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Kris73: Prozac cold turkey after 25+ years


Kris73

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Hi @kestrel28

Sorry to hear you're struggling. These drugs create dependency (not addiction per se) but the withdrawal effects are sometimes too much to deal with and folk end up back on them. I wonder, did you ever try doing a slow taper like one recommended on here. 

I truly feel your pain, many times I have had thoughts of restarting in the last year, mainly due to insomnia plus anxiety, but I feel my brain is damaged enough and I need to have faith that it will heal. But I totally understand the dilemma. You need to do what's best for you. I hope your symptoms ease as time goes on. You are probably correct you're still in withdrawal until they are fully back in your system.

is clonazepam for anxiety? You're probably right about the sensitisation too because of reintroductions.

it's hard whichever way we go with these drugs, a rock and a hard place. I hope you restabilise back to where you were before. Stay in touch, Kris

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

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11 hours ago, Kris73 said:

Hi @kestrel28

Sorry to hear you're struggling. These drugs create dependency (not addiction per se) but the withdrawal effects are sometimes too much to deal with and folk end up back on them. I wonder, did you ever try doing a slow taper like one recommended on here. 

I truly feel your pain, many times I have had thoughts of restarting in the last year, mainly due to insomnia plus anxiety, but I feel my brain is damaged enough and I need to have faith that it will heal. But I totally understand the dilemma. You need to do what's best for you. I hope your symptoms ease as time goes on. You are probably correct you're still in withdrawal until they are fully back in your system.

is clonazepam for anxiety? You're probably right about the sensitisation too because of reintroductions.

it's hard whichever way we go with these drugs, a rock and a hard place. I hope you restabilise back to where you were before. Stay in touch, Kris

I never did try doing a taper until now.   I am going to give it a try.  

Clonazepam was originally to take the "edge" off the prozac when I was first prescribed.  It just makes me very tired now.  

 

Thank you for your kind words.

kestrel28

Jan 2020-March 2022: Rexulti .5 mg, then .25 mg for last two weeks of march, then stopped.  

Feb 2022: went off fluoxetine 20 mg without tapering

Late March 2022: went back on Fluoxetine 20 mg because the withdrawal symptoms were too much too handle

4/12/22: started on 10 mg fluoxetine.      

7/2022: started switching over from fluoxetine, taking 10 mg daily, plus 25 mg sertraline (zoloft)

8/2022: stopped taking sertraline as it was causing unwanted adverse side effects

8/2022: increased dosage of fluoxetine to 20 mg; held for three weeks

9/1/2022: supplements and other drugs: Mesalamine 1.2 g; Enlyte-D (L-Methylfolate), Turmeric, flaxseed oil, omeprazole 20 mg morning and night, vitamin c 1000 mg, coq-10 200 mg, and zinc pincolinate 22 mg--all taken in morning except omeprazole (where indicated).

9/9/22: stopped dosage of Fluoxetine 10 mg without tapering.  4-5 weeks in, irritability and crying have come back. 

10/13/22: started the liquid taper of  clonazepam 5 ml 3 times p.d.

11/8/22: currently taking 4.4 ml liquid klonopin 3 times per day; next reduction will be on 11/10 with 4.2 ml 3 times per day. 

11/18/22: started liquid fluoxetine 3 mg

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@kestrel28hello

I sincerely wish you well, remember there are moderator's and volunteers on here who can support you if you decide to start a taper. Unfortunately in my case i wasn't given the chance because my psychiatrist (now sacked!) advised me to simply stop taking the drug to come off. I was entirely ignorant of tapering and the horrendous withdrawal effects that can occur because i still believed in medication and the medical model. Its been a rude awakening for sure!

Good luck with everything and stay in touch, Kris

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

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PS @kestrel28hows the rest of your life?

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

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On 4/13/2022 at 2:42 AM, Kris73 said:

PS @kestrel28hows the rest of your life?

It's been very slow going, with very little energy.  My body is probably adjusting to the on/off/on/off that had been going on for so long.   Feeling a little better every day but I've only been on the new dose 4 days.  Have to give it time.  

Jan 2020-March 2022: Rexulti .5 mg, then .25 mg for last two weeks of march, then stopped.  

Feb 2022: went off fluoxetine 20 mg without tapering

Late March 2022: went back on Fluoxetine 20 mg because the withdrawal symptoms were too much too handle

4/12/22: started on 10 mg fluoxetine.      

7/2022: started switching over from fluoxetine, taking 10 mg daily, plus 25 mg sertraline (zoloft)

8/2022: stopped taking sertraline as it was causing unwanted adverse side effects

8/2022: increased dosage of fluoxetine to 20 mg; held for three weeks

9/1/2022: supplements and other drugs: Mesalamine 1.2 g; Enlyte-D (L-Methylfolate), Turmeric, flaxseed oil, omeprazole 20 mg morning and night, vitamin c 1000 mg, coq-10 200 mg, and zinc pincolinate 22 mg--all taken in morning except omeprazole (where indicated).

9/9/22: stopped dosage of Fluoxetine 10 mg without tapering.  4-5 weeks in, irritability and crying have come back. 

10/13/22: started the liquid taper of  clonazepam 5 ml 3 times p.d.

11/8/22: currently taking 4.4 ml liquid klonopin 3 times per day; next reduction will be on 11/10 with 4.2 ml 3 times per day. 

11/18/22: started liquid fluoxetine 3 mg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi @Kris73

How are you going? 

Thinking of you 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi @Ariel

Thanks for checking in. I struggled to reply because I'm just so tired. Just plodding along with no great improvement. Still lacking motivation, flat and anxious....how are you doing?

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

Link to comment

Hiya @Kris73

Good to hear from you. Sorry about the fatigue. I hear you. Btw no pressure to reply, ever. 

I'm okay... Choppy waters on the surface of the ocean, practicing connection with that stillness deep down below. You know. 

Sending you a hug 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 3 weeks later...

Hi @Kris73

Thinking nice thoughts in your direction <3 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

Link to comment

Thanks @Ariel, how you doing?

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

Link to comment

Hi @Kris73

Thanks, how you doing? Haha (how long do you think we could go 'round like that?)

Oh you know. I'm okay. WD normal. 

Today I've spent most of the day in bed watching telly and SA-ing. I try to remind myself to enjoy it while it lasts because there will come a time in not too long when the days of bedrest are ancient history!! Leaning into laziness as long as I have an excuse, haha

How 'bout you? Have you found some people to meet up with locally? And if so, what's that like?

Any sleep developments? 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 1 month later...

@Kris73

Thinking of you and sending hugs <3

(no pressure to reply)

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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Hi @Ariel

Right back at ya <3😁

Mostly Fluoxetine since 1990/91 - February 2021, at varying dosages, however mainly 20mg.

?2016-17 was on Effexor for a short while before being swapped back to Fluoxetine.

I also recall being on other AD in the 1990's - citalopram/seroxat, always ended up back with Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine 20mg stopped 23rd Feb 2021 cold turkey

Fluoxetine liquid 1mg reinstated 24th May 2021

Other: omega 3 fish oil, 300mg magnesium, Vit D 2000 IU, cerazette, fybogel

Link to comment
  • 5 weeks later...

Thinking of you  @Kris73

Sending hugs and healing vibes <3

 

 

1996-2018 - misc. polypharmacy, incl. SSRIs, SNRIs, neuroleptics, lithium, benzos, stimulants, antihistamines, etc. (approx. 30+ drugs)

2012-2018 - 10mg lexapro/escitalopram (20mg?)    Jan. 2018 - 10mg -> 5mg, then from 5mg -> 2.5mg, then 0mg  -->  July 2018 - 0mg

2017(?)-2020 - vyvanse/lisdexamfetamine 60-70mg    2020-2021 - 70mg down to 0mg  -->  July 2021 - 0mg

March-April 2021 - vortioxetine 5-10mg (approx. 7 weeks total; CT)  -->  April 28th, 2021 - 0mg

supplements: magnesium powder (dissolved in water) as needed throughout the day; 1 tsp fish oil w/ morning meal; 2mg melatonin 

August 1, 2022 - 1 mg melatonin

 

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.  - Karle Wilson Baker

love and justice are not two. without inner change, there can be no outer change; without collective change, no change matters.  - Rev. angel Kyodo williams

Holding multiple truths. Knowing that everyone has their own accurate view of the way things are.  - text on homemade banner at Afiya house

 

I am not a medical professional; this is not medical advice. 

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  • 9 months later...
  • Administrator

Hello, @Kris73 How are you 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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