eclipsemullet Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Hi I was on Prozac for 7 years and recently came off by tapering -1 tablet per week until I was not taking any. I went to my Doctor prior to stopping and had her support. I am now about 8 weeks on and feeling pretty anxious and low. i am telling myself to persevere but am struggling a bit. Any help and/or encouragement would be appreciated. Andy Prozac for 7 years: Discontinuation as advised by my Doctor: wc 16/9/13 6 tablets wc 23/9/13 5 tablets Wc 30/9/13 4 tablets Wc 7/10/13 3 tablets Wc 14/10/13 2 tablets Wc 21/10/13 1 tablets Link to comment
Meimeiquest Posted December 21, 2013 Share Posted December 21, 2013 Living in Nashville, all I can think about is that mullet . So do you mean you tapered over seven weeks? You've probably already picked up that dropping doses is not this forum's recommendation for tapering, but it sounds like something I could have done, lol. Someone with more knowledge will guide you as to the advisability of taking a bit more Prozac. In the meantime, check out the symptoms forum for guidance on non-pharmaceutical management of anxiety and depression. I doubt there's a member here who hasn't been through that. And welcome! 1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms. Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12 Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13 Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15 11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble) 9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol 7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol 56 years old Link to comment
eclipsemullet Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 >>So do you mean you tapered over seven weeks?<< Yes. Prozac for 7 years: Discontinuation as advised by my Doctor: wc 16/9/13 6 tablets wc 23/9/13 5 tablets Wc 30/9/13 4 tablets Wc 7/10/13 3 tablets Wc 14/10/13 2 tablets Wc 21/10/13 1 tablets Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted December 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 21, 2013 Hi Eclipsemullet, welcome to SA. Sadly most of us have done the too fast taper recommended by doctors and here we all are! It is possible to reinstate, stabilise and taper slowly. Again, lots of us have done that successfully, however there are no guarantees I'm afraid, there is more chance of success the earlier you reinstate. You doctor certainly will not be surprised to see you back asking for more prozac! If you could put your meds history in your sig line, when you started, taking them, when you started and stopped the taper, it will help to give you the best advice for your situation. Here's how to do that. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/#entry7085 **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 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 Link to comment
eclipsemullet Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Thanks guys. I added my discontinuation to my Signature. Prozac for 7 years: Discontinuation as advised by my Doctor: wc 16/9/13 6 tablets wc 23/9/13 5 tablets Wc 30/9/13 4 tablets Wc 7/10/13 3 tablets Wc 14/10/13 2 tablets Wc 21/10/13 1 tablets Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted December 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 21, 2013 What mg are the tablets? **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 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 Link to comment
eclipsemullet Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 What mg are the tablets? 20mg Prozac for 7 years: Discontinuation as advised by my Doctor: wc 16/9/13 6 tablets wc 23/9/13 5 tablets Wc 30/9/13 4 tablets Wc 7/10/13 3 tablets Wc 14/10/13 2 tablets Wc 21/10/13 1 tablets Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted December 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 21, 2013 Ok, thanks Andy. So you were taking one 20mg tablet per day when you stopped? It seems to work best by reinstating a tiny dose when a few weeks have passed, 1/4 of a tablet might be enough to help the withdrawal symptoms. If it doesn't help, then you could increase a little more. Once you find a level that helps, you can start a slow taper off . Prozac is available in a liquid which is much better for tapering because you can get accurate small doses with an oral syringe. Here is the topic on tapering prozac, it contains everything you need to know http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/ **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 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 Link to comment
eclipsemullet Posted December 21, 2013 Author Share Posted December 21, 2013 Ok, thanks Andy. So you were taking one 20mg tablet per day when you stopped? Yes I was. Thanks SO much for your reply. I will monitor my mood and may well do as you suggest. Prozac for 7 years: Discontinuation as advised by my Doctor: wc 16/9/13 6 tablets wc 23/9/13 5 tablets Wc 30/9/13 4 tablets Wc 7/10/13 3 tablets Wc 14/10/13 2 tablets Wc 21/10/13 1 tablets Link to comment
Moderator Emeritus mammaP Posted December 21, 2013 Moderator Emeritus Share Posted December 21, 2013 I will just add that if you are going to reinstate it is best to do it ASAP, as time goes by the chance of successful reinstatement reduces. Here is the topic on reinstatement. http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/3079-about-reinstating-and-stabilizing-to-stop-withdrawal-symptoms/ **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 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 Link to comment
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