Clynn

[Clynn]

I had better days with decreased burning in feet around 9 days after reinstating the Prozac. Overall, of the 27 days that I have been back on the Prozac 14 have had decreased burning. I alternate standing and sitting at work so it’s usually worse during the day. I felt like it WAS better for a few days but the burning started to increase last Friday and may be letting up a bit thus afternoon. This is so hard to figure out. I really appreciate the support that you all offer. I’m sorry if I seem impatient. Just very anxious and frustrated. I really don’t know if I should stay on or wean off...

[Clynn]

Today is a very bad day. If I feel like I should stop the Prozac do I need to do the 10% reduction every 4 weeks? On 2mg right now. 

[Clynn]

My feet are worse than they have ever been. It feels like nails being driven into my heels. Do I still wean off of the Prozac slowly or more quickly since it seems like I’m having a bad reaction ? Is there anything that will help the pain? I don’t think I can handle it. 

[Clynn]

I was one of the unfortunate ones that took Prozac for 5 days and went off of it. I reinstated it after 4 months because I was miserable. I felt like it was helping the first couple of weeks but am now in the worst week ever for nerve pain. I don’t know whether to stay on it or wean off

 

(Post moved from Are We There Yet?  How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take? to keep it on topic)

 

Edited June 15, 2018 by ChessieCat
added note

[Clynn]

I increased the Prozac from 2 mg to 2.5 mg for 4 days and then decreased back to 2 mg because of increased symptoms. Could this be the cause of the severity of symptoms now. Will this improve ?

[Altostrata]

Please put the date of your Prozac reinstatement in your signature.

 

In mid-May, you were taking 1mg. Why and when did you go up to 2mg?

 

What time of day do you take Prozac? Are these symptoms better or worse at any particular time of day?

[Clynn]

Reinstated Prozac may 12 at 1 mg increased to 2 mg after 2 weeks because I had not seen a change. I take it at 8:00 pm and it’s worse during the day when on my feet 

[Clynn]

Actually it was the neurologist that told me to increase to 2 mg for a week and then increase to 3 mg the following week but I stopped at 2.5 mg and now at 2

[Clynn]

How do I tell if this is a wave, bad reaction or just not working? Maybe it hasn’t been long enough to know the answer. Any advise or information is appreciated. Thanks 

[Clynn]

I realize that I am not the only one needing help. I posted some questions earlier in the week and was hoping to find some answers to help direct my course of action. Can someone with similar problem please direct me please?

[ChessieCat]

Hi Clynn,

 

I will ask the other mods for their thoughts on your situation.

 

In the meantime, please simplify your drug signature.  The mods are experiencing their own withdrawal and life issues.  We need to be able to glance at your drug signature and see the information without having to read a paragraph of text to get the information.

 

Dates, drugs, doses ONLY - no symptoms or diagnoses.  If we need the information about symptoms and diagnoses we will read your topic.

 

It doesn't have to be coloured but this is an example of what we need.  Thank you.

 

2001-2002 Jul - Feb Aropax 2003 Feb-Dec Citalopram 2004 Jul Aropax 20mg
2005-2007 various failed tapers  2007 Feb 20mg … Nov 6mg
2008 Jan 5.5mg Feb 5mg Mar 4.5mg Apr 5mg Jun 10mg Jul 20mg Oct Loxamine Dec 17.5mg 15mg
2009 24 Jan 12.5mg …slow taper down to 2016 5 Feb 2.6mg

2016 28 Apr 3.6mg  9 May 10mg Citalopram 17 May 15mg Citalopram 3.4mg Paroxetine  26 May 20mg Citalopram 3.0mg Paroxetine 

11 Jun 2.6mg Paroxetine  6 Jul 2.0mg Paroxetine  25 Jul 1.4mg 10 Aug 0.7mg  28 Aug 0 mg Paroxetine
17 Oct 15mg Citalopram  13 Nov 12.5mg  11 Dec 10mg
2017 30 Jan 8mg  5 Mar 7mg 8 Apr 6.5mg 6 Jun 6.2mg 5 Jul 5.9 11 Aug 5.6mg  15 Sep 5.3mg  3 Nov 5.0mg 3 Dec 4.8mg

2018 13 Feb 4.6mg 15 Mar 4.4mg 29 Apr 4.2mg

[ghm2018]

Hi Clynn...I’m sorry you’re experiencing issues. I, too, took prozac in Jan...but only 3 doses. Like you, I am still suffering the fall-out. 

 

I sent a private message to you. I hope you are able to experience moments of occasional relief, even if brief. They do happen, even if it seems like they are only fleeting. 

 

Ghm

[Altostrata]

On 6/9/2018 at 5:00 PM, Clynn said:

I took Prozac for 5 days in January and stopped abruptly. I woke up with pins and needles and burning in hands and feet a week after stopping. I reinstated Prozac after 4 months and it has not worked. I’m taking 2.5 mg. How do I start weaning off? What dose do I decrease and how long do I stay at each dose when weaning off?

 

^ This is the first time you mention 2.5mg. Did you increase to 2.5mg the first week of June? And then you took 2.5mg for 4 days, got worse symptoms, and went back to 2mg?

 

How long have you been back on 2mg?

 

Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages.

 

On 6/15/2018 at 8:54 AM, Clynn said:

I increased the Prozac from 2 mg to 2.5 mg for 4 days and then decreased back to 2 mg because of increased symptoms. Could this be the cause of the severity of symptoms now. Will this improve ?

 

Yes, It could be 2.5mg was too much for you, and that hasn't settled down. But you stand on your feet all day, it's very possible they've become sensitive to pressure and discomfort. Can you get a foam mat to stand on? Inserts in your shoes? Do your feet feel better when you massage them, or give them an Epsom salts soak?

 

Looking at what you've posted, it's possible 2mg is too much for you. Would it be possible for you to try 1.75mg and see if the burning gets better?

[Clynn]

Yes I can decrease but do I need to wait until I have been on 2 mg for 4 weeks before decreasing?

[Clynn]

How quickly can I taper. I feel like it’s making my symptoms worse. 

[Altostrata]

How long have you been back at 2mg?

[Clynn]

10 days. I was on 2.5 mg. per neurologist recommendations from June 5th through June 8th. I then reduced it to 2 mg on June 9th. This is the worst and longest wave I’ve had since this all began. 

[Clynn]

I know you’re on different time frame but I try to take the Prozac at the same time every night which is in an hour and a half. Should I decrease or stay where I am?

[ChessieCat]

On 6/18/2018 at 12:39 PM, Altostrata said:

 

Looking at what you've posted, it's possible 2mg is too much for you. Would it be possible for you to try 1.75mg and see if the burning gets better?

 

 

[Clynn]

I saw this post but I asked since I’ve been on 2 mg for 10 days is it too soon to decrease it

[ChessieCat]

On 6/18/2018 at 12:39 PM, Altostrata said

 

Alto (this site's founder) posted this 2 days ago.

 

[Clynn]

I understand that but I’ve posted 3 questions about tapering since then. I’m not trying to be difficult but I feel like many of my questions are answered with questions. I appreciate the help. I will do my best to figure it out. 

[ChessieCat]

We don't tell members what to do, we provide information/suggestions.  Members need to make their own decision about what to do based on that.

 

What it boils down to is you weighing up the two choices, staying at this dose, which might be too high, and hope that with time your symptoms will lessen OR reducing by a small amount and keep notes to see if your symptoms stay the same or improve.  If things don't worsen then it means that you are heading in the right direction.

 

Nobody can predict what will happen.  Please read your Intro from the beginning.

[Altostrata]

Since you've been on it 10 days, that's enough of a trial. I would try a slight decrease.

[Clynn]

When I taper Down to the last bit how do I stop. Do I start doing every other day at that point and then stop?

[Gridley]

Never taper dosing every other day.  That is equivalent to a 50% decrease and is a sure way to destabilize your system.  It's like playing ping pong with your brain.

 

It is recommended that you taper down to .5mg and preferably much lower before jumping to zero.  

 

When to end the taper and jump to zero?

[RealMe]

Hi Gridley,

I was wondering if you could tell me what the usual side effects of withdrawing from prozac are.  I don't want to rely on the random or official prozac sites but rather from SA experience.

Thanks,

RM

[Clynn]

Hi,

 

im not sure that the side effects that I am experiencing are universal but I’ve seen enough posts about withdrawal symptoms that I can safely say these are some of them. I have pins and needles in feet and hands, and face, burning in feet and hands, and groin,numbness in toes that is off and on and muscle twitching in both legs. Those are the physical symptoms. I also have anxiety, depression, feelings of my body being in chaos and feelings of being emotionally “out of control”. Hope this helps. 

[Gridley]

RealMe,

 

Withdrawal symptoms from going off Prozac aren't really different from the symptoms from withdrawing from other SSRI's.  Very common symptoms include insomnia, anxiety, low mood, and sexual numbness and lack of libido (PSSD).  There are many more, as one of the links  below demonstrates.  For me, insomnia and anxiety, including morning cortisol spikes, were in the past  a big part of my WD pattern.  I've been following a strict 10% per four-weeks taper, and I'm happy to say it does work.  Lately, I've had no anxiety in the morning and my insomnia, though by no means cured, has been improved by taking a small dose of melatonin.  Everyone is different, so your symptoms may present differently.  Symptoms can also come and go.  I would say from experience that if your follow the 10% program and don't try to rush it, you will do well.  

 

Here is some information on withdrawal.  The withdrawal time doesn't necessarily correlate with the time you were on the drug.  These drugs alter the architecture of the brain, and the time necessary to heal the brain and return to homeostasis is, unfortunately, impossible to predict.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Glenmullen’s withdrawal symptom list.

 

When we take medications, the CNS (central nervous system) responds by making changes over the months and years we take the drug(s). When the medication is discontinued, the CNS has to undo all the changes it made. Rebuilding the neurotransmitter production and reactivating the receptor and transporter cells takes time -- during that rebuilding process symptoms occur.  

 

Youtube video, 4 minutes: Healing from antidepressants

 

Please be aware that sometime withdrawal symptoms don't appear immediately after a too-fast taper.

 

Delayed onset of withdrawal symptoms

 

Best,

Gridley

 

 

 

 

[Clynn]

I have not had relief of symptoms and feel worse in many ways. How quickly can I taper back off?

[Clynn]

Alto, Did you recover fully

 

Edited September 15, 2018 by ChessieCat
Post moved and responded to

[ChessieCat]

On 3/17/2011 at 1:50 AM, Altostrata said:

As I'm now 65+, I am still dealing with many health problems, but my autonomic nervous system is stable, my mind is clear, and my mood is generally calm.

 

Click on this above link (arrow top right of box) and it will take you to Alto's story.

[Altostrata]

Clynn, how are you feeling now?

[Clynn]

I’m actually worse. I’m trying to wean off the small dose of Prozac that I reinstated. I don’t think I stayed at the right dose long enough. Did you take Lyrica when you were going through this?  My nerve pain is so bad I have quit work and can’t perform simple things like cooking. 

[Altostrata]

Clynn, do your symptoms follow any daily pattern?  Please keep daily notes on paper about your symptoms, when you take your drugs, and their dosages. Use a simple list format with time of day on the left and notation (symptom, drug and dosage) on the right.

 

[Carmie]

Hi Clynn, 

 

How are you doing? Sending hugs🤗