Posted by barbaracat on October 6, 2005, at 13:10:08
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawal - need advice - going off m » gracieplatt, posted by barbaracat on October 6, 2005, at 0:57:20
Hi Gracie,
I went back and re-read your post and realized your symptoms were due to coming off Prozac, not being on Prozac. L-taurine will help you anyway because it acts as an anticonvusant. Some of those sharp electric zap feelings and swoopie dizzies respond well to L-taurine. Some people find that 5-HTP or L-tryptophan replenishes stores of serotonin and helps with the withdrawal.Expect to want to bite everyone's head off for around 2 months while you're detoxing. Take alot of Vitamin C and drink alot of water to flush it out faster. A real good product is Emergen-C which you can get a Trader Joe's, health food stores, some super stores. Full of Vit C and all the minerals you need right now, plus it tastes good. Two packets a day in water.
Xanax is a great idea, or a longer lasting benzo. I personally like lorazepam cause it causes less tolerance. Anything to soothe that savage beast.
When I was coming off zoloft I was incredibly paranoid/sensitive/enraged about everything and everyone. I'd tail car drivers who offended me for miles out of my way just so I could flip them the bird. I got so furious at my husband one time that I punched the wall instead of him - good thing too because I punched a hole clear through it (knew those karate lessons would come in handy eventually). I also punched and screamed at a dog (wasn't even my dog) for constant barking. This really woke me up because I'm an animal rights proponent and would be the first to report someone who struck an animal. Luckily, that Barbara the Terrible energy was eventually released back to where the volcanoes and tornados could make use of it.
A sad fact is that just about every one of the school shootings the past few years were committed by kids who had been on SSRIs and suddenly stopped. It's as though all those feelings of rage don't go away while you're taking the med, but build up and lie in wait until the lid comes off the pot, so to speak.
Things will eventually subside but realize that you're in a delicate spot, have compassion for what you're going through, and don't make any major decisions during this time. Sticking up little notes around the house and in your car like 'This too shall pass' or 'Breathe!' or 'No major decisions today!' really help. When you're in the midst of these things, you forget that it's not you and it's not them - it's coming off the drug.
Do whatever you can to healthfully soothe your nervous system. Walks rather than aggravating type exercise, get to sleep early and get at least 8 hours, stay away from alcohol and especially stay away from diet sodas and anything with aspartame (really aggravates things), and lots of water. Your poor body is going through alot and you want to make things easy for it. Reading the Bible and praying, you bet. Good luck and hang in there. - Barbara
poster:barbaracat
thread:545377
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050822/msgs/563678.html