Posted by Kaysey on October 4, 2001, at 5:38:44
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawal - need advice - going off meds, posted by Cindylou on October 3, 2001, at 14:56:24
> Hi Kim,
> I have been able to taper off Prozac without any withdrawal effects as well -- I would take it every other day for a week, then every two days for another week, and eventually I just stopped and had no trouble. (Effexor is another story however!)
>
> However, Like Marie, my depression always returns. I do need medication permanently; I accept that now -- just like a diabetic needs insulin. I hope that's not the case for you, but don't get discouraged if the depression comes back -- thankfully the Prozac works for you.
>
> Good luck,
> Cindy
>
> > Kimmm,
> > It's entirely possible you won't experience *any* withdrawal symptoms, even if you do go cold turkey. I've quit Prozac after long term use several times, and never experienced withdrawal symptoms. In my case, though, the depression always returned.
> > Good luck.
> > Marie
> >
> >
> >
> > > I've been on 20mg Prozac for about 2 years now. I've started researching the potential withdrawal symptoms, and I can't believe the severity of the symptoms. I've never been addicted to anything my entire life. It almost sounds like you go through hell before you go on Prozac, and then you go through hell again just to get off of it. I am generally a health conscious person, and I looked into all the side effects of taking the medication PRIOR to taking it, but I had no idea this was an addictive drug and would have to deal with withdrawal symptoms when I decided to go off of it. It amazes me that my doctor never told me.
> > >
> > > Overall, I'm happy with the results of taking Prozac - I was diagnosed with clinical depression, and EVERYONE noticed a difference in me once I started taking it. The only major side effect is not having a sex drive. But now I'm ready to give it a try on my own without the meds. I don't see medication as a permanent solution to depression. But who am I to say?
> > >
> > > So my question is - do I try quitting cold turkey? Depending on the side effects (I still want to be able to function), I'd prefer to quit cold turkey rather than going through a long drawn out process. Any advice? I'm not nervous about getting depressed again, I'm more nervous about all the withdrawal symptoms I've been reading about. Facial tics, muscle spasms, fatigue...it sounds worse than my pre-Prozac days. How do you function in the real world if you are going through all these symptoms?? Any advice on how to cope is appreciated.
> > >
> > > KimI took Prozac for many years with great success. After a period of time I felt that it was really doing nothing, and decided to take myself off to see if I could 'get by' with nothing. To avoid any withdrawl, I also slowly decreased dose--not taking it one or two days a week, then every other day, then taking it only one or two days a week, then only a couple of days during PMS time, etc. I suffered no complications whatsoever; however, like most everyone else, the depression and anxiety prevailed. I began Effexor 6 months ago and when/if I ever have to discontinue this med, I plan to decrease VERY slowly.
poster:Kaysey
thread:5505
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010927/msgs/80237.html