craigsam1985: Sam

[craigsam1985]

Hi All I am Sam, a newbie so pls bear with me.

On day 5 of tapering off auscap at 10%, not doing too well. Was feeling like a zombie at 40mg for 6 months and have been doing well otherwise, so decided i would be able to cope with reducing medication. What I didn't anticipate was the strength of all of this other stuff. I at least had some idea of what to expect thanks to the best counsellor in the world, who also let me in on this website so I don't feel so alone.

I have been on antidepressants for about 15 years constantly. I just had to ring my boss for the second day in a row to tell her I wouldn't be at work and explain why. Man I feel like an idiot, not just letting them down but having to tell them the details. I could have lied but wanted to be honest. This is so hard, I am jst going to be looking around and learning as much as I can for a bit. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cheer

SAM

[Jemima]

Welcome, Sam. If I'm not mistaken, Auscap is the same as Prozac. Is that correct?

 

How fast are you tapering? A ten percent reduction should be maintained for a month or so, and considering how badly you're feeling, you might want to go back to your original dose, stabilize for several weeks, and then try again at a 5% reduction.

 

Here's an article specifically on tapering Prozac/Auscap:

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/page__p__6498__hl__prozac__fromsearch__1#entry6498

 

Your body and brain have gotten used to having an antidepressant over a fifteen year period and they aren't going to go back to normal in a matter of weeks or even months. The drug actually changes the way the brain functions, so getting the drug out of one's system as fast as possible does more harm than good. The slower you go with tapering, the more comfortable and functional you'll be.

[Altostrata]

Welcome, Sam. Thanks for joining us.

 

How flattering that your counselor suggested this site!

 

It seems that you might be very sensitive to decreases in your fluoxetine dosage. As Jemima, suggested, you might back up and take another run at this in a bit.

 

Can you get liquid fluoxetine?

[strawberry17]

I am a fellow Prozac taperer and agree with Alto and Jemima, definately try and get the liquid if you haven't already, and I was on an AD for many years as well and I personally found 10% too difficult, I have for the most part gone for less than 5% and a stupidly slow taper, but it's worked for me that way.

 

I have experienced having to tell work colleagues about my situation, in fact I had to come out to my line manager very recently as I'd been struggling with withdrawal and took some odd days off. It felt excrutiating and I still feel uncomfortable about it, because I'd never really had to come out about it at work before, but I've been fortunate that I work with a very pleasent team of people who have been very sympathetic, whilst I can tell they don't all "get it" I can't fault how positive they've been, I think it's me who feels an issue more than they do!!

[craigsam1985]

Tks guys, I appreciate your replies and will continue to look around the site. right now though, I think its time for a nanna nap