Getting off an AD and in desperate need of help!

[[an...]]

Hi everyone -

 

I know that I am different from everyone here as I've only been taking an AD (Prozac) in my life but the effects I've had during withdrawal is basically the same as that coming off a benzo. Also, I have turned to the Surviving Antidepressants forum but there are not as many posts there since it's newer than this forum. I am here to seek some help and advice. 

 

Here's my history --

August 2015: Prozac 10mg/day for social anxiety

September 2015 - April 2016: 20mg/day

April 2016: quit taking it CT

May 2016: had WD for 2 weeks but didn't know it was WD; thought it was just worsening depression

June - August 2016: up dose to 40mg/day

August 2016: Very severe adverse reaction to 40mg ... Went back down to 20mg rest of the month

September 2016: went down to 10mg

September 30, 2016: last pill taken (fast taper/CT)

October 2016: month long window

November 2016-present: awfully severe physical sxs (mental sxs are present but not as severe as physical)

 

I just reinstated 1mg today because the sxs were too unbearable and debilitating. I have barely ate or slept these past 4 months, have suicidal ideations, and my waves are coming in more frequently and intensely. I used to have windows that lasted 4-5 days but now they are down to half a day or a few hours. All my sxs are 90% physical (severe burning, tingling skin, insomnia, panic attacks, crazy heart palps, jolts that wake me up when I try to sleep, seeing black flickering visuals, seeing visuals when I close my eyes, intense dreams and nightmares, legs and arms feel electrified or super awake, shortness of breath, twitches, pressure in head and eyes, dry mouth and throat, tinnitus, eye dryness... There maybe more but these are the ones that stand out to me). Mentally, I get looping songs in my head, irritability, anxiety, SI, and depression.

 

I've gotten severely depressed from these sxs and reached my wit's end. That's why I decided to reinstate 1mg and hopefully gain some relief once it kicks in.

 

I guess my questions are:

 

1. Is it advisable that I reinstated? My sxs are so painful and debilitating that I couldn't stand another day. I wish I knew about slow tapering but I didn't and neither did my doctor. If not advisable, should I keep CTing and waiting it out?

 

2. What helps with the physical sxs?

 

Please help. Has anyone had similar experiences with ADs? I need encouragement to know I'll get outta this. I'm only 27 years old and have a full life to live. I can't let this take my life away.

 

[[pi...]]

Hello anongrl5590,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies! You are correct, we are primarily a benzo withdrawal support forum but we have members with a wealth of experience with medications like AD's. I'm sure they will be able to offer support and hope to you.  I don't have direct experience with Prozac.  My doctor gave me a low dose while I was in withdrawal and because I am so sensitive to drugs, I never got past 8mg due to the side effects.

 

Withdrawal from AD's can be challenging and a too quick taper, like yours, can bring on some strong withdrawal symptoms.  However, if you are feeling at all suicidal, it's important to get help, either in person or by phone. I'll provide some support links for you.

 

I'll give you a link to the Other Medications Board. You can post there and members can offer feedback to you. From what I understand, reinstating to the lowest dose is fine to alleviate the difficult symptoms. Another thing I have read in regards to Prozac is that often the withdrawal is delayed because of the long half life.

 

Our members will be happy to offer their experience and knowledge to you. Please do ask question, we're here to help.

 

Suicide and Self-harm Resources

 

Other Medications     

 

pianogirl 

[[an...]]

Thanks pianogirl for replying!

 

I just posted in the "Other Medications" thread so hopefully I get some advice through here or there. Yes you are correct that Prozac has a long half-life which is why my WD sxs didn't appear until a month later after my last dose. Since yesterday's reinstatement, I seem to feel pretty good so far. However, either I'm just having a 2-day window (sxs have come and go but at a milder level) by coincidence or the Prozac has already kicked in. Usually it takes a few days for it to be registered by my brain.

 

Praying someone will come along with feedback!

[[an...]]

If this reinstatement doesn't work, is it advisable to switch to another SSRI and slowly taper off from that? Someone has suggested I do that but I am unsure if this will add more risk. I wouldn't even know what dose I would use if I decide to switch either.

 

I just don't wanna end up being poly drugged and having to be in a worse mess than I am already.

[[Bu...]]

 

Hi Anongirl,

 

Well congrats on making the effort to get your life back... AD's have there place to get one through but generally they are not a permanent solution... My only thoughts are have you looked into 5HTP and Tryptophan? Both are serotonin precursors. As you know SSRI's basically recycle existing levels of serotonin, adding more serotonin through diet and supplements have helped many people. Just be careful not to take both the SSRI and too much Tryp or 5htp at the same time, ease into the change. Check with your Doctor of course, if they are any good.

 

All the best,

 

Wilson

[[Tr...]]

Sounds like you've gone through a wide range of dosages and your mind is having a tough time. Hopefully your reinstatement will relieve some of the side effects for now. You can then think of doing a slow taper.

 

I did a one month taper off of Zoloft and had a difficult time and had to reinstate. 6 months later I did a 3 month taper and everything has been fine. I'm not familiar with Prozac so I don't know about dosage sizes.

[[an...]]

 

Hi Anongirl,

 

Well congrats on making the effort to get your life back... AD's have there place to get one through but generally they are not a permanent solution... My only thoughts are have you looked into 5HTP and Tryptophan? Both are serotonin precursors. As you know SSRI's basically recycle existing levels of serotonin, adding more serotonin through diet and supplements have helped many people. Just be careful not to take both the SSRI and too much Tryp or 5htp at the same time, ease into the change. Check with your Doctor of course, if they are any good.

 

All the best,

 

Wilson

 

Thanks Wilson for the reply. I'm not sure if I want to try 5-htp. I know you cannot take it while taking an SSRI together. 

 

 

Sounds like you've gone through a wide range of dosages and your mind is having a tough time. Hopefully your reinstatement will relieve some of the side effects for now. You can then think of doing a slow taper.

 

I did a one month taper off of Zoloft and had a difficult time and had to reinstate. 6 months later I did a 3 month taper and everything has been fine. I'm not familiar with Prozac so I don't know about dosage sizes.

 

Hi Travis. Yes I hope the reinstatement will work too. Not sure if 1mg will be enough for me.... I may need to updose. On the Surviving Antidepressants forum, they suggested I start at 1mg since I am 4 months out from my CT. Just praying this helps. Are you fully recovered now??

 

[[an...]]

So I'm now 4 days into my 1mg reinstatement... However some part of me still feels like continuing the CT I started because I'm already beginning my 5th month of withdrawal. IDK if the reinstatement will be worth it and I'm scared to see the risk it will impose.

 

If I decide to quit the reinstatment now, will I be ok? Or do you guys think I will have withdrawals from stopping this being only 4 days into it? I need advice ASAP!