daenerys: Effexor Withdrawal and Prozac

[daenerys]

Hi I am new on this site. Firstly this site is very helpful and thank you all.

Now I am in really bad situation and I need advice. This is my drug history:

• January 2012-April 2019 on Effexor 225 mg
• April-August 2019 I tapered Effexor to 150 mg
• August 2019 I did bridge  with 20 mg Prozac and quit Effexor.
• Oct 15 2019 I tapered Prozac to 10 mg. Now I am on 10 mg Prozac.

My bad symptoms started when I quit Effexor and did bridge with 20 mg Prozac. But I could manage symptoms for a while. I think Prozac worked because I could function. But 3 months after I quit Effexor, I tapered Prozac to 10 mg. Symptoms got worse then. I am crying every day and anxiety is horrible. I am taking Omega 3. This helps with headache. But I can't manage emotional symptoms. What should I do? Should I updose Prozac?

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, daenerys.

 

Your taper from 20 to 10mg was very fast, causing withdrawal symptoms.  We recommend tapering no more than 10% of current dose every four weeks.

 

You're still within the time frame (3 months) when an updose or reinstatement predictably work.  Please read:

 

 

About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms. -- at least the first page of the topic

 

You could try an updose of 2mg.  The following link tells you how to obtain the small nonstandard doses you'll need for your updose.  If liquid Prozac is available in Turkey, that would be the easiest method.  Otherwise, you can make your own liquid, as described in the link.

 

Tips for tapering off Prozac (fluoxetine)

 

It takes about a week for the full effect of the updose to be felt, though you could feel some relief within a day or two.

 

It's a good idea to keep daily notes on paper to track how your updose is working.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  We're glad you found your way here.

 

 

 

 

[daenerys]

Gridley thank you for your reply. I did  updose of 2 mg. I will let you know how  i an doing.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, daenerys.

 

On 11/27/2019 at 12:26 AM, daenerys said:

My bad symptoms started when I quit Effexor and did bridge with 20 mg Prozac. But I could manage symptoms for a while. I think Prozac worked because I could function.

 

Why did you decide to go from 150mg Effexor to 20mg Prozac? How well did Prozac substitute for the Effexor?

 

What symptoms did you have after the switch? Did they gradually reduce? Why did you decide to cut 20mg to 10mg Prozac?

[daenerys]

10 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Welcome, daenerys.

 

 

Why did you decide to go from 150mg Effexor to 20mg Prozac? How well did Prozac substitute for the Effexor?

 

What symptoms did you have after the switch? Did they gradually reduce? Why did you decide to cut 20mg to 10mg Prozac?

 

Thank you Altostrata.

I decided to bridge with Prozac because it locked safer for me. I did overlap two drugs for tek week then switched to Prozac. After the switch my symptoms were heartache, nausea, sleep problems, sexual problems, feeling depressed. But they gradually reduced. I guess Prozac worked. Only sexual problem didn't reduced.

I decided to cut Prozac because of long half life. I thought  it dont affect. But i was wrong. Symptoms got worse five weeks after cut. Now i reinstated and waiting.

 

[daenerys]

Does Prozac reinstaion work? Or should I go back to Effexor?

I reinstated only two days ago but anxiety is still horrible.

[Gridley]

2 hours ago, daenerys said:

Does Prozac reinstaion work? Or should I go back to Effexor?

I reinstated only two days ago but anxiety is still horrible.

 

It takes about a week for the full effects of the reinstatement to work.  

 

You've made many changes in your drugs and doses in the last several months.  You need to let your system stabilize and make no further changes.

[Altostrata]

How much Prozac are you taking now? It will take at least a week for Prozac to reach full effect in your bloodstream.

[daenerys]

1 hour ago, Altostrata said:

How much Prozac are you taking now? It will take at least a week for Prozac to reach full effect in your bloodstream.

 

 I am taking12 mg Prozac now.

[Altostrata]

Has 12mg Prozac had any effect?

[Edmunds]

I also bridged from Effexor to Prozac, though my intention was to try Prozac for anxiety and derealization because some years ago it helped me for a long time despite eventual poop-out. My psych had me taper off the Effexor (May 2019) way too fast (3 weeks). I started having withdrawal symptoms, and they got worse two months later when I also tapered too fast off Wellbutrin. I experienced frequent and daily surges of anxiety, early morning "cortisol anxiety," and crying nearly every day, mostly in the morning. It took about 3 months, but if it's some consolation the crying eased off and stopped, and then during the past month the anxiety surges and early morning anxiety have pretty much dissipated. I continue to experience low-level anxiety at times, heavy derealization fog, blurred vision, fatigue, and several bowel movements every day. As was recommended to you and thanks to the administrators here, I have made no significant medication or supplement changes during the entire past six months. I tried Attivan for a very short time to ease the anxiety, but I was advised it would be best not to take any benzo so I stopped. I'm trying to be infinitely patient and have the support of a good therapist who works with me in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

[daenerys]

11 hours ago, daenerys said:

 

 I am taking12 mg Prozac now.

 

It didn't have any effect but I reinstated  3 days ago.

[daenerys]

9 hours ago, Altostrata said:

Has 12mg Prozac had any effect?

 

It didn't have any effect but I reinstated  3 days ago.

[daenerys]

7 hours ago, Edmunds said:

I also bridged from Effexor to Prozac, though my intention was to try Prozac for anxiety and derealization because some years ago it helped me for a long time despite eventual poop-out. My psych had me taper off the Effexor (May 2019) way too fast (3 weeks). I started having withdrawal symptoms, and they got worse two months later when I also tapered too fast off Wellbutrin. I experienced frequent and daily surges of anxiety, early morning "cortisol anxiety," and crying nearly every day, mostly in the morning. It took about 3 months, but if it's some consolation the crying eased off and stopped, and then during the past month the anxiety surges and early morning anxiety have pretty much dissipated. I continue to experience low-level anxiety at times, heavy derealization fog, blurred vision, fatigue, and several bowel movements every day. As was recommended to you and thanks to the administrators here, I have made no significant medication or supplement changes during the entire past six months. I tried Attivan for a very short time to ease the anxiety, but I was advised it would be best not to take any benzo so I stopped. I'm trying to be infinitely patient and have the support of a good therapist who works with me in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).

 

Edmunds thank you for reply. 

I am glad you are better now. Do you think Prozac bridge had any benefits? 

[daenerys]

Hi I want to update.

 

I reinstated one week ago. I am still struggling but I have seen little improvements. My anxiety has little bit reduced. Mornings are still hard. I am doing breath exercises. I am feeling depressed but I don't crying everyday. I hope it gets better. Because anxiety is really hard.

 

[daenerys]

On 11/29/2019 at 7:52 PM, Altostrata said:

How much Prozac are you taking now? It will take at least a week for Prozac to reach full effect in your bloodstream.

 

I need help. I did updose Prozac to 12 mg one week ago. I think I am little bit better now but my anxiety is still bad. I am trying yoga but I can't cope now.

 

Should I go back to 20 mg? I was better when before I reduced Prozac.

[Altostrata]

I might try 15mg rather than jumping up to 20mg. A little bit can go a long way.

[daenerys]

Last week I reinstated Prozac to 20 mg. I think it worked.

 

My anxiety is more manageable. Crying spells are reduced. I still wake up early in mornings but İ don't feel anxious too much. Now my worst symptom is feeling depressed. 

[Erell]

How are you doing Daenerys?