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thecowisback: wondering why I'm giving up Prozac


thecowisback

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Hi thecowisback.  I was just wondering if you might be able to provide a little update on how you're doing these days...

 

I hope you're feeling a little bit better:)

 

 

 

2000 - 2011 - 20mg Paxil (with many short failed stints each year of trying to discontinue)

2011 - 2013 - 10mg Cipralex (doctor's recommendation due to severe fatigue)

2013 - 2015 - 5mg Cipralex (managed to taper down slowly, but had to hold at 5mg)

2015 - 2016 - Bounced back and forth from 2.5mg to 5mg depending on coping strength

January 21st, 2017 - 100% SSRI free

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how weird - i thought i posted an update a week or so ago. i must have dreamt it LOL. 

thankyou for asking. things are ticking along. i still have constant fear and ocd thoughts but i'm trying to implement Dare each time they get really bad. my husband went to stay with family for 3 days and got back yesterday. i was very very scared the whole time he was gone but i managed to handle the kids on my own so i must be improving a little even if i can't see it myself. 

i've managed to get a counsellor and have been for one session. it wasn't fun but hopefully she'll be able to help. i feel less like i want to go back on the pills now but the constant feeling of fear is still persisting. i've given up wondering when it will all subside and just trying to take each day as it comes. my husband is battling protracted withdrawal from duloxetine and lyrica and it's awful to see him in so much distress. it makes my problems seem tiny in comparison. i wish i could wave a magic wand and make him feel better :(

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I'm very glad to hear you're improving, slowly and surely:) Definitely viewing it all in one day increments can be really powerful, despite how simple that sounds. I often forget to look at it that way though... I have to keep reminding myself.

Sending positive vibes your way.

2000 - 2011 - 20mg Paxil (with many short failed stints each year of trying to discontinue)

2011 - 2013 - 10mg Cipralex (doctor's recommendation due to severe fatigue)

2013 - 2015 - 5mg Cipralex (managed to taper down slowly, but had to hold at 5mg)

2015 - 2016 - Bounced back and forth from 2.5mg to 5mg depending on coping strength

January 21st, 2017 - 100% SSRI free

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thankyou :) 

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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my anxiety has been terrible for the past couple of days - i really don't know what to do with it all. i haven't slept all night as i've just had constant thoughts and fears going round and round in my head and i'm exhausted from having mental arguments for things that may or may not happen in the future. i miss my old self - the one that took prozac and didn't give a toss about anything. 

when will this end? it's unrelenting. someone please tell me it will get better as i need something to hang on to right now. 

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
10 hours ago, thecowisback said:

my anxiety has been terrible for the past couple of days - i really don't know what to do with it all. i haven't slept all night as i've just had constant thoughts and fears going round and round in my head and i'm exhausted from having mental arguments for things that may or may not happen in the future. i miss my old self - the one that took prozac and didn't give a toss about anything. 

when will this end? it's unrelenting. someone please tell me it will get better as i need something to hang on to right now. 

 

 

Hi Thecowisback, 

 

I’m so sorry that your anxiety is so bad. I see you tapered too quickly, I see quite a few people have done this before they knew anything about taoering. A lot of people are in the same boat. All of us eventually get windows, we just never know when. Maybe it might be an idea to read some of the success stories on here to see that people do recover. 

 

Im tapering slower but I still get waves. 

 

I know all about the mental arguments in one’s brain when in a major wave. I try to focus on the fact though that windows eventually come, and they always do. I’m in a window right now. When you’re in the middle of a wave you really do think they will never end but we don’t have permanent brain damage. Our receptors are just trying to heal and work properly again. 

 

You will get better one day, not much consolation now probably, but it is a fact.

 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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thankyou :). it's no better today but i'm trying to keep busy with other things. 

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
22 hours ago, thecowisback said:

thankyou :). it's no better today but i'm trying to keep busy with other things. 

 

 

Well done the cowisback, 

 

When waves are severe all you can is distract yourself and keep busy doing things. I have lots of DVDs and I also have Netflix. I watch DVDs in the bedroom and Netflix in the loungeroom. I also crochet a lot of the time while watching things. I find comedies good when I’m really down. Brooklyn Nine Nine on Netflix is hilarious! I’m watching Frasier at the moment. 

 

Distract! Distract! Distract! We will win this fight one of these days💚

 

 

 

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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thankyou xx

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • Moderator Emeritus
On 6/18/2018 at 11:53 PM, thecowisback said:

thankyou xx

 

 

Hi TheCowIsBack, 

 

Just checking in to see if you’ve been able to continue to distract yourself. Do you have some crafts you like to do? Gardening maybe? Painting or drawing? Crosswords? Watching DVDs or Netflix? Writing cards to friends? Planning something? Colouring in? Playing cards? Playing with your ferrets? Etc 

 

You will eventually get there. Just live in the moment though and try to get through each day as best as you can. Worrying about the next day just adds more stress, and more stress can make our symptoms even worse. 

 

Here’s to distracting ourselves.

 

Sending hugs🤗

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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I've been trying to knit but I've lost so much interest in things. Tv just bores me me nowadays and i,be been reading the same book since christmas. On Monday my fear lifted for about an hour and it was sheer bliss. Out of all the withdrawals the fear and intrusive thoughts are by far the worst. I long for the day when it all subsides but reading the success stories depresses me as it seems to take people years to recover and I'm only 16 months out so a long long way to go yet.

 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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11 hours ago, thecowisback said:

I've been trying to knit but I've lost so much interest in things. Tv just bores me me nowadays and i,be been reading the same book since christmas. On Monday my fear lifted for about an hour and it was sheer bliss. Out of all the withdrawals the fear and intrusive thoughts are by far the worst. I long for the day when it all subsides but reading the success stories depresses me as it seems to take people years to recover and I'm only 16 months out so a long long way to go yet.

 

 

Hi TheCowIsBack, 

 

I know the feeling when nothing gives you much interest at all. I’m anhedonic a lot of the time when I’m in a wave. I just force myself to do things and sometimes the hours fly by. Our  main aim in waves is just to get through the day and distract ourselves. Many days during a wave I’m barely hanging in there but I keep trying to find things to ge me through the day, minute by minute.

 

We don’t really have a choice, we have to get through the day somehow. I find photography is something that is a good distraction for me, when I’m not too bad I take lots of photos so then when I’m really sick I find editing a good distraction.

 

I know it’s hard thinking about how long it will take to recover, but we can only live in this moment and try to get through it the best we can. Everyone eventually recovers though.

 

Im so sorry you’re in this situation, sending hugs🤗

 

 

 

 

Been on APs, benzos, ADs and opiates, for chronic pain. Had Akathisia in the past that made me suicidal. Still on Seroquel. 2019:➡️ March10=7.25mg ✔️ April17=7.0✔️ June5=6.75✔️ July14=6.50✔️ Aug28=6.25✔️ Oct10=6.20  ✔️ Oct21=6.0✔️ Dec16=5.80 ✔️ 2020➡️ Jan 21=5.60 ✔️ April2=5.40 ✔️ May29=5.20 ✔️ Aug14= 5.0 ✔️Sep29=4.80✔️2021➡️ Jan31=4.60 mg✔️ April24=4.40mg✔️Jul17=4.30mg ✔️ Aug 28=4.20 ✔️ Oct 11=4.15✔️Nov1=4.10 ✔️ Nov21= 4.05✔️ Dec13= 4mg ✔️2022 ➡️ Jan8=3.95✔️ Jan31=3.90✔️ March2=3.85 ✔️ April4=3.80 ✔️ June16=3.75✔️ July26=3.70✔️ Sep2=3.65✔️ Oct21=3.60 ✔️ Dec8=3.55✔️2023➡️ Jan 26=3.50✔️ March 17=3.45✔️ June12=3.40✔️ July30=3.35✔️ Sep14=3.30✔️ Oct31=3.25✔️This is NOT medical advice.Consult your doctor.

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thankyou x 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • 2 weeks later...
On 6/28/2018 at 2:16 AM, Carmie said:

I find photography is something that is a good distraction for me, when I’m not too bad I take lots of photos so then when I’m really sick I find editing a good distraction.

That's a good idea! I love photography AND editing. I hope you both have a good day. ❤️

Dalalea

Dalalea's Introduction

Off All SSRI Medications: Effexor 2010 one month
Sertraline 50 mg. but only took 25 mg. daily because of dizziness. 2010 to July 2017

Tapered over 2 months beginning the 1st of June 2017 -- Off Sertraline by July 30, 2017

Current Medication: Losartan (blood pressure), Albuterol (for asthma- only as needed)
Current Symptoms: tinnitus, hearing loss in one ear, allergies

My Plan: Prayer, Scripture, Walk, Yoga, Encourage Others, Healthy Eating
Generic SSRI Withdrawal Symptom and Plan Checklists and Graph.xlsx

Current Supplements: Magnesium Threonate, Fish Oil, probiotic, B-12, C, D-3

Current Essential Oils: Frankincense, Bergamot, Orange, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Clove
Current Essential Oil Blends: Brain Power, Clarity, Stress Away

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the depression seems to be worsening, despite the glorious weather we're having right now. i'm getting out of the house a lot more and getting more exercise because of the weather but my anxiety and depression  are just dragging me down so much. i'm doing things i should be enjoying but i'm just going through the motions and spend part of each day just crying my eyes out often for no good reason. i hate this. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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38 minutes ago, thecowisback said:

the depression seems to be worsening, despite the glorious weather we're having right now. i'm getting out of the house a lot more and getting more exercise because of the weather but my anxiety and depression  are just dragging me down so much. i'm doing things i should be enjoying but i'm just going through the motions and spend part of each day just crying my eyes out often for no good reason. i hate this. 

I’m sorry to hear that you’re feeling poorly. I’m certainly no expert, but it sounds as though you’re doing the right thing by getting outside and getting more exercise.

 

I personally struggle with managing expectations for myself so it can sometimes be triggering seeing others having fun in the sunshine outside and appearing totally carefree... I’m constantly reminding myself that we can never know what’s going on in others’ lives and maybe they are all as miserable as I am... Maybe that’s just me though...

 

As for the crying your eyes out for no good reason; I think that the fact that your brain has grown accustomed to antidepressants and is now working on rebuilding is a GREAT reason to cry...

 

Keep on fighting and doing your best. You’ve got this!

Trying to taper from fluoxetine. 

Taking 60 mg between 2002 and 01 April, 2018.

Dropped to 50 mg between 01 April and 07 April 2018

Dropped to 40 mg between 07 April and 01 July 2018

Dropped to 36 mg on 01 July, 2018

Dropped to 33 mg on 15 September 2018

Dropped to 30 mg on 15 October 2018

Dropped to 27 mg on 15 November 2018

Dropped to 25 mg on 15 December 2018

Dropped to 20 mg on 15 January 2019

Dropped to 18 mg on 01 July 2019

Dropped to 17 mg on 01 August 2019

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thankyou for the words of encouragement ❤️

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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  • 2 weeks later...

i'm close to caving in today. really close. the thought of taking pills again terrifies me and tempts me in equal measure. this anxiety and (to a lesser extent) depression is too much to bear. i have spent days constantly rowing and screaming at my family and they're begging me to go back on meds. i can't do this any more. what will happen if i go back on meds after 16 months without ssri's? will they still work? i'm so desperate for relief and i don't think it's ever going to come unless i go back on meds. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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Hi, just wanted to stop by and say I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m nearly 3 years off Prozac and things have just got worse and worse, with new symptoms popping up all over the place. I’ve decided I’m reinstating, despite all the risks I can’t keep on like I am anymore. 

Hugs

 

Edited to add - I cold turkeyed (well as good as, dr made me do a 6 week taper of skipping doses after 13 years of taking Prozac) so I think that makes a big difference in how well your body copes with withdrawal. 

2002 - Prescribed fluoxetine 20mg for mild situational depression and anxiety. Over the years also briefly swapped about on citalopram, sertraline and venlafaxine during poop out. 2012 - Cold turkeyed fluoxetine. Within 3 months was suffering from aggression, anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. GP put me back on tablets as I was 'relapsing'. I didn't know anything about WD then. Jul 15 - Wanted to quit fluoxetine again so tapered off (skipping doses) over 6 weeks under advice of GP. Aug 15 - Last fluoxetine dose end of August 2015. Dec 15 - Had my first real crash after discontinuing. Found this site. Aug-Dec 16 - Signed off work because of a herniated disc & severe sciatica. Prescribed diazepam (took for 6 days and got WD symptoms on stopping; nausea, morning cortisol spikes, anxiety, anger) and codeine which I was on for 4 mths. Can confirm - opiate WD is nasty but nowhere near as bad or prolonged as SSRI WD!
Withdrawal symptoms have included: extreme anger and irritability, lethargy, depression and weepiness, anxiety, stomach upsets, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, muscle and back pain, insomnia, cortisol surges, akathisia, inability to cope with stress.
Things that help: herbal tinctures (rose, lemon balm, chamomile and skullcap), seaweed baths & epsom salt baths, fish oil and magnesium.

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😥

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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7 minutes ago, keepinghope said:

Hi, just wanted to stop by and say I completely understand where you’re coming from. I’m nearly 3 years off Prozac and things have just got worse and worse, with new symptoms popping up all over the place. I’ve decided I’m reinstating, despite all the risks I can’t keep on like I am anymore. 

Hugs

 

Edited to add - I cold turkeyed (well as good as, dr made me do a 6 week taper of skipping doses after 13 years of taking Prozac) so I think that makes a big difference in how well your body copes with withdrawal. 

 

Have you had any good periods?

2009-2010 Citalopram 20mg CT no problems

 

Sertaline 2010- 6monnths

 

2011- 2017 June 2017- Citalopram 20mg CT

 

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I have, but few and far between. My latest wd symptom is making me suicidal, I have to try something, anything. I can’t be incontinent in my 30s, not happening, no way. 

And I’m not waiting it out and possibly being like this for years longer. I’ve waited it out 3 years already and things have gone from bad to worse. 

2002 - Prescribed fluoxetine 20mg for mild situational depression and anxiety. Over the years also briefly swapped about on citalopram, sertraline and venlafaxine during poop out. 2012 - Cold turkeyed fluoxetine. Within 3 months was suffering from aggression, anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. GP put me back on tablets as I was 'relapsing'. I didn't know anything about WD then. Jul 15 - Wanted to quit fluoxetine again so tapered off (skipping doses) over 6 weeks under advice of GP. Aug 15 - Last fluoxetine dose end of August 2015. Dec 15 - Had my first real crash after discontinuing. Found this site. Aug-Dec 16 - Signed off work because of a herniated disc & severe sciatica. Prescribed diazepam (took for 6 days and got WD symptoms on stopping; nausea, morning cortisol spikes, anxiety, anger) and codeine which I was on for 4 mths. Can confirm - opiate WD is nasty but nowhere near as bad or prolonged as SSRI WD!
Withdrawal symptoms have included: extreme anger and irritability, lethargy, depression and weepiness, anxiety, stomach upsets, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, muscle and back pain, insomnia, cortisol surges, akathisia, inability to cope with stress.
Things that help: herbal tinctures (rose, lemon balm, chamomile and skullcap), seaweed baths & epsom salt baths, fish oil and magnesium.

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Totally see where you are coming from

2009-2010 Citalopram 20mg CT no problems

 

Sertaline 2010- 6monnths

 

2011- 2017 June 2017- Citalopram 20mg CT

 

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9 minutes ago, keepinghope said:

I have, but few and far between. My latest wd symptom is making me suicidal, I have to try something, anything. I can’t be incontinent in my 30s, not happening, no way. 

And I’m not waiting it out and possibly being like this for years longer. I’ve waited it out 3 years already and things have gone from bad to worse. 

 

I guess youve tried dietry changes

2009-2010 Citalopram 20mg CT no problems

 

Sertaline 2010- 6monnths

 

2011- 2017 June 2017- Citalopram 20mg CT

 

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Yes, tried it all. I saw a colorectal consultant who said there’s nothing physically wrong, and this shouldn’t be happening to me. But it is and stress/WD is the only thing I can think it could be. Will update in a month or so on my own topic, sorry to hijack yours thecowisback and I hope everything goes well for both of you. Nobody should judge anyone’s decision until they’ve walked a mile in their shoes. 

2002 - Prescribed fluoxetine 20mg for mild situational depression and anxiety. Over the years also briefly swapped about on citalopram, sertraline and venlafaxine during poop out. 2012 - Cold turkeyed fluoxetine. Within 3 months was suffering from aggression, anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. GP put me back on tablets as I was 'relapsing'. I didn't know anything about WD then. Jul 15 - Wanted to quit fluoxetine again so tapered off (skipping doses) over 6 weeks under advice of GP. Aug 15 - Last fluoxetine dose end of August 2015. Dec 15 - Had my first real crash after discontinuing. Found this site. Aug-Dec 16 - Signed off work because of a herniated disc & severe sciatica. Prescribed diazepam (took for 6 days and got WD symptoms on stopping; nausea, morning cortisol spikes, anxiety, anger) and codeine which I was on for 4 mths. Can confirm - opiate WD is nasty but nowhere near as bad or prolonged as SSRI WD!
Withdrawal symptoms have included: extreme anger and irritability, lethargy, depression and weepiness, anxiety, stomach upsets, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, muscle and back pain, insomnia, cortisol surges, akathisia, inability to cope with stress.
Things that help: herbal tinctures (rose, lemon balm, chamomile and skullcap), seaweed baths & epsom salt baths, fish oil and magnesium.

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it's so frustrating when doctors say there's nothing wrong with you and it can't be withdrawals. i hope you get some relief from your symptoms soon 😥

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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i'm still toying with trying low dose htp to see if that will help but at the same time i'm terrified it may hinder my brain healing 😕

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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I haven’t tried htp but I did find magnesium helped me a lot with sleep issues. 

I know what you mean about getting to a point where you’re terrified to try anything in case it sets something off or makes things worse. Anxiety turns into a rocket launcher in WD. 

2002 - Prescribed fluoxetine 20mg for mild situational depression and anxiety. Over the years also briefly swapped about on citalopram, sertraline and venlafaxine during poop out. 2012 - Cold turkeyed fluoxetine. Within 3 months was suffering from aggression, anxiety, panic attacks and paranoia. GP put me back on tablets as I was 'relapsing'. I didn't know anything about WD then. Jul 15 - Wanted to quit fluoxetine again so tapered off (skipping doses) over 6 weeks under advice of GP. Aug 15 - Last fluoxetine dose end of August 2015. Dec 15 - Had my first real crash after discontinuing. Found this site. Aug-Dec 16 - Signed off work because of a herniated disc & severe sciatica. Prescribed diazepam (took for 6 days and got WD symptoms on stopping; nausea, morning cortisol spikes, anxiety, anger) and codeine which I was on for 4 mths. Can confirm - opiate WD is nasty but nowhere near as bad or prolonged as SSRI WD!
Withdrawal symptoms have included: extreme anger and irritability, lethargy, depression and weepiness, anxiety, stomach upsets, loss of appetite, excessive sweating, muscle and back pain, insomnia, cortisol surges, akathisia, inability to cope with stress.
Things that help: herbal tinctures (rose, lemon balm, chamomile and skullcap), seaweed baths & epsom salt baths, fish oil and magnesium.

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i'm on magnesium which does seem to keep me asleep a bit longer at night, though i still wake at stupid o'clock in the morning and can't get back to sleep. 

i'm tired, really tired of battling the anxiety and the intrusive thoughts every single day. looking at recovery stories and reading about people having years of this makes me want to just throw in the towel and admit defeat. take the pill and feel better. hopefully. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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the odd thing is my ocd seems to be shifting as well - i've noticed myself indulging in behaviours that i haven't done since i was a teenager - i caught myself walking back along the pavement the other day as i found myself walking the other side of a lampost to my husband and thinking in my head that we would split up because i did this, so i trekked back to the lamppost and walked back around it the 'right' way. i thought i'd done with all this sort of behaviour years ago and now it's sneaking back in ......

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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2 minutes ago, thecowisback said:

the odd thing is my ocd seems to be shifting as well - i've noticed myself indulging in behaviours that i haven't done since i was a teenager - i caught myself walking back along the pavement the other day as i found myself walking the other side of a lampost to my husband and thinking in my head that we would split up because i did this, so i trekked back to the lamppost and walked back around it the 'right' way. i thought i'd done with all this sort of behaviour years ago and now it's sneaking back in ......

 

Im the opposite my medication caused me to have OCD in the end and it is still lingering now. It really is debilitating. Does yours come and go, do you noticed it more in windows or waves? When you feel like your old self?

2009-2010 Citalopram 20mg CT no problems

 

Sertaline 2010- 6monnths

 

2011- 2017 June 2017- Citalopram 20mg CT

 

Link to comment

Apologies just re-read your intro and noticed you said it was an old illness

2009-2010 Citalopram 20mg CT no problems

 

Sertaline 2010- 6monnths

 

2011- 2017 June 2017- Citalopram 20mg CT

 

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mine is pretty constant. when i have a window i have much lessened anxiety and i can dismiss the thoughts as ocd more readily. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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I was originally treated for OCD and depression 30 years ago. It did make it easier to handle the OCD, but now after 2 years of withdrawal and the latest reduction in Prozac last year the OCD is getting much worse! Prozac used to take the edge off the OCD and make it easier to handle. As I have had tremors from the beginning of withdrawal without the increase in OCD, this recent increase makes it harder to deal with OCD as my tremors are increased, as I work on my OCD!

 

 

1987 Anafranil

1987-1989 Prothiaden

1990-Jan 2015 Prozac 40mg Feb-Mar Prozac 30mg Ap-Nov Prozac 20mg (+10mg Zoloft for 1 week in Sept) Dec Prozac 10mg 2016 Jan-2017 Oct Prozac 15mg  Nov Prozac 14mg  Nov Prozac14.5mg

Other drugs Humira and Methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritisSupplements :Magnesium and calcium.Folic acid 5mg.

Inderal 10mg (stopped 2018 Dec).        

2018 Nov Quetiapine fumarate 25mg Dec 150-125mg 2019Jan 125-25mg Feb 25-12.5mg

2018 Dec Sertra 25-150-125mg

2018 Dec Pregabalin 75-150mg                                                                                                  

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😥i have to keep telling myself i can do this without the drugs. i wish i'd managed to do it alone 20 years ago but there was less help around back then for ocd. i saw a news article about the wonders of prozac for treating ocd and went and asked my doctor for it. i wish i never had now, yet still the lure of the meds is strong. my daughter has just had her sertraline increased and i'm terrified for her as i know the higher the dosage, the longer she will have to taper off it, and it doesn't even seem to help her. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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my depression is so bad today. i can't seem to find any joy in anything. my daughter has finished school today for the summer holidays and i'm usually really happy that the holidays have started but i've just been crying all afternoon. i can't see anything to look forward to. nothing at all. no hopes, no dreams, nothing. i just feel dead inside. this seems to be my life now. i either feel dead and hopeless or i'm terrified of everything 24/7. just checking my bank account sets off my anxiety, opening mail sets it off, seeing something on the news can set it off, thinking about things i need to do around the house or places i have to visit set me off. 

i miss the prozac so much. i miss not caring about anything, just doing it. i hadn't worked for years before i took prozac and within a couple of months of starting it i'd found the confidence to go out and get a job. i moved house many times over the years and never stressed about it. i never spent the days worrying about my parents dying or something bad happening to my kids. i never spent days and nights crying about not being able to turn back the clock and put right things i did wrong, which is what i spend my time doing now. 

i seem to have a stark choice in front of me - live like this which is not living at all, just existing, or take a toxic chemical that takes away my most extreme emotions but also allows me to live my life as a near-normal person. 

i don't even know if ssri's will even work now - i've read so many stories about people going back on them and finding they don't work anymore and then i'll have to go through withdrawals all over again. 

Took prozac 40 mg for 20 years.

January 2017 started cutting down prozac by 12.5% a week. End of February 2017 completely off prozac and withdrawals began.

Currently taking Levothyroxine 75 mcg, Magnesium citrate 200mg,Sage leaf 50mg daily

Amlodipine: October 2017 , discontinued 26 Feb 2019; Candesartan:  26 Feb 2019, 4mg.

Discontinued magnesium citrate 200mg Apr 3rd 2019

Reinstated prozac:  14 Jan 2019, 1mg; 26 Jan, 1.5mg; 4 Feb, 2mg; 16 Feb, 2.5mg; 2 Mar, 3mg; 5 Mar, 2.5mg, 23 Mar, 3 mg; 6 Apr, 3.5mg, 14 Apr 4mg, 23 Apr 5mg, 10 Jul 8mg, 1 Dec 20mg, 1 Apr 2020 40mg 

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