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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 12:57:02
I stopped taking Prozac 6 weeks ago due to a variety of side effects--was put on it originally for anxiety. I haven't taken any other drugs since then. No anxiety as of yet, but sex drive is still diminished. How long does it take for it to come back? Anyone else having this problem after discontinuation? Weight is coming off very slowly, but it least I'm starting to lose it. I'm also feeling very nauseated for long periods of time. Is this related to getting off the Prozac? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Posted by Nick on May 2, 1999, at 16:03:05
In reply to prozac withdrawl, posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 12:57:02
Try and be reassured. The half life (time to drop to 50% of the original level in the blood of prozac) is about 6 weeks, so you'll still have significant amounts in your system. Hope this helps
Posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 18:54:23
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by Nick on May 2, 1999, at 16:03:05
> Try and be reassured. The half life (time to drop to 50% of the original level in the blood of prozac) is about 6 weeks, so you'll still have significant amounts in your system. Hope this helps
Thanks Nick, that explains alot. Do you happen to know if a person's libido, metabolism and anything else that may be affected, will return to normal immediately after the offending drug is completely out of thier system, or is it a slow process? I'm anxious to feel like myself again.
Thanks for your help...Laura
Posted by Kris on May 3, 1999, at 9:44:49
In reply to prozac withdrawl, posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 12:57:02
> I stopped taking Prozac 6 weeks ago due to a variety of side effects--was put on it originally for anxiety. I haven't taken any other drugs since then. No anxiety as of yet, but sex drive is still diminished. How long does it take for it to come back? Anyone else having this problem after discontinuation? Weight is coming off very slowly, but it least I'm starting to lose it. I'm also feeling very nauseated for long periods of time. Is this related to getting off the Prozac? Any feedback would be appreciated.
Ten days ago, I reduced 20 mg./day to every other day. So far, so good. Notified my doctor's office requesting assistance in getting off the drug and have yet to get any kind of response from him-- so have been kind of "winging it" with comments from my pharmacist. He says it takes a long time, but down to two days, then cut to every third day at a couple of weeks before reducing amount. This drug is long-acting and takes a long time to get out of the system. Have been on it 3 years. Haven't had any side effects as you wrote, but you didn't mention if you stopped total or gradual. Please respond. Other than anxiety tension, I doing so far so good.
Posted by Nick on May 3, 1999, at 13:34:48
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 18:54:23
> Thanks Nick, that explains alot. Do you happen to know if a person's libido, metabolism and anything else that may be affected, will return to normal immediately after the offending drug is completely out of thier system, or is it a slow process? I'm anxious to feel like myself again.
>
> Thanks for your help...LauraProvided your depression has resolved and you haven't got so worried about your sexual function that this has become a problem in its own right, it should all settle down given a few more weeks.
Nick
Posted by LJA on May 4, 1999, at 20:41:11
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Nick on May 3, 1999, at 13:34:48
I contacted Eli Lilly to recently to file an adverse reaction report and they said that side effects may last as long as 80 days after completely stopping the drug.
Posted by Nick on May 5, 1999, at 15:58:55
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by LJA on May 4, 1999, at 20:41:11
> I contacted Eli Lilly to recently to file an adverse reaction report and they said that side effects may last as long as 80 days after completely stopping the drug.
Thank you! Nick
Posted by Laura on May 5, 1999, at 19:05:29
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by Kris on May 3, 1999, at 9:44:49
> > I stopped taking Prozac 6 weeks ago due to a variety of side effects--was put on it originally for anxiety. I haven't taken any other drugs since then. No anxiety as of yet, but sex drive is still diminished. How long does it take for it to come back? Anyone else having this problem after discontinuation? Weight is coming off very slowly, but it least I'm starting to lose it. I'm also feeling very nauseated for long periods of time. Is this related to getting off the Prozac? Any feedback would be appreciated.
> Ten days ago, I reduced 20 mg./day to every other day. So far, so good. Notified my doctor's office requesting assistance in getting off the drug and have yet to get any kind of response from him-- so have been kind of "winging it" with comments from my pharmacist. He says it takes a long time, but down to two days, then cut to every third day at a couple of weeks before reducing amount. This drug is long-acting and takes a long time to get out of the system. Have been on it 3 years. Haven't had any side effects as you wrote, but you didn't mention if you stopped total or gradual. Please respond. Other than anxiety tension, I doing so far so good.Hi Kris-- I quit prozac abruptly. No tapering or anything. I've had alot of headaches recently but I think that's from the sinus'...the air has been moist here in Chicago. I've also been alittle irritable lately. Agian, this could be due to other factors (job) and not the lack of prozac, hard to say. I was VERY nauseated for a couple of weeks, but that's gone now. Hope all goes well for you...
Posted by Laura on May 5, 1999, at 19:08:24
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by LJA on May 4, 1999, at 20:41:11
> I contacted Eli Lilly to recently to file an adverse reaction report and they said that side effects may last as long as 80 days after completely stopping the drug.
Thank you!!! Only 36 days to go!!
Posted by LJA on May 5, 1999, at 19:45:41
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by Laura on May 5, 1999, at 19:08:24
> > I contacted Eli Lilly to recently to file an adverse reaction report and they said that side effects may last as long as 80 days after completely stopping the drug.
>
> Thank you!!! Only 36 days to go!!Unless you are like me, who has been stuck with a burning sensation on my head, neck and shoulders despite having stopped the drug over three months ago (and was only on it for two weeks). I'm hoping this will go away someday...
Posted by Mary on May 8, 1999, at 10:30:31
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl, posted by LJA on May 5, 1999, at 19:45:41
SSRI's are good for some and not so good for others such as me , I cann't give any medical advise you just have to listen to your body and speak firmly to your Doctor about any problems you seem to have. They (the FDA) have recently re-opend the testing of prozac and hopfully the other SSRI's as they find more and more problems not noted in the very short pre-marking test. Hopefully we will get some answers to many of our problems then. Best of luck to you .
Mary
Posted by Becky on May 19, 1999, at 8:23:06
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Laura on May 2, 1999, at 18:54:23
I'm planning to go off of Prozac next week. I think I'll try the every other day method. Is there a 10 mg. dose available? I think I might benefit from the psychosomatic effects of "taking something" daily..I am consulting my doctor tomorrow. I feel I'm getting too complacent on Prozac...
Posted by Betsy on May 20, 1999, at 10:27:03
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Becky on May 19, 1999, at 8:23:06
> I'm planning to go off of Prozac next week.
>I think I'll try the every other day method.
>Is there a 10 mg. dose available? I think I
>might benefit from the psychosomatic effects
>of "taking something" daily..I am consulting my
>doctor tomorrow. I feel I'm getting too
>complacent on Prozac...There are 10mg pills - they're all green instead of
green-and-white.I'm on 10mg/day - its all I need for a "maintenance"
dose right now. Just coming off 20mg/day. Don't
notice a HUGE difference in my moods, but I'm in exams,
so I'm not noticing much of anything lately ;)Betsy
Posted by Nick on May 26, 1999, at 16:30:09
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Betsy on May 20, 1999, at 10:27:03
> > I'm planning to go off of Prozac next week.
> >I think I'll try the every other day method.
> >Is there a 10 mg. dose available? I think I
> >might benefit from the psychosomatic effects
> >of "taking something" daily..I am consulting my
> >doctor tomorrow. I feel I'm getting too
> >complacent on Prozac...
>
> There are 10mg pills - they're all green instead of
> green-and-white.
>
> I'm on 10mg/day - its all I need for a "maintenance"
> dose right now. Just coming off 20mg/day. Don't
> notice a HUGE difference in my moods, but I'm in exams,
> so I'm not noticing much of anything lately ;)
>
> Betsy
Standard practice on this side of the Atlantic would be to stop straight away. It would be extra prudent to cut down to 10mg a day first. The extremely long half life of the major metabolite (nor-fluoxetine)usually prevents a discontinuation syndrome, but there's certainly no harm in going slow if you are worried.Nick
Posted by kathy on May 29, 1999, at 13:27:10
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick - in reply, posted by Nick on May 26, 1999, at 16:30:09
I've been on Prozac since Sept...and am currently at 60mg daily. I'm very discouraged and do not feel it is helping. I'm also not feeling all that confident in my doctor. I stopped taking prozac when I ran out of the prescription this past week. I've been off it completely for about 5 days now and have'nt noticed anything dramatic...do you think its ok for me to just stop taking it all together? Please e-mail me if you think i might need to taper off it. I just need some advice. Thank you. Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. Kathy3893@aol.com
Posted by Dorothee Teboul on June 24, 2000, at 2:04:54
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Nick, posted by Becky on May 19, 1999, at 8:23:06
i'm not sure how these threads work but I have another question about Prozac withdrawal and hope that someone can answer me. I've been taking prozac for 1 year and 7 weeks ago decided to stop. I was taking 20mg so I went down to 10mg for two weeks then 5mg (1/4 of a dissolving tablet) for two weeks then stopped completely. I've now been off it for 2 weeks and I'm feeling dreadful. In the mornings I feel okay but by lunch time I feel extremely dizzy, nauseated, and tired. When I move my head too fast it's like there's some weird kind of lag time. I'm just wondering if these sound like prozac withdrawal symptoms and how long they are likely to continue if they are. I'm considering taking St. John's wart but have been loathe to start on it until I feel better. I guess my other concern is that I'm feeling so lousy I'm scared that I will get depressed and anxious again. Any advice would be much appreciated.
Posted by Donna Murphy on September 24, 2000, at 15:11:44
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Dohotay, posted by Dorothee Teboul on June 24, 2000, at 2:04:54
Yes they are prozac withdrawl symptoms. Have you or are you suddenly gaining alot of weight? That too is normal.
Donna
Posted by Athena on October 1, 2000, at 22:19:49
In reply to Re: prozac withdrawl-for Dohotay, posted by Donna Murphy on September 24, 2000, at 15:11:44
Thank you thank you thank you!! I have been searching the Internet for SSRI withdrawal symptoms and after much searching, I finally found this board. And FINALLY someone has said something that I can relate to.
I am coming off of Luvox, and it is extremely difficult. I can relate to the "lag time" when you turn your head. I experience that too. It's almost as if my brain "shifts" or something, and it's very distressing. I just want it to go away.
I'm experiencing some confusion. And my dreams are incredibly vivid now...and when I wake up, sometimes I don't know where I am for a few minutes. And, of course, I extremely fatigued. It takes all my energy to do anything.
All of these withdrawal symptoms just make my decision to quit stronger. Doctors are handing these pills out like candy, implying that they are almost harmless to your brain but are essential to treat your depression. Well that just by-passes all the essential issues we all need to deal with by handing us a "happy pill." Yet we still have our issues, they haven't gone away. And now, we are on these pills that OBVIOUSLY alter our brain chemistry, and we were not warned of them. I am starting to seriously disagree with the opinion that these pills are "safe."
Besides, numerous studies have shown that exercise works just as well or even better! in treating depression. Well, thank you, I will be trying that instead. If I can EVER get these withdrawal symptoms to go away.
*sigh*
Hang in there everyone!
Athenafeel free to email me @ goofyhilson@hotmail.com
Posted by cv on October 15, 2000, at 6:59:57
In reply to Prozac - need advice, posted by kathy on May 29, 1999, at 13:27:10
I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
Posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
In reply to Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by cv on October 15, 2000, at 6:59:57
> I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
> Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
I was on 40mg of Prozac for about 2 years and tapered
off about 3 weeks ago. I'm having horrible withdrawl
similar to what many of you here have mentioned. I feel
like I'm never going to be my old self again. By noon,
I am exhausted, nauseous, light headed and have great
difficulty focusing. Today I thought I wouldn't even
make it driving home from work. I also suffer from that
"lag" feeling and have some little "shock wave" type
feelings that go through my head and body many times
a day. The sensations are so strange and almost impossible
to describe. I feel like going back on the pills just
to feel normal again - does anyone have any suggestions
for ways to ease the withdrawl symptoms?
Thanks, Melissa
Posted by Athena on October 16, 2000, at 19:33:26
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
Hey guys,
I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
Posted by Mary Beth on October 16, 2000, at 21:59:15
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Athena on October 16, 2000, at 19:33:26
> Hey guys,
>
> I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
>
> You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
I am glad to know that others are having some of the same side effects that I thought were instead related to a recent fall out with a friend. I notice that I am slightly more sensitive in that I think possibly others are criticising me when they probably are not but I am not as likely to sit back and let others walk all over me, I am bitchy. However, I had totally lost all desire/ability for intimacy in my life.
I notice the crashing thing in my day too. Exercise does help! I am not one to exercise. I have gained about 70 pounds since I began prozac about two and a half years ago but once I exercise life seems much easier.
Does anyone know anything about the herb sam-e?
Posted by Bill L on October 17, 2000, at 7:54:53
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mary Beth on October 16, 2000, at 21:59:15
Yes. I take SAM-e along with 20 mg Celexa and it works very well. I have been taking SAM-e for about 2 years. Up until 2 years ago I took Prozac (20 mg) for about a year but stopped because it started to be less effective. Celexa is similar to Prozac, but less activating. However, Celexa is more activating than Paxil.
If you had success against depression with Prozac but felt that you were too agitated or had other side effects, I would recommend staying with the Prozac but maybe trying a lower dose of it. Try taking 10 mg for a month or so and see if that works better. It's not good to have to rely on a drug but nothing is worse than depression.
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > I am SO glad that my "shock wave" brain thingie is not uncommon!! It bugs me so much!, it's hard to focus. I admit that is does help to take a half a pill when i feel this brain thingie (I'm coming off of Luvox), but I suspect that soon I have to go cold turkey off of this shit to ever get it completely out of my system. (excuse my french). I am so tired of my brain having to RELY on a drug to function normally.
> >
> > You say that taking the drug makes you feel better, well of course it does! Your brain is addicted to it! It needs it! Personally, I say throw all of it in the garbage. Going back on it is NOT the answer. I don't know what IS the answer, but I know that I don't want to spend the rest of my life depending on a drug's availability for my sanity.
>
>
> I am glad to know that others are having some of the same side effects that I thought were instead related to a recent fall out with a friend. I notice that I am slightly more sensitive in that I think possibly others are criticising me when they probably are not but I am not as likely to sit back and let others walk all over me, I am bitchy. However, I had totally lost all desire/ability for intimacy in my life.
> I notice the crashing thing in my day too. Exercise does help! I am not one to exercise. I have gained about 70 pounds since I began prozac about two and a half years ago but once I exercise life seems much easier.
> Does anyone know anything about the herb sam-e?
Posted by roo on October 17, 2000, at 9:05:41
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Bill L on October 17, 2000, at 7:54:53
>I've taken prozac for many years. Gone on and off
it. For those of you concerned about the sexual
side effects, and how long it takes to regain your
sex drive/sensation after going off the drug--it
takes awhile--prozac takes a long time to completely
get out of your system. Depending upon how big a
dose you took, and how long you took it for, it can
actually take a few months for it to completely
clear. For myself, it usually took about a month
and a half for it to clear. (I took 20 mg's for
years).
Posted by judith on October 18, 2000, at 11:58:13
In reply to Re: Prozac - Withdrawl Symptoms, posted by Mel on October 16, 2000, at 19:14:53
> > I was on Prozac from Feb 2000 till Aug 2001. For 90% of that period, I was at 60mg daily. I've been off it completely for about 1.5 months now. I've been experiencing lately reoccuring nightmares in my sleep be it at night or afternoon naps. Is this a Prozac related withdrawl symptom?
> > Please e-mail, as I will probably never be able to find this posting spot again. zabri_us@yahoo.com
>
>
>
>
> I was on 40mg of Prozac for about 2 years and tapered
> off about 3 weeks ago. I'm having horrible withdrawl
> similar to what many of you here have mentioned. I feel
> like I'm never going to be my old self again. By noon,
> I am exhausted, nauseous, light headed and have great
> difficulty focusing. Today I thought I wouldn't even
> make it driving home from work. I also suffer from that
> "lag" feeling and have some little "shock wave" type
> feelings that go through my head and body many times
> a day. The sensations are so strange and almost impossible
> to describe. I feel like going back on the pills just
> to feel normal again - does anyone have any suggestions
> for ways to ease the withdrawl symptoms?
> Thanks, Melissa> Hi! I too just stopped taking prozac after being on it for several years.WOW. What a nightmare. I could not hang so I went back on it 40mg. I dont like the way I feel, I need the serotin uptake, forocd,adhd, & severe pms. Any MED. suggestions? thanks, just judes!
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