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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 sedona on December 17, 2002, at 21:57:55
Hello
I am hoping that someone might have some information on Prozac withdrawl. It seems that everything I have read says that there should be no problems with quitting Prozac due to it's long half-life. However, I stopped about 12 days ago and for the past few days I have been feeling ill. I've had dizziness, nausea, sweating, and headaches that come intermittenly throughout the day. It feels a bit like the flu, and for all I know it is, but it just isn't getting better. Has anyone heard of these problems with Prozac? Any advice?
Thank you for your help
Posted by rainbowlight on December 18, 2002, at 0:40:22
In reply to Prozac Withdrawl, posted by sedona on December 17, 2002, at 21:57:55
Those symptoms you described are what withdrawel feels like. Kind of like you ache all over (I describe it "like a truck hit you" with nausea. NOT FUN! Ginger capsules from the healthfood store get rid of the nausea (Ginger ale works too, but not as well). It does end eventually. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by ArthurGibson on December 18, 2002, at 4:35:31
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawl, posted by rainbowlight on December 18, 2002, at 0:40:22
Are you tapering?
If not, break open a capsule and take small amounts to slow the withdrawal.
It will all pass, don't worry, you will feel great soon.
Posted by joy on December 18, 2002, at 8:05:12
In reply to Prozac Withdrawl, posted by sedona on December 17, 2002, at 21:57:55
Just taper it a little bit and you should be fine. I had no problem withdrawing from Prozac at all after being on it over a year. I was on 40 mgs and just went to 20 mgs, then 20 mgs every other day, then every third day, and was fine. It is much easier than the other ADs to get off. The mild tapering should be the way to go; try taking it every other day, then every 3rd day, etc. Feel better.
Joy
Posted by HIBA on December 19, 2002, at 2:16:10
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawl, posted by joy on December 18, 2002, at 8:05:12
I am still in prozac, because I can't come off it. Once I tried to taper and there were only mild discomforts for the first few weeks. But slowly I lost the grip and start obsessing a lot. This was a new symptom, because I was not taking prozac for obsession. Obsessive rumination led me to psychiatric ward and I had to stay there for a couple of weeks.
This is not to disappoint you. My case should be an exception. I have heard stories of successful prozac withdrawal. But unfortunately it is not the same with me. That's all.
One more thing, there is one more thing, some people experience a hollow-feeling after withdrawing prozac. I had it once, and it was the worst of all. I hope you will not have any of these complications
HIBA
Posted by joy on December 19, 2002, at 10:15:31
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawl » joy, posted by HIBA on December 19, 2002, at 2:16:10
Hi HIBA. I think withdrawal from all antidepressants cause all kinds of emotional feelings. Often, the symptoms come back with a roar. There are some Psychiatrists who feel a minimum of a year, and often longer is the proper prescription times for the ADs; getting off too soon can bring negative results. I do know a couple of other people who got off Prozac, weaning off, and had no problems. I have been on Paxil, Serzone, Celexa, Zoloft and Prozac, and in my own humble opinion, I'll take the Prozac for withdrawal any time. One other note, I tried Paxil a 2nd time and it did not work as well for me. It is best to stay on the medication long enough for treatment. Some people are on them for life. This is just my opinion. I am sorry you had such problems with OCD and I hope you are feeling better now. Regards,
Joy
Posted by fachad on December 19, 2002, at 12:15:34
In reply to Prozac Withdrawl, posted by sedona on December 17, 2002, at 21:57:55
I too have experience withdrawal from Prozac. I went into it not expecting any withdrawal, at least for 14 days, because of the half life of fluoxetine and it's active metabolite, norfluoxetine.
I had been taking 20 mg/day for about six months, and then I just stopped, thinking I could take one table per week and be OK. But after three days I felt a sore throat, fluish, and anxious. I did not associate the symptoms at first with the Prozac, because of the half life considerations.
On the fourth day I felt so horrible that I decided to take a Prozac to see if it would help - and I felt better the next day.
I tapered down to 10 mg/day for 2 months, then to 7.5 mg/day (after misery from going straight from 10 to 5), for 2 more months, then to 5mg/day for two months, and finally to 2.5mg/day, where I have stayed for about a year. I have not been able to drop that last 2.5mg without misery, so I am resigned to just keep taking it indefinitely.
Others experience may vary, but I find that Prozac withdrawal is very real, and is not consistent with the drugs half life.
Posted by joy on December 19, 2002, at 12:47:28
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawl (It does happen) » sedona, posted by fachad on December 19, 2002, at 12:15:34
We're all talking about original Prozac, I assume. I only mention it because there are so many problems with generic Prozac with all kinds of side effects, not working, etc. I just wanted to be sure we were all talking about the original Prozac. I guess we are all different; personally I found Prozac easy to withdraw from [especailly after coming off Paxil], but realize after the postings here that some people had problems. I learned something!
Joy
Posted by sedona on December 19, 2002, at 15:45:55
In reply to Prozac Withdrawl, posted by sedona on December 17, 2002, at 21:57:55
Thank you all for your input. I started the Prozac again on the 17th and felt a bit better the next day. Today I feel fine. The possibility of withdrawal effects did not occur to me, because I had been told that one of the nice things about Prozac was it's lack of withdrawal.I guess I will try to taper off over the next few months.
Thanks again
Posted by chad_3 on December 22, 2002, at 20:45:21
In reply to Re: Prozac Withdrawl, posted by sedona on December 19, 2002, at 15:45:55
I wonder if the withdrawal was a sign of the effectiveness of Prozac for so many with depression! Glad you're feeling better.
Chad
http://www.socialfear.com/
> Thank you all for your input. I started the Prozac again on the 17th and felt a bit better the next day. Today I feel fine. The possibility of withdrawal effects did not occur to me, because I had been told that one of the nice things about Prozac was it's lack of withdrawal.I guess I will try to taper off over the next few months.
> Thanks again
This is the end of the thread.
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