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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gracieplatt on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:49
I have been off my 40mg Prozac for about 5 weeks now. I was fine for the first 4..now I'm having vivid, violent dreams, with screaming and crying, ones that I wake up drenched with sweat and very anxious. I take a Xanax and I'm fine for awhile, but I'm wondering what else to expect. It seems the withdrawal is similar to the worst side effects- anger, suicidal, anxiety, vivid dreams, shakiness, etc.
Anyone else who can add to this and help me, I would greatly appreciate.
I need help through this rough time. I got off Lexapro about 2 years ago,and I don't remember it being quite so dramatic. This time, though, I don't think I weaned as I should've. Perhaps did it too quickly. I started skipping a day here and there, then 2, then 3 and then finally off completely Sept. 2. But yesterday and today, the dreams are bad, my mood is one of anger and extreme agitation. I have 3 dogs and I'm afraid I'm taking my anger out on them- I'm screaming, pushing them, I even hit one, which I never did before. I'm afraid. Can anyone help? Will this last long? Anything I can do to help, other than pray a lot??
Thank you.
Grace
gmplatt50@aol.com
Posted by CareBear04 on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:49
In reply to Prozac withdrawal, posted by gracieplatt on October 5, 2005, at 20:46:25
Hi there,
I was pulled off Prozac this summer by doctors in the hospital. I didn't taper off either; I was pulled off cold turkey. My impression of Prozac is that there is a built in taper-- that the half-life is so long that you don't need to taper-off the way you do with other antidepressants. Prozac was really good for me, and I miss it, too. I don't feel like I'm in withdrawal, but I do feel more depressed than when I was on it. Could it be a return of your depression and not withdrawal, maybe? I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. I hope you feel better. CB
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal » gracieplatt, posted by CareBear04 on October 6, 2005, at 10:59:12
Is there a reason for you being pulled off prozac? Seems to me if it worked for you the docs would want you back on it. Fondly,Phillipa
Posted by CareBear04 on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 16:55:48
Hi Phillipa,
I think the doctors thought I was hypomanic and that's why they wanted me off Prozac-- they didn't want me to get more racey and out of control. I thought I was better on it, but go figure. Once they made the decision and it washed out of my system, there's no going back... or there is, but it would take a month or so for the Prozac to get back into a steady state in my body. Anyway, thanks for the thought.
Posted by gracieplatt on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on October 6, 2005, at 16:55:48
I felt worse on the antidepressant. It was doing nothing for me but making me more depressed. So I took myself off it. I'd rather go through this crap than have to depend on another drug again. Do I need it? Who knows? The doctors and drug companies sure thing we do. They push these things at us and then wipe their hands clean of any responsibility if something, and something almost always, goes wrong. You read the side effects? They're not "possible" side effects...they are definite side effects..and you are going to suffer each and every one, at some point. It's just a matter of how you want to go through life..living on side effects or with a clear mind...I'm choosing a clear and drug-free mind...I may not like what I find, who I end up being, but at least I'll get to know the real me.
Posted by gracieplatt on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal, posted by gracieplatt on October 6, 2005, at 19:18:23
I just wanted to say that I called my family doctor today to ask him if Buspar, which is good for anxiety, and not addictive, would be good to take during this transition period. He said definitely...better than the Xanax.
I called my psychiatrist..he tells me the reason I'm feeling this way is because I'm off the Prozac, and I should go back on it !! So, duh, which way do I go, which way do I go???
Who or what does one believe??? Or do you wait it out, wait until the screaming, yelling and buzzing in your head stops, and, if you haven't killed anyone, or yourself,by then, you can pat yourself on the back and say "I did it..I beat it"??
Sigh...it sure sounds appealing to just go back to it to "take the edge off"..but what if it's what's giving you "the edge"???????
I sure would love to hear from somebody who's been through hell and has made it out OK...
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal, posted by gracieplatt on October 6, 2005, at 19:44:52
You know it's funny but the only time an AD worked for me was when I took l0mg of paxil. But I was sick as a dog and so weak for about 3 months. But I was also taking lopressor, xanax and drinking 5=6 beers nightly. When I drank the beer I was okay. But they say alchohol negates an AD. So maybe it never even worked. Maybe beer is a better AD. At least i felt good and slept all night. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Cairo on October 9, 2005, at 10:33:50
In reply to Prozac withdrawal, posted by gracieplatt on October 5, 2005, at 20:46:25
It's funny how some recommend one dose of Prozac (which is very long acting) to counteract the symptoms of Effexor withdrawal! Benadryl has also been suggested for the sweating symptoms of Effexor, so I'm assuming that it's for the SSRI component, ergo maybe Benadryl would help with Prozac withdrawal symptoms.
I went through two months of awfulness coming off Prozac. I couldn't tolerate any SSRI because of severe side effects and of course Prozac was the worse due to it's long help life. I didn't know about the Benadryl at the time, however.
Do a search on the PBabble archives or go to the Babble Withdrawal board and search there.
I feel your pain (and sweat!)
Cairo
> I have been off my 40mg Prozac for about 5 weeks now. I was fine for the first 4..now I'm having vivid, violent dreams, with screaming and crying, ones that I wake up drenched with sweat and very anxious. I take a Xanax and I'm fine for awhile, but I'm wondering what else to expect. It seems the withdrawal is similar to the worst side effects- anger, suicidal, anxiety, vivid dreams, shakiness, etc.
> Anyone else who can add to this and help me, I would greatly appreciate.
> I need help through this rough time. I got off Lexapro about 2 years ago,and I don't remember it being quite so dramatic. This time, though, I don't think I weaned as I should've. Perhaps did it too quickly. I started skipping a day here and there, then 2, then 3 and then finally off completely Sept. 2. But yesterday and today, the dreams are bad, my mood is one of anger and extreme agitation. I have 3 dogs and I'm afraid I'm taking my anger out on them- I'm screaming, pushing them, I even hit one, which I never did before. I'm afraid. Can anyone help? Will this last long? Anything I can do to help, other than pray a lot??
> Thank you.
> Grace
> gmplatt50@aol.com
Posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2005, at 18:15:52
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal » gracieplatt, posted by Cairo on October 9, 2005, at 0:07:07
Yes it does have a long half-life. And my daughter was on it for a while and the psychiatrist even said if she forgot a dose it wouldn't matter. She went off it without any problem. And when she tried it again it didn't work she said. And yes drug free is the way to go unless you are suicidal, biplar, nonfunctioning, schizophrenic, BPD and I'm sure I've forgotten some. But I tried prozac when it first came out in only 20mg capsules. First day energy and felt very well, sencond day anxiety, third day panic attackes so I quit it and never took it again . And it took three days of higher xanax to bring me down to earth. My primary dx is anxiety severe and the SSRI's don't help it at all. I don't care what the doctors say. They don't work for me. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sandygirl2 on October 18, 2005, at 9:50:59
In reply to Re: Prozac withdrawal » Cairo, posted by Phillipa on October 9, 2005, at 18:15:52
Hi. I'm new here because I have also gone off the Prozac after 10 years and am experiencing wooziness/dizziness and insomnia(delayed sleep induction). Of course, these symptoms don't help with keeping the anxiety attacks down, although just knowing why I'm having these symptoms are. It can be a viscious cycle when trying to get off the meds because it's the withdrawl symptoms that can get you right back on them again. Sounds like you need more time for your body to adjust. Drink teas that are non caffinated like chamomille, avoid all caffeine, take hot baths with candles all around, avoid listening and watching all news, listen to your favorite music instead, take walks, when you feel anger welling up, pinch yourself and breath deeply and slowly. I hope this helps, let me know how you're doing. It's therapeutic to help each other.
Sandygirl
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