methuselah: Hi all! Brief intro and advice?

[methuselah]

8am - 930 am - woke and took med.  made me tired after about 30 minutes, fell back into partial sleep until 930.

 

930 - 1pm -felt ok. Productive at work.  Still very flat and kinda spacey but only 1 anxiety wave.  Mostly afraid symptoms I’ve dealt with recently will resurface.

 

1pm -3 pm - fight with girlfriend.  Very stressful.  Chest tightened, mind incoherent racing thoughts, overall feel down and bad.  I’m clearly sensitive so this didn’t help me a bit. 
 

more updates to come for day later.

[ChessieCat]

When provide your symptoms please post a 24 hour period in one go.

[methuselah]

Will do.  My bad.

 

any thoughts on how long it may take before I see if the switch I made is the right thing to do or not?  Gotta tell you I spiraled pretty hard today for a good 2 hours after the argument with my partner.  

multiple factors at play here.  Change from liquid to capsule.  Generic to brand.  12mg liquid to 10 mg capsule.  Whether or not this is a decrease in dose is hard to say as generics can range from what, 80-120% of the active ingredient.
 

thanks!

 

M

[ChessieCat]

1 minute ago, methuselah said:

Whether or not this is a decrease in dose is hard to say as generics can range from what, 80-120% of the active ingredient.

 

Please see the following:

 

myths-about-your-drugs

 

change-in-drug-manufacturer-or-generic-substituted-for-brand-name-drug

 

[ChessieCat]

2 minutes ago, methuselah said:

any thoughts on how long it may take before I see if the switch I made is the right thing to do or not?

 

It is difficult to say.  You will need to listen to your body/symptoms, which you are already doing by keeping notes.

 

Stability

 

WDnormal

 

Moderator brassmonkey has written more about WDnormal in his Success Story:

 

tao-of-the-brassmonkey

 

[methuselah]

18 hours ago, methuselah said:

8am - 930 am - woke and took med.  made me tired after about 30 minutes, fell back into partial sleep until 930.

 

930 - 1pm -felt ok. Productive at work.  Still very flat and kinda spacey but only 1 anxiety wave.  Mostly afraid symptoms I’ve dealt with recently will resurface.

 

1pm -3 pm - fight with girlfriend.  Very stressful.  Chest tightened, mind incoherent racing thoughts, overall feel down and bad.  I’m clearly sensitive so this didn’t help me a bit. 
 

more updates to come for day later.

 3pm - 12am - The rest of the day was pretty consistent anxiety and tired with very little motivation to do my work or do much of anything.  Still dream like, still little appetite, perception of sounds is still weird.

 

12 am -Fell asleep and slept through the night.
 

The next update for todays log will be provided tomorrow and will include the full days events.  

[methuselah]

Dec 9 2021

 

730 am Prozac dose empty stomach. 10mg propranolol.

 

Not tired this morning after dose.  Anxiety, fog, malaise throughout morning.  Still very little appetite.   Sound sensitivity all morning and “small” whispering episode at 1130am.  Sound sensitivity in this instance is almost like a de realization of sound.  I hear something and i have to think about it like did I really hear that, what was it, etc. like too much marijuana or something.

 

Noon - breakfast, 550 calories.

 

2pm - naked mass shake arrives!  Had a quarter serving at 340 calories.  Has some sugar but it’s coconut which is supposedly lower glycemic index then glucose so there’s that.

 

2pm - fog, anxiety, sound sensitivity, and malaise lifted.  Window’ish

 

4pm still ok.

 

415 - turned on some music and actually enjoyed it a bit.    

 

530 - 6pm - actually motivated to do a Light yoga workout.  Was much harder for me than usual, felt heart pumping quite clearly.  Took it very easy and stopped before even breaking a sweat unfortunately.  Almost certainly sensitive due to such low calories last week ocombined with whatever I’m dealing with per med switch.

 

6 -7 pm - dinner.  The yoga definitely triggered some wave like feelings.  Heightened anxiety, clammy hands, and overall sensitive feeling.

 

7-730pm Started reading some very scary posts on here, not helpful.  Will stick with informational posts and success stories going forward.

 

8 - I went back in an read Shep’s intro thread and success story. Such an inspiring thing to read.  Quite an amazing individual Shep is.

 

Sort of a window the rest of the evening.  Some milder versions of aforementioned symptoms in and out.  Feels like something is happening in the brain.  Some sort of reset or rewiring or something.  Odd feeling.  Had very brief moments where I sorta had feeling like felt like my old self.

 

12am - fell asleep

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by ChessieCat
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[methuselah]

Today isn’t great.  I’ll update on that tomorrow with full notes for today.  I do have a question.  Based on your experience chessie, and what you’ve seen on this forum…here’s the situation and question.

 

My son is in 9th grade.  I feel like I’ve missed a good chunk of the last 2 .5 years due to benzo taper and w/d.  Assuming I stabilize here, I’m wondering if tapers can be gradual enough to really minimize w/d so I’m basically functioning and present for my kid.  I can speed up taper after he is in college then if I feel the need. 
 

thanks!

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by ChessieCat
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[ChessieCat]

It is understandable that people want to get off their drug as quickly as possible.  I know I did.

 

However the aim is to do so at a rate that keeps withdrawal symptoms to a minimum and allows us to live life as normally as possible.

 

I took 6 years to get off 100mg Pristiq.  I might have been able to get off in 5 years, but I tapered according to my symptoms, not the calendar, and what else was going on in my life.  Last year I hurt my back and I stayed on a particular dose for 11 weeks, not because of withdrawal symptoms but because I didn't want to risk causing withdrawal symptoms whilst I was dealing with a lot of pain and sleep issues.

 

Brassmonkey successfully got of Paxil by tapering at the rate that allowed him to continue working.  His taper took 50% longer than if he had tapered at 10% every four weeks.

 

Remember that any reduction, however small, is heading in the direction of getting off the drug.

[methuselah]

December 10, 2021
 

730  am Prozac dose empty stomach. 10mg propranolol.

 

730-9am - laid around then finally got up to work and have some decaf coffee

Feel ok.

 

1030 am - breakfast 550 calories.  Feel sort of off, hoping food helps.

 

Noon - still feel off.  Anxiety ramping up a bit.

 

Noon -2pm - took a long lunch.  Laid around and watched Seinfeld and handled some emails from phones

 

2-3 - fine

 

3 - low mood creeping in

 

4 - low mood tapers off

 

5 - showered.  Derealization.  Trying to shrug it off.

 

630 - dizziness, floor sorta felt like it was moving/jello

 

7pm - 50mg magnesium. Tired

 

8pm Sorta came around for rest of night.  Watched a movie on Netflix (unforgivable) then some Seinfeld to lighten the mood a bit.  Movie was ok.  Like most, movie feels rushed and storylines cobbled together to feed the machine.

 

1am - fell asleep and slept thru night

[methuselah]

12 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

It is understandable that people want to get off their drug as quickly as possible.  I know I did.

 

However the aim is to do so at a rate that keeps withdrawal symptoms to a minimum and allows us to live life as normally as possible.

 

I took 6 years to get off 100mg Pristiq.  I might have been able to get off in 5 years, but I tapered according to my symptoms, not the calendar, and what else was going on in my life.  Last year I hurt my back and I stayed on a particular dose for 11 weeks, not because of withdrawal symptoms but because I didn't want to risk causing withdrawal symptoms whilst I was dealing with a lot of pain and sleep issues.

 

Brassmonkey successfully got of Paxil by tapering at the rate that allowed him to continue working.  His taper took 50% longer than if he had tapered at 10% every four weeks.

 

Remember that any reduction, however small, is heading in the direction of getting off the drug.

 My goal getting off Valium was to get off in less than a year and I rushed it, especially near the end.  I paid the price for that and won’t make the same mistake again with ssri’s.  

 

technically, with Prozac, I just dropped from 12mg liquid to 10mg capsule and am probably feeling that to some extent at this point as perhaps can be seen in my daily notes.  I’m sure it’s impossible to say if it’s the brand switch, delivery method switch, dose…likely all the above.  

I’ve been on this stuff for 25 years now with a lot of switches and issues in the past 5-7 years. I think taking 3-5+ years is perfectly reasonable.  If someone was on a med for 25 months, taking 3-6 months to come off doesn’t sound that bad.  Math is exactly the same, that’s how I look at it.

 

sorry to hear about your back, I hope it’s feeling better now.  I’ve hurt my back a few times (once from a sneeze, another from picking up a piece of paper off the ground! With bad form apparently lol) and it can be excruciating.  I used to lift weights a Lot, heavy ones sometimes, and that didn’t do me any favors.  I changed out for yoga and it’s been quite transformative for me physically, and mentally to some extent I suppose.  Haven’t been able to practice much lately unfortunately, reallllly sucks as that assists mightily in maintaining my sanity, but I’ll get back to it.  Just need to find stable first.  
 

thanks for everything you do Chessie, thanks to Alto, Brassmonkey, and all the other mods as we.  I know you’ve heard this  1000 times, but this boards value to its members is truly incalculable.   
 

With love and gratitude,

 

M

 

[methuselah]

December 11

 

730 am - 10 mg Prozac, 50mg magnesium, omega 3 770 mg

 

More or less fine all morning.  Some DR and slight dizziness.

 

1030 am - breakfast

 

1130am - got sleepy

 

Noon - sleepiness went away.  Some mild skin burning in arms and some light chest tightness.  Propranolol 10mg.  Forgot to take this morning . I’m weaning off the prop as I only started due to thanksgiving panic attack.  Dropping to 5mg next week then 2.5 week after then done.

 

330 -50 mg magnesium.  Lunch.

 

4pm.  Tired and unmotivated

 

7 pm -  50 mg magnesium.  very tired/lethargic and spacey through 7 then it sorta lifted

 

11-1130 pm - rather intense and uncomfortable burning scalp sensation developed after a quick bout of dr/anxiety.  Started in left hand then up left arm then settled in left side of head scalp area.  Focused on breathing through it and accepting it’s happening and that it’s due to medication changes.

 

*Metallic taste in mouth several time throughout day.  Same with heart palps and short lived stronger bouts of tinnitus.  Tinnitus is always present to some extent

 

12 am - fell asleep, slept thru night

[ChessieCat]

On 12/12/2021 at 12:34 AM, methuselah said:

technically, with Prozac, I just dropped from 12mg liquid to 10mg capsule and am probably feeling that to some extent at this point as perhaps can be seen in my daily notes.  I’m sure it’s impossible to say if it’s the brand switch, delivery method switch, dose…likely all the above.  

 

Or the reduction.  Which was a 16.6667% decrease.

 

When changing from of a drug it is better to do a cross over (I cannot see at a glance if you did a cross over) and not change anything at the same time, including the dose.

 

And because of the long half life of Prozac any dose change you make could take up to 2 weeks, or sometimes more, to be noticed.

[methuselah]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Or the reduction.  Which was a 16.6667% decrease.

 

When changing from of a drug it is better to do a cross over (I cannot see at a glance if you did a cross over) and not change anything at the same time, including the dose.

 

And because of the long half life of Prozac any dose change you make could take up to 2 weeks, or sometimes more, to be noticed.

 

@ChessieCat
I didn’t do a crossover as I was having what I believe to be very negative reactions to the generic liquid.  These reactions seemed to build over a month and a half culminating in panic attacks, strong heart palps, sound echos in head, etc.   

 

For that reason, I switched to the brand name capsule  directly with no cross over.  Interestingly, I haven’t had one of those same reactions (panic attack, sound echos, heart palps) since I switched.  Or, they have weened off significantly 🤞.

 

I Did feel the switch immediately the morning I did it.  The symptoms I’ve been listing in my daily logs are new symptoms as a result of said switch.  Not sure I need to wait two weeks to feel it as I’m pretty sure I’m already there.  Feels like w/d to me.  

 

im not  convinced the liquid was consistent with dose or fillers or anything honestly.  Silarx brand recently acquired by Lannet is the liquid generic.  I always seems to have issue with it.  I often question how much of the post benzo withdrawal syndrome I thought I’ve been dealing with for the last 20 months was benzo related at all, but rather correlated to the liquid Prozac.

 

edit -PS - there was a day when I accidentally missed the morning dose of liquid Prozac.  By midnight I was certain I’d missed my dose as i felt it clearly and abruptly.  I took half dose and the symptoms faded.  The half life seems to not necessarily hold true with the liquid.  Based on the half life, someone Should be able to skip 1 day without such symptoms you would think. 

[methuselah]

I have a Gemini scale now so I suppose  it would be easy enough to updose by .5mg, .75mg, or even 1mg.  That would make the dose decrease equivalent to 12.5%, 10.4%, or 8.33% respectively.

 

please, and thanks for any feedback on this and my last post  

[ChessieCat]

I think you should decide on a dose and stick to it for at least one month.  The brain likes consistency.  The effect of any changes is cumulative.  And if you keep jumping around in doses it will most likely end up taking you longer to stabilise.

 

As I said, Prozac has a long half life.  This means that if you get a bad effect from either going up or down it can take several weeks before it might get to the worst and then if you decide to change the dose then it can again take several weeks.

 

This is from Post #1 of the Tips for Tapering Prozac topic:

 

On 7/3/2011 at 4:11 AM, Altostrata said:

 

Prozac has the longest half-life of any SSRI. After you take it for a few days, half-life is about 16 days. Fluoxetine itself has a half-life of 2-4 days, but as it is processed, your body creates an active antidepressant metabolite, norfluoxetine, which has a half-life of 7-15 days. So Prozac keeps on extending its half-life as it is metabolized.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluoxetine , fluoxetine and norfluoxetine inhibit each other's metabolism, extending the half-life of the drug. Because the half-lives are so long, the full effect of Prozac on the brain may not be felt for several weeks.

fluoxetine (1-6 days) ---> norfluoxetine (up to 16 days) ---> other metabolites

 

 

[methuselah]

25 minutes ago, ChessieCat said:

I think you should decide on a dose and stick to it for at least one month.  The brain likes consistency.  The effect of any changes is cumulative.  And if you keep jumping around in doses it will most likely end up taking you longer to stabilise.

 

As I said, Prozac has a long half life.  This means that if you get a bad effect from either going up or down it can take several weeks before it might get to the worst and then if you decide to change the dose then it can again take several weeks.

 

This is from Post #1 of the Tips for Tapering Prozac topic:

 

 

 

Fair enough.  I’ll stick with 10mg for now and ride that out and see how it goes.  

[methuselah]

8am - woke with very uncomfortable anxiety. 10mg Prozac.

 

10am - stayed in bed till 10am to try to sleep off the anxiety.  It seems to have lifted for now.  50mg magnesium.  1280mg Omega 3.  Garden of Life Mens daily probiotic.  5 mg propranolol Brrakfast

 

2pm - sitting on couch all day.  Anxiety comes and goes.  Having much difficulty willing myself to get up and motivate to do anything.  General Malaise.  Had lunch.

 

230 - perking up a bit after getting off the couch and finally motivating.

 

5pm - I know it sounds stupid but I’m proud of myself for going to Trader Joe’s.  Was anxious about all the people and noise.  It was packed but I persevered.  Still feeling ok. Guess it’s a window.

 

645 - dinner

 

Fine but flat for rest of evening.

 

Sleep at 1am

[ChessieCat]

6 hours ago, methuselah said:

I know it sounds stupid but I’m proud of myself for going to Trader Joe’s.  Was anxious about all the people and noise.  It was packed but I persevered.  Still feeling ok. Guess it’s a window.

 

That is good.  Just be careful that you do not overdo things.  When I need to do something when I have no choice I do the most essential things first and then if I can do more then I do.  Having a plan beforehand helps too, a list with what shops you need to go to and what you need to purchase in those shops.  I also try to keep myself calm and not rush myself to try and get it done quickly, so I try to allow plenty of time.

 

Just a word of caution.  You might find that your symptoms ramp up a bit over the next couple of days due to your trip to the shops.  Remind yourself of the cause and that things should settle soon.  It can help to stop you getting stressed about the uptick in symptoms.

[methuselah]

2 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

 

That is good.  Just be careful that you do not overdo things.  When I need to do something when I have no choice I do the most essential things first and then if I can do more then I do.  Having a plan beforehand helps too, a list with what shops you need to go to and what you need to purchase in those shops.  I also try to keep myself calm and not rush myself to try and get it done quickly, so I try to allow plenty of time.

 

Just a word of caution.  You might find that your symptoms ramp up a bit over the next couple of days due to your trip to the shops.  Remind yourself of the cause and that things should settle soon.  It can help to stop you getting stressed about the uptick in symptoms.

Thanks Chessie, appreciate the tip. I’ll keep any eye out for a ramp up.  Lots of personal drama today too and I’m already feeling it this afternoon   

 

talked to my pdoc today.  He is really serious about helping me and opened up about some of his own issues which was very nice.  I mean this with the utmost respect to the man, but his idea of help is to do small trials of additional meds… after stabilizing at current Prozac dose should they be needed.  These add ons includes Depakote, or dextramethorphin (robitussin), or adderall.  

 

he isn’t necessarily convinced my current set of issues is iatrogenic, but he didn’t say it wasn’t either.  More drugs, Jesus Christ, sure feels like the last thing I need.  

[ChessieCat]

1 minute ago, methuselah said:

More drugs

 

At least your are better informed now.

 

And I think this might make you even more cautious:

 

From https://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker

 

2 Interactions Found

Patient Regimen

•   fluoxetine
  • Prozac
•   amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
  • Adderall XR

Monitor Closely

• fluoxetine + dextroamphetamine

  fluoxetine will increase the level or effect of dextroamphetamine by affecting hepatic enzyme CYP2D6 metabolism. Use Caution/Monitor.

• fluoxetine + dextroamphetamine

  fluoxetine and dextroamphetamine both increase serotonin levels. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely.

[methuselah]

December 13

 

8am - Prozac 10mg and propranolol 5mg.  Woke with some anxiety but much less than yesterday upon waking.

 

1030 - work stress. Significant Relationship stress.  Navigating it the best I can.  Breakfast

 

130pm - dizziness, anxiety some head pressure, metallic taste in mouth

 

2 - lunch.  Sleepy thereafter.

 

330 - sleepiness lifted.  Mild heart palps.  Lunch.

 

430 - had to tour a rental place.  Went out and about and was fine

 

7 - head pressure, sort of foggy vision.

 

9pm - still head pressure and anxiety in and out.  DR
 

sleep at midnigjt

 

[methuselah]

I had an extremely intense episode this morning at 6am that lasted for about 10 minutes or so.  Woke up  without alarm and it felt cold almost but not quite.  Mind raced.  Hands and feet tingledz.  Chest got sorta right.. Very hard to describe. .I’m at a loss to describe it.  Mind went thru its normal paces - how long will this last, am I going to end up in the hospital, how will I work today, is this going to get worse still, etc.

 

Quickly got up to take Prozac hoping that helps at 6am.  I really thought maybe I was slowly improving.  This is quite disheartening.  Wondering it I stay or updose a little bit or what?

 

Edited December 14, 2021 by ChessieCat
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[methuselah]

17 hours ago, ChessieCat said:

Just a word of caution.  You might find that your symptoms ramp up a bit over the next couple of days

I guess maybe this morning was the result of the trips and all the relationship stress I’ve been dealing with as well.  Total nightmare.

[methuselah]

Dec 14

 

6 am - Extremely intense episode this morning at 6am.  Woke up  without alarm and it felt cold almost but not quite.  Mind raced.  Hands and feet tingledz.  Chest got sorta right.. Very hard to describe. .I’m at a loss to describe it.  Mind went thru its normal paces - how long will this last, am I going to end up in the hospital, how will I work today, is this going to get worse still, etc.

 

Quickly got up to take Prozac hoping that helps.  I really thought maybe I was slowly improving.  This is quite disheartening.  Wondering it I stay or updose a little bit or what.

 

630am - got very cold shivering. Then skin burning. Almost a hungry feeling.   Tired now , sleepy

 

830am - still very tired.  Almost feels like first time I took the new Prozac capsule again.  Odd. Mild skin burning sensation in arms.

 

1030am - some anxiety.  Mild tingling/burning in arms.

 

1130 - things are foggy.  Anxiety persists to an extent.  Malaise continues.  No appetite.  Forced down breakfast shake. Cold

 

Noon-2pm - windowish

 

315 - Realized I hadn’t eaten and was getting shaky and anxious.  Had a small lunch consisting of protein fruit bar and banana.

 

Some semblance of window rest of night with break thru anxiety, dr, dizziness, head pressure.

 

1130am - sleep

[ChessieCat]

Dec 2021 - Propranolol 20mg 2x per day

 

Q:  Haven't you recently started propanolol?

 

If yes, you have only be on it about 2 weeks.  I have no idea how long it takes for the propanolol to do what you are taking it for, or your body to adjust to the new drug, but you might want to consider waiting at least 4 weeks after starting it before thinking about increasing the Prozac.

 

And you are thinking that taking that "quickly taking" the Prozac is helping.  Have you thought that it might be placebo?  Or depending on the times you take your propanolol it might be related to that and not the Prozac.

 

Remember that Prozac has a very long half life so the drug is continually at an even level in the body.

 

Perhaps instead of getting a bit panicky when you get the feelings, try doing some non drug calming technique/s.

 

Sometimes what we are experiencing is NOT due to the antidepressant but to other things.  You might have fallen into a bad habit when the feelings start (anticipatory anxiety and consequently trying a "quick fix" which you think is working but it might be the placebo effect of you thinking you have done something which calms you down) and there might be a way to reduce that without automatically changing your antidepressant dose.

 

Part of the journey off our drug/s is that there will most likely be times of discomfort.  Sometimes we just need to learn to "sit with" that discomfort.  It is very helpful to learn and use non drug techniques.  I suggest that you try them first.

[methuselah]

Hey Chessie.  Hope you are doing well and thanks for follow my thread and for all of the generous help.
 

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

 

Dec 2021 - Propranolol 20mg 2x per day

 

Q:  Haven't you recently started propanolol?

 

 

I was given this as the panic event that occurred on thanksgiving started pretty intense heart palps and the psych thought it would help with that as he knows I’m not touching benzos.  It did work but I’ve been able to drop itpretty quickly. I’ll have it in hand to take as needed for heart palps and whatnot if they become severe.  
 

 

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

And you are thinking that taking that "quickly taking" the Prozac is helping.  Have you thought that it might be placebo?  Or depending on the times you take your propanolol it might be related to that and not the Prozac.

 

Certainly placebo could be the case.  Perhaps the tiredness that occurred after the dose was pure coincidence as I felt it at another time after a similar panic.  It’s like the body is just worn out and gives way to this very sleepy feeling. 

The below is definitely the case

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

You might have fallen into a bad habit when the feelings start (anticipatory anxiety and consequently tryinga "quick fix"

[methuselah]

1 hour ago, ChessieCat said:

Part of the journey off our drug/s is that there will most likely be times of discomfort.  Sometimes we just need to learn to "sit with" that discomfort.  It is very helpful to learn and use non drug techniques.  I suggest that you try them first.

yes, you’re absolutely right again here.  I’m not a stranger to discomfort as the journey off benzos was difficult, and I’ve also been on the Merri go round with ssri for a minute as well.  I guess the natural inclination is to look for a fix, when In fact the fix is to do nothing sometimes.  Inaction is the best action.

[methuselah]

Dec 15

 

7am - Prozac.  Woke up feeling ok.

 

9am - anxiety, burning skin in arms, clammy hands, very restless feeling

 

930am - ate some breakfast hoping it would help.  50mg magnesium.  1200mg fish oil

 

945am - getting sleepy.  Cold as well.  Slept.

 

Cold with chills through 11am

 

2pm - powering through work.

 

230  330 - Feel sorta wired. Heart palps. Restless feeling.  Ate a fruit/protein bar and other snacks to see if calms things down.  50 mg magnesium

 

4pm - things sorta cleared up.  Definite window but feel a very very mild manic feel to it.

 

8pm - realized still in window.  Waiting for rug pull.  Need to accept things as they are.  Ate dinner.

 

Windowish rest of night with some irritability

 

Sleep at 12am

[methuselah]

Dec 16

 

730am - took Prozac

 

815am - out of bed

 

9am - took magnesium 50mg

 

10 am - some anxiety and skin burning.  breakfast with 600mg fish oil and probiotic.

 

1030 - getting tired.  Malaise

 

11am - skin on stomach burning

 

12pm - tired.  Working through

 

1pm - maybe coming out of it

 

130 - back in.  Anxiety, strange thoughts.  Annoyed at the whole thing.

 

3pm -‘tired.  Malaise.

 

330 - tired, pretty depressed with some anxiety.  Late lunch.  No appetite, forced it down.

 

Rest of the night was pretty awful.  Multiple strong waves with some micro windows.  1-2 hour Window before sleep at 12am.

[methuselah]

Dec 17

7am - woke feeling ok.

 

730am - took Prozac 10mg.

 

9am - first hint of issue with brief feeling of skin burning in arms

 

Noon - windowish all morning.  30 minute walk.  I want to do yoga desperately but fear symptom ramp up.

 

1230 - breakfast.

 

2pm - lunch

 

1230 -430pm Some dizziness today, some faintness in and out.  Could be lack of calories, really trying to force down more food.

 

430 pm - 1am - laid around and didn’t do much but felt ok.  Not to get too personal, but I e noticed my sex drive seems a bit better since the switch to Prozac brand..  Also noticed some Increased “sexual sensitivity “ since the switch.  Interesting.  
 

*no magnesium or fish oil today as it didn’t seem to help.  

[methuselah]

Dec 18

 

715am - woke feeling ok.

 

730am - took Prozac 10mg.

 

1030am - breakfast

 

11am - some break through anxiety and mild skin burning

 

2pm - some milder upper back type pain.  Feels like ive been hunched over all day though I haven’t been.

 

2pm - 50mg mag and 600mg fish oil hoping help back muscle annoyance.  Taurine as well 500mg.  I’m going to introduce one of these at a time starting with magnesium 50mg 2x per day.  Adding variables like this is not helpful.

 

3pm - upper back irritation continues but maybe less than before.  Low flat mood sorta tired

 

430 - hands feel sorta tingly and cold.   Still flat feeling.  Back still sorta annoying me

 

5-1030 back sorta bothered me rest of day.  Few breakthroughs of anxiety and dr and auditory strangeness…almost like aftershocks. Flat feeling otherwise

 

1030 - unpleasant wave.  Mental mostly.  Intrusive and racing thoughts. Hot and Sweating

 

1130 - sleep

 

If this is too much detail and I’m clogging up the site or thread or whatever let me know and I can dial these back a bit.

[Altostrata]

7 hours ago, methuselah said:

11am - some break through anxiety and mild skin burning

 

 

Hello, @methuselah Why do you call this "breakthrough anxiety"? It looks like it's an adverse reaction to Prozac because your Prozac dosage is too high.

 

Please include the dosage of each drug in your daily notes.

[methuselah]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

 

Hello, @methuselah Why do you call this "breakthrough anxiety"? It looks like it's an adverse reaction to Prozac because your Prozac dosage is too high.

 

Please include the dosage of each drug in your daily notes.

 Hey Alto.  Thanks for chiming in!  
 

I’m calling this breakthrough anxiety as I feel ok then anxiety comes through, or the burning skin or whatever, then it goes away.  Perhaps wrong terminology.
 

I definitely had an adverse reaction to the 12 mg generic liquid on thanksgiving day that seemed to build up over time then peak in some sort of anxiety attack with all sorts of strange thoughts and auditory strangeness like a sound or words I hear that echos in my brain.  Hence my switch to brand name “pulvule”.  I’ve had issues with generics in the past and I didn’t want to switch drugs so I gave this a shot.  I believe a lot of what I thought was pws from Valium can in fact be attributed to the liquid generic, but I have no way to prove that.  

 

All that I am I’m currently taking is brand name Prozac 10mg.  I’ve been listing supplement doses as well, e.g 50mg magnesium.  I’ll stay consistent with it.    I was doing calories too but stopped with that as my appetite is slowly returning to normal. 

[methuselah]

Dec 19

 

730 am - Prozac 10mg

 

1040am - slight DR episode followed by burning in chest

 

1115am - breakfast, 50mg magnesium

 

215 pm - windowish

 

4pm - still windowish. Lunch

 

5 pm - 50mg magnesium

 

530 pm - did a light 30 minute yoga practice for first time in few weeks!

 

7pm - flat.  But not feeling bad.  Just not feeling which is quite preferable to alternative.

 

8 pm - dinner

 

Sorta flat rest of night but ok.  Marked improvement from yesterday.

 

Sleep at 1am

[methuselah]

16 hours ago, Altostrata said:

It looks like it's an adverse reaction to Prozac because your Prozac dosage is too high

 
@Altostrata I’m curious why you think the dose is too high?  I’ve been at 12mg for a few years now and just dropped to 10 with the change from liquid to brand capsule.  Admittedly the med didn’t much of anything at this 12mg and I’ve stayed there until I could taper off Valium and stabilize and also to avoid ssri withdrawal.

 

I’m happy to lower the dose if you think that makes sense, to what dose I have no clue.  Yesterday was decent but this morning is a little uncomfortable.  The uncomfort did start to happen about 1.5 hours after taking the med so you may be onto something.  Hard for me to say if the uncomfort is from dose drop, liquid to capsule, generic to brand as all happened at once.  I felt I couldn’t transition gradually from liquid to capsule as I was definitely reacting negatively to the liquid generic.