New introduction from Bach

[Bach]

I had been on 20mg of Fluoxetine (for about 3years I think ) until 2 weeks ago when I was signed off work with stress.GP suggested a change to Sertraline after tapering for a week.But I thought sod it, this stuff is not preventing depression let's try a talking therapy. Of course none available on NHS so I have started to see a private Therapist.I seem to be getting withdrawal symptoms,mainly dizziness and irritability.Has anyone else tried stopping suddenly? If so how was it for you?

Regards

Bach

[hopeful7]

Hello Bach

 

Hopeful here. I'm withdrawing from quitiapine and have experienced some dizziness. I think that can be quite common when coming off psychotropic medication.

 

I've found keeping myself well hydrated and my blood sugar stable seems to be a helpful aid when it comes to addressing dizziness.

 

Warm wishes to you

 

hopeful

[scallywag]

Bach -- Welcome to Surviving Antidepressants (SA)

 

It is NOT advised to stop antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac) overnight from a standard dose. The patient information sheets included with your medication have a statement advising gradual dose reduction. Some people are lucky to have symptoms only for a short period of time, 6-8 weeks; others deal with symptoms for many months.

 

Your last dose was on Dec. 1; if I were you I'd start taking a half-dose as soon as possible.  Here's a link to posts about withdrawal syndrome:

What is withdrawal syndrome

 

Dizziness and irritability are common withdrawal symptoms. You may find the downloadable list at this link of symptoms helpful:

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list

 

My suggestion of reinstating a half-dose is in the hope of preventing your symptoms from worsening or from new symptoms arising.

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms

 

Here's a few links that talk about what's happening in your CNS (central nervous system) and why symptoms occur and why I strongly urge you to reinstate a partial dose ASAP:

One theory of anti-depressant withdrawal syndrome

How your brain responds to psychiatric drugs - aka "Brain remodeling"

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Once you've been taking the partial dose (let's say ½ tablet) for a 4-6 weeks, it will probably be time to taper. To minimize the risk of withdrawal symptoms or their intensity should they arise, we suggest decreasing dose by no more than 10% no more often than once per month. For more about that, please read the information at these links:

Before you begin tapering -- what you need to know

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

The easiest way to find discussions and posts on symptoms is to use a web search tool such as google or bing. Include site:survivingantidepressants.org as a search term with the symptom(s) of concern.

Dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, etc.

Coping with irritability, anger and rage

 

I hope you'll find the information in the SA forums helpful for your situation. I'm sorry that you are in the position that you need the information, but am glad that you found us.

[Bach]

Thanks Scallywag,very good advice. I am back on 20 mg Fluoxetine every other day..No withdrawal symptoms..NHS seem reluctant to prescribe doses smaller than 20 mg.. Pharmacist told me liquid was available but cost more.Seeing A GP on 6th Jan. Will ask about it I will also direct him\ her to this site as they need educating!

Thanks

[scallywag]

Many of us here make our own taper doses from our prescribed doses by weighing the powder or creating liquids ourselves.

 

For more about those methods, please read the discussion in these topics:

Using a digital scale to measure doses

Making a liquid from a tablet or capsules

Using an oral syringe and other tapering techniques]

[nz11]

I am back on 20 mg Fluoxetine every other day..

Bach you have done well but you can do better still if you refrain from alternating doses like this which i think you have implied.

By taking 'every other day' you are essentially doing a cold turkey one day and a reinstatement the next. At some stage a game of ping pong will start up and the ball will be your brain.

The CNS likes stability and so its wise to keep things stable.

As a result you would be better off taking 10 mg every day rather than 20 every second day. Which is what SW is telling you in that brilliant post above.

 

Withdrawal symptoms can be delayed.

However you have been armed with the best links in the business so you will be prepared i am sure.

 

You might like to check out (just) one more link its about keeping things stable 3KIS

 

oh yeah wishing you stability welcome to sa

See you next year

nz11

[keepinghope]

Hi Bach

 

I wanted to come off Fluoxetine last year after 13 years on it - my GP recommended I do it over 6 weeks, first taking 20mg every other day for 2 weeks, then every 2 days for another 2 weeks, etc. I tried to get him to prescribe the liquid but he said it was impossible to get hold of on the NHS (translation - too expensive for the likes of me  )

 

Turns out my GP doesn't know much about coming off these things. 16 months later I'm still getting withdrawal symptoms, which probably has a lot to do with the way I stopped taking it. Even if your GP won't prescribe the liquid, you can make your own, lots of people on here do it. 

 

Doing a long, slow 10% taper like they recommend on here is going to be much better for you, you've come here at the right time - I just wish I had! The anger, anxiety and insomnia have been the worst symptoms for me. 

 

KH