☼ EMT1: Petrified.

[EMT1]

Hello, I am desperately seeking advice. I am at a total loss and in constant fear daily.

 

To start, at 1 month postpartum I stopped breast feeding I had a horrible mental breakdown and went into a nonstop panic state. My husband I sought counsil and I was placed on Sarafem. This turned me into a complete manic crazy basket case to say the least. I had an adverse reaction to the medication but was told to hold out and the side effects would lesson. I was in complete Hell for 3 weeks straight,

 

I started taking Seroquel to give me sleep which I lacked those 3 weeks. Once at 100 mg of Seroquel, I finally snapped out of it and became normal again. I was changed to fluexoetine which is basically the same thing as Sarafem. I had every side effect from the fluexotine unfortunately but decided it was a small price to pay. I am extremely sensitive to medication.

 

I am also an EMT and had NO previous mental health issues prior to this episode. Once stable I remained on the Serouel for 1 month then tapered myself off no problem for a few weeks. I remained on the fluexotine for 8 months, intermittently taking .25mg of xanax off and on for sleep assistance when needed. I was great those whole 8 months, very happy. My PCP, husband and I decided it would be safe to start to taper off of the 20mg Fluexotine. I did this over 3 or 4 weeks without any issues, again still using .25mg xanax off and on for sleep assistance when needed.

 

Every thing was great for a few weeks after I stopped the med. I stopped the xanax as welll. A couple of weeks later I snapped. Complete anxiety, mood swings, blurry vision, flashing lights in my eyes, deperersonalization, derealization, burning skin, terror, fear, stress intolerance, tinnitus, racing thoughts, irrational fears, ruminating words and songs, cognitive difficulties, soul crushing depression and more.

 

It was been close to 4 months since I discontinued the flueoxtine and I don't know how I have survived this far. I am in severe withdrawal. Theses symptoms do ebb and flow a bit. I have had slight improvement in some things like cog fog, dp/dr. I had a 3 week period 2 weeks ago that was great, my mental sx's had all but left. Then I worked out and awoke that same night tripping out and have been back in Hell since.

 

I struggle to get through and fight my mind moment to moment. I have had a few days before that were more manageable but the exercise obviously set me back. I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months and I feel exhausted fighting every day. I have my beautiful children to care for and am so desperate for help. I have read a lot but get overwhelmed and reading is difficult.

 

I cant tell if I am in benzo withdrawal or SSRI withdrawal, as the withdrawal effects are so similar I fear trying to reinstate at close to 4 months off for fear of a paradoxical reaction or worsening of symptoms which would completely put me over the edge.

 

I do not know what to do. If I should just continue to push through in hopes of some relief in the few months to come or to try another med. I am so sensitive to everything and fear having my family ripped away from me if I worsen from trying a new med.

 

Can somebody please off any insight? Does the acute severe withdrawal like this last for much longer? I can push forward if I know some of this will lesson. I beg and cry and pray to God daily to give me my life back. Thank you so much

Edited July 25, 2014 by Petu
added paragraphs for readability

[EMT1]

I apologize for the typing errors, I am unable to sleep and my brain and body are destroyed right now.

[Meimeiquest]

Hi EMT1, I am so sorry for all you are going through, especially with little ones. One of the "pros" will be along soon to advise you about reinstatement.

 

I will share with you that I have recently started treatment in orthomolecular medicine, and it has helped me already more than I could have expected. I mention this simply because they believe at least 85% of postpartum psychiatric disorders are caused or contributed to by copper overload. Copper levels double during pregnancy and if it doesn't come down properly afterwards, all h@ll can break loose. I ran into one woman online who went through two suicide attempts and 20 meds before finding this out. If it is something you want to look into, the website is mensahmedical.com, and there is a video on the topic in the video library. A lot of the research on this was by a "chemist", William Walsh. You might be able to call there for info on someone trained by him in CA. The organization is The Walsh Research Institute. I was so desperate I flew to Chicago to see them.

 

But you need help today, and it will be forthcoming. Good luck to you and your family!

[Addax]

Hi EMT1.

 

I'm just another member, but I thought I'd stop by to welcome you and maybe give you some links to other areas of this site that might be helpful.  I'm also pretty sure the administrators and moderators who will be coming along will have a lot of questions about your medication time lines.  Things like how long ago you started seroquel, how long you took it before switching to Prozac and whether you tapered the Seroquel or just stopped taking it and immediately switched to Prozac.  What would probably be most helpful is if you could put your drug history in your signature.  Here's a link describing how to do that:  http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/893-please-put-your-withdrawal-history-in-your-signature/

 

Also, you might want to go through this thread about tapering multiple meds: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2207-taking-multiple-psych-drugs-taper-the-antidepressant-first/

 

There are some other good threads, but I don't want to overwhelm you!

 

I'm not an expert and have only been a member here since April, but I can tell you from my own experience and from reading that of other people's is that prozac withdrawal symptoms can hit hard several months after discontinuing it.  It happened to me after I tapered off of it too quickly.  I had some withdrawal symptoms but then at 4 months off, BAM! I was hit hard.  I ended up reinstating prozac and then doing a taper again, much, MUCH, slower this time and it's made a world of difference. Granted, I'd been taking the drug for 25 years and everyone's experience different.

 

At this point I would wait for guidance from one of the Moderators or administrators.  They are very knowledgeable and will help guide you through this.  They and the other members here have been incredibly helpful and finding this site has been invaluable to me and my own withdrawal.  

 

You'll get through this, and it will get better.  

[btdt]

Hello, I am desperately seeking advice. I am at a total loss and in constant fear daily. To start, at 1 month postpartum I stopped breast feeding I had a horrible mental breakdown and went into a nonstop panic state. My husband I sought counsil and I was placed on Sarafem. This turned me into a complete manic crazy basket case to say the least. I had an adverse reaction to the medication but was told to hold out and the side effects would lesson. I was in complete Hell for 3 weeks straight, I started taking Seroquel to give me sleep which I lacked those 3 weeks. Once at 100 mg of Seroquel, I finally snapped out of it and became normal again. I was changed to fluexoetine which is basically the same thing as Sarafem. I had every side effect from the fluexotine unfortunately but decided it was a small price to pay. I am extremely sensitive to medication. I am also an EMT and had NO previous mental health issues prior to this episode. Once stable I remained on the Serouel for 1 month then tapered myself off no problem for a few weeks. I remained on the fluexotine for 8 months, intermittently taking .25mg of xanax off and on for sleep assistance when needed. I was great those whole 8 months, very happy. My PCP, husband and I decided it would be safe to start to taper off of the 20mg Fluexotine. I did this over 3 or 4 weeks without any issues, again still using .25mg xanax off and on for sleep assistance when needed. Every thing was great for a few weeks after I stopped the med. I stopped the xanax as welll. A couple of weeks later I snapped. Complete anxiety, mood swings, blurry vision, flashing lights in my eyes, deperersonalization, derealization, burning skin, terror, fear, stress intolerance, tinnitus, racing thoughts, irrational fears, ruminating words and songs, cognitive difficulties, soul crushing depression and more. It was been close to 4 months since I discontinued the flueoxtine and I don't know how I have survived this far. I am in severe withdrawal. Theses symptoms do ebb and flow a bit. I have had slight improvement in some things like cog fog, dp/dr. I had a 3 week period 2 weeks ago that was great, my mental sx's had all but left. Then I worked out and awoke that same night tripping out and have been back in Hell since. I struggle to get through and fight my mind moment to moment. I have had a few days before that were more manageable but the exercise obviously set me back. I have lost 20 pounds in 2 months and I feel exhausted fighting every day. I have my beautiful children to care for and am so desperate for help. I have read a lot but get overwhelmed and reading is difficult. I cant tell if I am in benzo withdrawal or SSRI withdrawal, as the withdrawal effects are so similar I fear trying to reinstate at close to 4 months off for fear of a paradoxical reaction or worsening of symptoms which would completely put me over the edge. I do not know what to do. If I should just continue to push through in hopes of some relief in the few months to come or to try another med. I am so sensitive to everything and fear having my family ripped away from me if I worsen from trying a new med. Can somebody please off any insight? Does the acute severe withdrawal like this last for much longer? I can push forward if I know some of this will lesson. I beg and cry and pray to God daily to give me my life back. Thank you so much

I am having trouble following the timeline I will try to set it down here as I see it please correct it if I have it wrong. 

I month after birth you took Sarafem could you add the dose for this drug please

After 3 wks of having a bad reaction to Sarafem - did you stop taking the Sarafem because of a reaction after 3 wks?

you started Seroquel getting relief at 100mg. 

You were changed to prozac after starting Seroquel and quitting Sarafem - what dose of prozac did you take?  

FLUOXETINE is Sarafem is Prozac... in my book all the same drug. 

 Once stable I remained on the Serouel for 1 month then tapered myself off no problem for a few weeks

 

is this right?

 sarafem or prozac ok 

prozac for 3 wks bad reaction you quit taking it mg?

seroquel 100mg 1 month tapered off after becoming stable  - so you quit seroquel 6-7 months ago 

Back on prozac 20mg 8 months

.25mg xanax for sleep as needed

you quit prozac and xanax 4 months ago. 

 

I am not a taper person as I have never done a proper taper.  I will leave that to those that know taper who have done or are doing it successfully.  The accuracy of your information if very important and if it is in short easy to understand short form like the example I attempted above it makes it easier for people to understand and to help you.  I understand your confusion and am trying to help make it clear.  I have had this confusion too and I am sure many others here have experienced the same.  So no apologies needed here we get it.  Please if you could is this bit above correct.

After the initial bad reaction to sarafem... you were ok on prozac or not so ok?

 

All the symptoms you have listed above I have had from withdrawal of antidepressants and from bad reactions. Fix up the facts lets get them clear so folks can understand where you are coming from.  Thanks

 

I wish you peace.  

[Petunia]

Welcome EMT1,

 

Thank you for joining and posting an introduction, I'm sorry you are feeling so unwell at the moment.  What you described sounds like withdrawal and a sensitized nervous system.  A 3 - 4 week taper off 20mg of fluoxetine was too fast, our recommendations are to reduce by 10% of the current dose every 4 weeks.  Some people manage to stop taking these drugs without problems, but others have to be more careful.

 

If you were taking xanax on an irregular basis, its more likely you are experiencing withdrawal from the fluoxetine, but having taken the xanax would probably have contributed to the general destabilization.  Are you taking any xanax now?

 

Once the nervous system becomes sensitized by withdrawal, irregular use of a benzo can have paradoxical effects and cause rebound anxiety and increased symptoms.

 

Its not uncommon for people to start to feel better soon after stopping an antidepressant, but then be hit by withdrawal symptoms a few weeks or months later.  This is what happened to me when I stopped taking Lexapro too fast.  We hear it here all the time. 

 

Its impossible to say how long this will last because everyone is different, at 4 months out, there is no guarantee that reinstating will work.  But a small amount of fluoxetine may relieve your symptoms, then you could wait a while and begin a slow safe taper.  Please carefully read though our information about reinstatement here:

 

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

 

We usually suggest reinstating the medication you are in withdrawal from, rather than starting a new one.  If you decide you would like to try, I suggest you start with as little as 1 or 2mg, but do let us know, and we can offer more suggestions.

 

I do believe that what you are going through is a combination of starting and stopping too many drugs, too quickly, combined with withdrawal.

 

When you are feeling up to it, you might like to read through this topic to learn more:   What is withdrawal syndrome?

 

Filling in your signature as Addax suggested would be helpful, she provided the link with instructions.

 

I hate to overload you with information, but there is another topic which may be helpful in understanding the unusual pattern of recovery from antidepressants:  The Windows and Waves Pattern of Recovery   If you are not up to reading through the whole thread, there is a good summary in a video towards the end on the last page.

 

You will get your life back, you will find a lot of help and support here.

 

Petu.

 

 

 

 

 

[EMT1]

Thank you everyone for your reply's. Again, I am very sorry for the poor communication. I was incredibly sick last night. Things have improved just slightly this morning in the mental department after 2 weeks of immense suffering. 

 

Med hx, I was started on 20 mg of Sarafem. I had the adverse reaction for 3 weeks, but continued. The 100 mg of Seroquel was added and I stabilized very well (finally able to sleep). I remained on both meds. I tapered the Seroquel after 1 month of use over

the course of 3 or 4 weeks. Was switched to the Flueoxtotine by my insurance company (basically same med) and remained on that for 8 months with intermittent use of the .25 mg xanax for sleep. I tapered the 20 mg flueoxotine by reducing 20 mg to 15mg for a week, then 15 mg to 10 mg for a week, then 5 mg to nothing over a week. Basically 4 weeks.

 

I understand now this was too fast but I completed this process in April. I utilized the .25 mg xanax for those weeks and about 3 weeks after for sleep as well. Not every night but a lot. 

 

My immense fear with a reinstatement would be severe adverse reaction to my mental status as I was so sensitive to the med. I lost half of my hair all over my body and scalp, would break out in hives most days, gained 35 pounds in 6 months of use ect..I am severely sensitive to chemicals right now. I had taken half of a Tylonol for a severe headache and reacted so badly, I thought I would die!

 

So total use of meds- 100 mg Seroquel 1 month before start of taper. Taper 3-4 weeks long. Flueoxotine 20 mg, 8 months of use with 4 week taper. Xanax .25 mg intermittent use through out 8 months with close to constant use for 3-5 weeks at the end of the Flueoxotine use and taper. Last Flueoxotine taken in April, Last Xanax taken sometime end of May. Hell began in the start of June. I am sorry for faulty timelines, it is very hard for me to remember all of this.

 

If the severity of my mental torment is due to an acute stage of discontinuation is generally expected to lessen soon, I would much rather continue without the meds. I despise them and wish to never go near them for as long as I live. However when I am slammed in a "wave" I feel like I cant carry on another second as the severe battle in my mind is more than I can bare. When that lets up, I am better able to handle any other symptoms.  I have read an enormous amount on the waves and windows pattern and I certainly experience that, only they are so harsh when a wave hits. I would think that my short term use would indicate a lesser severity of withdrawal and a shorter recovery time...I understand a lot of this is variable per individual. I am most curious if there is an acute stage so to speak and if that is what I am currently in, or if the immense suffering will continue for months or years. That would completely destroy me, despite how strong willed I am. 

 

Thank you

[EMT1]

My God, reading all of these stories of people suffering for years on end. I cant stand this thought!! This is the most terrifying insane awful soul crushing thing I could have ever fathomed. I dont know how I would survive getting worse and not improving. Im hardly holding on now.

[Meimeiquest]

That is why we thought going to expensive doctors across the country was a bargain, sadly. There is a list of doctors in the tapering section, maybe one near you? I personally could not restart Prozac with a history of those reactions, but some find a very small amount helpful.

 

There is a thread entitled Why Taper By 10% that shows how little drug can cause 80% transporter blockade in the patients they tested.

 

Good luck to you and your family!

[Addax]

Take a breath! Take a breath! There are thousands of stories on this site and you've only read a handful. People come here and stay here because they're struggling with withdrawal and these meds in one way or another. Don't discount the thousands of people who haven't struggled or barely struggled who never found, or even sought out sites like this.

 

Everyone is different and their journey and their experience of withdrawal and discontinuing these med is going to be different. I've struggled some, and been hit by a rogue wave, but I wouldn't say I'm suffering. And for as long as I've been on Prozac I anticipated much worse from withdrawal. In fact I anticipated never being able to get off this drug. I have no doubt the slower taper promoted here has a big part easing withdrawal symptoms.

 

You will find that when you're feeling badly it feels like that's how it will always feel and that your doomed to feel horrible for ever. But you won't. You will feel better.

 

The crappy thing is that even after feeling good for so long and knowing about the windows and waves patterns, if a wave hits I still get stuck thinking it will never end... And then feel a little bit silly when it does end.

 

Follow the advice given to you here. Keep it slow and steady and i think you'll find relief. It's when we feel like we are barely holding on that our minds (or really, our thoughts) can be so inaccurate and mean to us.

[EMT1]

Addax, I am not on a taper. I tapered for 1 month in April then stopped and stopped a low dose xanax a few weeks after. It seems like all of the years long horror stories are of those who did what I did. I dont even know if it is the short term benzo use that is screwing me up or the prozac withdrawal. Every second is torture in my mind. And the psychical sx's are a reminder i am so broke. Severe tinnitus, dizziness, fear, racing repetitive thoughts, flashing lights in my vision, severe DR, confusion, cognition, slurred speech, muscle twitching, pain all over, inner vibrating through out all parts of my body, cant eat, startled by every movement, foggy headed, BURNING SKIN!!, rash every day that comes and goes, weakness, crying, depression, lethargy. visual distortions like lights going off in my mind when i close my eyes. I mean this is all too much to bear. How could i ever go on like this for years? I struggle to make it minute by minute. What have I done to myself??????? If I go back on the meds and I go even crazier, I will be hospitalized and have my children taken, my husband will suffer, we will all be traumatized. My GOD what am I to do???? I am in Hell.  

My withdrawal is SO severe, how could I heal quickly? All for 8 or 9 months use....

[btdt]

I know the choices seem to be between a rock and a hard place.  I am bit surprise no real advice has been given yet and that may well be because nobody can say for sure what may work for you...especially since you reacted to Sarafem badly to start with... and if it is actually the same as Prozac as they say... I know my paranoia about drugs is slipping in here but all we have to go on is their word when it comes to what is in each drug... I don't give their word a lot of credence at this point.  Still we have start some place so I guess we need to trust a bit what is in the drugs. 

 

Truth is withdrawal can be intense and protracted (last a long time) another truth is it comes in windows and waves and changes all the time.  Another somewhat truth is it appears that those who go off cold turkey or who do a too fast taper may be more inclined to have protracted withdrawal. I am not sure any of this is iron clad as far as double blind studies ect ect ect... but we have seen where those studies got us ... so much for that.  Still some research has been done but I can't truly say if I recall if it says all this... this is what I see from years on sites like this. I could add my own experience with protracted withdrawal, cold turkeys and too fast tapers suggested by my doctors of my past. 

 

I think you not getting much in the way of recommendations other than to read more and make you own decision because it is such a very important decision. 

 

In the mean time there are suggestions on things that help withdrawal symptoms which may help some. Epsom salt baths or foot soaks.. deep relaxation on head phones... taurine magnesium and fish oil ... maybe but these too need to be studied by you and choices made by you. 

If your going to take any supplement take only one sixth the recommended dose... I would suggest only the baths foot to be safe to start ...epsom salts is magnesium and it is less likely you will react to it if it goes into you body thru you skin... it is calming.  deep relaxation too both are do no harm type things... I feel are completely safe to try. 

 

I am sorry but that is all I can say that may be of help I wish there was more I had to offer but after all this time... that is about it. 

The thing is we are all different we have some things in common a lot actually but how it pans out for each of us can be very different nobody can say for sure what your experience will be. 

 

peace

[btdt]

It is hard not to be freaked out but truth is the more freaked out you are the less able you body is to heal hence relaxation is a priority... whatever sooths your soul.

I wish you peace

[EMT1]

I am beyond confused on what would be best for me to do.  I feel like since I was on such a short time and only those meds, that I wouldn't have such a long suffering. I also have to kindling affect and I am 28 years old with no prior history. However it is so intense I feel like I dont know how I can survive another wave. I have had better days, only to be thrown back into Hell. I could handle this so much better if only it was just not as INTENSE. 

Thank you for your words.

[btdt]

Your welcome. 

I had a long bad time from a wk or 2 of prozac.  I was given it for pain in my leg long ago... when not much was known about it yet. It was bad I did not know what caused it till years later I thought I was just mentally ill. 

I did not have any other drugs to complicate the matter except the tylenol #3 which means it has codeine ... the doctor that gave it to me for pain in my leg knew I was taking the pain pill.  He suggested that if I took this prozac drug that I could take less of the pain pill... it was never meant to replace the pain pill.  He lead me to believe it was a different sort of anti inflammatory. 

I can't tell you what to do.. I can say that right now you seem better than I was after being off prozac for 4 months I am not sure why that would be I just see the difference and maybe it is something to be hopeful about but maybe it means nothing I don't know.  

For me I could not sleep was in constant pain and had those symptoms your having I was NOT functional.  After a couple of years I went into a pain clinic where they took my off the tylenol #3 which I had stayed on and put me on a tricylic antidepressant.  I slept it was better I was in the live in program for 2 months.... I learned relaxation I was forced to exercise every day.. ect.  We had group therapy private therapy... a lot of it was just crap really but I was so desperate I decided part way thru that it did not matter how far I could walk... or could not walk... what matter was that they could draw a line on the graph to tell the insurance they had results to show... so I stopped trying to tell the truth and it all worked out.  

I was better what made the difference... relaxation I think moving best I could I was really wore down by then... and yep the drugs... the good old antidepressant ...I could sleep. It made all the difference. At the time of my assessment to go into this clinic I was upright or standing 2 hours out of a day and that is no exaggeration.  I was always tired but could not sleep.  I was existing surviving is too good a word.. 

I don't mean to scare you not at all... there are things to do I just don't know what thing is right for you and you seem to be moving at least and sleeping... I don't know how much importance to put on those two things but they are important I think it makes a difference.

 

I still think somebody like Alto will be by and have some words of wisdom that are perhaps beyond my understanding ...in the mean time get some epsom salts and soak you feet it can't hurt.. 

peace to you

[btdt]

I want to add one more thing I read in a book long ago I think by Breggin... maybe Glenmullen... that the doses of these drugs may have been too high at the outset being too much for many people that had they dosages been much lower they may have been more useful.  Have you checked for doctors in you area ... there is a place on this site with a list of doctors. 

[Altostrata]

Welcome, EMT.

 

It sounds to me like you are suffering a combination of fluoxetine and benzo prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome. This is indeed a difficult spot to be in.

 

Many people who go off psychiatric drugs too fast become sensitized to ALL neuroactive drugs, supplements, even foods. Those adverse reactions you had to paroxetine and fluoxetine indicate you were already sensitive to them and they were have a bad effect on your nervous system while you were taking them. Your doctor should not have continued you on them.

 

(Paroxetine and fluoxetine, both SSRIs, are not equivalent. Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic.)

 

When people are recently off a drug and have withdrawal syndrome, usually we suggest trying a very small reinstatement. The longer the interval after quitting, the less likely this will work. At 3-4 months off, this is iffy.

 

If you do want to try this, you might try 1mg fluoxetine. At that level, it might reduce the withdrawal symptoms but not trigger the adverse reactions. There are no guarantees, of course. Fluoxetine comes in a liquid for titration, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

There's not much I can suggest about the benzo withdrawal. As Petu said, often reinstatement of a benzo can backfire.

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/
http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/
 

Yes, most of the received wisdom about psychiatric drugs is based on lies, and that includes the frequency, severity, and duration of withdrawal syndrome.

[btdt]

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/988-recommended-doctors-therapists-or-clinics/

 

I think there are some in your area.

[btdt]

Welcome, EMT.

 

It sounds to me like you are suffering a combination of fluoxetine and benzo prolonged post-acute withdrawal syndrome. This is indeed a difficult spot to be in.

 

Many people who go off psychiatric drugs too fast become sensitized to ALL neuroactive drugs, supplements, even foods. Those adverse reactions you had to paroxetine and fluoxetine indicate you were already sensitive to them and they were have a bad effect on your nervous system while you were taking them. Your doctor should not have continued you on them.

 

(Paroxetine and fluoxetine, both SSRIs, are not equivalent. Seroquel is an atypical antipsychotic.)

 

When people are recently off a drug and have withdrawal syndrome, usually we suggest trying a very small reinstatement. The longer the interval after quitting, the less likely this will work. At 3-4 months off, this is iffy.

 

If you do want to try this, you might try 1mg fluoxetine. At that level, it might reduce the withdrawal symptoms but not trigger the adverse reactions. There are no guarantees, of course. Fluoxetine comes in a liquid for titration, see http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/759-tips-for-tapering-off-prozac-fluoxetine/

 

There's not much I can suggest about the benzo withdrawal. As Petu said, often reinstatement of a benzo can backfire.

 

Many people do better with fish oil and magnesium supplements, see

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/36-king-of-supplements-omega-3-fatty-acids-fish-oil/

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1300-magnesium-natures-calcium-channel-blocker/

 

Yes, most of the received wisdom about psychiatric drugs is based on lies, and that includes the frequency, severity, and duration of withdrawal syndrome.

"Paroxetine and fluoxetine, both SSRIs, are not equivalent"

It was Sarafem and fluoxetine not paroxetine... 

is Sarafem and Fluoxetine the same?  

[EMT1]

Thank you for your reply Alto. I had tried to reach you via facebook message but I understand you are very busy.  If I may ask, IF you were in my situation ( I have 4 children, two under the age of 3) What would you do? I understand you are not a medical professional ect ect. I am looking for opinions. Most days I am non functional and lost in my head with terror. Other times I am able to function, shopping, cooking ect....Its such a toss up.

[EMT1]

Yes Sarafem, fluoexotine and prozac are all essentially the same. 

[Altostrata]

I've sent you a personal message, click on the little envelope next to your name at the top right of this page.

 

Sarafem = paroxetine, fluoxetine = Prozac; they are not the same.

[EMT1]

Hi everyone. I am so incredibly desperate. I basically cold turkeyed 20mg of flueoxotine by tapering over 3 or 4 wks in April. I also used half of the lowest dose of xanax for 5 wks for sleep then stopped. I have been living an indescribable mental torture for nearly 4 months. I am petrified that I wont heal, I cannot find any cold turkey prozac success stories and I literally live moment to moment in sheer terror with racing horrible intrusive throughts, fear so awful I cant watch tv, every thought abd action terrifies me. I cant even think about making a phone call without panicking. I feel nearly psychotic and the depression is unbearable. I do get some times of light relief... I fear if I don't reinstate, I am doomed in this severity for years and years. Sleep is terrifying. I don't see how my mind and body would survive this for years. What would you guys do?? If you were in this situation?? Every moment I beat myself up for stupidly and unknowingly stopping so fast..I have my sweet children to care for but I'm screaming abd dying inside every second. Thank you.

[EMT1]

I have literally every single awful symptom also. My skin is constantly on fire, severe restlessness, my mind and body have no idea what rest feels like anymore, severe derealization, tinnitus, inner vibrating, shaking, twitching, hives everyday, weakness ect.

[bubble]

Hello EMT1,

 

I'm sorry to hear that you are still struggling so badly. I have merged your post from today with your thread where you can always post updates and ask questions to have continuity.

 

Reinstating after 4 months is really a long shot but it's an option. I would personally give a try with the tinniest possible drop like 1mg after hearing what the rest of the community has to say. There is a slim but still a chance that it might give some relief and if it doesn't or even makes things worse, it's such a small amount that you can stop it immediately without consequences.

 

On 26 th July you wrote: Most days I am non functional and lost in my head with terror. Other times I am able to function, shopping, cooking ect....Its such a toss up.

 

It means that you have already started windows and waves pattern of healing. It takes patience and times but people do recover.

 

Filling in the signature would help us. http://survivinganti...your-signature/

 

Don't compare yourself with others. We are all different. How long have you been taking flueoxotine?

 

Have your symptoms increased after what you wrote in July or do you still get moments, however brief when you feel better.

 

Hang in there.

 

best,

bubble

[EMT1]

Hi bubble, thank you. I was on it for 7 months, then the taper so 8 months total. Some things new things have pooped up like awful scary horrible intrusive thoughts and nothing has improved. It seems like my wave is not AS intense but it also send like my windows are not as good as they were which feels like constant suffering. Since things get worse too. It's all so crazy.

[EMT1]

I think I am being battle fatigued from such immense suffering. I have lost 35 pounds since June. I can't eat or rest. It's revolting.

[EMT1]

I am at a lost.. My soul is destroyed. I know no peace, nothing but terror, fear, despair, adrenaline, toxic acid coursing through my veins, jerking, burning, inability to feel hunger, thirst, tired, peace, excitement. I can not look at the TV, my mind is completely restless and in abject terror mode. I have now lost 50lbs and fear my body will not withstand years of this. Every second is spent fighting the terror I feel in my body, unable to do anything but try and survive. I can not think of the future, the past nothing as every thought instills indescribable fear and terror yet my mind is completely restless abd panicked. How can a body and mind withstand this? It has been 6 months of this. Pgad started one month ago...

Has anyone had success at reinstating 6 months out? I beg god to save my beautiful family and I

[btdt]

I don't know about taper I am sorry I went cold turkey.  While we wait for somebody who knows the answer to your question have you found anything so far that helps? If you have focus on that... what helped if anything it could be a clue as to what else may be helpful.

[Muddles]

I wouldn't re-instate this far out...you don't want adverse reaction on top of withdrawel. I'm so sorry you are suffering like this. How old are your children?

[EMT1]

Nothing remotely helps. Straight survival mode at all times. I am living a severe adverse reaction, it happened when I was first put on it but it stopped after three weeks. I should have never ever been left on that medication. Now I'm reliving it all over again. I cant believe what has become of me.

[EMT1]

Is it really even possible for me to heal?

[Muddles]

Yes you will heal - you really will.

 

Have you reported adverse side effects on risk.org? Please do if when you are up to it.

 

I'm sending healing hugs to you.

[EMT1]

If I make it through this, I plan to tell every organization and individual I come in contact with. I am unable to report the reaction right now, I want to though. Just the thought of filling out a bill or looking at the TV stimulates me and amps up the terror and toxic feeling. I cant think about any future plans or events or activity, even something such a dropping my child off at school without sickening toxic terror and dysphoria. All I'm able to do moment after moment is read recovery stories. I get no sleep, no peace, rest, comfort or happiness. my brain does not know how to shut off, nothing but toxic adrenaline and fear at all times.

[LoveandLight]

Hugs to you, just starting this journey xx

[Altostrata]

Muddles, that is why when we talk about reinstating, we suggest a very, very small amount, such as 1mg fluoxetine.

 

There are no guarantees but it might be worth a try, EMT.