stories.. 

[apace41]

 I just need to know it is possible because i don't hear a lot of success stories.. 

 

Have you read the success stories on the site?

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/28-success-stories-recovery-from-withdrawal/

 

I believe they are grossly underreported because people get better, move on and don't come back.  Nevertheless, there is enough there for you to gain comfort that people do, in fact, fully heal from this.

 

Best,

 

Andy

 

 

[baffled]

thanks for getting back to me i will check that link out.. Also i am gonna make a concerted effort to post periodically thru out this year and let people know if i do get better..Because we all need some hope here..3 months and counting anti depressant free

[direstraits]

 

 I just need to know it is possible because i don't hear a lot of success stories.. 

 

Have you read the success stories on the site?

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/forum/28-success-stories-recovery-from-withdrawal/

 

I believe they are grossly underreported because people get better, move on and don't come back.  Nevertheless, there is enough there for you to gain comfort that people do, in fact, fully heal from this.

 

Best,

 

Andy

 

 

 

 

do we know for certain that they do get better, or do they go back on meds or maybe something worse...we don't really know for sure. I hope toGod they do get better but we don't know.

[ImpatientlyWaiting]

Not sure your current situation but I am 13 months off Prozac and still have a lot of weakness, muscle spasms, muscle rigidity and waves of darkness but....I am getting better.  Waves are not as long, windows can last weeks or longer, but it is better than last year.  It improves.  Anxiety and fear come and go as in withdrawal not a relapse of any old issue.  I was put on it for a situation depression and just never got off.  Had a lot of health issues as was convinced to stay on it that it wasn't the drug.  It was the drug.  Improvement is so much slower than I ever expected but it is improvement.  For me getting off is the best thing I have ever done.  Keep exercise rational.  I used to run half marathons and do 50 mile bike rides.  Not possible now with causing me major issues but again I am improving.  This year I have been able to hike and back pack up to 6-8 miles.  Then I get a wave and can barely mow my law.  It passes. I have learned to accept the wd issues and move on the best I can.  Serotonin plays a HUGE role in muscle control and contraction etc...  My body is taking a long time to adjust but it is adjusting.  I eat super clean, raw nuts and greens, fruits and fish.  Eggs occasionally and some soy products.  Rarely meat and chicken but vegetable proteins.  Don't give up if you didn't have major problems when you got put on it.  It will get better.  You will improve.  It can take so much longer than you may expect but you are going in the right direction.  You no longer putting this nasty crap in your body.  Good luck.  I really wish you the best.

[baffled]

thank you getting started its the first time someone has told my story even though i am only 3 months into being completely drug free. it is really frustrating to try and talk to anyone.. even the best of friends they all tell me how there are so many better drugs and how happy they all are on a low dose of lexapro or celexa or whatever.. i feel as hard as this is Im glad that i am doing it, i was on 40 mil for 7 years and probably would of been on it for 20 too if i had listen to all the people in mylife. i think they just liked me lazy and kinda dopey i didn't cause any problems. Right now I'm angry and irritable.. i am finding it hard to be social as things get on my nerves easily and I've lost my sense of humor too. well i eat really clean and i take tryptophan to help with the serotonin I'm not getting..

I'm slowly trying to get back to exercising though..i have not gotten any windows yet which is a real drag its just been one long three month wave..ugg

 

so thanks for the hope i can use all the encouragement i can get right now

[baffled]

i saw an acupuncturist yesterday and he basically told me to finish off what had in supplements and not to buy anymore..i have been taking folic acid, omega3 fish oil, niacin, chromium pic collate, and tryptophan he said keep taking my vitamin D.. but basically i need to lay off all the supplements.. I'm gonna finish off what i have and give myself a break. settling in to this completely foreign state of uncomfortability..Because I'm getting just how weird this whole WD is?? And that i have to stop trying to have my old life back.. nothing is the same my sleep my workouts my ability to socialize.even my appetite and watching TV have changed..

[baffled]

one of the worst things that is happening to me right now is my inability to access any feelings of love or joy.. I can only feel sadness and anger and that is baffiling to me right now.. its like my heart has just been shut down?? anyone else feel like this?

[scallywag]

i saw an acupuncturist yesterday and he basically told me to finish off what had in supplements and not to buy anymore..i have been taking folic acid, omega3 fish oil, niacin, chromium pic collate, and tryptophan he said keep taking my vitamin D.. but basically i need to lay off all the supplements.. I'm gonna finish off what i have and give myself a break. settling in to this completely foreign state of uncomfortability..Because I'm getting just how weird this whole WD is?? And that i have to stop trying to have my old life back.. nothing is the same my sleep my workouts my ability to socialize.even my appetite and watching TV have changed..

baffled, I hope you'll consider stopping the supplements slowly. For example, you *could* cut any tablets in halves and quarters, shake out about 1/4 or 1/2 of the powder from capsules, etc., then taking 75%, then 50% daily and then to 25% if possible. It will probably be easier on your mind and body to adjust to gradual changes than abrupt ones.