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mxd: Help with Prozac bridge


mxd

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After 10 years of trying to stop Effexor (misdiagnosis - thyroid issues diagnosed as depression), I needed to be off for several days for allergy tests in July '13, so I started in early spring and slowly weaned myself down from 37.5 mg, where I'd lingered for 4-5 years.  At first I was fine, but after a couple of weeks, the withdrawal started..with all the usual symptoms--dizziness, nausea, shock/chills, insomnia, irritability, balance issues, etc.  After enduring this for almost 5 months, I discovered the Prozac bridge and asked my dr. today for a prozac prescription.  She agreed, but after some more investigation, I see that perhaps this is not the best idea since I've been off Effexor for so long.  I really don't want to take it again at all and start this trip over again, but I'm also ready to feel like myself again.  Am I risking trouble by starting the prozac at this late date?  

mxd

Effexor 10 years -- high dose 2005 (150 mg)  Tapered to 37.5 in 2005-2006.  

Stuck until spring 2013.  Began slow taper, stopped completely July 8 2013.

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  • Moderator Emeritus

Hi MXD, welcome to SA. 

 

5 months off it it is still possible to reinstate but there are no guarantees it will work.

A very small dose, just a fraction of that you were on might help. I would try maybe 

5mg to start. Any more and you could have an adverse reaction. There could be a

difference within a week or so. If there is no difference and it doesn't make you any 

worse you could go up a little more. 

 

It might help, it might not. It's best to reinstate as soon as possible after stopping. 

If you do feel better with reinstating, keep at the same dose for maybe 3 months

then start a slow taper. I've been tapering off 37.5 for 21 months by counting beads,

it is a nasty little drug to get off.  Personally I would go try the effexor rather than prozac.

Here is a link to reinstating and stabilising. I hope it works for you. You may be just in time 

but it's a long shot. 

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/272-tips-for-tapering-off-effexor-and-effexor-xr-venlafaxine/

 

 It would be helpful if you could put med history in your sig line, so that we 

can see at a glance on future posts without scrolling back to the beginning

Here's how to do it.

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

**I am not a medical professional, if in doubt please consult a doctor with withdrawal knowledge.

 

 

Different drugs occasionally (mostly benzos) 1976 - 1981 (no problem)

1993 - 2002 in and out of hospital. every type of drug + ECT. Staring with seroxat

2002  effexor. 

Tapered  March 2012 to March 2013, ending with 5 beads.

Withdrawal April 2013 . Reinstated 5 beads reduced to 4 beads May 2013

Restarted taper  Nov 2013  

OFF EFFEXOR Feb 2015    :D 

Tapered atenolol and omeprazole Dec 2013 - May 2014

 

Tapering tramadol, Feb 2015 100mg , March 2015 50mg  

 July 2017 30mg.  May 15 2018 25mg

Taking fish oil, magnesium, B12, folic acid, bilberry eyebright for eye pressure. 

 

My story http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/4199-hello-mammap-checking-in/page-33

 

Lesson learned, slow down taper at lower doses. Taper no more than 10% of CURRENT dose if possible

 

 

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  • Administrator

Welcome, mxd.

 

At this point you are past what we call a "Prozac bridge." That's a way to substitute Prozac for the purpose of tapering.

 

A very low dose of Prozac (or another antidepressant, including Effexor) may or may not help your withdrawal symptoms. If taking another antidepressant works, you may want to stabilize for a good long time, perhaps 6 months, then taper very carefully.

 

As your system has probably been sensitized by withdrawal, please think in terms of very low dosage, such as 1mg or 2mg Prozac, to forestall serious adverse reactions that may be caused by larger dosages. Prozac comes in a liquid for titration. See http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

This is not medical advice. Discuss any decisions about your medical care with a knowledgeable medical practitioner.

"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has surpassed our humanity." -- Albert Einstein

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  • ChessieCat changed the title to mxd: Help with Prozac bridge

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