Ris88: Lovan / Prozac / fluoxetine withdrawal

[Ris88]

Hi everyone,

 

I started on Lovan 10mg at the end of January 2020 for irritability. My GP thought I was very on edge as I had a lot of stress from my first child, who at the time was almost two. My husband, daughter and I then moved interstate. 
 

I started to see a new GP first week of January who said after two weeks bump my dose of 10mg To 20mg. After several weeks (early March) I had no feelings at all, foggy ness and headaches and couldn’t even feel pain. Then one weekend I had a massive panic attack, one after the other, this went on for 6hrs. I have never suffered from panic attacks in the past. I then went back to my GP and said I wanted to stop the Lovan. By this time it was the middle of March 2020. I was told to gradually decrease over 2 weeks. 20mg to 10mg for the first week, then 10mg to 5mg for the second week, then stop. I stopped end of March 2020.
 

For two months I had no side affects, then two weeks ago (late May 2020) I started to feel very anxious, headaches and foggy ness, unable to concentrate. After a week of that I had a massive panic attack that lasted six hours again,  I took 2mg of Valium (GP prescribed for panic attacks) and it didn’t help. My heart was racing constantly. Every night since I have night time sweats, racing heart, hot flushes. It wakes me from my sleep and I can’t focus or concentrate.
 

The days I have no appetite, trouble concentrating, feeling off and get bad headaches. I’ve been exercising daily and I practice meditation about five times a week. I eat as healthy as possible. I do counseling. I've reduced as much stress as I can.  

 

I have read a few posts on this forum and it sounds like this can last for years. My GP has not been very good at all and just thinks I have anxiety and that this isn’t withdrawal as it has been two months. My psychologist said I have moderate anxiety and that it could be withdrawal or something medical. 
 

I have an appointment to see a naturopath, has anyone had any luck with that to help relieve some symptoms.

 

How long does this last for? I was only on the drug for two months total time. 
 

Thanks

[Gridley]

Welcome to SA, Ris88.

 

You had an adverse reaction to the Prozac, plus are now suffering from with withdrawal due to your very fast taper.  Withdrawal symptoms are often delayed, as they were in your case.  The symptoms you describe are typical of withdrawal.  Doctors know nothing of protracted withdrawal and don't believe it exists.

 

It is to your advantage that you were on the drug only two months, but there is no way to predict how long withdrawal will last.  

 

What is withdrawal syndrome.

 

Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) 

 

When we take psychiatric 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.  

 

These explain the healing process really well:

 

Video:  Healing From Antidepressants - Patterns of Recovery

 

Brain Remodelling 

 

Naturopaths know no more than mainstream doctors about withdrawal and will likely suggest a variety of supplements.  We don't recommend a lot of supplements on SA, as many members report being sensitive to them due to our over-reactive nervous systems, but two supplements that we do recommend are magnesium and omega 3 (fish oil). Many people find these to be calming to the nervous system. 

 

Magnesium, nature's calcium channel blocker 

 

Omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) 

 

Add in one at a time and at a low dose in case you do experience problems.

 

You mentioned exercise.  In withdrawal many members find that strenuous exercise is overstimulating and do better with milder forms like a walk in nature.  It's very good that you've reduced stress.

 

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

 

 

 

[Ris88]

Hi Gridley,

 

Thanks for all of the information, it’s a relief to hear that what I am going through is somewhat normal & that I am not alone. I’m so glad I found this forum.
 

As for the Naturopath, if I hadn’t found this forum I’d likely be ready to take any supplements that were recommended, but now I know better. I’ve been having trouble with different types of foods making me feel off so I should have known my system was sensitive at the moment.

 

I only use the strenuous exercise when I can’t calm myself down, I find it helps. Otherwise lately I have only been walking, I think that’s only because I have felt exhausted for no reason (although I know why now).

I just don’t understand why doctors don't know more about this, this forum has millions of people going through similar things but doctors don’t believe it exists and they hand these pills out like they are nothing and don’t even know the after effects or really the true side effects. It really disappoints me. I still remember the conversation with my own GP and how much he pushed me into it and said “it’s just a little pill to take the edge off”. Ridiculous really after everything I have been through. I know there are a lot of people out there who need these pills and have different experiences, I just feel that they should be a last resort for doctors, in my case it was the first resort. I had to push to even get a referral for counseling. The medical system is seriously broken in my opinion. 

[Gridley]

15 minutes ago, Ris88 said:

I just don’t understand why doctors don't know more about this, this forum has millions of people going through similar things but doctors don’t believe it exists and they hand these pills out like they are nothing and don’t even know the after effects or really the true side effects

 

Very sad and very true.  The believe what the pharmaceutical companies tell them.  If you want a real eye-opener, read Anatomy of an Epidemic by Robert Whitaker. I highly recommend it.

 

Anatomy of an Epidemic

 

Here's a video book trailer by the author, Robert Whitaker:

 

Robert Whitaker, author Anatomy of an Epidemic video (11 minutes)

 

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2020 by Gridley