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My tapering of Prozac and the bad withdrawals I’m experiencing from it!

Solo28

By Solo28
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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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Posted (edited)

Hi, I Was on 40 mg of Zoloft Prozac (changed by moderator) for 3 months then went down to 30 mg, 20 mg and 10 mg monthly.

My last month I tapered down weekly til I got to 3 mg and stopped it at that dose. Anyways I started feeling the withdrawals around 2 weeks after stopping. Which is now. My depression and anxiety gotten so much worse. I feel easily irritable and agitated and isolated. Should I go back on it to a lower dose like 5 mg for example since it’s the lowest effective dose and taper down from there? The reason I stopped Prozac was because I couldn’t take the side effects especially the sexual ones. And it just didn’t work for me. I’ve been on every antidepressant on and off but for the last year I’ve switch to Prozac hoping the withdrawals would be easy. The withdrawals aren’t as Intense as for example Effexor but they exist and it just take longer to feel it. Anyone with knowledge and experience with this help will be greatly appreciated. I don’t know what to do?

Edited by Go2zero
member mixed up Prozac for Zoloft

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

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Hi Solo28,

 

Welcome to this support site. Before we can answer your questions, please give us more information first. 

 

Can you please give us specific information about your drug history for all drugs you are on and have been on, especially for the past 18-24 months?  It would be especially helpful to have the details of your drugs in a concise list (no symptoms), only drug names, specific dates (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day) and dosages of each medication decrease or increase.  Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

22 hours ago, Solo28 said:

Hi, I Was on 40 mg of Zoloft for 3 months then went down to 30 mg, 20 mg and 10 mg monthly.

 

You write here you were on Zoloft and further in your post and in the title you write about Prozac. Can you please be specific what you are/have been using? And with what meds you are having problems?

 

When you provide us with this information we can help you further. One thing is already clear. You jumped to zero mg from a much too high dosage. And probably you tapered too fast. But we can guide and advise you what to do, after having the requested info.

 

You will heal, don't worry! As long as you follow the right steps.

 

 

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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Sorry I didn’t mean Zoloft. The current medication I withdrew from was Prozac.

i been on and off antidepressant. 
from March 2018-May 2019 I was on Effexor xr 225 mg.

then made 40 mg Prozac from may 2019 to February. On March went down to 30 mg, April went down to 20 mg may June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. After 2 weeks I started to feel very agitated, anxious, depression with flu like symptoms. Hope Things will get better for me. I was hoping that it wasn’t going to be this harsh with Prozac 

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

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Thanks for providing the info. Please put it in your signature however. This site is run by volunteers and members. We cannot get through all posts over and over again to see how members tapered and what meds they take. Please follow these instructions:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/18343-please-summarize-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

It is clear that you did a very fast taper. We recommend to taper not more than 10% of the last taken dosage per month. When one does that, most often WD symptoms are more or less good to handle.

 

The reason that WD with Prozac WD takes longer to feel than with Effexor (venlafaxine) has to do with the extreme short half life of Effexor and the very long half life of Prozac. Prozac is often easier to taper than most SSRI's and certainly easier than Effexor (which is known for its difficulties). But also Prozac gives WD symptoms very often. 

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

 

You have been changing drugs and dosages a lot. This probably has sensitized and disturbed your nervous system. The best you can do is to stabilize and let time do the healing.

 

I suggest that you start taking Prozac again on a dosage of 2,5mg. So a bit less than you have used before jumping to zero. Since you stopped 2 weeks ago, it is better not to go too high in dosage. 2,5 mg still gives a SERT (serotonin receptor occupancy of around 48%. Whereas the standard dosage of Prozac does around 78%. 

 

These drugs are still extremely strong on low dosages. Therefor we need to taper until we reach dosages of 0,02 or 0,01 mg. Then it is most often a good moment to jump to zero.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/6036-why-taper-sert-transporter-occupancy-studies-show-importance-of-gradual-change-in-plasma-concentration/

 

Let me know what you will do. As said I suggest taking 2,5mg of Prozac and give it time to stabilize. This may take time. How much cannot be said, since we all react differently. But you will stabilize over time and then you can continue tapering.

 

Hereunder a table of the serotonin receptor occupancy for Prozac. This makes clear why you should taper down to extreme low dosages before jumping to zero. 

 

 

% of 1 pill(20 mg)

Dosage in mg

Prozac

% blockage serotonin receptor

(SERT)

100

20

78

50

10

72

25

5

62

12,5

2,5

48

10

2 

44

7,5

1,5

37

5

1

29

4

0,8

25

3

0,6

20

2

0,4

14,5

1,5

0,3

11

1

0,2

8

0,5

0,1

4

0,25

0,05

2

0,1

0,02

0,9

0,05

0,01

0,5

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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Sorry for taking so long to reply. Thanks so much for your advice. Your correct because of It being ineffective and causing side effects especially the sexual ones and numbing of emotions made me taper

fast since it has a long half Life I thought that perhaps I would get away with it but I’m obviously wrong. So should I take 2.5 mg for a month? Then 10% for that for another month etc… if I can stabilize again and be able to withdraw from 2.5 mg to 0 mg I would be so happy. I just don’t wish to go back high again. Thanks so much for the reply. It was very informative and gave me hope, understanding and knowledge regarding tapering from

prozac. God bless!

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted
8 hours ago, Solo28 said:

So should I take 2.5 mg for a month? Then 10% for that for another month etc…

That is correct. Going high in dosage is not recommended. That would probably only disturb your nervous system without any positive effect.

 

Here is more info on how to taper. But first stabilize at least one month. See how you feel by then. Let us know how you are doing and we can advise you then if it is the right moment to start tapering. It would be a good idea to write down how you are feeling, so that you have a good view on what is going on and that you can look back how WD symptoms were at certain moments.

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1024-why-taper-by-10-of-my-dosage/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/22958-never-skip-doses-to-taper/

 

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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The information I already got here with your reply and reading the site gives me hope of one day being successfully of these meds. Especially ssri’s. Because of how I felt my doctor gave me a script of bupropion, I haven’t taken it because I know most of the symptoms I have is because of the Prozac withdrawals. Like many he told me it basically self tapers so he in no moment expected it to be the Prozac withdrawal side effects. But I did and thanks to this site I already feel I have a place to get support and knowledge on how to successfully do this for the first time since I was put on this horrible medications. Atleast to me it is.

thanks!

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

Posted
  • Moderator
Posted (edited)

When you follow the most important rules like, going slow, not messing around with dosage changes or changing/adding meds you will certainly heal!

 

Acceptance of WD symptoms when they are there, hope and trust that you will heal are also important helpers!

 

Be very careful with bupropion! This can be a very mean drug. Especially when taking it together with a SSRI! I am still taking it in a low dosage, since WD symptoms are unbearable for me....  Doctors told me, that I cold stop it anytime I want without WD symptoms....

 

 

What are you going to do? Rely on the "self tapering" aspects of Prozac or are you reinstating on a low dosage under 3 mg? Beware that this self tapering aspect of Prozac does not mean that you can't have WD symptoms or that they easily will disappear. The long half life just implies that WD symptoms start later than with SSRI's with a shorter half life. WD very often appears with Prozac, when tapering too fast. It is however often less heavy than with short half life SSRI's. But it can still be heavy!

 

When you do some research on this site, you will find lots of members struggling because to jumped to zero at a too high dosage of Prozac.... 

 

I would take the safe route and reinstate with 2,5mg. Now, after only 2 weeks that is still a possibility. If you would get heavy WD in some months it is much more difficult to create a balance again....

Edited by Go2zero

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 8/4/2021 at 11:55 AM, Go2zero said:

When you follow the most important rules like, going slow, not messing around with dosage changes or changing/adding meds you will certainly heal!

 

Acceptance of WD symptoms when they are there, hope and trust that you will heal are also important helpers!

 

Be very careful with bupropion! This can be a very mean drug. Especially when taking it together with a SSRI! I am still taking it in a low dosage, since WD symptoms are unbearable for me....  Doctors told me, that I cold stop it anytime I want without WD symptoms....

 

 

What are you going to do? Rely on the "self tapering" aspects of Prozac or are you reinstating on a low dosage under 3 mg? Beware that this self tapering aspect of Prozac does not mean that you can't have WD symptoms or that they easily will disappear. The long half life just implies that WD symptoms start later than with SSRI's with a shorter half life. WD very often appears with Prozac, when tapering too fast. It is however often less heavy than with short half life SSRI's. But it can still be heavy!

 

When you do some research on this site, you will find lots of members struggling because to jumped to zero at a too high dosage of Prozac.... 

 

I would take the safe route and reinstate with 2,5mg. Now, after only 2 weeks that is still a possibility. If you would get heavy WD in some months it is much more difficult to create a balance again....

Hey, I reinstated 2.5 mg of liquid Prozac 2 days ago. Going to try to stick to it for a month. I’m aware I still can get withdrawal side effects especially since I’ve been on ssris for so long. But if I can function I’ll stick to this those and  do the recommended 10 percent decrease every month. One thing I should mention is Gabapentin. I’ve taken it for a couple

of Years on and off. After feeling the Prozac withdrawals side effects I started taking it again. So I might just take the 3 times a day 300 mg then deal with it after the Prozac taper if I successfully do it. I’m not sure if it’s worth doing that or just cold turkey it like I done before. I took klonopin a long time ago and cold turkey taper it because doctor stop me abruptly and I was able to do it. But the ssris for some reason is the only med I haven’t successfully done it.

 

regarding Wellbutrin yes I reinstated it for 3 days but after doctor prescribed it because how I told them how bad I felt on what I believe was the Prozac withdrawals Side effects. I stoped it because I remember how horrible I felt on it I felt agitated, and anxious most of the day. It’s crazy how my mind forget how harsh these meds been on me. I just hace to taper from Prozac and find other ways to deal with my depression and the trauma ssris have cause me I hope my brain can recover.

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

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On 8/6/2021 at 7:46 AM, Solo28 said:

One thing I should mention is Gabapentin. I’ve taken it for a couple

of Years on and off. After feeling the Prozac withdrawals side effects I started taking it again. So I might just take the 3 times a day 300 mg then deal with it after the Prozac taper if I successfully do it.

 

What do you notice when you take the Gabapentin. What is the reason for taking it. How do you feel on it?

 

On 8/6/2021 at 7:46 AM, Solo28 said:

I just hace to taper from Prozac and find other ways to deal with my depression and the trauma ssris have cause me I hope my brain can recover.

 

You might take a look at these links:

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/

 

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/14397-neuro-emotions/

 

 

There is a lot of interesting info to be found there. And when you have problems coping with WD, know that there are so many lovingly members here who may support you! You are not alone!

 

 

 

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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  • Author
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Things not looking good right now. When I was still at 10 mg my withdrawals was manageable so got too excited and lowered too fast and stopped at 3 mg. I’m thinking of perhaps going up to 5 mg. I want to make one thing clear this medication don’t work on me, I just been on these meds for so long so when I try to come Off it I get more depressed and anxious and irritable. Smh 

what you guys think. Need some

advice. 

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

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It is only on week ago that you reinstated. Give it at least 2-3 weeks. You might go up to 3mg right now. But I would not go to 5mg. Going up too much may make things worse. And tapering down after stabilizing would take longer time also then.

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

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  • Author
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Go2zero, The feelings of the withdrawals makes you want to think it’s impossible. Dealing with life while withdrawing makes it even more difficult. But I stood at 2.5 mg. Thanks!

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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Go2zero Contributor

Go2zero

Posted
  • Moderator
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11 minutes ago, Solo28 said:

Go2zero, The feelings of the withdrawals makes you want to think it’s impossible. Dealing with life while withdrawing makes it even more difficult. But I stood at 2.5 mg. Thanks!

Believe me, I know (and lots of members here) know where you are. I've been there 3 times. I know it can feel like hell. If it will never stop. And often much worse than that.

 

This is withdrawal . You need to get stable first, And the best way to get there is by keeping NOT going up and down in dosages or adding/changing meds. This needs time. Hang in there. If you do not feel some kind of improvement in 1-2 weeks please let us know. If you need support let us know also. 

 

We know where you are. You are not alone!

1

1993    Anafranil (Clomipramine) for a few months. Later in 1993 Paxil for a few months 1993- 2006      No medication

2006   Effexor, Cymbalta, some Benzo’s. All for short periods. Later in 2006 Lexapro (escitalopram) 10 mg and shortly after Wellbutrin XR 150mg, against side effects Lexapro 

Since 2006 until end of 2015: Several times on and off Lexapro and Wellbutrin and several slight dosage changes. Mostly taken dosages: 5mg Lexapro and 150mg Wellbutrin

2016  Dosage change Lexapro from 5mg to 2,5 mg. Wellbutrin stayed om 150mg

November 2016 – April 2017 Down from 2,5mg to 0,6mg Lexapro (in steps) without much problems. Wellbutrin down from 150mg to 66mg. Also without much problems.

April 2017 – March 2019       Lexapro 0,6 mg        April 2017 - August 2018       Wellbutrin in small steps down from 66mg in to 37,5 mg . Quite heavy WD after each step.

March 2019 – May 2019 Lexapro down from 0,6 to 0,3mg then Prozac to 0,6 mg switch because severe discontinuation effects (may also have been from Wellbutrin..)    

Wellbutrin down from 37,5mg to 35,3mg 

October 2019        Seroquel 12,5 mg for 4 weeks because of extreme sleeping problems, then weaning off in 2 weeks       Prozac up dosage to 1,2 mg

March 2020     Wellbutrin in 2 steps down from 35,3mg to 33,3mg   Extreme withdrawal effects during 8 months. Stopped tapering Wellbutrin  until total off Prozac. 

February 2020 – November 2020   Prozac down in steps from 1,2mg to 0,57mg. 

Jan 2021 :  Prozac down to:  0,55> 0,53>0,51mg,   Feb 0,47mg ,  Mar 0,42mg,   Apr 0,37, longer hold because of WD symptoms July 0,36 and hold again, Sept 19 0,35, Sept 26 0,34mg, Oct 3 0,33mg  Long hold of 172 days until March 2022

January 20, 2022:  Wellbutrin from 33,3 to 32,3mg

March 22, 2022 Prozac down from 0,33mg to: 0,30mg, Apr 0,29, May 0,28, 0,27, June 0,26, 0,25, July 0,24, 0,23, 0,22, 0,21, Aug 0,20, 0,19 Sep 0,18, Oct 0,17. 0,16, 0,15, Nov 0,14  Jan 2023 0,13, 0,12, 0,11  Feb 0,10, 0,09 Mar 0,08 ,  June 0,07 , July 0,06,  0,05, Aug 0,04, 0,03, Sept 0,026, 0,024 Nov 0,022, 0,019, 0,016, 0,013 Dec 0,012, 0,011, 0,010, 0,009   Jan 2024 0,008, 0,007,  0,006,  0,005, 0,004, 0,003, 0,002, 0,001, Feb  0,0007.  0,0005,   0,0003, 0,0001,  

Feb 23, 2024:  0,00000

Wellbutrin resume tapering: Apr 2024 31,6mg, 30,8, 30

  

Supplements: Fish Oil (3000mg), Magnesium 100 mg, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, only when feeling extreme anxiety. 50mg of L-Theanine only when severe discontinuation effects caused by Wellbutrin

 

Please note this is NOT a medical advice. Discuss all your medical issues with a doctor who understands psychical drugs and really knows how to withdraw from them. I wish that you will find one.

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Solo28 Newbie

Solo28

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Go2zero, I appreciate the quick informative reply and yes I realized after joining this forum that changing doses isn’t going to help me get this done. So going to stay at this dose and hope to get stabilized atleast. The depression won’t go away I have work to do but what I want is to feel stable like I use to prior to ssri’s, no sexual side effects and feel again. Tired of the numb feelings ssri’s have giving me. Thanks for your support 

1

Zoloft 50-100 mg: June 2012 to February 2014
Bupropion XL 150 mg: February 2014- March to March 2018

Effexor 225 mg: March 2018-May 2019 

Prozac May 2019 to February 2021 

Gabapentin 300 mg Twice a day, 2014-2021
I went down from Prozac 30 mg on April went down to 20 mg May, June went to 15 mg and after that I just started lowering the dose by 3 mg til I hit 3 mg and stop taking it. 
trazodone 25 mg: January 2014- present

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