Nicky96: A possible uncommon WD case - how long will it take?

[Nicky96]

Hello SA. First of all, if this case is not actually uncommon, I apologize. But I haven't seen a  similar  WD pattern yet.

 

Let me introduce myself. I'm a 25 year old male. I took Prozac for 5 years. I have read Npanth's withdrawal content and find him pretty inspirational. But I have read SA and Altostrata's content and think it is great too. 

 

Anyway, as stated I took Prozac for 5 years (20 mg) and did a 2.5 month taper. The wave/window pattern began on month 4 but since month 9-10 it has turned into a continuous wave. It is now month 17. So I haven't had a window for 7 months now. I understand that cycles can get longer, but this much longer? My last wave was only 3 months long. It is like the progress has reversed back to the initial WD phase. In addition to this, it is also the worst wave so far. I would also like to note that my symptoms are purely physical. Could anyone please explain what is happening and also predict how long my withdrawal will last?

 

I would be a ton grateful if I could get help.

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  I'm very sorry you have been in this wave for so long.  You say the symptoms are only physical.  What are your symptoms, if you don't mind?  

 

It looks like you did a pretty fast taper, and this may be why you are having problems now.  No judgment, as there is very little info out there on how to safely taper these drugs, which is extremely slowly.  

 

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 vertical 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.  Use this format:

 

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Drug name: date, dose, date, dose, date, dose…

Etcetera

 

Please read the link below for instructions.  This will allow us to give you the best guidance.  

 

How to List Drug History in Signature

 

Here is some information about how these drugs actually work.   This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications. 

 

How Psychiatric Drugs Remodel Your Brain

 

 

This helps you understand what withdrawal syndrome is: 

 

Video on Recovery from Psych Drugs

 

Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

 

What is Happening in Your Brain

 

 

Also, as we are recovering, we suggest keeping things slow, simple, and stable. 

 

Keep it Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

Here is a link with checklists of common WD symptoms: 

 

Dr Joseph Glenmullen Withdrawal Symptom Checklists

 

 

Here are some techniques to cope with symptoms: 

 

Non Drug Ways to Cope with Withdrawal Symptoms

 

 

We don't suggest many supplements, but 2 that many of us find helpful are magnesium and omega-3 fish oil. Here are the links for info about those. It is suggested to add one at a time, and start with a low dose to see how it affects you. 

Magnesium

 

Omega 3 Fish Oil

 

Perhaps a very small reinstatement would help you.  Going back on a small dose of your drug is best done very carefully.  This is temporary, and after stabilizing you would then taper gradually off of this.  There is some risk involved, and we need more specifics about your drug history before we can suggest a good dose at which to reinstate.  Here is some information about reinstatement.  

 

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

 

I've given you quite a bit of information here.  Please take your time, and read it as you are able to.  Please let us know if you want to try the reinstatement option or not.   Let us know how you are doing.  

Edited February 17, 2022 by getofflex

[Nicky96]

Thank you. I have written my signature now. My symptoms consist of "electric" shocks around my body, especially the feet, burning sensations underneath my skin, itching around my body, aching around my body and tension ( I don't really know how to describe it. It feels sort of like my skin is being stretched. It happens mainly in my feet and face.)

[getofflex]

You could possibly try a reinstatement of 1/2 mg of Prozac, and see if that helps your symptoms.  Read my link above, at the end of my post, about reinstatement.  There is some risk involved.  Your best bet would be to use liquid.  You can buy, or make liquid Prozac.  That will make it easy to measure such a small dose.  You would stabilize on this, and then very gradually taper off later.  This link will explain:

 

Tips for Tapering and Dosing Prozac

 

Please let us know if you decide to try a reinstatement.  Let us know how you are doing. 

Edited February 19, 2022 by getofflex

[Nicky96]

Aha I understand. I will read these posts straight away. I should have noted that my symptoms actually 'are' bearable. So do you still think it would be good choice reinstating? Also, if I don't reinstate, can you possibly estimate how long the withdrawal will last? ( Even if the guess is +/- a whole year )

[getofflex]

Whether you reinstate or not is entirely up to you.  It has been a long time since you took Prozac, so if it were me, if the symptoms were bearable, I would try to tough it out and use non drug coping strategies to deal with them.  (see my first post for link to non drug coping skills). I cannot predict how long withdrawal will last.  This link goes into all the variables that affect the length of your withdrawal period: 

 

How Long is Withdrawal Going to Take?

[Nicky96]

Thank you so much for your help, getofflex. I'll inform you guys about recovery if it happens.

 

- Nicky

[Marta]

@Nicky96 hello.. writing for similar symptoms (but many more too) at almost 2yrs drug free. Any improvement???

All the best.

[Nicky96]

Hello Marta. (I don't know how to tag people. )

 

Well, yes and no. Yes in that there have been gradual improvements in this withdrawal but no in the way that it has gotten worse due to this being the final acute phase. ( for some it gets worse when you go down to/ adapt to about 5mg.

 

Though for the majority of the time  my synptoms are most bearable.