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Kristinhopes: completely lost, what to do now - taper, reinstate, switch


Kristinhopes

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Is it possible the depression,  depersonalization and spaciness is From too much Prozac and a decrease could help or is that unlikely? And yes I dropped to 8 mg on 10/22 and held with waves and windows since and most recently this three week wave. I was having windows at 10mg too though, probably should have held there longer looking back but got freaked out from a wave and tongue twitches at a 20mg jump for two days back then. That’s what I’m struggling with.. maybe I’d be better going up or maybe I need to go down. Because maybe the tremor and twitching is withdrawal rather than adverse reaction. I dunno. Also if it is an adverse reaction rather than withdrawal, would a positive change from a dose decrease take weeks to show up like prizac withdrawal would or could a positive change from decreasing from too much Prozac show up quickly. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi @Kristinhopes

 

How are you doing?  And what dose of Prozac are you on now?  I did see some mention of a further drop to 7.2 mg.

If you have been able to keep some notes going, and first, would update your signature:

AccountsSetting/signature

And then just add in dates and dose changes with the Prosac

 

On 12/20/2020 at 8:14 AM, Kristinhopes said:

Is it possible the depression,  depersonalization and spaciness is From too much Prozac and a decrease could help or is that unlikely? And yes I dropped to 8 mg on 10/22 and held with waves and windows since and most recently this three week wave. I was having windows at 10mg too though, probably should have held there longer looking back but got freaked out from a wave and tongue twitches at a 20mg jump for two days back then. That’s what I’m struggling with.. maybe I’d be better going up or maybe I need to go down. Because maybe the tremor and twitching is withdrawal rather than adverse reaction. I dunno. Also if it is an adverse reaction rather than withdrawal, would a positive change from a dose decrease take weeks to show up like prizac withdrawal would or could a positive change from decreasing from too much Prozac show up quickly. 

 

Depression, DP, and spaciness can be WDsyndrome symptoms.

And it is tough to know, yet, it does seem that some of your symptoms, in particular the tremor and tongue twitches came on at the higher dosages.

And yes, it might take a bit to see positive changes from dose decreases, but then again if you do note positive changes soon after a decrease then it may be significant too.  And I'm so sorry, that I can't be more definitive and exact.......as I just don't know.

 

And once again, if you can post some recent notes, that will be really helpful.   They can prove so beneficial too, to you as well, in that sense of getting in touch with your bodies responses, over time.  They are fairly quick and simple to do, without becoming overly consumed with symptoms all the time.

I'll just leave you the link again:  Keep daily notes of drug schedule and symptoms to track patterns and progress

The sample note is in the quote in the first post, and Karma's thoughts are great in the first post as well.

 

So hoping that you are not completely lost again and have had some, even if minimal enjoyment this Christmas week.

Oh, so hope this finds you doing okay.

 

Best, L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

And happy to help you work out % drops, or tapers, in the future too, if need be.  Just tag me using the @symbol and then find my name in the list, it may be the full manymoretodays psuedonym

Edited by manymoretodays

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

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Hey everone! I decreased from 8.0 to 7.4 mg (7,5%) two weeks ago. I started feeling better about three days into the decrease and felt practically healed about 6 days in. I even was sleeping 7 hours a night with no jitteriness or tremors. Now I am on day 14 and last night and especially today I have been having a lot of nausea and some diarreah. Today I have been having dread, panic, lightheadedness, dark thoughts, veryigo and suicidal ideation during this. Also fatigue and weakness. It feels like withdrawal but what I’m hoping is that it is just upset stomach from all the holiday junk food and that this upset stomach is causing me to panic and worry that everything is coming back and therefore it’s in my head. Praying it’s that and not withdrawal starting from the dose decrease. Should I hold where I am or updose back to the 8 or in between where I am and the 8 ? Does it sound like it could be withdrawal or a fluke? Guess I’m trying to figure out if stomach issues are causing the other or vice versa. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Okay thanks. I have never felt like this. I’m actually going to get a covid test because I feel so out of it. I am extremely lethargic and weak along with no appetite and nausea some diarreah and some dizziness and some panic attacks. . Scared. No fever or respiratory issues though.


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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I am at urgent care to rule other things out. They just gave me 4mg zofran intravenously. Afterwards I saw that could be contraindicated and am freaking out . Is this for sure going to screw things up more? I did not even realize they were giving it to me because I was going to google it some but then they did it intravenously quickly before I could stop them. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Update . It’s been 6 hours since the zofran . It has a half life of 5 to 6 hours, no adverse effects yet. Fingers crossed. Covid test comes back tomorrow. My white blood cells counts were slightly off . Doc did not seem concerned but will follow up with my primary Monday. If this is not covid or sickness and I stay feeling this way (fluish but without the aches and fever) for about 4 more days I am thinking about going up to 7.6 or 7.8 because then wouldn’t that mean this is withdrawal? I would be about 18 days out from the decrease from 8 to 7.4 mg .


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Ugh.. def feels like withdrawal and now waking early again unable to go back to sleep with inner tremor and panic in addition to extreme fatigue and weakness be also nausea and dizziness. According the the half-life I should be at about 7.55 average in my system even though I dropped to 7.4 and maybe a bit more than that because if the metabolite. Pending if my covid test is negative today , I think I am going to go up to 7.8 . Reasonable? I don’t know y I felt better at first when I dropped, although I did have one wave of nausea and panic a week into the drop.. but now two weeks plus in I am feeling horrible and sick consistently . This is different from the past because I have more nausea and fatigue and weakness , but maybe a little less depression although I feel like I am on the fast track there . Also dark intrusive thoughts. Does not feel like a setback but rather new withdrawal


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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@manymoretodaysi just saw I could tag you. I have posted updates above. I will restart notes again but in general I had been doing good after the decrease, especially about 4 days after the decrease. Then I had nausea and fatigue and panic much like now for an hour approximately a week after the drop but was great ever since the. Approximately 14 days after the drop is when this constant fatigue and weakness and nausea with a little dizziness set in, also a few diarreah bouts, a few panic bouts, some depression , and some intrusive dark thoughts. This morning I awoke a could not go back to sleep due to inner trembling 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Still awaiting covid results. Worst fatigue and weakness ever. Can’t hardly get out of bed but no respiratory or fever so probably withdrawal. Although I did get covid test done pretty early in symptoms so if negative I will likely retest just to be sure. No trembling this morning, just extreme exhaustion and moderate depression and a little anxiety. Main thing is this exhaustion and weakness


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Covid results came back negative. So I guess I am going to updose to 7.72 tomorrow (from 7.4 and my 8.0 decrease ) . Would that be okay? I can’t function as a mom and teacher this tired and weak and it’s causing me  depression too


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Since it’s Prozac, and it’s been about 17 days, I don’t think it’s completely at the 7.4 level that’s y I am thinking about 7.72... anyone? As far as my symptoms they have been the same since Thursday evening.. a lot of fatigue and slight nausea morning afternoon and night . this is causing inability to focus and some depression. Sleep is okay because  I am so tired.  Was doing well days 4-13 of decrease and now this for past 4 days. Weak and severely fatigued and loss of Appetite. Like I said I was doing my best at about a week into the decrease which I estimate would put me around a 7.7 dose based on half lives ( though not sure how that works) so that is why I say 7.72. If I am already feeling like this and the old dose is not even fully out of my system I am scared to continue to let it decrease. This feels more like withdrawal than a setback based on the brand new fatigue symptom (although I did have fatigue in the past when wuthdrawaing from meds .. including when I went to 2.5 mg lexapro which started this mess, it the. Turned into akathisia.. more reason I don’t think I wanna let this fatigue and dosage decrease further)


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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I just feel I need to make a decision quickly before my dose further decreased as the Prozac half-life decreases.


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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  • Administrator

@Kristinhopes it sounds to me like you have a bug, not withdrawal. Drink lots of liquid. Still a chance it might be covid or the flu. Take care.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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44 minutes ago, Altostrata said:

@Kristinhopes it sounds to me like you have a bug, not withdrawal. Drink lots of liquid. Still a chance it might be covid or the flu. Take care.

But if it’s not, would it be better to slightly updose sooner than later and if so does 7.68 or so sound crazy? I say that because if it started about two weeks out from the decrease then I would estimate a little lower than that amount is when the withdrawal appeared I think based on the half life of Prozac? Based on half life , I don’t think I am at a steady state of 7,4 yet.
Aren’t weakness, fatigue and nausea also withdrawal symptoms? I don’t have sinus, respiratory, or fever. Just fatigue and uneasy stomach at times.. some worsening depression and anxiety. I was kind of hoping it was covid , as bad as that sounds, so I would not have to think about withdrawal anymore. It seemed the less scary of the two. I guess that’s how bad and scary it’s been , all this rollercoaster of the past few months.


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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  • Administrator

My intuition is that degree of nausea would not arise from a small reduction in fluoxetine. But if you feel like updosing to 7.68mg, it probably won't do any harm.

 

Please let us know how you're doing.

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

All postings © copyrighted.

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Thanks for the response. I feel bad f I “updose” now it’s less of an updose than if I wait a couple more weeks and the Prozac gets to a steady state of 7.4. Just don’t know why I felt better for ten days there. I am going to 7.68 and holding there. Hopefully that mostly stabilizes me or at least does not further destabilize and or this bug if that what it is goes away. And hopefully it’s not something more sinister: still a lot of fatigue and weakness and some nausea. Hopefully it’s also a big enough difference from 8 mg in case 8 was having adverse effects. Thanks !


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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@Altostrataso since this slight updose I have had a lot of anxiety , a tightness in my neck, and perhaps more eye twitching in left eye.. (though I had that last week too.. the eye twitch) I also woke up at 330 unable to go back to sleep almost panicky and possibly some tremor. This is similar to when I updosed for 1 day to 8.8 from 8mg 3 1/2weeks ago, I truly don’t know if this is a reaction or all in my head from worrying about the dose change. Can I stop this slight updose after 1-2 days (depending on when you see this) and resume the 7.4? 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Just to add I fell asleep via a meditation 2 hours later without the above but did have nightmares but had to wake up for work 30 mins later so 4.5 hours maybe I should just stay at this new 7.68 to avoid further dose changes. Maybe it’s just anxiety from the change but I dunno. Maybe I can work my way through this anxiety for these first few days of it. When I woke up at 330 the first thing I thought about was my dose change so it’s possible that it was panic from that. I was starting to get anxiety and panic from what I felt at the 7.4 as withdrawal as well though, but wish I waited a little longer but was worried about waiting too long. It’s when it comes time to figure out what to do with my dose I really panic and dwell on it constantly through the day. It’s my first day back to work today too so knowing I had a certain time I had to be up by probably played into my panic about sleeping. Still fatigued but also adrenaline from anxiety so not quite as fatigued. Not feeling much nausea this morning. Anxious and tired upon awaking this morning but that is expected given the sleep and that I have been fatigued in general and anxiety from just having a good ten days and then a bad 5 days and the angst about what to do. No other symptoms aside from those two 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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My anxiety is through the roof today and won’t go away despite keeping distracted at work, meditating, etc. I am trying to stay at the new small increase to avoid another dose change and hoping it’s just panic in my head but also worried about adverse. I did go ahead and take another dose at 1230 today if the 7.68 Prozac . Anxiety level (very high) has remained about the same so far since my panic from early morning awakening until now. It has been three hours since the dose. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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Hey.. sorry to post so much. It’s been an hour and a half so I could not update the old one but I am feeling a little less anxious right now. I had a chance to lie down. I am about to meditate. I was just going to say, no need for further advice for the next few days UNLess after reading what I wrote you guys think this could be an adverse reaction and it’s in my best interest to revert to 7.4. Otherwise I am going to stick with the 7.68 now that I made that change and hope the anxiety gets better and nothing else worsens and the fatigue gets better. I am going to keep a symptom journal and post in three or four days, but until then I know ultimately I gotta stick with something and I am hoping that anything I am experiencing now is more my own personal ruminating and panic rather than adverse and I can push through it to avoid another dose change as to avoid you guys having to keep helping me so much and of course further dye regulation. If you guys really think I should go back to 7.4 though, then please let me know but otherwise no need to respond until I post with a follow up and notes in four days. If this is my own anxiety about dose change then changing it down again likely won’t help I suppose. Unfortunately I can’t be certain but for now nothing too scary other than extreme anxiety and my restless night last night ( no excessive twitching or tremors.. some, but I’ve been having some, less eye twitching today, no akathisia again yet god willing). So I think through posting so much I worked to my own answer of giving this more time (unless anyone thinks I should go bavk to 7.4 ASAP.. then by all means let me know) thanks again :) otherwise I’ll update on four days or so!


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment

Help! My tongue is twitching. It has not done this since

the one

time I went to 20 mg way back before oct. 16th. This slight updose I think may not be all in my head... the intense anxiety and tongue twitch. I noticed it about three times so far in the past hour, each time about ten seconds lasting the twitching. What should I do?! I am scared . Actually it is more like moving weird like contracting and in contracting on the left side a little rather than a twitch I’d say. Not constant. Just now noticed it a few times, but is doing this. Also possibly a few heart palpitations. Drop to 7.4 again, even further to 7.2? Stay put? Hoping it’s just a one time thing caused by extreme anxiety and or panic. But the only other time I’ve noticed this is for a few days after going to 20 mg. It went away about 5 days after I stopped the two days of 20mg. As I mentioned I have also been having all over body twitches including eyelid which some days worse than others and lately moderate.. maybe hopefully it’s just a twitch like those. I’ve had them before prizac but possibly more since. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment

@gridley @shep @Altostrata @Gridley @Shep @ChessieCat@manymoretodayssorrY to tag everyone but I am having sevrrr anxiety constantly and panic and had a tongue twitch last night and poor sleep for two nights with many awakenings, constant crazy dreams, and panic and maybe more eye twitch. I’m afraid I’ve kindled by this recent tiny updose. Do I stay put since it’s been a few days on it or go back to 7.4? I think I am going to go back to 7,4 but scared cus of yet another back and forth dose change. I feel this is an adverse reaction unfortunately. Also a bit of burning muscles and possibly a couple palpitations. I was 2.5 weeks into my Prozac drop to 7.4 when I went to 7.68 due to extreme fatigue and weakness and nausea (still have those symptoms some actually.. could have been a bug but that was only sick feeling) and also dark intrusive thoughts and some panic and some suicidal ideation that started about 2 weeks into the drop to 7.4. Ten days were good on the decrease. Do I feel anything has improved with I’m the increase? Maybe not as many dark intrusive thoughts and as much suicidal ideation. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment
4 minutes ago, Shep said:

It's safe to go back to 7.4 mg, since it's only been two days.


thanks! I updated what was happening at 7.4 and y I went up, so scared there too but it’s better than now I suppose . I guess. I dunno. Ugh. Okay I think I am going to 7.4 today. Does prozacs long half life make this better or worse for going back down? It’s better to go down now than in a couple days to see if things get better? Which this just seems like it’s not all in my head.


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment

Also I tried Prozac I think many years ago for a week max and my doc wrote adverse effect . But from my memory I did not try it because I quit taking drugs for a year or maybe I tried it and it gave me panic and the did nothing for a year. I have been attributing most things to destabilization from the lexapro but perhaps the Prozac is toxic to me.l and always has been. Would it be better to taper faster in that case? Will it make the withdrawal even harder when it’s neurotoxic. If it is toxic to me does that mean permanent brain damage? I know everyone says healing from withdrawal but what about adverse and or toxic reactions that you stay on? I have now been on the Prozac at a low dose over three months and if tapering slowly will be on a long time. Maybe below a certain threshold it’s less toxic? Also my grandma was on Prozac for 25 years and something else prior(she is now doing good on Wellbutrin) . Anyways about five years ago she did a weird lip smacking thing she was not even aware of . It has stopped and we believe it stopped when she quit the Prozac (although she has been o. Lots of different meds not just psychiatric) she can’t remember though. So maybe I am genetically inclined to have movement disorders or reactions to Prozac based  on that. Now I am scared to stay on prozac but equally scared to get off. I feel awful and crazy some days regardless.  I have had some windows and don’t know why. But everything else is scary.


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Kristinhopes,

 

15 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:


 Does prozacs long half life make this better or worse for going back down? It’s better to go down now than in a couple days to see if things get better? Which this just seems like it’s not all in my head.

 

I think it's better to go back down, since you had an adverse effect regardless of the half life.  Even with a drug with a shorter half life, or perhaps an even longer half life........it make sense to decrease with an adverse effect.

 

It's not all in your head.

 

12 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:

Also I tried Prozac I think many years ago for a week max and my doc wrote adverse effect . But from my memory I did not try it because I quit taking drugs for a year or maybe I tried it and it gave me panic and the did nothing for a year. I have been attributing most things to destabilization from the lexapro but perhaps the Prozac is toxic to me.l and always has been. Would it be better to taper faster in that case? Will it make the withdrawal even harder when it’s neurotoxic. If it is toxic to me does that mean permanent brain damage? I know everyone says healing from withdrawal but what about adverse and or toxic reactions that you stay on? I have now been on the Prozac at a low dose over three months and if tapering slowly will be on a long time. Maybe below a certain threshold it’s less toxic? Also my grandma was on Prozac for 25 years and something else prior(she is now doing good on Wellbutrin) . Anyways about five years ago she did a weird lip smacking thing she was not even aware of . It has stopped and we believe it stopped when she quit the Prozac (although she has been o. Lots of different meds not just psychiatric) she can’t remember though. So maybe I am genetically inclined to have movement disorders or reactions to Prozac based  on that. Now I am scared to stay on prozac but equally scared to get off. I feel awful and crazy some days regardless.  I have had some windows and don’t know why. But everything else is scary.

 

And, yes, memory can be tough during WD. 

And okay, you are spinning in fear thoughts or anxiety I think, during this post above. 

And I'm going to say/ask where are you getting all these ideas, and terms like neurotoxic, and thoughts of permanent brain damage?

 

I think you have every hope of healing Kristinhopes.  Yet, yes, it can seem endless at times......sometimes the time frame in healing is not at all, what many of us expected.

 

Yes, lower doses, often less adverse effects.  Your grandma, as you said, was on all kinds of different meds.

 

Take a look at this:  Dealing with Emotional Spirals

And then be aware of just how much neuroemotions are at play right now too.

 

Try, try not to feed your fears so much or self label yourself as crazy. 

 

Oh, Kristinhopes......celebrate those windows. 

Keep us all updated.  Day one.  Prozac 7.4 mg.

 

Spread some hope or search for it.   It's in you.   Have you read any good Success Stories yet?  Or found that forum? 

 

((((((Kristinhopes)))))))

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment

 

I went to 7.4 today. My plan depending on how I feel is to drop to 6.9 (another slightly less than 7.5% drop)  in three weeks depending on how I feel since I had already been tapering to 7.4 for three weeks and then did the updose. Does that short updose restart the taper clock? I would like to lower my dose sooner than later since I think I do not metabolize Prozac and it’s like a poison for me. I read somewhere that poor metabolizer scan have like ten times more in their blood? Do you guys think it’s possible I have the equivalent of 75 mg Prozac in my bloodstream at this low dose? 
 

If I find a low dose that I feel okay at, do you all think after a few weeks if not metabolizing I will feel bad again because my body will start building it up to toxic levels? Unfortunately my insurance does not cover the gene test so it is speculation based on my adverse effects. 
 

When can I drop again, say to 7.2? 
Yesterday’s symptoms from updose: inner tremor (had a hard time falling asleep because of this) a couple myoclinuc jerks, more body twitches, eye twitches, one more tongue twitch, some heart palpitations after dinner, less sleep.. though I did get about 5.5 this time, severe anxiety, cog fog and severe depression and suicidal ideation and maybe some agitation. If all this can happen from a teeny tiny updose should I go off quicker and/or at least make ten percent cuts every four weeks regardless of withdrawal? Should I go ahead and drop to 7.2? Any advice appreciated. 
 

@manymoretodays a lot of the horrible things I am ruminating about I have read on places like mad in America and sometimes others posts here. I also read the post here about adverse reactions which led me to think I am poisoning and damaging myself by staying on this drug. Like if I go by ten percent on Prozac, I will be on it four years in order to get off. A drug I know causes very bad symptoms in me. I have thought about switching to a low dose of Zoloft. That was the drug I was in the most. It pooped out but was never too awful to get on or off of. Then taper from the Zoloft since I do not think it poisons me the same way. But I know that would be frowned upon here and that I would probable be written off at that point for adding another drug, so I’m not going to. But the extra pyramidal symptoms I appear to be having on the Prozac does terrify me. It would be easier to not panic if those were not there. (Tremor, increased twitching, tongue twitch, myoclonic jerks, and akathisia... but the akathisia I can’t be sure is not from solely lexapro withdrawal since that is when it started.., I don’t know if prizac continued it off and on) I have had windows each time I have decreased my dose only to then have what feels like a wave or a couple times it has felt like withdrawal ( new fatigue and nausea). 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment

Altostrada, I noticed in a board about td you said that people are continued on neuroleptic despite td and it is a crime against humanity. 
 

you also said it could be permanent. And I have read this as well. 
 

The tremor and twitching could be early td, correct? By me staying on the Prozac and slowly tapering over many years, aren’t I also staying on a medication that could be inducing td and possibly permanently?  Should I not just come off the prizac in this case or at least faster? 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi Kristin,

And yes, those could be tardive dyskinesia symptoms:  Tardive dyskinesia, dyskinesia, dystonia, or involuntary movements

And then, I had thought you had seen some improvement in them, since dropping down from 20 mg of Prozac, awhile back.  And then, they also can be symptoms of WD, as you'll see when you look at that link.

And I had some eye twitching from another drug, probably Zyprexa, which once I got the dose lowered, it went away completely.  It was intermittent, not constant at all.  Occasionally now, when stressed, I'll feel an eye area twitch.  I'll usually just go to some non-drug coping to further relax and then that's it......no more twitch, or twitching.

 

And so, it's really important, for me, as well as for you especially now to work with everything you've got on meditation skills, mindfulness skills, relaxing movements, anxiety/fear reduction, and all the non-drug coping that you can practice......and hone up your skills on.  Find things that help you, with your current symptoms. 

I'm just going to ask you to go on back to page one, here, and find some of the links there, to non-drug coping, and then if you have not already, begin to try some things.  You can also go to Symptoms and Self care, the forum, go to the Main page, and you'll see it, and work your way down in the pinned topics too.  So many things to try.  And many that apply to your symptoms, and so many here that are learning to cope as well.

On 1/7/2021 at 5:03 AM, Kristinhopes said:

having sevrrr anxiety constantly and panic and had a tongue twitch last night and poor sleep for two nights with many awakenings, constant crazy dreams, and panic and maybe more eye twitch.

And here, it seems the most prominent symptom is the panic/anxiety.  I'm just reading one tongue twitch, and then one eye twitch, which might actually be improvement from before? 

 

Can you post another 24 hours of Notes please?

And then give a edit/update to your signature as well.  Both of those things will really help us out.  I've been backtracking in your narratives, a bit this morning, and that takes a lot of time.

Please summarize your withdrawal history in your signature to help us out

^ will show what we like to see, and how to condense the lines in it too, so it fits, and there is also a link there so you can easily access your signature

 

You just decreased to 7.4 mg yesterday.  And it may take awhile for things to settle again.  I think you can taper again in 4-6 weeks.

I usually just use the multiplication formula to work out the % drops from previous doses.

So, a 10% decrease from 7.4 mg would look like this:

7.4 X .90= 6.66 mg for the dose needed with a 10% drop

 

Again though, this is going to be based on how you are doing with, and managing WD symptoms.   It's a good idea to get familiar with your patterns.  The Notes you report to us, and maybe even keeping a big Calendar going too, noting drug changes, any other changes, symptoms, what helped, and when you have good days especially.  You could even color code them.  This way, you'll learn what helps and what happens after each taper, or drug change.

 

And then on this:

4 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:

I read somewhere that poor metabolizer scan have like ten times more in their blood? Do you guys think it’s possible I have the equivalent of 75 mg Prozac in my bloodstream at this low dose? 

 

 

Good Lord, I hope not.  Here's what we have: https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2158-genetic-testing-personalized-medicine-liver-enzymes-genotypes-genesightrx-genomind-etc/

 

You are getting into catastrophic thinking here, and with some of your posts.

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/9671-withdrawal-causing-repetitive-or-intrusive-thoughts-rumination-and-increased-panic/

 

Can you begin to imagine healing?  That could really help.  Just imagine.

And I really think the more you focus on not being well, getting well, just becomes a huge hindrance to even seeing any improvement.

 

And okay, all from me, for now.  I gave you a couple things to do, to clarify, Notes, update signature.  And will be so glad to hear what practices are helping.......the non-drug coping stuff, that you explore.  Do you see a therapist, or would you consider that?  For some it does help.

 

Thanks Kristinhopes.  Best.

 

L, P, H, and G,

mmt

 

Late 2023- gone to emeritus status, inactive, don't @ me, I can check who I've posted on, and I'm not really here like I used to be......thanks.

Started with psycho meds/psychiatric care circa 1988.  In retrospect, and on contemplation, situational overwhelm.

Rounding up to 30 years of medications(30 medication trials, poly-pharmacy maximum was 3 at one time).

5/28/2015-off Adderal salts 2.5mg. (I had been on that since hospital 10/2014)

12/2015---just holding, holding, holding, with trileptal/oxcarb at 75 mg. 1/2 tab at hs.  My last psycho med ever!  Tapered @ 10% every 4 weeks, sometimes 2 weeks to

2016 Dec 16 medication free!!

Longer signature post here, with current supplements.

Herb and alcohol free since 5/15/2016.  And.....I quit smoking 11/2021. Lapsed.  Redo of quit smoking 9/28/2022.  Can you say Hallelujah?(took me long enough)💜

None of my posts are intended as medical advice.  Please discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical provider.  My success story:  Blue skies ahead, clear sailing

 

Link to comment

Thank you so much for taking so much care to respond @manymoretodays
 

yes, I often can stay positive but then do get into the catastrophic thinking. I feel it is hard to see a therapist when dealing with neuro emotions though. And sometimes it’s made me worse because they have basically said I need more meds from a psych and psych has said I need therapist and then I feel hopeless. The neuro emotions to of course sometimes get the best of me, that and the undeniable tardive like symptoms. They would be considered mild now but scare me. I’ve never seen anyone say a med caused to huge twitching unless they were talking td. The tremor is hard to look past too. I am going to redownload a mindfulness app. I would love to recommend it to everyone actually. It’s amazing for anxiety except for the times I feel brain dead or super high neuro emotions. I gotta find it. It’s also hard to not get scared and panic because I have a three year old son I want to be better for.. but he is also the reason I fight and don’t give up. 
 

I think I am going to taper again in four weeks unless I feel crazy withdrawal before then. So I guess that threee day updose did restart the clock as far as tapering? Like even though I was already 2.5 weeks in, I need to wait another 4 weeks at least? 
 

 But yes, I definitely have times I feel like I can do this, but the td symptoms and this adverse reaction after such a small updose scared me and threw me for a loop. And the withdrawal (or was it illness) also did since I was decreasing ever so slightly. Both of those made me think or realize... gee! I really am suoersenitive. How am I going to do this? 
 

but I do take everything one day at a time overall. Maybe tomorrow will be better. Ugh. The td stuff just scares me so much and having a return of akathisia. I can get past the other stuff, but when that stuff happens man it’s hard to not get a little hopeless! I am lucky to have had occasional windows. When those happen I feel healed and don’t take a second for granted, but the it comes back and it’s like ptsd and trauma and I think it actually gets harder each time because you thought you were better and then your biggest fear comes back and you have to revisit the nightmare again. And then I’m like will I ever get better for my son? Will I ever get the old me back? Nobody has to respond to this long post btw. I suppose it’s more like a journalist post. Sorry. I will keep hourly notes. 
 

 

thank you again for your kind response. I appreciate everyone trying to help. I am not giving up . That’s for sure! 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment
  • Moderator Emeritus
15 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:

And sometimes it’s made me worse because they have basically said I need more meds from a psych and psych has said I need therapist and then I feel hopeless. The neuro emotions to of course sometimes get the best of me, that and the undeniable tardive like symptoms.

 

Kristin, why do you care what these people say? Psychiatrists are not exactly knowledgable  or even respectable people. The system they work in is responsible for creating this massive prescription drug problem. 

 

They think everyone needs more drugs (these aren't meds, BTW, because they aren't fixing anything that's wrong with the brain or body). 

 

As far as the tardive-like symptoms, while distressing, we see this as permanent damage mostly in people who've been exposed to antipsychotics much more so than antidepressants. This is likely a transient symptom that will fade off. You're giving it more power than you need to. 

 

 

17 hours ago, manymoretodays said:

Can you begin to imagine healing?  That could really help.  Just imagine.

And I really think the more you focus on not being well, getting well, just becomes a huge hindrance to even seeing any improvement.

 

I'm going to "ditto" what @manymoretodays brilliantly wrote. 

 

Try to distract when you start having these types of worries. You're putting a lot of weight on yourself by worrying what psychiatrists say and by worrying that your symptoms will be permanent. Neither are worth the energy to carry the weight. Travel lightly and your recovery will be easier. 

 

I would imagine you to come off this drug and fully heal. It's going to take time, but this will give you a chance to learn how to process your emotions by learning non-drug coping techniques. Since you were drugged very young, these are skills you haven't had to learn and haven't gotten to practice. But they are necessary. And withdrawal symptoms give you a lot of chances to practice. 

 

 

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Thanks for the thoughtful support and feedback. I have learned through this experience that this far I am more resilient than I thought and that in the future the stuff that I used to dwell on and ruminate on and get depresssed over will no longer phase me because I will just be grateful to be alive and feeling emotions and thinking with a clear brain. I just wish this experience did not have to occur in the best memory making years of my sons life (young child) it’s very hard and guilt inducing: but I keep on and take one day at a time and do not give up hope. Each window I have I do not take for granted and am so grateful for them. Still taking daily notes. Will update in a few days. No tongue twitch yesterday, but still lots of other twitching (fasciculations), some tremor and anxiety, one heart palpitations. Feeling very dazed and cognitively impaired at times... I’m thinking usually when Prozac is hitting it’s peak plasma level. Getting about five hours of sleep which I know could be much worse. I’ll keep taking those notes. Thank you again eveyone


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

Link to comment
1-7: anxiety and nausea in morning although less anxiety this morning esp. as morning progresses. Maybe one tongue twitch. Some eye twitching though. 
1230- lunch and noticed maybe one heart palpitations after reducing back to 7.4 . Maybe odd tongue prickling at tip
240- no increasing anxiety and feeling kinda window . Hoping I should not have Stayed at 7.68 but I think the twitching and activation is a sign to just continues conservative  taper even if it’s gonna make me sick 
330- window was closing and anxiety increasing .. feels like it’s in Arms? 
6- combat workout but extreme depression, hopeless empty brain dead feeling with extreme anxiety and also agitation. Lots of twitching today as well . Maybe a heart palpitation 
7- a little better but not great. Salmon dinner. Heart palpitations 
1230 pm- a couple jerks and a good bit of body twitching and inner tremor so hard to fall asleep but did at this time and awoke at 6 
 
1-8
 
6- aaake with severe anxiety and some inner tremor . Severe anxiety all morning 
. A lot of eye twitching and some body twitching.  
1230 : 7.4 mg prizac and immediate worsening anxiety and possibly leg weakness ( maybe in head maybe not) 
230-  improving anxiety but still maybe weird legs weak feeling when walking and body twitching . No tongue twitch yet today 
5- a lot of twitching. ESP legs . When I say twitching it’s like small painless jumps and they happen like every minute or so here and there in bodu
630 - worsening depression and severe brain fog and depersonalization. Itchy burningish perhaps akathisia feeling in stomach rib age area. Doom feelings. Anxiety 
9-fog clearing some legdnot feeling weird . Slight twitching in face
Asleep at 1 , up at 6 and maybe back to sleep at 8 for 30 mins so maybe 5.5 hrs
 
1-9
 
9- depressed but semi okay 
1230-7,4 Prozac and lunch
2- increasing depression and anxiety slightly
539- exercise but continued depression but a little less cog fog. Left eye twitches a lot today. If I hold it closed and open it it does every time.
1- asleep some tremor though . Less panic and extreme anxiety today and testerday. Possible a tongue twitch but I don’t think so.
6- awake but able to go back to sleep. But depression and tremor. 7.5 hours 
 
1-10: 
9.00 awake with depression and a little tremor
1239- 7.4 mg prizac
5- moderate depression today and the left eye twitch and worried about that but not much else. Did have a junk food day today if pizza and cupcakes about to exercise. Not baseline but better than some of past days this week
A little better I’m evening 
Asleep at midnight slept through til alarm at 7 7 hours
 
1-11
7Awake with moderate depression 
Eye twitches throughout morning 
830- wave of panic attack nausea upset stomach ha withdrawal feeling for about ten minutes then better. Able to focus better at work today but not baseline
1:00 7.4 Prozac and lunch 
5 and onward. Anxiety trimmer and racing heart . Less eye twitch than yesterday. Possibly a tongue twitch this evening
7 Chinese food dinner and continue of tremor and anxiety (caffeinated feeling)
Asleep at midnight. Some tremor . Also even before Prozac I’ve had trouble with urinary emptying and pelvic pain. I did have this checked but since Prozac I think it may have gotten a little worse especially at night. Maybe not but I’m worried about it . 
Awake at 2 to urinate and at 7 . So about 6.5 hours . So sleep is decent 
 
1/12
7- awake. Some tremor. Moderate depression and mostly anxiety about possible side effects of Prozac. Mind went to switching to Zoloft again at low dose to taper from insteadbut I know that may not be the answer. It’s the one med I was consistently on but pooped out. No eye twitch this morning yet. Maybe a tongue twitch but I don’t think so. Face always tremors upon smiling etc.. entire face especially cheeks. I don’t know if it did this before prizac and I just didn’t notice. My smile felt strained and weak muscle like before the Prozac but not sure about the tremor. May have been I was not looking for it. If I just go a quick regular smile it’s not noticeable really it’s when holding a couple seconds or more 
1020- frequent tongue twitching and eye twitch back when I Close eye and open
1130- tongue still twitching 
130-lunch and Prozac and decaf coffee and continuing tongue twitching. If not for the tremors and twitching I’d be doing good because that is what is triggering anxiety and depression currently. Mind otherwise feels like it could be normal if not for that constant worry
4- hiit workout. Anxiety and depression about tongue twitch and my tremor .. though the tremor is fairly mild usually it is all over 
Depression and anxiety about twitching all night
Asleep at 12
Notice myself noting tongue tip while sleeping 
6.5 hours of sleep
 
1-13
 
7-awake and anxiety and depression about tongue. It’s all I can focus on. It’s just one spot I think not sure
8- tongue twitching still pretty frequent in that one spot . I would probably feel pretty normal right now if not for the depression and anxiety about that 
1140- would be doing okay if not continuing tongue twitches in that spot which sometimes gave a little sting or burn  to them . Less twitching elsewhere including eye today but more twitching of tongue . 
I don’t think this occurred before prizac but my face trembles upin holding a smile and left side of lip twitches or trembles bad in one spot . 
1255: 7.4 mg Prozac and immediately felt agitated and disconnected and disoriented for a couple hours 
 
 
Considering switching to 25.mg Zoloft hoping to avoid severe withdrawal and this poisoning from Prozac . Hoping to hold on the 25 mg Zoloft for a while and then taper from there. In the past i
neber had severe adverse reactions to Zoloft, but did seem to poop out on it. I know it’s a risk though. But I feel like I am having extra pyramidal effects from this Prozac and if you guys knew you were having a serious adverse effect like that I don’t think You would want to stay on for two years as you slowly try to taper off

Scared and don’t know what to do. But these tongue twitches are getting worse. And the tremoring face with severe lip tremble upon smiling also freaks me out. 
 

I really don’t want to do the Zoloft option though, but I don’t know how I am supposed to not be consumed by these adverse effects. These are not normal reactions or even normal withdrawal. And with td symptoms, I’ve read the quicker off the less likely permanent, so I’m scared and confused 
 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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15 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:

Considering switching to 25.mg Zoloft hoping to avoid severe withdrawal and this poisoning from Prozac . Hoping to hold on the 25 mg Zoloft for a while and then taper from there.

 

Kristin, you haven't been on Zoloft since 2018. Reinstatements work best within a few months of coming off an antidepressant. We don't recommend switching antidepressants like this. 

 

15 hours ago, Kristinhopes said:

I really don’t want to do the Zoloft option though, but I don’t know how I am supposed to not be consumed by these adverse effects. These are not normal reactions or even normal withdrawal. And with td symptoms, I’ve read the quicker off the less likely permanent, so I’m scared and confused 

 

You're determined to convince yourself it's permanent. It could be a transient withdrawal symptom, as is usually the case with antidepressants. Antipsychotics are much more likely to cause the severe form of TD. 

 

Why are you saying it's "not normal reactions or even normal withdrawal" when there have been numerous members here reporting the same symptoms? And numerous members saying this symptom went away?

 

Arias Recovery - post on TD going away

 

Kirby's success story - muscle twitching going away

 

Yogagirl's success story - twitching stopped after coming off Zoloft

 

One thing that is really standing out in your recent set of drug and symptoms journals is the lack of akathisia and insomnia that you reported earlier in your thread. Just my take on it, but I wouldn't switch out the antidepressant at this point. I would work on non-drug coping skills and continue a slow and careful taper off the Prozac. All of these drugs have withdrawal symptoms and side effects that can include twitching, but if you read Yogagirl's story (one of the ones I just linked), you'll see it was Zoloft that caused her twitching and it went away several months after she came off that drug. 

 

 

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Thanks. I don’t think the tongue twitch in particular is withdrawal. Both times it started was from an updose. So I think adverse. I also feel depersonalization and brain poison feeling usually after I take the Prozac pretty immediately. I think it is adverse. Not sure if that changes anything though. I have been on the Prozac going on four months due to withdrawal akathisia from lexapro. The tremor and tongue twitch is new with prizac . I came on Prozac specifically to stabilize for a withdrawal. That never happened and could possibly be poisoning me in addition.  That’s why I considered Zoloft because staying on a new med I am having adverse effects to for two years to taper off seems dicey. The tongue twitch is new and seemingly getting worse in frequency. I will stay on the Prozac two more withdrawal decreases and hope the tongue twitch abates. If not or if I start having more for sure td symptoms.. since a one spot tongue twitch may not be td.. I may have to make a change because i am not having td for sure yet, but if this is an early sign then I would like to quit it before it gets to that point. Staying on the med two more years while withdrawing I’m afraid could cause progressive worsening. Not making any changes just yet though. If the twitching was just the body it would be less worrisome, but the tongue is what freaks me out. I read another member who immediately got off his meds because he had what started with a tongue and neck twitch on a tricyclics and then it turned into full blown td and dystonia. He recovered but it took many years. I would rather just stop before it progresses further to that point.  So I am going to decrease in 2-3 more weeks by ten percent and hope this new adverse effect goes away. 
 

also while it is nice to see the above members td went away.. there’s was much worse than mine, if that even is what I have. Right now it’s just twitches and some mild tremor.  I am hoping it does not progress to that or what those members had,  which is why I have considered stopping the Prozac while I’m only 4 months in and changing to another med. but as I said, I will try a dose reduction first in a couple weeks and hope that helps. 


2000-2017Paxil 40 mg and Zoloft usually 100 mg most these years

2018-1.5 year pooped out reinstatement of Zoloft 100.

feb 2020 lexapro 10 mg but developed tinnitus and palls. taperoff lex in June

9/22/20: dropped 2.5 mg lexapro to 0 and started 10 mg Prozac Akathisia and insomnia and worse depression began after dropping to 2.5 (be4 starting Prozac) .

 9/20:  6 weeks intermittent but consistent Ativan and klonopin
10/22/20: last dose of klon

and dropped to 8 mg prozac

12-19-20: decreased Prozac to 7.4 
1-5-21: 7.68 prozac with adv effects so  1-7-21: back to 7.4 1-18/21: 7.2 and 1/25/21: 6.95 2/1: 6.8

 

 

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