Lexauxa: Tapering off Prozac, worrisome cognitive side-effects

[lexauxa]

Hi all, 

 

First off I'd like to say thank you to Altostrata and the other mods operating this site. I've been lurking here the past couple of months. I've been trying to find information about WD and side-effects outside dogmatic medicine. Based on the responses I've seen here, this site seems to be to be an oasis of thoughtfulness, insightful knowledge and caring people. Means a lot to me to know I'm not alone.

 

You can find more of my history with AD in my signature, but the three main points:

- Prozac (fluoxetine) 20mg for eight years (from 17-year old boy to a 25-year old man

- Some half-hearted attempts at tapering before, never felt urgent as I never made the causal connection between the medicine and the side-effects I experienced

- Disillusioned and suffering especially from cognitive impairment, I'm looking for guidance, help and add my weight to the snowball which will (hopefully) wreck the current unwarranted dogma regarding "the safe and effective SSRIs" which rules mainstream psychiatric care. 

 

I've always prided myself on having a quick wit, good head for numbers and a lot of imagination. Currently, I feel wingclipped. 

 

I'm on 10mg Prozac right, looking to taper to zero by years end. Based on discussions I've read here, I realize some might find it too quick. Regardless, this is my battle plan going and subject to change. 

 

The challenge I especially face are those in the form of with COGNITIVE DIFFICULTIES. I'm sure everyone describes them in their own way, but for me, these have surfaced as problems regarding e.g. a) word finding b) math c) short-term memory d) focus e) fantasy. To sum up the experience more figuratively, it feels like my mind is on a shorter leash than before and it tries to break free but is hampered.

 

I would be extremely grateful to hear from other people who have battled especially with similar symptoms. Even more grateful for success stories as I could use a whole lot of hope right now. Most of all, I would love to hear about about practical tips about what has helped you guys. 

 

I apologize for spelling errors. Thank you very much!

 

Best, 

 

Lexauxa

 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, lexauxa.

 

When did you reduce to 10mg? When did these symptoms start?

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/15483-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

A lot of people find them helpful. Try a little bit of one at a time to see how it affects you.

 

Thanks for doing such a good job with your signature.

[lexauxa]

Thanks Altostrata.

 

I reinstated to 10mg in January. Thinking about cutting down to 7.5mg in the coming weeks.

 

Symptoms have probably been ongoing since 2012, but I chalked it up to aging and original anxiety symptoms. Never figured the second most proscribed drug in the world (i.e. SSRI) could have these effects. Woke up to the cognitive difficulties when I went cold turkey in 2017.

 

I've checked the supplement page, thanks! It's very comprehensive. Currently on magnesium and high-quality fish liver oil (+ e vitamin). Fish oil gives me increased anxiety in higher doses so I'm careful with it. My psychologist suggested acetylene l-carnetine to me, have you any experience of that? 

 

Other than that I'm exercising frequently as I find it helpful, at least in the sense that it keeps me busy.

 

Anything else you might suggest? Might I also ask if you've experienced these symptoms and if they've went away for you?

 

Thanks! 

 

/Lexauxa

[Gridley]

Cutting down to 7.5 from 10 would be a 25% cut---far too much.  Following the 10% rule, your cut should be down to 9mg or less. 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Brain Remodelling

 

[lexauxa]

Yeah I'm aware of the 10 % rule. However, as a practical matter, I can't really make the 10mg tablet into smaller pieces than 1/4 and therefore 7.5mg is the easiest step. Unluckily, the 10mg tablet is not water soluble as far as I know. 

[Gridley]

Please take a look at this link.  Prozac is water soluble, and the link gives instructions on how to make your own liquid.  

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

[Songbird]

7 hours ago, lexauxa said:

Yeah I'm aware of the 10 % rule. However, as a practical matter, I can't really make the 10mg tablet into smaller pieces than 1/4 and therefore 7.5mg is the easiest step. Unluckily, the 10mg tablet is not water soluble as far as I know. 

 

Hi Lexauxa, there are several options for tapering with small dose drops.  As Gridley has mentioned, you can make your own liquid (I haven't tried this personally, but others have done it successfully).  See:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2693-how-to-make-a-liquid-from-tablets-or-capsules/

 

Another option is to cut pills and use a digital scale to weigh pill pieces (I have much experience with this).  Some people have used the weighing method by crushing pills, weighing the powder and putting it into capsules.  See:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1596-using-a-digital-scale-to-measure-doses/

 

 

 

You could get a compounding pharmacy to make up capsules of the specific doses you need, or you could get a compounding pharmacy to make up a liquid for you (which I have also done).   Liquid is more versatile as you can take any dose you need whenever you need it.  Compounding can be expensive and you'll probably need a prescription for it.  The other options you can do yourself.