Fizz: Prozac cold turkey withdrawal

[Altostrata]

See the Symptoms and Self-care forum for tips such as Epsom salts baths.

[Fizz]

Alto, would you believe it if I said the Epsoms appeared to heighten anxiety and I did not use much! Extreme sesnsitivity at the moment, a regular warm bath is the only option, but thank you for the suggestion. Xxxxxx

[Fizz]

Also, constant cotton wool mouth, haven't enough saliva to hold a conversation, so I do chew gum, have read this is bad, can't find one anywhere with natural ingredients. Really hope today is better than yesterday, it was hard to move... I have managed 4 hours sleep though. The shakiness and weakness upon getting up is severe, here goes.... Xxxxxxx

[basildev]

I hope today is a better day for you Fizz.

 

I have so much respect for people like you who are doing the hard yards where insomnia is concerned.

 

hugs to you.

[Fizz]

basildev, love you! Let me know how your day goes! Extreme lack of sleep been going on for around 3 years now, not getting as many all-nighters! Xxxxxxx

[flower]

Alto, would you believe it if I said the Epsoms appeared to heighten anxiety and I did not use much! Extreme sesnsitivity at the moment, a regular warm bath is the only option, but thank you for the suggestion. Xxxxxx

 

Epsom salts don't agree with me either,then I tried 250mgs of mag orally and the same thing. I guess we are sensitive to the stuff since others seem to take it with no problem.

[Altostrata]

Yes, even with magnesium and Epsom salts, people have different tolerances.

 

You might find them helpful sometime in the future.

[cmusic]

Hi Fizz,

 

I can relate to you only in that I also cold turkeyed Prozac and ended up in the same mess with reinstatement of any drugs not working. This seems like it happens to people all to often. I'm now struggling (in a different way). - three months completely off after 2.5 years of cocktails trying to right the ship.

 

My symptoms are more on the emotional side - out of control fear and panic, deep dark depression. Working myself up into terror over things I know are unlikely but can't turn the brain off. Also not eating enough, sore and achy all over, constant fatigue.

 

How are you doing emotionally? Other than physical symptoms it sounds like you are able to stay relatively positive and keep a decent sense of self? If so that's a big win.

 

Good luck to you.

[Fizz]

Would really love to know if anyone is getting by on very little sleep, finding it so difficult. Had to go to eldest sons school last night, missed a bus back, got in around 10pm all keyed up. Was still awake at 3am following numerous attempts to drop off, the vibrations, adrenaline rushes and jangled nerves etc preventing me. Had some hot milk, bread and butter and slept for around 2 and a half hours, then awake again and time for school preparations. Felt dreadful all day, exhausted, pain all over, blurred vision, spaced out and the rest. Had stuff to do, managed an hours lie down midday. This is one terrible wave, was much steadier before the hit, and what with being this far out as well. Symptoms are physically very harsh but as you ask cmusic, emotional ones come and go all day too, the despair and what if stuff, distraction helps. Enough now, at the moment the house is calm so can chill for a while and not feeling so bad! Hope everyone has had lovely moments in their day! Xxxxxxxx

[Fizz]

Oh, just hoping this is gonna get better, it's terrible because I've had stretches of feeling nearer "normal" and during these the symptoms have subsided. Frustrated and disappointed to the max. Thanks everyone. Xxxxxxx

[Barbarannamated]

It's tormenting, isnt it, to be laid flat after functioning *near normally* for awhile, especially at a few years out?

 

I haven't had significant insomnia like you and several others. Compsports has dealt with severe insomnia over an extended time period. You might find some helpful info in her thread.

[Fizz]

Thank you B, will look at the thread. The irony of this is that prior to withdrawal I had all my life slept like a baby, before Prozac and during. Never a problem, 8 or 9 hours average. Never any d/r, vibrations, tinnitus, nausea, disconnection, pain, etc, etc. Do you think it does all go away, in time, if it wasn't pre-existing? Living in a different land at the moment. Oh, there was 20 years of useage of course. Love to you. Xxxx

[Fizz]

Please write and let me know how everyone is doing today! Got nearly 4 hours sleep, have done an hour voluntary work at school and going to do some things around the house, resting in between, because fatigue persistent. It is a beautiful sunny day here! Xxxx

[Narcissus]

Do you think it does all go away, in time, if it wasn't pre-existing?

I do.

 

I've been struggling with sleeping myself recently. There's something very unnatural about not being able to sleep.

 

Hang in there and allow yourself time to rest, it'll get better.

[Fizz]

Thank you so much Nar, have been losing the faith lately this wave is soo bad. Yet I had a part window yesterday afternoon, a really enjoyable time. Then again last night, in bed half an hour, the adrenalin, vibrating and startling began. Feels like a frazzled nervous system, didn't get off till after 4, honestly, up at 6 for sorting the kids out! This one is crazy, feel dreadful. Will have to be a really easy day, just as well I achieved a fair amount yesterday whilst I could. Was hitting 5 hours sleep the other week. How are you doing? Hugs. Xxxxxx

[Karma]

Hi Fizz

 

Regarding the challenges with your sleep, have you tried melatonin? The vibrating and startling you describe sounds like excess cortisol ... the stress hormone. Melatonin is the "go to sleep" hormone and cortisol is the "wake up" hormone. The ideal cortisol rhythm is for cortisol to be at its highest around 8 AM and to fall throughout the day. Melatonin production should start to increase around dusk and be at its highest by around 2 AM. When the system is overly stressed we begin to see cortisol high or no longer in rhythm and this can disrupt sleep.

 

Here is a link to our thread about melatonin: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/189-melatonin-for-sleep/

 

Here is an abstract about cortisol and melatonin: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ddr.20014/abstract

 

Alternatively, you might look into Phosphatidylserine which is believed to help repair cortisol receptors. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1852-how-to-reduce-cortisol-both-rx-and-natural/

 

Since you are likely sensitized due to withdrawals, if you try either of these supplements start with a small amount and see if you experience beneficial effects or not, if you do see some benefit then you can gradually increase. The melatonin thread has good recommendations for starting dosages of that supplement.

 

Karma

[basildev]

Hi Fizz,

 

so sorry you're struggling - but great that you got 4 hours sleep the other night! That's a window if I ever did see one:).

 

As I've said before, my sleep issues are a walk in the park compared to yours.

 

You might want to read Strawberry's thread. She has pulled some 'all-nighters' in her time and has a great wealth of experience on the subject of withdrawal and insomnia.

 

As Narcissus advised, please tread carefully with supplements Personally I'm hypersensitive to the lot (have tried everything and anything for insomnia).

 

Sometimes they can do more harm than good, though.

 

Take care:)

[Fizz]

Thank you, thank you for your comments Karma and basildev! After previous experience with vitamins, fish oil, etc, turning out horribly I am loathe to try anything for the sleep, just too scared.....Will continue to struggle through. Have this picture of receptors being battered further! Knew I was gonna go protracted some time ago, do find it hard to cope though at this far out, sigh. Just under 4 hours last night, so could be worse. Have doc appointment tomorrow, because of the recent problems I am gonna have to give hrt a go at just a small dose to start, so scared..... Hope everyone can have a pleasant day today! Hugs. Xxxxxx

[Fizz]

A rough night again, just under 3 hours sleep. As soon as I wake the vibrations start, just wondering if keeping something by the bedside to eat or drink when this happens would help and what would be best? Milk, fresh juice, nuts, fruit? I'm not sure. Anyone have any ideas, not going to take supplements! Hugs. Xxxxx

[dunerbug]

See the Symptoms and Self-care forum for tips such as Epsom salts baths.

 

Coming in a little late on this but, I took an epsom salt bath and my anxiety shot up afterwards. So you are not alone on that one. The sensitivities to things are LAME!

[dunerbug]

A rough night again, just under 3 hours sleep. As soon as I wake the vibrations start, just wondering if keeping something by the bedside to eat or drink when this happens would help and what would be best? Milk, fresh juice, nuts, fruit? I'm not sure. Anyone have any ideas, not going to take supplements! Hugs. Xxxxx

 

Not sure....Maybe warm milk. Chamomile tea might be good too.

 

Sorry you had a bad night. Last night was off for me. Kept tossing and turning and felt really hot and achy.

[Fizz]

Could really do with some encouragement today, well I suppose we all could. Have really blurred vision, spaced out feeling, so tired and freezing cold. Managed to do an hours voluntary once the kids were in school, now trying to sort the house out and do some paperwork. Managed and trying are the operative words here, bit of a struggle, could just lie down and flake out! Hope everyone is having a decent day. Xxxxxx

[Fizz]

Hi, would appreciate any replies today! Feeling terrible, really worried. After a huge heavy period that lasted a month I got 2 weeks break and have now started bleeding again. Sorry it's not the most pleasant subject! Anxiety, spaced out feeling, weakness and all the other symptoms are now through the roof. Don't know what to do really, my doctor said hormone levels are not too far off normal and I am awaiting some scans. Just hope it's not going to get any worse. Finding it scary. Hugs. Xxxxx

[Altostrata]

Very sorry to hear you're having such a difficult time, Fizz. Hang in there.

 

When do you expect to get tests back about the gyno problem?

 

Have you looked in Symptoms and Self-care for ways to alleviate some of your symptoms?

[Fizz]

Thanks so much for replying Altostrata. Was considering starting the hrt, but blood results showed hormones not to be that off, only a little bit. My doctor was calling the gynae dept today to prompt them for the scan, haven't a date yet. Will give the symptoms and self care a thorough reading. I just love the comment that someone else just wrote about all this being a test of endurance, it sure as hell is! Xxxxxx

[Fizz]

Need some help here badly. Did quite a lot today, had the kids out, fair bit of walking, etc, am now bleeding heavily and shaking, really horrible. Have just taken 2 tranexamic acids in an attempt to slow the bleeding down. I can take these for 4 days max. I think I might have to undergo surgery pretty soon if this carries on, it's 5 weeks now with a brief break in between. What on earth sort of anaesthetic or pain relief would I be able to tolerate without getting really damaged again? My withdrawal symptoms are still so bad after all this time, I fear getting worse and weaker if I have to have an op such as endometrial ablation or even hysterectomy, just the thought of anaesthetic terrifies me. Please, please, please can anyone advise or help, or has anyone had surgery in withdrawal? I am at the moment desperate. Hugs. Xxxxxx

[basildev]

Hi Fizz,

 

so sorry you're struggling!

 

It sounds like the surgery is unavoidable. I once had surgery whilst in the middle of a very fast taper (including alternating doses and skipping days). I also had to take a heavy course of antibiotics for 2 weeks after the surgery.

 

The withdrawal symptoms hit me after this was all over. But I bounced back.

 

I wish I could offer you some reassurance. I've had several general anaesthetics and it's always been okay. Have you ever had a general before?

[Fizz]

Thanks so much for your reply basildev, haven't had a general anaesthetic before. Wouldn't know what type to ask for if there are different ones, I read somewhere that Propofol (not sure if that's the spelling) is better tolerated. My fear is that the doctors won't have a clue again, as before, will just get that dismissive look. Please, GiaK, Alto, anyone reading, thoughts as to best options if it comes to surgery, or maybe a hormonal implant. Something will have to be done, just lying at home at the moment feeling very ill. The more I move about, the bleeding gets worse.... Would really appreciate any replies. Hugs. Xxxxx

[Rhiannon]

Fizz, I don't have any info about anesthetic, but given the way you're bleeding I urge you to get medical attention. I know you probably feel about the same way about doctors that I do, after what we've been through with the drugs, but you really need to do something about that bleeding, whatever it takes, and then worry about the other stuff later. It's not an ideal situation, I know, but it sounds to me like the priority needs to be getting that bleeding stopped.

[Fizz]

Thanks Rhi, I am really concerned. Have been to A and E twice recently but they weren't interested. My doctor says to complete the course of Tranexamic acid again, which will finish on Friday, it is slowing it down. I suppose we will just have to take it from there, I'm sure I can't carry on like this indefinitely! The medics over here seem to want you to go on as long as possible before they will do anything.... Just praying its going to stop soon, I'm not much use to my partner and kids at the moment. The only way is up! xxxxx

[Rhiannon]

Maybe you can take it easy for a couple of days and try not to do too much physically, to allow the clotting to establish...? I'm not a doctor, but it seems to me that would make sense. Hang in there, like you say, just have to see what happens by Friday. But you can help it along maybe by taking it extra easy...?

[Fizz]

Love you, Rhi! I do get so frustrated lying down but my body is wanting to rest, it's demanding it! Must admit that I got all the kids to school and then did some cleaning which I should've left. Not going to do anything else now till pick up. Thank you for your concern, it's wonderful (getting emotional!). Xxxxx

[Altostrata]

From what people have posted here, they've done okay with propofol. Make sure the surgeon knows you are hypersensitive to neuroactive drugs -- you can call it autonomic instability.

 

That type of surgery might be done with local anesthesia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endometrial_ablation

[Fizz]

Thank you so much Alto! Might have to try Norethisterone first, I think these are progesterone tablets to stop bleeding, can cause depression, nervousness, insomnia etc. Oh great. I read that progesterone acts on GABA receptors, really worried about this one, please have you any thoughts? Sorry to keep asking! Love. Xxxx

[Altostrata]

If they might cause depression, nervousness, insomnia, etc. you might let your doctor know you don't need any more of that.

 

Some people find progesterone soothing and some find it activating. Is your doctor a specialist?

[Fizz]

Thanks for reply Alto, she's not a specialist in hormonal treatment, if there is one available I could be hanging on months for apptment! She's definitely on my side though, not in favour of psychotropics and willing to acknowledge withdrawal symptoms. She texted me today urging I rest and keep her updated, my original doctor was a disaster and clueless as to protracted. Will just have to play it by ear the next few days, hope for the best. Oh, what sort of pain relief would be safe if I needed an op and would an epidural be an idea maybe, any thoughts please? Really appreciate your kindness and help. Xxxxxx