Victorias: I started a new medication

[Victorias]

Hi comunity, thanks to all for let me participate here and administrar. My journey, one panick attack and then insomnia, severe anxiety 14 months ago. so Dr started Zoloft, and a hard time for 3-4 months, literally ALL side effects and level out on month 5-6. I finished my year on Zoloft and Dr tappered off on 3 months. I was very weel but 

now 8 weeks after of off Zoloft, waves of  anxiety, fear, hopeleness, headaches, muscules pain, insomnia, very hard time for me and my Dr Started Prozac 10 mgs this week. I need support , orientation, some experiences??? Is my first time with antideppressents. I Dont know the way

[Victorias]

Thanks to the comunity for this website and the moderators. I finished my year with Zoloft. My first 2-3 months was a very hard journey, ALL side effects, upped 75-100mgs and finish the year. Now 7 weeks off started suddendly waves of anxiety, fear, Headache, ring in the ears. It was very severe and Dr give Prozac 10mgs one week. And Ativan. Im very confused is my first time with drugs, I have family support and my faith in God is helping. Some experiences to shared with me, advices? Is a very hard time .

M 46 

Guatemala 

 

[Victorias]

Dx Generalized Anxiety, now Anxiety, hopelessness, fear, nausea, loss of apetite

[getofflex]

Hello, and welcome to SA.  We are a volunteer-run community of people who have been or are getting off of psychiatric drugs.  It sounds to me like you are experiencing delayed withdrawal symptoms from tapering off of the Zoloft too quickly.  What dose of Zoloft were you on before you began tapering?  Let me give you some basic information, then give you suggestions at the end.  

 

Can you please give us specific information in your signature about your drug history for all drugs and supplements 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 specific dates, include the day (as best you can say for example early March if you don't recall the day), drug names, 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.  

 

How to List Your Drug History in Your Signature

 

Here is some important information about how these drugs actually work.  This explains why we get symptoms from going off of these medications, and why it's so important to taper slowly and carefully, and be very cautious about changing our doses: 

 

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

 

 

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

 

Stability is really important when we are tapering off psych meds.  Please read the link about stability:

 

Keep It Simple, Slow, and Stable

 

 

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

 

I believe what you are experiencing is withdrawal from Zoloft.  If it were me, I would distcontinue Prozac right away, and do a very small reinstatement of Zoloft.  Unfortunately, most doctors don't know about withdrawal, and how to properly taper a patient off their psych drugs.  It is very common for them to just prescribe another drug to try and cover up the withdrawal from the previous drug, but often this does not work.  A better option is to reinstate a small dose of the drug from which you are withdrawing, and this often helps withdrawal symptoms.  

 

It takes about a month for your brain to become dependent on Prozac, so if you've only been on it for a week, it should be safe to stop it completely.  The sooner, the better, so your brain has less chance to become dependent on it.  

 

When I know what dose of Zoloft you were on, I can make a suggestion for you for a reinstatement dose of Zoloft.  It's important to reinstate a very low amount, and not a big dose.  Going back on a small dose of your drug, which we call reinstatement, 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

 

Please let us know what you decide to do.  

 

 

 

Edited January 28 by getofflex

[Victorias]

Thanks for answer! Its very importat for me in this moment.  I started first week of august on Zoloft 25 mgs 3 days and 50mgs after,  so I had Many side effects, and it was Awful for me. 8-10 weeks it was a litle better, maybe 11-13 weeks level out, but with apathy and LOW energy. At nigth Dr prescribed Pregabaline 75mgs and Ita was good for my sleep. So for my laco of energy Dr upped to 75mgs. And I had Anxiety again and upped 100mgs. So 6 months I was really good. In my Job with my family. 6 months Ok. And I said Dr I had one year, I wanna off of Zoloft. And dropped maybe 10-12 weeks to zero./ From September To last week of Octuber/Halloween/ after 6 weeks I was excelente!! After I started with severe muscule pain in articulations, Some tich, pin needle, but on 29 December I was sleeping and I had a suddenly Anxiety. The next week waves of anxiety and fear. One-two days of and then return to waves of anxiety, fear,  low mood, headaches, ring in my ears, nausea severe, so I talked with my Dr and he thinks relapse. And started Prozac 10mgs am and Clonazepam 0.5 mgs at bed time. 
now Im using 5mgs of Prozac in the bedtime 25mgs of pregabaline. No using lorazepam.

 

today is a little better. But Im desesperated in this phase I think is withdrawal acute or Delayed. I need support. Is my First time in drugs.

male 46 years old. Hispanic 

resume: first week august 2021 started Zoloft 25-50

november-december 75 mgs 

aprox. February- march  100mgs

Abril- September God months/Stable -

September -november weanned off

Finish December started physical symptoms, January Emotional symptoms, severe anxiety and fear, insmonia, nausea, Jyttery, Headache, ocassionally brain zaps and dyssisnez.

This week 5 mgs Prozac and 25 pregabaline at nigth

 

Really, Thanks for this project and volunteer. Support now: My family, spiritual support 

 

 

[getofflex]

21 hours ago, Victorias said:

At nigth Dr prescribed Pregabaline 75mgs and Ita was good for my sleep. So for my laco of energy Dr upped to 75mgs. And I had Anxiety again and upped 100mgs.

When you say Dr upped to 75 mg, and then to 100 mg, do you mean of pregabalin or of Zoloft?  Please clarify.  

 

Can you please clarify your drug signature?  Please just put the dates, drugs, and dosages, for each drug change. And, please add the year to each of your dates, instead of just the month.  Leave out symptoms and descriptions.  

 

What have you decided to do with your drugs?  Will you drop Prozac and reinstate Zoloft, or will you stick with the prozac and pregabaline?  

 

[getofflex]

This is your one introduction thread.  Please do not start new threads, as it can cause confusion and duplication of effort.  Post all your questions and comments in here - thank you.  

 

What you are experiencing is perfectly normal for tapering too fast off of an antidepressant.  The good news is that, in time, this will gradually resolve and get better.  However, you must take proper care of yourself.  It is very important not to jump on and off psych meds, and vary your dose frequently, and skip or miss doses.  

 

I personally believe that it will help you, as stated before, if you discontinue prozac, and go back on a small dose of the Zoloft.  It is important to realize that the vast majority of doctors do not understand how these drugs really work, and they will tend to overuse these drugs, taper people off of them too fast, and switch their drugs around too much.  Most doctors are in denial about the true nature of withdrawal.  That is why this site exists.  The purpose of this site is for people who want to come off of their psychiatric drugs.  Is that you goal?  

Edited January 29 by getofflex

[Victorias]

Sorry, My resume

August 1, 2021 Started Zoloft 25 mgs, 3 days and after 50mgs/ Pregabaline 50mgs at nigth

Three  months after very very hard time ALL side effects./ Anxiety, depression periods, Extreme fatigue, weird dreams

January 2022 Aprox. Dr upped dose to 75mgs Zoloft. Sleep is better so finished pregabaline 

Abril Aprox Dr upped 100mgs Zoloft by extreme fatigue, So my symptoms improved. At this point I think I was almost normal/ Job/ Sleep/ Family/ sexual drive low

September 2022/ I finished my year so my Dr we decided weanned off/ I was very Well in this point. I Dont wanna follow on drugs after one year

100-75 mgs three weeks

75-50 mgs three weeks

50-25  three weeks

dr Said 25 to zero but I had 12.5 and 6. 25 maybe one month moore 

so Finished 30-31 octuber 2022

november Good month/No symptoms 

december 2022 started muscules pain severe, 2-3 weeks and after low mood, 30-31 December suddenly anxiety, after insomnia, and waves of fear, 3-4 days was good, but after waves of anxiety more severe. Headaches, nausea , ring ears, mood swings. Si talked Dr and he thinks relapse so prescribed Prozac 10 mgs one week and after 20mgs/ Pregabaline 50 at bed time and lorazepam 0.5 mgs 

26 January I started Prozac 5mgs and 25 mgs Pregabaline at bed time / Lorazepam only as needed/ I Dont wanna stay sleepy for my Job

So I review medical websites and Support groups/ So Is possible to switch Prozac in withdrawal phase 

So I want to try low dose of Prozac, Stabilization and weanned off/ I read your documents / It was very helpfully 

thanks a lot!!!!

 

[getofflex]

Your drug history is still hard to understand.  Please list each date, along with only the drug name, and the dosage, for each change in drugs or dosage. Please, do it just like this example, it would really help: 

 

March 12, ’22: Lexapro 5 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

March 29, ’22: Lexapro 4 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

April 17, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 50 mg

May 19, ’22:  Lexapro 3.8 mg, Xanax 0.5 mg, Trazodone 25 mg

 

 

 

Edited January 29 by getofflex

[Victorias]

August 1, Zoloft 25 mgs

August 5 Zoloft 50 mgs and Pregabaline 50mgs at nigth 

January 2022 Zoloft 75 mgs

March 2022 Zoloft 100mgs

March-September: Good time

September weanned off 

From 100 to Zero in Three months Aprox

December 15 Severe muscule pain

December 28-29 Anxiety and fear

January 2023 Waves of anxiety, Headache Tinitus etc

January Started Prozac 5 mgs and 25 pregabaline 

[Victorias]

August 1, Zoloft 25 mgs

August 5 Zoloft 50 mgs and Pregabaline 50mgs at nigth 

January 2022 Zoloft 75 mgs

March 2022 Zoloft 100mgs

March-September: Good time

September weanned off 

From 100 to Zero in Three months Aprox

December 15 Severe muscule pain

December 28-29 Anxiety and fear

January 2023 Waves of anxiety, Headache Tinitus etc

January Started Prozac 5 mgs and 25 pregabaline 

started Symptom of me :7 weeks after finished Zoloft 

[getofflex]

Excellent thank you.  Did you stay on the pregabalin all this time or did you stop it then restart it in January?

[Victorias]

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

Excellent thank you.  Did you stay on the pregabalin all this time or did you stop it then restart it in January?

No, I think maybe 2-3 month at first

[getofflex]

OK, I've copied your information about your drug history to your signature with some minor changes.  Let me know if the date you started the Prozac is correct - thanks.  

Edited January 29 by getofflex

[Victorias]

5 hours ago, getofflex said:

Excellent thank you.  Did you stay on the pregabalin all this time or did you stop it then restart it in January?

No, I think maybe 2-3 month at first

[Victorias]

January 26 Started Prozac 5 mgs and Pregabaline 25 at bed time

[getofflex]

How have you been feeling since you started on the prozac and pregabalin on Jan. 26?  Do you feel any better, the same, or worse?  

[Victorias]

1 hour ago, getofflex said:

How have you been feeling since you started on the prozac and pregabalin on Jan. 26?  Do you feel any better, the same, or worse?  

Bit better, yesterday I sleept, what do you think about my dose? I dont wanna up 10mgs. 

[littlebird]

42 minutes ago, Victorias said:

I dont wanna up 10mgs.

Not a mod, not an expert, just someone who recently danced with this dose of Prozac. If your body is saying not to raise your dose, it knows better than your prescriber. Trust your gut!

 

Please correct me if I’m out of line with this, mods!

[getofflex]

18 hours ago, Victorias said:

Bit better, yesterday I sleept, what do you think about my dose? I dont wanna up 10mgs.

I would not suggest that you increase your dose.  Stability is very important.  Did you read the link on this I gave you in my first post -keep it simple, slow stable?  I'm glad you feel a bit better. Please remember, that doctors really push these drugs too much.  This site exists because of that.  You have the choice about what you put into your body, as you are the one who will experience the consequences, good or bad.  

[Victorias]

Yes, I want to wait at least 4 weeks in this low dose, and  yes I review this post/ is common waves of anxiety? This morning is hard, I woke up today suddenly and anxiety is very high/ is It possible for withdrawal o the New Drug?

my Dr prescribed clonazepam but I m waiting. Now in Books of CBT and spiritual support.

 

thanks a lot to you and comunity  

[getofflex]

1 hour ago, Victorias said:

This morning is hard, I woke up today suddenly and anxiety is very high/ is It possible for withdrawal o the New Drug?

We have no way of knowing which it is for sure.  I would suspect that it is because you are in withdrawal to your previous drug, which is why I had suggested you quit the new drug Prozac, and reinstate a very low dose of your previous drug Zoloft.  I would suggest a very low reinstatement dose of 5 mg of Zoloft.  This link will help you to figure out how to measure this nonstandard dose.  You can crush the tablets and weigh then with a scale, or make a liquid from your tables, or buy a liquid.  This link will explain how: 

 

Tapering and Dosing Zoloft

 

If you do this, it is very important to do it right away, as the longer you are on Prozac, the more your brain will get dependent on the Prozac, and this may not work. 

 

Please reread this quote below, and read the link about reinstating.  

 

On 1/28/2023 at 9:36 AM, getofflex said:

I believe what you are experiencing is withdrawal from Zoloft.  If it were me, I would distcontinue Prozac right away, and do a very small reinstatement of Zoloft.  Unfortunately, most doctors don't know about withdrawal, and how to properly taper a patient off their psych drugs.  It is very common for them to just prescribe another drug to try and cover up the withdrawal from the previous drug, but often this does not work.  A better option is to reinstate a small dose of the drug from which you are withdrawing, and this often helps withdrawal symptoms.  

 

It takes about a month for your brain to become dependent on Prozac, so if you've only been on it for a week, it should be safe to stop it completely.  The sooner, the better, so your brain has less chance to become dependent on it.  

 

When I know what dose of Zoloft you were on, I can make a suggestion for you for a reinstatement dose of Zoloft.  It's important to reinstate a very low amount, and not a big dose.  Going back on a small dose of your drug, which we call reinstatement, 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

 

Please let us know what you decide to do. 

[Victorias]

Hello again dear comunity, yesterday was a ver very hard day, extreme anxiety emotional am physical, so I take clonazepam 0.5mgs twice and today 0.25 só this morning is a Little bit. In this phase I Will continue 5mgs Prozac (I review is possible using in withdrawal sometimes/Swtich from Zoloft) so I wait stabilize and after weanned off again. Praying! All support and shared experiences are neccesary now. Is a hard time now in my life. And my first journey on drugs.

 

thanks a lot!!

[Victorias]

Hello comunity Im again, Im starting my second week, ups and downs, but morning anxiety and at nigth, facial parestesia and some days insomnia. In the afternoon weakness.
In your experience wait 2-3 weeks in this dose? 5 mgs/ remember I think PWS after Zoloft/ so Dr Switch ti prozac 10 mgs and he said after 20mgs.

this morning is hard 

thanks comunity 

[getofflex]

46 minutes ago, Victorias said:

In your experience wait 2-3 weeks in this dose? 5 mgs

I'm not sure what your goal is.  Are you looking to increase your dose of Prozac, or to taper and get off the drug?  If you are tapering off the drug, we suggest you wait at least one month before reducing your dose again.  Wait longer if you do not feel stable in your symptoms.  It could also be that you are experiencing withdrawal from Zoloft, and the Prozac is not covering up the withdrawal.  

[getofflex]

53 minutes ago, Victorias said:

so Dr Switch ti prozac 10 mgs and he said after 20mgs.

So are you now on 10 mg of Prozac instead of 5 mg?  

[Onmyway]

@Victorias

Can you please clarify what your goal is on this forum? 

We are a place to help people come off of drugs in the least damaging way as we recognize that psychiatric drugs cause physical dependence and need to be tapered very slowly. We also support people who have quit their drugs and may be in withdrawal. We DO NOT give advice on what medicines to take, what dosage to take and how to deal with adverse effects of medicines that you intend on continuing to take. 

If your goal is to stay on you medicines we cannot help you.

You may be better served by other forums. 

 

If you decide to come off of your medicines in the future, this link has important information that may help you in the process and we will be glad to support you then. Hope you feel better soon. 

 

Please let us know if you are interested in coming off of your medicines. 

OMW

[Victorias]

Hello to everyone! Yes my goal is finish my withdrawal phase/ I read in some articles Prozac is a way to tappered off from Other SSRI/ so my goal is reached level in this drug and after weanned off again. I review my notes and Dr Reduced to 75mgs to zero in Three months/ I started severe symptoms at 4-5 weeks after. 
so I Dont want to return Back only stabilize bc Im severe anxiety everyday.  Thanks a lot for shared your experiencies in this process 

[Victorias]

Hello to everyone in this comunity/ Update: Im finished my second week on 5mgs of Prozac/this week total rollercoaster, morning anxiety, anorexia and low mood/ I Will level out and program a new tappered off/ some experiences to shared/ severe anxiety now

[Victorias]

Hello, I finished my second week on 5 mgs Prozac/ But anxiety and agitation is present so I needed clonazepam, Im waiting to level out and prepare to weanned off / I have multyple symptoms/ some experiences or advice in this phase???

[Victorias]

I did a year on Zoloft and although the first two months were difficult, I finally managed to adjust, due to generalized anxiety disorder, then I gradually withdrew in 8 weeks from 75mgs. I was fine for approximately 6 weeks, however it seems to me that I had a withdrawal syndrome, the point is that my doctor thought of a relapse and we restarted Fluoxetine now it is 4 weeks. I really don't want to continue the medication long term. Can I stabilize and then try to withdraw? Does anyone have similar experience?

Edited March 8 by Altostrata
removed coding

[Victorias]

I did a year of Zoloft and altougth the first two months was very hard, I finally managed to adjust, and the gradually We weaned of on 8 weeks with my Dr. 75-0mgs.  I was fine Maybe 6 weeks but after I started with symptoms of withdrawal phase. Dr tougth on relapse só started Prozac. Now Im on 4 weeks, But my decisión is not to continue in this drug long term. Could I stabilize and try a weaned off? How long to stabilize and create a weaned off plan? Some experiences to shared with me?? 
some one with similar case??

thanks in advanced comunity 

[Altostrata]

Hello, @Victorias

 

Please post questions about your situation in this topic, your Introductions topic.

 

You had withdrawal symptoms from going off Zoloft, and you started taking 5mg Prozac on January 26? How did your symptom pattern change after you started Prozac?

 

Why are you taking 25mg pregabalin? What times o'clock do you take each of your drugs, with their dosages?

 

(Please post only plain text in your response, do not use the <> style to post. Removing the coding so they can read your post only makes work for the staff.)

[Victorias]

Thanks for your answer and interest, After of weaned off Zoloft, I started with nausea, GI issues, muscules pain, headaches, brain zaps, and after severe anxiety, low mood, insmonia, so Dr tougth in relapse, so in 6-8 week I started with Prozac.

now 4 weeks on Prozac First week 5 mgs, after 10mgs, but I had severe anxiety and insmonia so Dr upped my dose to 20mgs/Terapeuthic dose/

In this moment is my second week on 20 mgs

symptoms in this moment: anxiety, low mood, loss of appetite, I Had a panick attack 5 days ago.

My goal is stabilize in this drug and try weaned off . I dont want use a long term by side effects and my poor tolerance to this meds.

Nowdays im on CBT

Meds actually:

prozac 20 mgs 9 am

pregabalin 50mgs 8 pm

[Altostrata]

10 hours ago, Victorias said:

First week 5 mgs, after 10mgs, but I had severe anxiety and insmonia so Dr upped my dose to 20mgs/Terapeuthic dose/

In this moment is my second week on 20 mgs

 

Do you feel better taking 20mg Prozac?

 

Why are you taking pregabalin? When did you increase to 50mg?

[Victorias]

Thanks Altostrata, really no good, some days were a bit good, but this week severe anxiety, loss of apetite, headaches, and agitation. /3 week on 20mgs/ Pregabalin was prescribed for insomnia and It works/ 3 weeks ago started with 50mgs Pregabalin.
I would stabilize, I dont know if good idea reduce the dose? O wait in this dose?