Go2zero: getting off Wellbutrin and Prozac

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zero sending love and hugs.... hopefully that window is around the corner. 👍🙏♥️

[Go2zero]

10 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

sending love and hugs.... hopefully that window is around the corner. 👍🙏♥️

Thank you so much! I wish you the same!  

 

Lots of Love and healing!  ❤️🙏

[Addax]

1 hour ago, Go2zero said:

I know the only thing I can do, is ride this wave out.... I know it will go eventually . But I can understand so well the doubts many members have now and then. Although I know from experience that these symptoms will go, I can feel these doubts also when deep in a wave like this one.

This is such a hard place to be; knowing it’s temporary, but simultaneously doubting what you intellectually know to be true, even despite the evidence supporting that it’s temporary.  Waves are torture in that way, and must be even more so being so close to tapering off.  
As you said, not much to do but wait for the wave to pass, which, as evidence indicates, it will.  It would just be nice if we had some idea when, right? 

A window is coming… I’m just sending vibes so it gets here quicker. 

 

Edited May 16, 2023 by Addax

[j1290]

3 hours ago, Go2zero said:

Although I know from experience that these symptoms will go, I can feel these doubts also when deep in a wave like this one.

I'm always convinced that this time it's different, when I'm in the midst of symptoms.   Just a friendly reminder that this wave really will have an end.  It's going to get a little easier, and then one day you'll wake up and be fine and thinking oh, so this is what I'm supposed to feel like.

 

Hang in there, Go2.  You got this!

[Carmie]

Dear @Go2zero I’m so very sorry to hear you’ve been in a wave for 10 weeks, my heart goes out to you. 
 

Sending big hugs your way🤗

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zero one day at a time, healing is happening.👍

[Go2zero]

On 5/23/2023 at 10:04 PM, LostInCanada said:

one day at a time, healing is happening.👍

 

On 5/17/2023 at 10:41 AM, Carmie said:

I’m so very sorry to hear you’ve been in a wave for 10 weeks, my heart goes out to you. 
 

Sending big hugs your way🤗

 

Dear @Carmie and dear @LostInCanada thank you for your loving words. That really helps and touches me.

 

I am still in this wave, which lasts nearly 3 months now. But I am slowly healing now. About 2 weeks ago I read in another thread about Dr. Claire Weekes. I had never heard of her before. She was born in 1903 and she was a GP who was specialised in helping people with sensitised nervous systems.

 

I ordered one of the many books she wrote about this subject. She says that anxiety is nothing more than physical feelings because of a sensitised nervous system. She explains it all very well and clear.

 

Lots of feelings (if not all)  I and many SA members experience, have to do with this sensitised nervous system. Her books are mainly how to deal with fear and anxiety and to heal the nervous system.

 

By reading the book I learned how my childhood traumas led step by step to this sensitised nervous system. And eventually led to panic attacks. That was when the AD'd came in with me in 2006. 

 

And through the book I see the resemblance between built up anxiety by our selves, which sensitises the NS. And by the anxiety that comes from the sensitisation caused by withdrawal of psychotropic drugs.

 

In the end the cure for both seems to be same, is my conclusion. The 'method' Of Dr. Claire Weekes is simple and extremely effective. I have been practicing this method now for 1 week and I feel better each day. 

 

The anxiety has dropped to much lower levels each day. Claire Weekes is very clear. Just as dealing with withdrawal this process goes with waves an and windows. She says that most people can heal from anxiety caused by an sensitised nacreous system within several months.

 

This accounts for people who are not tapering AD's or other psychotropic drugs. Of course the body and NS have to heal too from the withdrawal itself. But I notice clearly that the simple Claire Weekes method helps me there too.

 

I can recommend to search for more info about this method. Best buy one of her books. They were written in the 60's. But she was far ahead of time. Forget the few things she wrote about tranquillisers. See it in that time. And she advises them only for 1 week for heavy cases.

 

The main idea about her method is:

 

- Face the anxiety or other feelings.

- Accept them fully and feel them. (do not fight them, do not push them away)

- Float (live your life and do the things together while feeling and accepting the anxiety or other feelings)

- Give it time (time will heal and this goes with ups and downs)

 

Claire Weekes really was her time far ahead. I see so much wisdom in this book from 1969. I read things as said by Eckhart Tolle, the Law of Attraction, A Course in Miracles and other spiritual ways. And that all combined with a very clear and technical medical view on anxiety, depression and our nervous system.

 

https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Help-Your-Nerves-Anxiety/dp/0593201906/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3CNH4NMJFVNT5&keywords=claire+weekes&qid=1685471653&sprefix=claire+weekes%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-1

 

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zero that's the exact book I bought. I love how when you float in water you have to absolutely relax every muscle so it is a great reference. I have been practicing. 

[j1290]

Dr. Claire Weekes really was ahead of her time for sure!  I wish I could have met her.  I had an audio CD of hers in my car.   It's fun to hear her book in her own voice.  Such a brilliant woman.  

[Go2zero]

1 hour ago, j1290 said:

Dr. Claire Weekes really was ahead of her time for sure!  I wish I could have met her.  I had an audio CD of hers in my car.   It's fun to hear her book in her own voice.  Such a brilliant woman.  

I am already a big fan of hers. Today I downloaded her audio book as well. Also with her voice. Maybe the same you have. She is brilliant!

 

In my opinion she was not only he time far ahead. All doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists should learn and practice what she wrote. The world would be a much better place...  

Edited May 31, 2023 by Go2zero

[j1290]

11 minutes ago, Go2zero said:

She is brilliant!

100%.   When I hear her talk she is so convincing and authentic.   She's an absolute treasure.   I've given a few copies of her CD to friends and everyone has loved her.  I think I'm going to buy a digital copy of her audio book so I can listen on my phone.  I hear something new everytime I put it on.   

[Carmie]

Dear @Go2zero I’m glad that the Claire Weeke’s book has been beneficial for you. She has such a soothing voice too, she sounds really caring. I love her method of floating through the distressing feelings we have, instead of trying to suppress them.
 

I’ve actually started reading a book on ACT therapy called: “The happiness trap,” and that is pretty much about not trying to suppress or obey the negative feelings we have. It’s all about taking action towards the things that matter in our life, despite the way we are feeling, and despite what’s happening in our lives.
 

I hope that you continue to float while you’re waiting for your window💛

[Go2zero]

9 hours ago, Carmie said:

Dear @Go2zero I’m glad that the Claire Weeke’s book has been beneficial for you. She has such a soothing voice too, she sounds really caring. I love her method of floating through the distressing feelings we have, instead of trying to suppress them.
 

I’ve actually started reading a book on ACT therapy called: “The happiness trap,” and that is pretty much about not trying to suppress or obey the negative feelings we have. It’s all about taking action towards the things that matter in our life, despite the way we are feeling, and despite what’s happening in our lives.
 

I hope that you continue to float while you’re waiting for your window💛

Dear @Carmie, thank you for your loving words! You are so kind and such a loving support to the members here! ❤️

 

Acceptance is what Clair Weekes teaches us. And ACT teaches us also to accept. In my opinion 100% acceptance is LOVE. 

And where love is, no anxiety can exist. Love heals everything. 

 

So I think every "method" that learns us real Self Love and Acceptance helps in healing. In the end we need not use methods anymore. When we really reach the point of 100% acceptance and loving ourselves, everything is healed. Then we can let even the methods go...😉

 

But until I get there I am very happy with Claire Weekes and ACT. 😃 Feel very grateful that I "found" Claire Weekes 🙏

[Carmie]

Dear @Go2zero , just wanted to thank you for your kind words on my thread. I’m continuing to take an hour at a time despite all, feeling my feelings, and then still moving towards things that mean a lot to me. 
 

I love the choice point diagram in ACT, down the bottom are our difficult situations, thoughts and feelings. From there we can either get hooked away from the things that matter to us or go towards the things that matter to us, despite all the terrible things we may be suffering. I’m learning to try and unhook as the ‘away’ mode seems to be our default mode. 
 

Hope you’re finding some joy in your day💛

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zero just stopping by to say hi. Praying you are getting some moments of joy during the day. You are definitely winning the battle even if it doesn't feel like it at the moment. 👍

[Carmie]

Thinking of you @Go2zero , I’m sorry you’re struggling so much, sending big hugs your way🤗💛

[j1290]

@Go2zero

Thinking about you, Go2.  Hope things are settling down for you a bit!

[Go2zero]

Dear @LostInCanada, @Carmie, and @j1290 thank you for your uplifting and loving words. Really appreciate it!

 

I am doing slowly better. It has been a long wave, which is slowly decreasing. It is also a period of learning for me! How to deal with anxiety and stress in a better way. This has been a big issue all my life when I look back.

 

For very long times I unconsciously tried to get away from the fear and anxiety. By trying to control everything in life, by perfectionism, by trying to change the world around me, etc.

 

Spirituality has helped me a lot to see things differently. A Course In Miracles, Mooji, Eckhart Tolle etc. are great inspirators for me. Only a few weeks ago I came across the “method” of Claire Weekes”. Probably it was the right time for it. This helped me so much!

 

I read about Claire Weekes in a discussion between @j1290 and @Thorin. Thank you both for that! This really helped me to make a big jump forward. 🙏

 

I am learning more and more to deal with stress and anxiety in such a better way now!

 

I also see more and more how stress is such a catalyst for withdrawal symptoms! I had an extremely stressful period from last November until April. Probably this caused the wave, when I look back.

 

Anyhow I am healing! And I am grateful for that!

 

Acceptance, Self Love and the Help of God, Holy Ghost and Jesus are the best Helpers for me! That is not a belief anymore for me, but a Knowing! Never thought I would write something like this. I have been thinking often that people who say so are not seeing the real world. But now I know this brings me to the Real World. Which Love is in my heart. This is the best Healer for me.

 

I even decided to do a step down in the Prozac dose last week. Only 0.07 mg now! Hope to be off the Prozac in another 5 months or so.

 

I see you all 3  being so positive in your processes! That is the spirit! With this positive and powerful attitude we will certainly get there!

 

Really love how you share your positivity here on SA.

 

Lots of Love from me! ❤️🙏

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zeroso happy you are getting there. Face, accept, float, allow time to pass but I think love needs to be added in there too. 👍

[Go2zero]

12 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

so happy you are getting there. Face, accept, float, allow time to pass but I think love needs to be added in there too. 👍

I think Love is the most important one! Where True Love is, fear cannot exist! 

❤️

[LostInCanada]

49 minutes ago, Go2zero said:

Where True Love is, fear cannot exist! 

1 John 4:18

I am loving Isaiah 30:15 lately, "Your strength will be in keeping calm."

[LostInCanada]

49 minutes ago, Go2zero said:

Where True Love is, fear cannot exist! 

1 John 4:18

I am loving Isaiah 30:15 lately, "Your strength will be in keeping calm."

[j1290]

9 hours ago, Go2zero said:

For very long times I unconsciously tried to get away from the fear and anxiety.

I hear that.  I think half the battle is recognizing the patterns.  Often it's behavior I learned as a kid, so it's the air I breathe and unnoticeable.   

 

9 hours ago, Go2zero said:

I had an extremely stressful period from last November until April.

I re-read the FAQs, and always see something new.  One of the things that stands out to me lately is not being able to handle stress the way we used to be able to.   Some tasks had my patience stretched extremely thin, where another time I might have done them easily.  It's just a hard thing to accept it's actually happening to me.  

 

9 hours ago, Go2zero said:

Help of God, Holy Ghost and Jesus are the best Helpers for me! That is not a belief anymore for me, but a Knowing!

Super happy for you!  With them on your side, what can't you do?!

 

I need to listen to more Dr. Weekes and get a tune up, it's been a minute.  She has such a beautiful aura.   

 

Always great to hear from you, Go2.   Hoping things get easier and flow smoothly in your future.  Please keep us posted on the Prozac taper!

[Thorin]

18 hours ago, Go2zero said:

read about Claire Weekes in a discussion between @j1290 and @Thorin. Thank you both for that! This really helped me to make a big jump forward. 🙏

The biggest thing I’ve found is do your best to accept the sensations of anxiety and fear and do the thing anyway. Also take time to rest and recuperate afterwards. I’ve come such a long way since I first joined this site. I will have to finish my taper soon (I’ve come a long way) but I have definitely learned some useful skills like those taught by Dr Claire Weeks along the way. Tolle etc have some good philosophies as well as you’ve already discovered 

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zero been thinking of you and wanting to send some encouragement your way. It's been a long journey but you are almost there. Your example helps me see I can do this too if I put in the work. Thanks so much. 🙏

[j1290]

@Go2zero

Hey, Go2, just checking up on you.  How you doing these days?  I hope things have mellowed for you and you're out vacationing some where nice!

[Go2zero]

@LostInCanada and @j1290 Thanks so much for passing by and for your encouraging and nice words.

 

I am doing better and better. It has been quite a long wave. Lasted about 6 months. The worst seems to be behind me. Last few weeks mostly paresthesia (which has been there for many months), headaches, migraine. Anxiety has gotten so much less. I am so happy and grateful for that, since I find the emotional WD symptoms so much harder to deal with than the physical ones.

 

The Claire Weekes book helps me so much to deal with the anxiety. Also the anxiety caused by withdrawal. Accept and Float!

 

Since WD symptoms are very acceptable lately, I made 2 steps down again with the Prozac. If I can continue tapering like this I will be off the Prozac somewhere in November!

 

Taking only 0,05 mg Prozac now. This is only one 20mg pill divided over 380 days! But still too much to stop.... Better keep going slow and careful this last bit. Only 3-4 months to go....

 

I treated myself on a sailing trip. We're bringing a sailing yacht from Holland to Spain. A adventurous trip of 3 weeks over the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Biscay, passing, Belgium, France, Portugal and Gibraltar. Giving me positive vibes and distraction of this whole WD process.

 

 

 

 

[LostInCanada]

@Go2zeroso happy to hear. Wow what a great adventure for sure. Sailing and floating through the taper sounds good to me. November...so exciting. 👍♥️🙏

[j1290]

15 hours ago, Go2zero said:

headaches, migraine. Anxiety has gotten so much less.

Pshew do I know something about those things!  Now that I'm on a lower dose, the headaches and migraines have improved greatly, as well as anxiety.  I get a shiver just thinking about some of those episodes.  Really glad to hear that Dr. Claire Weekes has helped.  I'm right there with you, as difficult as they may be I'd take migraines over the emotional stuff any day of the week.  The things we're experiencing are just so uncomfortable.   

 

15 hours ago, Go2zero said:

This is only one 20mg pill divided over 380 days!

You're talking to the right audience that can appreciate how difficult even that small amount can be!   Congratulations, I'm super happy for you on this and hope you can knock it out in Nov.  

 

15 hours ago, Go2zero said:

I treated myself on a sailing trip. We're bringing a sailing yacht from Holland to Spain. A adventurous trip of 3 weeks over the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Biscay, passing, Belgium, France, Portugal and Gibraltar. Giving me positive vibes and distraction of this whole WD process.

I had no idea this was a thing, but sounds like the adventure of a lifetime.  I'm going to go do some reasearch and see how to do this.  Super, super cool.  Can't wait to hear all about it.  

 

Really glad to hear you're doing well, and even better that you're embracing life.  Doing great, Go2!  

[Go2zero]

Time for an update again. Since the last (very long wave) and long hold, I am doing quite fine again. I continued tapering. Tomorrow I will go down with the prozac to 0,033 mg. I am doing a micro tapering now. Every week a tiny bit down. Another 10 weeks to go until I hope to jump to zero.

 

I do have some WD symptoms, but most of them do not last so long. Headaches or migraine which may last 3-4 days. Strange skin problems like eczema flaming up and going away again after 1-2 weeks.

 

Paresthesia is still there, but less than before. Mainly in hands and feet. Tinnitus comes and goes...

 

I notice my immune system is a bit low. I easily get things like respiratory virusses. I caught one 2 weeks ago and feel weakened. Still coughing a lot. Was even coughing blood now and then. Had a Thorax X-Ray, everything OK fortunately.

 

I guess the continuous and long lasting stress that my body has due to the withdrawal also has its influence on my immune system. 

 

I am glad I never took a covid vaccine. I know this is can be a tricky and sensitive subject to discuss. But I have seen a lot of proof and examples that these vaccines may have nasty (long time) effects on the immune system. At least I can exclude that as cause for my sensitivity to viruses and skin problems.

 

[LostInCanada]

Thanks for the update @Go2zero.

What will be your jump off dose? Do you think you will hold there for a bit? I am so happy for you. Have you ever tried vitamin D? It really helps with immunity as long as you can take it. You are doing great. Sending hugs.

[Go2zero]

49 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

What will be your jump off dose?

Hi @LostInCanada, thanks for your nice reaction. I plan to jump off at 0,004 mg. That is 1 pill divided over 5200 days. A crazy low dose which I plan to hold for 2 weeks. But I will have had a very low dosage then already for about 3 months. As of tomorrow I take 1 pill divided over 600 days...

 

It may sound crazy these low dosages, but I better take the safe route after having jumped of way too early several times (years ago).

 

In theory the jump of dosage would be something like 0,015mg. But I take it a bit further.

 

55 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

Have you ever tried vitamin D?

Yes, I take it frequently also combined with Zink and Quercetin. This combination should help the immune system. I live in Spain, so the sunshine should also help with vitamin D.

 

How are you doing? Is you recent wave decreasing already?

 

Big Hug! 🙏

[LostInCanada]

5 minutes ago, Go2zero said:

In theory the jump of dosage would be something like 0,015mg. But I take it a bit further.

So glad you are being careful, better safe than sorry. These microtapers I am doing really prove the strength in these small doses. I am still in a wave, it's been a long one for me. You are such an encouragement to me... slow and steady wins the race. Thanks my friend. 💯🙏

[Go2zero]

50 minutes ago, LostInCanada said:

These microtapers I am doing really prove the strength in these small doses. I am still in a wave, it's been a long one for me.

Yes, that is a very good way to go. I looked a bit deeper in your signature yesterday and I am not wondering that you have been suffering so long to find some stability. Taking into account the big changes up and down in dosage several times and adding and stopping Prozac as well several times...

 

I have made similar moves several times and this sensitised my nervous system extremely.  Given the relative short time that you are on a stable dose and doing a slow taper now, I think you are really doing great! You will get there! Certainly with your attitude! So important! 🥰🙏

Edited August 25, 2023 by Go2zero

[Carmie]

Dear @Go2zero Just wanted to say thank you for your lovely messages. You’re doing amazing, you’re nearly off your meds. Well done! 
 

How is Spain? I lived there for a year or so when I was a teenager. My dad was Spanish, but I was born in Germany. We moved to Australia when I was young. I love Spain, such a beautiful country. 
 

All the best with the last bit of your taper🧡

[Go2zero]

On 8/30/2023 at 2:34 AM, Carmie said:

Dear @Go2zero Just wanted to say thank you for your lovely messages. You’re doing amazing, you’re nearly off your meds. Well done! 

 Dear @Carmie, thank you for you nice and uplifting message! Always great to hear from you.

 

I hope I can stick to my plan this tapering time. I expected to be of the Prozac already 2 years ago (or even sooner). But we both know how waves can spoil our plans... So better no planning...

 

When everything goes well I could be off the Prozac in about 10 weeks from now. I am still having symptoms but very light. Mostly strange stuff on my skin at the moment (like eczema). It is all bearable. 

 

Fortunately I do not have too much emotional symptoms lately. I found those far out the worst. Sometime I feel anxiety coming up. But since I use the Claire Weeks method I can handle that quite good.

 

After I am off the Prozac, I still need to taper the Wellbutrin/bupropion. That has proven to be a very mean one for me to taper. I am holding for more than 1 1/2 years at a low dose of 32 mg, but even the smallest drop in dosage gave me extreme symptoms that lasted for many months. Hopefully tapering that one will go easier once I am away from the Prozac. First I will wait for 5 months after being off the the Prozac. To have things as stable as possible before I continue tapering the Wellbutrin.

 

On 8/30/2023 at 2:34 AM, Carmie said:

How is Spain? I lived there for a year or so when I was a teenager. My dad was Spanish, but I was born in Germany. We moved to Australia when I was young. I love Spain, such a beautiful country. 

Spain is quite a nice place to live. We live very close to the mediterranean coast, between Valencia en Alicante. Super climate. Mild winters and reasonable mild summers. Although last 2 months it was very hot now and then.

 

I am from Holland, but moved to Spain about 8 years ago. I met my Spanish wife there. She is a great support in my tapering. Not always easy for her. I am so grateful how she deals with that.

 

Great to see that you are on SA more and more again! You are having lots of great support here. I love your positivity and your gratitude lists. ❤️🙏