Prozac (Fluoxetine) is among the most popular antidepressant medications on the market. It operates as an SSRI (selective-serotonin reuptake inhibitor) meaning it prevents the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is thought to help with both depression and anxiety, but it is also prescribed for a number of other conditions.
Although most people end up taking Prozac for a period of time to help them get through a rough patch and/or for major depression, many people do not like the idea of being on a medication for life – so they withdraw from it. Fortunately withdrawal from Prozac is widely regarded as being “easier” than most other major SSRI medications.
Most people seem to have considerably less withdrawal symptoms when quitting Prozac than they do quitting a medication like Paxil or Effexor. Part of the reason that withdrawal from Prozac may be considered relatively easy has to do with the fact that it has a longer half life. I do not mean to undermine the withdrawal from Prozac – as symptoms can still be difficult to deal with.
However, many people actually switch to Prozac to help ease withdrawal symptoms from other medications that have shorter half lives. Most SSRI’s are difficult to come off of – especially if you have been on them for an extended period of time.
Factors that influence Prozac withdrawal:
There are various factors that will influence your withdrawal period from Prozac. If you have been on the medication for years and are taking a relatively high dosage, it may be more difficult to quit than if you were only taking it for a few months. Generally, the longer you are on a medication, the more difficult it will be to quit, but there are other factors that influence withdrawal as well.
1. Time Span
How long have you been taking Prozac (or generic Fluoxetine)? If you have been taking the medication for longer than a year, it is going to be more difficult to come off of than someone who has only taken it for a few months. The time span that you took a drug is always going to influence the withdrawal process.
2. Dosage (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg)
Generally Prozac is prescribed as one of four dosages. The range is from 10 mg all the way up to 60 mg. Someone who is taking just 10 mg is likely going to have an easier time coming off of the medication than someone who had been taking 60 mg.
Time span along with dosage plays a huge role in influencing withdrawal. Someone who takes 60 mg for a period of 5 years is going to struggle more with coming off of the drug than someone who took 20 mg for 8 months. Typically the greater the dosage, the more you will need to focus on a gradual tapering process.
3. Physiology
The phrase “everyone is different” holds true when it comes to medication withdrawal. Although two people may experience the same or similar symptoms, one person may have a more difficult time coping with them. For one individual the dizziness and headaches may cause them to panic and/or lead to “panic attacks.”
For another person experiencing dizziness may bother them, but may not elicit a panic response. Individuals with better familial and social support, healthier habits (e.g. diet and exercise), and more self-awareness will likely have an easier time withdrawing from Prozac.
4. Cold turkey vs. tapering
It is much easier to quit Prozac cold turkey than other SSRI medications. I have successfully quit this medication cold turkey with no major withdrawal symptoms. Individuals that have been on this medication for a long period of time and/or at a high dosage should still use a tapering method of withdrawal. It is never advised to quit “cold turkey” unless you are on an extremely low dose.
Note: In comparison to most antidepressants, fluoxetine has a long half-life. Â In other words, Prozac stays in your system for a longer duration than other drugs after stopping. This is beneficial when it comes to withdrawal because SSRI’s with a short half-life tend to produce the most extreme withdrawal symptoms.
Prozac Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
The withdrawal symptoms that you will experience coming off of Prozac may not be the same as someone else. Everyone has a different reaction to medications as well as how their body responds and readjusts to life without the drug. Some people may experience very minimal withdrawal symptoms, while others may be plagued by seemingly everything on this list.
- Agitation: Many people report feeling agitated, restless, and irritable while coming off of Prozac. This is a result of how they are feeling without the calming serotonin that was increased while they were on the medication. Now that they are coming off of Prozac, they experience somewhat of a polar opposite to relaxation.
- Anger: Some people report feeling extremely angry and/or exhibit outbursts of rage while coming off of Prozac. With this medication, it is less common to feel extreme anger than other medications, but some people may get really upset. Very little things can trigger anger because the person withdrawing is going through a lot.
- Anxiety: Since this medication helps calm a person down by treating both anxiety and depression symptoms, it is no wonder that they experience anxiety while coming off of the medication. Even if the person didn’t have a “chemical” imbalance before taking Prozac, they will have one after coming off of the medication as a result of withdrawal. The serotonin system will eventually reset itself back to homeostasis.
- Blurred vision: People have reported weird effects from withdrawal on their vision. Some individuals experience blurred vision, while others see “floaters” (or small objects floating in their field of vision). Your vision is likely not affected in any way by the medication, but it may take your brain to readjust and thus recover from the withdrawal-induced vision changes.
- Confusion: It is common to experience confusion and/or subtle amnesia when withdrawing. Extreme confusion is uncommon, but being slightly confused in addition to slowed cognition is all part of the process.
- Crying spells: The emotional upheavals that you may experience while coming off of Prozac may feel unbearable. This may result in crying spells as a way to release some of the pain that you are experiencing. Just know that it is normal to cry as a result of the emotion that you are experiencing – it is uncontrollable emotion.
- Depersonalization: Some individuals report feeling unlike their natural selves during withdrawal. They may feel like they have transformed into a zombie or that their “true self” will never come back. This is called “depersonalization” and is a result of brain chemistry changes and going through major withdrawal. Rest assured that you will eventually return to normal over time.
- Depression: Feeling depressed while withdrawing from Prozac? This is because you were taking it to treat depression. When you stop taking it, you are going to feel depressed because your brain is no longer inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. Even if you already have depression, withdrawing may make symptoms worse and more extreme.
- Dizziness: As with all SSRI’s, Prozac withdrawal may result in dizziness and/or vertigo. This is a common symptom that will eventually subside. Try not to freak out – there is not something more extreme wrong with you, it’s just medication withdrawal.
- Emotional numbing: It is common to feel emotionally numb as a result of withdrawal. This numbing makes some people feel like “zombies” or that they have zero emotions and contributes to depersonalization-like symptoms. This is something that I experienced to a degree with Prozac.
- Fatigue: You may feel extremely tired or fatigued all day. The lethargy may be so extreme that you may have a difficult time completing various tasks. As weeks pass, you will eventually recover and begin to notice that your energy levels are starting to return to normal.
- Headaches: You may experience minor or very intense headaches when quitting Prozac. It is not always easy to deal with them, but most of the severe headaches should subside within a couple weeks. The longer you are off the drug, the less severe these typically are.
- Inability to concentrate: Withdrawal may lead to some people experiencing ADHD-like symptoms. You may not be able to concentrate in school and/or during work projects. It may seem as though no matter how you try, focusing on tasks is a lost cause. Your concentration will eventually return, but it will take time.
- Insomnia: Some people are unable to fall asleep at night during withdrawal. Although tiredness is extremely common, so is insomnia. People may stay up well into the night just wishing that they could somehow fall asleep. It is the emotional upheavals and anxiety that keeps people awake.
- Lightheadedness: In addition to dizziness and headaches, many people report feeling lightheaded during withdrawal. This actually may contribute to some people feeling dizzy – just know that it will eventually fix itself.
- Memory problems: Many individuals have reported having memory problems and/or reduced capacity to remember things upon withdrawal. This is something that I’ve personally experienced and it’s certainly not fun. Do your best to cope with your memory impairment, it will eventually return to normal functioning.
- Mood swings: One moment you may feel angry and you may quickly transition to feeling sad. The next hour your may feel aggressive and/or extremely anxious. As your brain recalibrates itself, you are going to experience changes in mood. Do your best to cope with whatever you experience.
- Muscle pain: Many individuals report body aches, muscle weakness, and various muscular pains. These can be difficult to deal with, but know that they are only temporary.
- Nausea: It is common to experience nausea, and in some cases, flu-like symptoms. The nausea may be extreme enough to trigger vomiting.
- Night sweats: You may experience profuse sweating while you sleep. This is basically your body’s attempt to restore itself. Prozac affects us not only on a mental level, but also physically.
- Panic attacks: This medication typically helps people with panic attacks, so when they come off of it, the panic may be way worse than when they initially started the medication. People may freeze up in social situations and/or randomly experience panic. This is a result of the brain being in a hypersensitive state and low serotonin levels.
- Stomach pain: Feeling stomach cramps and pains is pretty common during the early stages of withdrawal. This is just your body’s way of readjusting to life without the medication.
- Suicidal thoughts: There are black box warnings on all antidepressants forewarning people about potentially experiencing suicidal thoughts. When you come off of a major antidepressant, it is common to experience suicidal thoughts. Many drug companies may hide this little fact, but having suicidal thoughts and urges during withdrawal is extremely common. Do whatever you can do recognize that these will likely subside in intensity over time.  However, if you are unable to cope with these thoughts, be sure to seek immediate professional help.
- Tiredness: You may want to sleep all day and just stay in bed. The tiredness may be so extreme that you may think you have something wrong like chronic fatigue syndrome. You do not have chronic fatigue – you are going through withdrawal. It may take a lengthy period of time before you return to normal energy levels.
Prozac Withdrawal Duration: How long does it last?
There is no clear-cut answer for how long withdrawal from Prozac is going to last. It may take one person a few weeks to feel nearly 100% recovered from the symptoms, while it may take another person several months before they feel 75% recovered. There is no telling how long you are going to experience withdrawal symptoms. I personally barely experienced any withdrawal from Prozac, but it took me over a year to psychologically recover from Paxil withdrawal.
Most people in various discussion forums that have used the medication will suggest that it takes a fairly lengthy period of time, while others may suggest that withdrawal is very short term. It is best to ignore everyone and just realize that withdrawal will eventually come to an end. It may take you considerably longer than other people and in some cases it may take considerably less time than what other people are reporting – each experience is unique.
When coming off any antidepressant, do your best to stay socially involved in the community, interact with family and/or friends, and make sure that you do things to help take your mind off of the symptoms that you are experiencing. Various healthy activities include: exercising, getting sunlight, eating healthy foods, and socializing. Try to not dwell on the symptoms even if they seem overwhelming – they will eventually pass. Stay busy, keep your head up, and realize that time heals all emotional wounds.
Thank you to everyone here for sharing what you’ve been going through. I’m having an “a-ha!” moment here. I’ve been taking Prozac for 17 years mostly 40 mg. I increased to 50 mg. for a few months last year during a rough patch, then decreased back to 40 mg. and after a few more months down to 30 mg. I’ve been having tinnitus for a while now – mostly noticing it at night – now just over the past week I’ve noticed it’s with me almost all the time. I’m really thinking it’s the decreasing the Prozac that has brought it on. UGH! My doctor even recommended I go back up to 40 mg if my anxiety over the tinnitus continues. I can tune it out most of the time, but it makes me anxious when I do get caught up “listening to it.”
I also have tinnitus. I had a bout with it before and my dr. said the Wellbutrin I was on could be the cause so I stopped taking it and the buzzing ears stopped. Switched to Prozac and have been on it for several years. About 3 months ago I woke up with bad tinnitus again. Decided I had been on anti-depressants long enough and that maybe it would stop if I stopped Prozac. It’s been a week and there hasn’t been a change but I have had many of the w/d effects shared here. Hope that I can stay off meds and all of us can have the tinnitus stop.
I have been on Prozac for about 9 months. Started with 20 mg for a couple of months then upped too 40mg for a couple of months. Then 60mg for 5 months. I quit cold turkey a week ago. It was my thyroid that caused my problems. So far the only thing I have experienced for W/D is fatigue and a constant ringing in my ears. I smoke weed and take meds for thyroid. I think that is what is helping with my W/D being not real bad. All I know is that I am not experiencing extreme W/D. So I will keep doing what I am doing.
Hi I was on prozac for 25 years, up to 80mg for the last five years. I am now off it, and going through all the symptoms in a living hell. It has been four months so far. I also have tinnitus, which is getting worse; it has also affected my balance and spatial awareness. Am I stuck with tinnitus for life now? It worries me that I will end up deaf. Has anyone had this and it cleared up?
I have tried many SSRIs over the years. Paxil was the most debilitating to stop. Prozac has been the easiest for me. I don’t have a large amount of physical side effects but I have many psychological side effects. I quit about 2 weeks ago. I was on 20mg for about a year. I am full of rage at times, angry most of the time, very irritable. I have ativan that I have been taking for anxiety with the Prozac.
I felt I wasn’t benefiting enough to keep taking the Prozac. The Ativan seems more helpful. I am using it to help cope with the withdrawal and it is very helpful with the anger. I have always had mood swings whether on an SSRI or not so I’m not sure if I’m getting back to normal yet or not. It’s been so long since I’ve not been on some type of SSRI that I’m not sure what normal is for me at this point. Prayers for all of you and God bless.
I’ve been having awful body aches. My lower back aches so bad and my legs. I’ve been on 20mg. for many years. Quit cold turkey because I didn’t think it was working anymore. Taking two Advil twice a day to relieve aching. It feels like I have a mild flu.
I’m off the Prozac, as well. I stopped cold turkey about three weeks ago. I have an overwhelming history of childhood sexual abuse and systematic (as the years went by) mental, emotional, financial and physical abuse. (This may sound overly dramatic, but unfortunately this type of abuse occurs all the time in very low-income homes where parents are drug addicts and alcoholics). I’m forty, now. I’ve been taking Prozac and sleep medications for insomnia for about ten years now.
I slept with a man I can’t stand physically and personality-wise (I don’t know why I did that, other than to confess that in light of the sexual trauma I suffered in the past, sometimes I feel a “need” to be very… objectified. I will stop there. Unfortunately, I got pregnant. I’m a good ol’ statistic, aren’t I? The reason I mention these other issues relates to this thread because of these concerns:
I am overcome with depression and thoughts of suicide. I struggled with these thoughts WHILE I was on 40mgs of Prozac, over the last year. I feel very trapped in an unhealthy living situation. I’ll stop there, otherwise we’ll be here all day and night. These last three weeks, the suicidal, sickly thoughts have been mounting. I have no other living family members, except for my father. However, he is a veteran and he’s mentally compromised, himself. I love him, but the last thing he is, is a beacon of support.
I don’t want want a child. Especially not THIS person’s child. But out of some sense of misguided duty, I’d been considering having it. So, I stopped the Prozac cold turkey. A couple of weeks have passed, and life has been close to a living mire/cesspool of monotony, sluggishness, bad depression, hopelessness, fatigue, desperate crying and anxiety. I just wrote this because I have no one else to talk to. No joke. For those of you who read all this… thanks for doing that.
I Started taking prozac many years ago mainly because of problems resulting from childhood sexual abuse and later physical and mental abuse. I can relate to what you are saying and going through. I recently decided to try to deal with life without meds. I also am trying to truly put my past in the past. I don’t know your situation but maybe the baby will be a change for the better. If you can make any positive changes, even ideas, it will help. If you don’t want this baby, it isn’t against the law to change the situation. It is not for any of us to judge another. Try to do what will make you happy. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live and love yourself..
Thank you for sharing. How are you doing now?
Rita I just read your thread and am hoping you are ok? I too have stopped the prozac cold turkey 4 months ago. I wish I would have weaned down properly. I have felt so messed up in my head! It’s been the hardest thing I have gone through!
Hi Tiffany, just wondering how you are feeling now? I was on 20mg Prozac for around 15 years and went cold turkey. For the first couple of months I really didn’t have any withdrawal symptoms, but now 8 months down the track it has hit me like a tonne of bricks. I am dizzy, really really angry, sad, tearful, so tired that I struggle to get through the day.
My brain is totally foggy and I have constant flu like symptoms. I thought that I must have something seriously wrong and have been in for numerous blood tests etc. with everything coming back normal. It was only when I found this site that I realize that I am actually going through withdrawal. :-(
I had no idea that it could be this bad, and my doctor, even knowing that I had stopped taking the prozac, never mentioned that this is what could be wrong with me. At least now I know what I am dealing with, and will look into natural therapies to try and get me through it. The worst part is not knowing how long it may last. :-(
Even after very slow weaning (most of 2016) and being off for a month or so now, I am having side effects, including new ones that pop up. But one positive change is improvement in my digestion and the foods and drinks I can tolerate. For the undesirable side effects I am finding helpful what I learned in counseling and from reading about such things as cognitive behavioral therapy, and the practice of mindfulness from Taiji and from prayer.
I am also using a lot more organic foods than before. We need to test what will work for us, whether it has double-blind clinical trials behind it or not. Never underestimate the value of a good placebo.
My fiancé of 4 years of an amazing relationship stopped Prozac and left me on the 6th day with no reason. Does anyone know what to expect? Could this really be from quitting cold turkey? I do not know what to do.
I’ve had MDD all of my life, a lot of self harm as a preteen and teenager, not as much as an adult. I’m 26 and feel 100% empty and numb. I have been on Prozac since April of this year, I was on 10mg for 1.5 months and it just seemed to stop then i was on 20mg for about 2 months same thing and have been on 40mg since then. It stopped working also, I went off cold turkey last Wednesday. the depression has become just about as worse as it was before…I haven’t had that bad of anxiety yet but I feel like I just exist again. I still can’t cry…I wasn’t able to on Prozac. It made me indifferent to basically everything. I’m about to switch to Brintellix, has anyone used this before?
I’ve been taking Fluoxetine for about three years, up to 70mg daily. But my psychopharmacologist decided that it had pooped out, because of clinical depression. I have BP2. The organic depression started to lift while I was tapering the med, pretty conclusive it had stopped working for me. Nonetheless, I have bad headaches and feel ill with flulike symptoms. It’s been about ten days and maybe I am tapering off too fast. I’m down to 10mg.
Hi, Have been off Fluoxetine 20mgs for 8 weeks after taking it for 15 years. Am tired all the time and have various symptoms. The worse one for me is the aching muscles and joints. Also the apparent hot flushes (I am 56 and thought they had stopped) are driving me crazy. I just wondered how much longer this will go on?
I have stopped Fluoxetine cold turkey in the last week. I have been on it for over 5 years – can’t even remember how long. Originally went on for severe depression and suicidal thoughts. I decided to stop taking it because I seemed to be in a funk and depressed and felt it was not doing anything for me anymore. Since stopping it, I feel energetic, focused and just generally more excited about things in my life.
I feel that I was “numb” to the world and that is not how I want to live my life! I have had headaches, but had them before stopping and attribute that to the fact that I need glasses. I have been exercising every day, also, which I highly recommend for stress. I don’t want to medicate my problems, I want to face them head on. Good luck to you all – you can do it!
Hi Nikki, This is the exact reason why I am wanting to go off my prozac. I have been on 40 mg for a little over a year. I take mine at bedtime because if I take them during the day, I’m exhausted. Anyway, lately I have been in a funk, been edgy, no energy and I feel like I have no emotions, and so on. So I’ve decided I want to try getting off prozac. I am 35, and have been on some type of antidepressant or another since I was a teenager.
At 17 I was on prozac for the first time along with something else. Over the years I have tried different antidepressants and eventually they stop working. I tried welbutrin, that felt like it was starting to work, then I broke out in severe hives from my head to my feet. Had an allergic reaction so the doctor put me on prozac. This was in June of last year, but like I said earlier, this is not working.
I’m wanting to cry all the time for no reason. Everything in my life is finally great, but I am sad all the time, and that’s the only emotion I have. I hate feeling like I don’t have emotions and I’m glad I found this blog. I will be stopping cold turkey from my prozac. I’m especially glad I saw your post, because I thought I was the only one who felt like they have been in a funk while on this. Wishing you the best of luck :)
Hi – I’ve been on Fluoxetine for 9 months to deal with Anxiety /Post Natal Depression. Was feeling well 6 months in, so did a slow tapering weaning off. i.e. down from 20mg to 15mg for couple of weeks and continuing to 1/4 tablet (5 mg) – I weaned as I hadn’t any anxiety symptoms for months. And for the past 7 weeks I feel ‘normal’ and just got on with enjoying my life with putting that chapter behind me – then bam, 2 nights ago I had worrying dizziness / lightheadedness then in the morning my anxiety manifested again.
It cleared by lunchtime and then again today. It was just like anxiety of old. So I wanted to say thanks for this thread as I’m sensing that it is the long half life of fluox that has meant it has been still in my system and finally it is probably being withdrawn. Also explains how the 12 kilos I gained on it hasn’t budged even with increased exercise/ better diet. So I will be kind to myself and have hope that my body will need to readjust again to the decreased serotonin levels. I had that ‘normality’ for some weeks and it felt great! Many thanks again, Monique
My name is Skyler and I am only 16 years old. I have been on Prozac for about 5 months and I am on 30mg. I forgot about my prozac for a few days and I feel like I need to get off of it. I do not want to be on it but my parents think I do because of my attempted suicides. I do not want to be on it and am expiercing WD that are terrible. My suicidal thoughts have came back also I am always very angry, and sometimes confused. Any opinions on what I should do?
I think you should seek counseling…not for meds but to deal with the issues that make you feel that way in the first place. Be good to yourself – find a hobby – something to look forward to and enjoy. You are important and special. Don’t give up!
Hi to all, I have found this blog to be very interesting and gives me comfort that I am not alone in this… To make a long story short I have been on some sort of an antidepressant since 1995. .. So almost 20 years. When I was 24 I was all of a sudden hit by the dark cloud and was unable to function…
I went to a psychiatrist at the recommendation of my primary doctor and he immediately put me on prozac.
It took about 6 weeks to kick in but gave me my life back. The side effects at the time for me were difficult: Zero sex drive, Insomnia, Etc. After stabilizing on the prozac I felt that the side effects were intolerable and I started experimenting with every SSRI imaginable hoping to get the benefit of the meds without side effects. It has been a wild goose chase ever since. Some good times, some bad. I currently was on Prozac since March 2014 after having been on a multitude of meds.
I went back on the Prozac because I felt that it was the best drug for depression for me but unfortunately the worst drug for side effects. This summer I was traveling and I started to taper the Prozac and introduce Wellbutrin 150 mg. I had been in 20 mg of Prozac prior to the taper. I did a taper of the prozac over a 6 week period and have now been on zero prozac for about 9 weeks. I am still on Wellbutrin… The last few weeks I have been noticing severe difficulty concentrating and some anxiety. Anger like I want to jump out of my skin… Zero patience etc.
Today and yesterday it has been extremely difficult to concentrate. I feel like my brain is not flowing. I also am having some issues with my vision and the Prozac at this point should be completely out of my system. I am trying to determine if what I am going through is withdrawal reactions or if it is the depression reappearing. It is very hard to determine this my doctors in New York at 500$ per hour don’t even know. It is a joke. Doctors are trained to write scripts but don’t know what we go through and the severity of these issues.
I am concerned that perhaps now I don’t have any SSRI in my system and maybe my body is craving it. I really don’t want to go back on the Prozac so I am trying to push through this extremely difficult time. I am not thinking clearly and not functioning well at work. I am trying to get off meds altogether even though in the past I have tried to stop and had depression set in again. I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences to me and if anyone can shed some light on weather there is a light at the end of the tunnel or if the tunnel is a never ending black hole?
I am hoping to come out on the other end and get through this. But again what concerns me is if it is all withdrawal symptoms or depression reappearing? Thanks so much. If I can help any of you in any way, please let me know. Best regards to all. And I hope that the majority of you all are feeling better. I feel the pain of the ones that are not feeling good. No one can understand what we are going through unless you are actually THERE. Not even family or friends.
Hi MJ, thanks for sharing your experience. Unfortunately there is no clear-cut answer as to whether it is the original depression returning or whether it is depression from going through medication withdrawal… it could (likely) be a combination of both. Since doctors don’t measure brain activation, brain waves, neurotransmitter levels, arousal, etc. prior to taking the meds, during treatment, and after taking them, there’s no way for them to know what is really happening.
Determining if you are experiencing your original depression vs. withdrawal is completely subjective. Do you feel the same “type” of depressed feeling or has it morphed into a different type of depression since taking the meds? It is really up to you to determine if what you had previously experienced is the same as now or if it has changed… if it has changed, you can likely chalk it up to changes made to your brain by the medications.
I cannot tell you what you are experiencing, but I can share my personal experience. In my experience with these medications, the original depression may be alleviated by an SSRI, but eventually tolerance is established… going on other SSRIs therefore may be slightly counterproductive and akin to playing pharmacological roulette… we don’t really know what is going on, but are hoping that something works… you get the idea.
In reality, your serotonin system has become dependent on the SSRIs so that when you withdraw, you will have symptoms, one of which is likely going to be a depression as a result of altered serotonergic functioning or low serotonin… this may be in addition to the resurgence of your original depression. So in essence, you could be experiencing both.
I can say that you will eventually recover to your pre-medicated state of functioning over time… but it will likely take a significant chunk of time, and the original depression may come back. Wish you nothing but the best, and hope to have addressed your concerns.
I agree, you have to know it to help someone. I just stopped taking mine a week ago after over 5 years on it. I feel if I had dealt with the reasons for my depression at the time, I would not have needed it – i.e. – marital issues, grief, stress…You can explore the natural remedies for depression and maybe that will help you. I suggest exercise first and foremost – it has helped me. I wish you all the luck and health. Find a hobby and enjoy your life!
Really interesting to read other people’s experiences. I’ve been on Fluoxetine for over 4 years but decided that I wanted to stop taking it. So I did. From 20mg twice a day to nothing overnight. Off for 4 weeks now. Side-effects – bad head aches and feeling tearful, hopefully these will ease off. But the tense feelings I had while taking it have gone so just got to go to the doctors and let them know!
This site has just saved my sanity. I have been on 80mg tapering to 20mg over a 12 month period. I have been on prozac for some years following a breakdown. I decided to go cold turkey and have been so sick since doing so, sweats, flu, tinnitus, dizziness, lightheaded and vomiting. My GP was firm in the belief there are no withdrawal effects from Prozac 20mg and it’s all in my head. I’ve been put back on 20mg at present, but on reading your experiences I now feel more educated and supported for when I am strong enough to attempt withdrawal. Thank you so much.
I’m so sorry to hear that your GP hasn’t been supportive. There is medical literature that confirms the withdrawal symptoms of SSRIs. It’s NOT all in your head — although the neurotransmitters that are currently trying to normalize themselves are definitely in your head! Just keep up the good work and know that you’ll get better. You can taper slowly from a 20 mg capsule so that your body can adapt to the changes.
If you can find a compounding pharmacy in your city, and if your doctor is willing to write you a prescription, these pharmacies can make 5 mg capsules. Then you can go from 20 to 15 to 10 to 5. If that’s not possible for some reason, ask your doctor to prescribe 10 mg capsules of Prozac so you can — at the very least — drop it from 20 to 10 before going off. Take it slowly and allow your body to adapt. Take care!
I ran out of Fluoxetine at one stage a few months back (I was on 20mg for about 5 years and 40mg for about 3) and couldn’t get myself to the doctors for a prescription. I didn’t realize there would be such extreme side effects, and I ended up passing out in the shower. I was so lucky that I didn’t smack my head into anything sharp.
I’m switching medications now so gradually reduced my dose to 10mg and I have not taken it for 3 days not and I am having the worst withdrawal symptoms ever. I am feverish and constantly shaking, and having lots of intestinal issues as well as fatigue. Hope I don’t pass out again this time. Really scared of it happening again and that I won’t be as lucky next time.
Hi, I’m SO sorry to hear what you’re going through. I just wanted to mention that Prozac has a long half-life, so the withdrawal symptoms can pop up a little later than with the other SSRIs. You’re probably right on track. If you can be patient, it will hopefully pass and you’ll bounce back. These medications can have powerful effects. I wish you well. -C
I started Prozac about 6 months after my mother was diagnosed with cancer BC I could not stop crying. During her illness and death, my dosage was changed to 60 mgs, daily, and had taken that for over 1 year. I began a 4 month process of tapering off BC I had a severe lack of emotion. I have been off completely 4 weeks. My moods are everywhere, my patience level is almost zero. I have 2 daughters, 8 and 4, a husband, who didn’t want me on the meds, and a full time job. I was doing well the weeks that followed, but now I feel like I could crawl out of my skin, rip someone to shreds, physically and mentally, and I’d like to quit my job and leave my family.
I do have feel this was 24/7 but this past week has been BRUTAL!! I am trying to adjust to life and accept things as they are but this is tough. The 2 year anniversary of my mother’s death is in 10 days and I am really perplexed as the best way to move forward. I cannot quite life, it is a pretty awesome life, one I do not deserve, but emotionally am stagnant. The doctors want to push more meds, not sure that’s the best thing. I have continued taking Xanax at night and consume a good amount of alcohol, although not daily, but this is truly HELL on earth.
My husband was taken off prozac cold turkey by his Dr about 8 months ago. Can he still have the withdrawals 8 months later? I’ve had him in ER the past few weeks (3 times). The symptoms listed are what he’s going through.
Hi, I’m a 16 year old female, and I had depression and anxiety and started taking prozac when I turned 14, and took it for 9 months. I took 10mg per day, I stopped taking it last year in June, but I don’t feel like my normal self. I have no motivation or energy, like I’m always tired, and I feel like I’ve gotten slow, and I have a bad memory, I can’t focus, and I can’t complete tasks. Like it’s so bad, that I can’t even finish my homework and I don’t know what to do please help.
Hey Paloma, have you talked to the doctor who prescribed the medication to you? Did s/he follow you along to see how you were doing? S/he is probably a good person to talk to about these things. Have you tried counseling — for instance, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)? It’s a great tool for helping yourself feel better, and in my experience (and I have a lot), it’s way better to go drug-free, if you can. CBT can help you change the thoughts that might be making you feel bad. And you’ll have it as a tool that you can use during challenging times for the rest of your life.
If your symptoms are physical — and that’s always a possilibility — then that’s also a good reason to see your doctor. Keep in mind that your body is going through a lot of changes now so that can affect things. But if your current problems are psychological, then counseling is a great step. I’m not a fan of the drugs, since they can have so many side effects — some known, some unknown. Counseling is free of side effects!
I wish you all the best!
Take care,
C
Why is everyone quitting prozac if it works? Seems kinda dumb to start taking something for depression and it works so you quit. I can understand if it stopped working and then maybe try something else for depression but when you quit an antidepressant then complain you are depressed you sound…well…..stupid. Just sayin’.
I am quitting because I’ve been on it 14 years and my doctor said I’d be on it the rest of my life. I feel better and feel I don’t need it. When I am 100% off then I will decide if I still need it. I have God in my life now and something tells me I’ll be okay without it. And the though of being completely drug free sounds so healthy. Just saying.
9 months after my husband passed away I was prescribed Prozac as I was starting to fall apart and was breaking down in tears throughout the day which made going to work very difficult. The Prozac, to my surprise and relief worked almost instantly, I felt so much better and went from crying 2/3 a day to just a couple of times a month, I did however feel guilty about this as it seemed like a betrayal to my husband. I had no side effects at all from the Prozac until the 3rd month, I started to feel very tired, I put this down to anemia as I have had it in the past but a blood test showed my iron was fine.
Over the next 4 weeks the tiredness got worse to the point that I was sleeping during the day and between 10/12 hours at night, I could hardly keep my eyes open and it was really getting me down, although I have many hobbies I just didn’t have the energy to partake in them, finally after stepping out in front of traffic for the third time in a week due to my zombie like state I decided to stop taking the Prozac. I didn’t see my GP about this as I know you should but I did research how to taper the drug safely but in the end I just stopped taking the pills (20mg) as I couldn’t take the drugged up feeling any longer.
I have been off of the pills for 7 days now and have felt no side effects, still very tired but I think it’s easing, I’ve read It could take up to a month for the drug to leave your system. If necessary I will find a drug free alternative to treat any of the original symptoms if they return. In conclusion, Prozac worked brilliantly for me in easing my grief, anxiety and (mild) depression, it’s just a shame about the extreme fatigue. Best wishes to all who are trying to deal with emotional problems.
Cathy, how long were you on Prozac 20mg? I have been on 20mg for about 20 months and would like to stop taking them too. I have gained so much weight.
Just curious, did you eventually have any other side effects? I’m reading this comment over a year later. The Prozac for me also worked almost immediately. Although I am very very tired which is concerning so I stopped for 2 days now and I am having some back pain that I never had before.
It has now been 19 day that I lowered my dose from 60 to 20mg. No more back pain, but remaining issues are, lack of concentration along with not being able to remember simple things. Still blurred vision at times but for now that’s all the symptoms I have. I plan on doing the 20mg for another 16 days then going to taking it every other day for a month. Just wanted to post an update on my withdraws.
Yes- thank you so very much for listing all that you have. This explains so much of what I’m experiencing right now. I can relate my exact symptoms to 90% of those you’ve stated. The physical pain is awful. Having slowly weeded out something else being seriously wrong physically, I can only expect that I am on the down-side of withdrawal. I’ve been off it completely for a couple of weeks after a few years of prescribing. Symptoms are not better at this point but I feel a little better knowing that they should be soon.
I have been on Fluoxetine for about 14 years. I started out at 20mg but was prescribed 60mg the past 10 yrs. I would take 40 to 60 mg a day, depending on how I felt. I have decided to try to go off and detox my body. I am prepared to go back if I have to but I think I can handle my issues now. I started only taking 20mg a day and plan on doing this for a month or so, then go to every-other day. and less and less. So far It has been 4 days and I am having dizzyness, Back muscle pain, not being able to concentrate the greatest. Also blurry vision. But that’s it so far. Oh and less of an appetite.
I have been on Prozac for 20 years and always wanted to give it up I felt like I was pathetic having to take drugs to be able to function. This year I had to stop taking Prozac as had to take Warfrin. I felt that I was doing quite well and was pleased the way things were going.
After reading other peoples experiences I felt quite lucky to have got away with withdrawal. I am quite weepy and I know I have been distancing myself from people so as I won’t become a burden or a drudge to them.
I can see by reading about other peoples experiences that these feelings are part of the withdrawal process. After speaking to my husband this morning we decided to research some herbal remedies to help or even to go back on the prozac and changing the warfrin for another anti-coagulants but reading your letters made me determined to stick with it and try to find other coping mechanisms. I would like to thank you all for your thoughts and experiences and wish you all well.
I’ve been on fluoxetine for around 4 years, 40mgs. I got sick of always getting the refill okayed by my doc so I just stopped taking it. I’ve been off it for 2 months. I’m so glad I’ve read these comments because I do have tinnitus and have had it for a while and I had no idea why. I think I even had it before going off the medicine. I hope it clears up. I feel a little down but not too bad and I do feel tired a lot. This article was so informative to me. Thank you for writing it. I am going to try and stay off the medicine and add exercise to my daily routine and hope that helps.
Thank you so much. This has been so helpful. I read it with tears of relief rolling down my cheeks. I have been on high dose (60mg) for ten years and 20mgs with increases to 40mg sometimes, overall its been 21 years …. more than half my life. I reduced slowly taking 3 months but a week after completely stopping I started to feel really unwell. I have been experiencing most of the symptoms described and was starting to think there was something seriously wrong after two weeks. Reading this article has made me feel that I can get through this and its only temporary. I can’t thank you enough.
hi Victoria
so glad you found this site and it has brought you relief, I imagine everyone on here, keeps checking back for reassurance, I know I certainly do and others who I have spoken too. Has you withdrawal been under the guidance of a doctor or have you done this on your own? am asking because what I have found since reading many comments on here, is that a lot of doctors don’t seem to be educated with discontinuation symptoms, but also people tend to just stop their medication (cold turkey) then go through hell, I am in the process of tapering off Prozac, when I do the maths it is going to take over a year to finally come off, this is an agreement between me and my doctor, and even going this slow I am getting withdrawal symptoms. i understand everyone is different in physiology, but it seems like your tapering has not been slow enough, given the dose and time span, anyhow you are where you are, on this courageous journey for a new life, hope this has made sense as i have the zombie feeling for the last few days, and cant quite hit the nail on the head, so to speak…………….:) wishing you much success……………hold in there with the rest of us.
I’m offering a bit of support and encouragement as well…..to all! I’m quite a ways out from my last dose of Prozac, yet the disequilibrium/dizziness has continued. I had an appointment with a physiatrist (specializes in rehabilitation medicine) the other day, and surprisingly, she was more knowledgeable on the topic of SSRI withdrawal than the psychiatrist who put me on the meds in the first place! So, yes, I agree that the amount that’s known by various doctors is all over the place. Anyway, this doctor was very supportive and very positive that the symptoms will subside. Because the neurochemicals in the brain have to adapt, it takes whatever length of time it takes. It can’t be pre-determined. I’ve been told that I’m “sensitive” to medications! I know, I know. In this case, it would be great to be an “insensitive” person! ;-)
I just found out about a study at one of the teaching hospitals here. They’re doing genetic testing to determine which antidepressants work best for an individual. If the genetic testing is accurate and the study is successful, then we can only hope that doctors will have better tools when prescribing such medications. It’s too late for me, but I’m hopeful for others.
I once a few years back went to my doctor to get off this medication and i had been on it at the time, over 10 years she had me getting off it in a few weeks. Needless to say I started to feel horrible and gave up went back on my full dose (60mg). Doctors are not educated is definitely a correct statement. Tell me why the make the big bucks again. I can figure out more on the internet these days than they can tell me. Don’t get me wrong we need doctors and there are good ones out there. Just my experience lately.
I totally understand that sentiment, Jennifer! I’ve done a lot of research online — including medical studies and excerpts from medical textbooks — and there’s a lot of excellent information available. I’ve struggled with the same questions as you. I’m just glad that we can access this information now. It puts some of the control back in our hands. I hope that all of this over-prescribing of psychiatric medications will slow down and that people will be given better information BEFORE they agree to take something.
Are you off the medication now? Or are you planning to do so?
I am on 20mg right now. Im planning on doing this for a month then going to every other day for a month, than twice a week. I’d go to 10mg but I don’t have any but have a ton of 20 and they are capsules so I can’t split them.
Thank you. I’m currently starting to taper off of an 80mg a day dose. It’s been a few years. I have taken 60 mg for the past 2 nights. So I’m still on a very high dose. I take clonazapem and medical marijuana – I too never knew of the very scary withdrawal. Having suicidal thoughts (though I know I do not want to die!) and urges but have support. I’ve had them while on this high dose and am scared of myself more than I used to be. I want a family with my boyfriend (for now) and what a huge help this site can be. Thank you.
Thank you C and Zoe for your kind words and helpful suggestions. My daughter originally went on Paxil then Prozac to relieve OCD. At that time, we were not told about SSRIs causing withdrawal systems. I am contacting the perinatal clinic today and hope they can offer some suggestions. I have been scouring the internet all weekend in hopes of finding a psychiatrist or therapist in my area who deals with antidepressant withdrawal systems but have had absolutely no luck. It seems like this is an issue that many professionals want to tackle let alone talk about. What does one do?
I agree, Mary. I think it’s a difficult issue because, in a way, discussing it implies that the doctor and/or medical profession has made an error or caused the problem. I’ve been careful not to ascribe blame to anyone. I just wanted the help they could offer. As you know, the last chapter of Dr. Glenmullen’s book gets into the whole issue of misinformation, or lack of information, from drug companies about SSRI withdrawal. It’s sticky stuff! Anyway, I think you’re doing the right thing. Your daughter needs help, and she deserves it, and it’s hopefully available and accessible very soon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for her.
I think prevention is the key, but none of us in this position have had that as an option. It becomes a matter of how best to move forward.
Hi mollie
You don’t so why you are on prozac or how long for. In previous years I stopped prozac because I thought it was making me fat but the real reason was because I had major issues going on which I did not recognise so did not deal with them, the truth was I had no inner peace and just ate for comfort ( am slim build and a gym bunny) I read on one of blooms blogs that over a period of years your weight can increase when taking antidepressants, but this is lowered with logical methods as in diet/exercise. So while putting on weight makes us feel horrible it’s only temporary until we have corrected our problems. It’s really hard to be honest with yourself regarding how much we eat, so maybe keep a food diary and be honest on it, that might give you some indication if its your food intake/lifestyle or prozac.
Much luck
Zoe
Hi Mary
There is an excellent book called self help for your nerves by Claire weeks its for people with anxiety/depression disorders and those who have had a Nervous breakdown, it outlines all the symptoms the person is experiencing and why, plus there is a section for the family members on how to cope and help the person who is unwell. Maybe you could read this first then relay parts to your daughter in small bites, as she is petrified and stuck in a circle of fear, at this point our concentration is zero and we can’t retain anything either, plus we are too scared too hear it anyway……….that was my experience. So I think this book will be very beneficial to Both of you.
Wishing both all the best
Zoe x
So, this is kind of off topic. But I want to go off Prozac because I think it is making me fat. I know sounds shallow, but I want to be skinny again.
Hi Mollie, I totally agree. I was always quite thin. Amazing figure no matter what I ate and drank. Since starting on Lexapro about 8yrs ago and then changing to Prozac as apparently is safer while pregnant. I went from a size 8 to 16. I am now about 2 months+ prozac free. Am feeling great mentally but overly emotional at times. I’m working on shifting this weight and I will. Also attending yoga once a week which I love and is great for relaxing the mind.
Hi!
I’m not familiar with the hippa law since I’m in Canada, but is it possible to seek out other psychiatrists in your area to get another opinion? The book I read on this topic is by a Harvard professor and psychiatrist, i.e. Dr. Joseph Glenmullen — The Antidepressant Solution, but I have no idea if you can get an appointment with him. There must be others there who are knowledgeable. Are there any good teaching hospitals in your area? What about the family doctor….can s/he recommend a good psychiatrist? They’re the best ones to counsel people on these medications. Or if your daughter goes to the emergency department of the hospital, perhaps she can get a referral from there.
I’m sorry, but I don’t really know how things work there, but I wish you well.
Thank you for your suggestions and concern. I just finished reading Dr. Glenmullen’s book, and emailed his office last week; but have not received a response yet. I am going to contact The University of Wisconsin where the perinatal clinic she went to is located and see if they have any psychiatrist who have dealt with a similar situation.
Excellent idea! Teaching hospitals are usually on the leading edge with regards to medical knowledge. In my experience, a good therapist/doctor/counselor can be invaluable and can really turn things around. If your daughter trusts that person, then that can go a long way towards calming some of the irrational fears. It’s good to get solid, fact-based, rational info and CBT is usually helpful for that. But if there’s only breathing therapy and no CBT — which is all about challenging the irrational thoughts — then it doesn’t sound effective to me.
I’m sure it’s hard for you, as her mother, to be going through this too, but she’s lucky to have someone who obviously cares as much as you do. Yay for moms! Mine’s wonderful too, and I’d say that her solid, consistent love has kept me going through difficult times.
Best wishes from across the border (and thanks for the “hippa law” info!),
C
Hippo laws prevent people handling your medical care and information from talking to other medical personnel or individuals about your medical history without your consent.
Hi , I am a mother of a 27 year old pregnant daughter who is currently four months pregnant for the first time. She was on Prozac for 11 years for OCD. She was on 40 milligrams when she became pregnant. Her Obstetrician told her to go down to 20 for one week and then go down to 10 for one week and then off completely. She was OK for the first 4 weeks but then anxiety and depression grew increasingly worse.
She told her Obstetrician and he put her on 50 milligrams Zoloft and sent her to a perinatal clinic to be further evaluated. Once there, she was told to discontinue the Zoloft and return to 20 milligrams Prozac. She is now a total emotional wreck. She is fearful for her baby’s health. She is having trouble concentrating, having many daily fits of fear of falling accompanied by inconsolable crying fits. She is totally incapacitated. She is afraid to drive or be alone.
I and her mother – in law are watching her when her husband works. She can no longer work. All of us are physically taxed. We are at our wit’s end. She is seeing a therapist, but he is doing little to address her condition. The problem appears to be that none of these doctors including her psychiatrist have any knowledge of Prozac withdrawal and it’s symptoms and the problems that arise when discontinuing or changing doses. They are contributing her symptoms to her pregnancy.
Which I and most women who’ve been pregnant know is not the case. Can any of you share the names of the doctors you are seeing who are informed of SSRI discontinuation? We don’t know what to do. I would call her current obstetrician but because of the hippa law he will not talk to me. Does anyone have any recommendations? I am lost in trying to help her.
Hi Mary, this is a very difficult situation and it’s very nice of you to help your daughter make it through this tough time – she will need it. The pregnancy alone is a lot of stress, but coupling that with Prozac withdrawal after being on it for over a decade makes for a very difficult situation.
Not sure why the doc took her off of Prozac and threw her on Zoloft? Doesn’t really make much sense. Many doctors have zero knowledge of withdrawal symptoms, so to them she will appear to be severely depressed, anxious, etc. Her brain is likely trying to rewire itself to function without the drug and it will take a considerable amount of time for her to heal if she goes through full withdrawal.
Quitting Prozac after 11 years and going full throttle on the Zoloft likely sent her brain into chaos, a new drug making new changes and having a different impact on mental functioning. What she needs is the help of an elite therapist, and one with some general knowledge about antidepressants. She will likely need to practice some relaxation techniques to lower her arousal and calm her mood swings.
At this point something like meditation and/or yoga may be beneficial if she’s capable. Otherwise I’d recommend as many therapist sessions as possible. Smart move putting her back on 20 mg of Prozac… given some time she may start to experience slight improvements. She may stabilize by going back up to the 40 mg of Prozac, so that is something to consider.
Wish you and your daughter nothing but the best of luck through this tough time. Hopefully you are able to figure out something that works. Also does your daughter know that she could be dealing with a withdrawal. Reading about it may help her understand what she’s going through. Best of luck.
Thank you for your concern and ideas. She has read about it, but she can’t deal with what is happening to her head right now. She understands her fears are unsubstantiated, but she cannot stop experiencing them. She has tried breathing therapy with her therapist, but when the fear starts (which is every few waking minutes), she can’t concentrate on the breathing. The only thing that seems to work temporarily is for me to constantly reassure her and talk with her through how her fears have no real basis. It calms her a short time until another irrational fear about her baby’s well-being arises. She is an emotional wreck and physically and psychologically drained. She feels no one understands what’s happening to her because when she tells them they don’t do anything to help her. I asked her therapists how I am suppose to respond to her questions about harm coming to her unborn baby, but he changed the subject and asked me to leave so he could start her breathing therapy. She originally went to him because he said he was well versed in CBT. I’m afraid she is going to have a nervous breakdown and then who knows what they’ll give her to “deal” with her symptoms and what backlash will come from that.
I was on Prozac thru my whole pregnancy. My daughter is now 10. I don’t see any issues and was glad I could stay on it. Just letting you know I did it.
Hi c
Yes i have definitely got a good doctor, she said that I needed antidepressants but also therapy together, thnk a lot of doctors just hand out these tablets to easy, they just mask the problem, therapy finds it and really helps in changing your thinking process.
It has been lovely talking to you, I wish you all the best and I believe good comes from all our experiences, it shapes us.
I will keep checking back so if you ever want to talk I might be able to offer a small piece of comfort.
Take good care of you
Zoe x
Hi Zoe,
I’m glad to hear you’re going slowly and not having too many symptoms. It’s great that you have a supportive doctor. After 1 1/2 years on 20 mg. Prozac, I did a 6-week taper (20-15-10-5-off), and I had many, many symptoms. The other important detail in my case is that I tapered off a low-dose of diazepam a year ago (after having been prescribed benzos for 6 1/2 years), and was still suffering from disequilibrium/vertigo. The Prozac taper intensified the disequilibrium and now, at 16 weeks post-Prozac taper, I’m still feeling it. Yesterday was a bit better…today’s a bit worse. I find this symptom quite unbearable since it’s gone on so long. It’s debilitating.
So, thank you for asking, but I’m feeling pretty rough. I really hope to come back to this site one day very soon and say, “It’s over! It stopped!” For now, though, I’m here for the same reasons you are — support, comfort, information. Unlike you, though, I didn’t have a supportive doctor, so I think you’re well ahead of the game. That can make a huge difference. I’ve been told that “it isn’t permanent”, so that’s what I’m hanging onto. Everyone is different when it comes to this stuff, so I’m sure no one can give us the kind of info we really, really want. In the meantime, I’m trying to be hopeful.
All the best,
C
Hi c
Sorry you are in so much discomfort, the dizziness is awfull, I think the only answer we really want is the date of when this all stops! But like you said everyone is different I don’t know what else is coming up or whether that was it, but I know we are on the right track. I guess as Iam no doctor or professional in this matter that you are taking longer to adjust because you have tapered off three different drugs over a relative short period, so think let more time pass and I will look forward to the day which will happen that you post ‘it’s over’ in the mean time do you have any support around you and what sort of lifestyle do you have? I have two children and two dogs and even though when times are like this it’s tough, but they help because they keep you busy and that takes your mind off your suffering, it’s these little breaks that gradual build a stronger mind. And I know you will roll your eyes but patience and trust in yourself that this will all go away. X
Thank you for the lovely message, Zoe! You’re right, I’m sure, regarding the other medications and the length of time it’s taking me to improve. What bothers me so much is that I was prescribed Prozac to — possibly — help with the dizziness. Guess what?! Dizziness is the number one withdrawal symptom of SSRIs! Plus, it can affect bone density and lower your sodium levels, neither of which is good for a skinny gal like me. I have such regret!
Anyway, I’m glad you have kids and dogs and yes, I agree, diversion is excellent. For now, since I’ve got a foot problem that has been exacerbated by the dizziness, I’m pretty stuck. I’m dreaming of getting back on my bicycle and riding back into my active, healthy life…..one day. For now, I’m reading, getting physio, wobbling around (with crutches), listening to music, staying in touch with loved ones and trying to stay positive (although I don’t think I’m succeeding).
Take care,
C
Hi c
Never have regrets, we hav to remember how shit we felt to go on these drug in the first place an how they have helped us get this far, from my experience it created a platform to pull myself up, I don’t regret taking prozac, it probably saved my life.
I think you are more positive then you realise for when I read your comments you are definitely doing everything right. Like reading, staying in touch, physio for your foot…..your living, it may not be much fun at present but you have to admit you are amazing for not giving up. It takes courage to stop meds and walk alone.
I had never heard of benzos before, but from abit of research it’s Valium I got prescribe diazepam, my doctor would only prescribe two weeks worth, because of the dependency of these drugs, so maybe it might take your body and mind awhile to adjust, that’s not to say you will have this dizziness throughout, it will hopefully be the only severe symptom you experience, an even if another symptom turns up at least it will take your mind off the dizziness!! We have to search for positives sometimes….:)
Lets keep going x
Darn right! Apparently, there’s only one direction to go and that’s forward. At least, that’s what I’m told!
I’ve got to say, I’m impressed with your doctor. He limited your benzodiazepine prescription to two weeks,which is exactly what he should have done. Great to hear that! He took good care of you. My 6 1/2-years on the stuff was WAY too long. They are known as “vestibular suppressants”, i.e. they stop your system of balance from doing what it needs to do. Yup. I have tons of literature on the stuff now, but I didn’t know about them at the time that I took them. I wish I’d had your doctor on board! It took a very long time to get the right diagnosis when the dizziness began and finally, it came down to the medications — prescribed medications — as the cause.
And I’d already been put on Prozac by the time the diagnosis was made. That’s why I have such regret. I should never have taken it. So, the only lesson is: Research your medication before you take it.
Anyway, here we go…..onwards….forward….
Take care.
C
Reading this today has given me the ability to take my next breath, and then the next. I’m 63, on 60mg fluoxetine for more years than I can remember. I let my prescription run out, felt ok, days went by and now I feel awful. Also had to stop Ativan because new doctor won’t prescribe it for me. Add ambien to the list and there I am.
Trying to get Christmas done and find myself staring at the gifts and cards, wondering how I’ll ever get things done. Yet I function, somehow. Like others on this post I struggle and stumble, isolate myself, or cover it up and no one sees how debilitated I am on the inside. I’m going back on the fluoxetine – holidays are not a good time to withdraw, yet I know from the words of encouragement on this post that maybe someday I’ll be strong enough to reclaim myself.
In response to Kathy Honeycutt: S-L-O-W withdrawal has been the clue for me. It was stopping Wellbutrin suddenly that caused my first severe eruption and clear diagnosis of anxiety. That was about 6 years ago. Fluoxetine is slow to build up to effectiveness and slow to get out of the system.
Going back on now may require a period of time before you notice effectiveness and relief. I stepped down on fluoxetine by cutting doses by about one-third and holding there for a month or two. For example, from 20 mg every day I went to 20 one day and 10 the next.
My last step was taking 10 mg three or two times a week. I had 10 mg tablets (not capsules) prescribed for me, and could cut them in half. My last dose was about ten days ago and I am still noticing what may be some minor withdrawal symptoms. Drugs masked some things related to other conditions, so I am learning to handle their return.
If I have a bad flare of my anxiety/depression I will try a small dose of Xanax, or several, for relief. Fluoxetine takes about three weeks to kick in for me, so would not help me with a day or two of severe anxiety. Learnings from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy do help me deal with bouts of irritability, worry, confusion, etc.
I have been on citalopram for 6 years after my husband died and tried many times to come off it and decided I was going to have to remain on it for the rest of my life as I couldn’t tolerate coming off it. Experiencing many of the withdrawal symptoms. My Dr. Changed me over to prozac. I had been taking it for about 6 months on only 10 mg. I tapered it for about 3 months then stopped. I started out feeling the best ever then it started to hit me. My husband encouraged me to stay off it.
I was going to secretly start again but thought I would delay the start, thinking I can start at any time. I became aggressive angry and negative. I noticed it affecting my marriage and I also had mild suicidal thoughts. I verbalized what I was feeling. It was good then but when I was crappy, it triggered my family and things weren’t good. But I hung in there, and I’m pretty sure I’m through it all. YES! I feel great.
No, not great, not low but happy. Normal, if there is such a thing. That’s it for me… Never again. I’ll find another way to get through stuff if I have to. It’s been a week of total normality… No side affects. It will happen. Well it has for me. But it sure puts one on the brink of wondering if it will ever happen. I hope you can enjoy life as I am now.
Hi, I have found this column to be very helpful, I have been on prozac for nearly 3 years and am in my fourth week of tapering really slowly off under the guidance of my doctor, who is amazing. I was on 20mg a day and I have to drop Mondays tablet for a month, this has lead me to feel lightheaded, bit tearful but that is passing I think (symptoms seem to pop up again just in less extreme way) headaches nausea although not extreme, think the worst part is the sluggishness in the brain feels like wading through glue, that seems to have lifted this week and now I feel tired instead and even though I know my mind is light, as in pretty balanced considering what it’s going through I can’t seem to want to do anything, usually am very active, but at the moment just doing nothing is appealing and awful all at the same time.
So through all this and I am sure there is more to come I keep referring back to this column for reassurance, so a big thank you gloom. Tuesday I go down to 10mg for a month, then after that I completely stop taking Tuesday all together, then I start tapering Wednesdays, so I figure all in all it’s going to take me about a year or so to get off prozac, so my question is do you think the withdrawal will last all that time? I have a monthly check up with my doctor so shall ask same question, but am interested in your answer. Many thanks and take care of you. :) Hope this all makes sense because I have not read it back… typically the way I feel at moment I could not be bothered….lol.
Hi Zoe,
I’m not Gloom, but I just read your post and wanted to respond. It seems like an unusual tapering schedule to miss a day here and there rather than just drop the dose but take it everyday. I hope it doesn’t make the withdrawal process more difficult for you. Is there research that shows that it’s a good method? Maybe it’s because Prozac has a longer half-life. In any case, I wish you well. Take care.
Hi c
Thank u for your reply I don’t think I explained the tapering very well so shall try again. I started off not taking Mondays tablet for a month, then after that I stop taking Tuesdays tablet for a month and so on, but I have withdrawal so my doctor has slowed the tapering even more, so today Tuesday instead of dropping the the whole tablet I take 10mg of the liguid form I do this for the next month for the Tuesday tablet after the month I stop taking the liguid form for a month after which I start again tapering the weds. In all this I carry on taking Prozac for the remanding days. This is hard to explain in writing it’s all so I don’t get too many crap withdrawal symptoms. Hope this makes sense! :)
Hi Zoe,
I think I get it!! I was just curious because I recently read a book called “The Antidepressant Solution” by a Harvard professor and psychiatrist named Dr. Joseph Glenmullen. He explains how to taper, and it seems that consistency of dosage is important because the brain has to adapt to the changes. If the dose goes up and down, doesn’t it make things harder? We’re such cyclical beings (e.g. circadian rhythm). Anyway, I really do hope it’s working for you, but check out the book — or at least, the website or Amazon reviews if you’re interested. Slow and steady wins the race, it seems! I wish I’d read it BEFORE I tapered. I would have done it more slowly.
Best wishes, C
Hi c
I think it is going to take me over a year to come off so it’s definitely slow, my dose is very gradually going down over a period of a year, not going up and down it hard to explain in writing…..sorry for confusion I agree with my doctor to go slow, less symptoms and like u said gives the brain time to catch up. So far I have had nothing severe, its more unsettling but that’s why I refer back to this post, it reassurance when my thoughts are kicking up in the wrong direction…..as in panic. Would you mind if I ask how you are now? :)
i have just come off prozac and been experiencing some really bad withdrawal symptons that i thought was the depession coming back been to docs and she advised me to go back on medication. now dont know what to do the withdrawals are very difficult to cope with but want to try and struggle on please give me some words of encouragement that life without prozac is ok if you have been on most of your adult life.
I just came across a good book on the subject of antidepressant withdrawal called “The Antidepressant Solution” by Joseph Glenmullen, M.D. (clinical instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School). It gives information and guidelines about how to withdraw from these medications safely. I completed my taper awhile ago, but I wish I’d read it before doing so. There may not be a way to eliminate all withdrawal effects, but with information, one can hopefully prevent severe effects and at least be prepared for what may arise. The author suggests a slow, controlled taper –two to four months in length, depending on how on the individual — when tapering off most antidepressants. Because of Prozac’s long half-life, there’s an expectation that the withdrawal shouldn’t be too bad. Clearly, that’s not the case for everyone — including me. I thought it was going to be a breeze! Not so. The dizziness/disequilibrium/boaty-feeling is still intense for me and very debilitating. It’s hard to be hopeful now. I’m just exhausted.
I’ve been on and off Prozac for 18 years. Just tapered off a 20mg dose. My temper is frightening, I am tired and lethargic and have what I can only describe as a’whooshy’ head. In the past, I have misinterpreted this as the depression returning. I now know that it’s the effect of withdrawal. Had I known this before, I wouldn’t have gone straight back on to Prozac thinking that I’m one of these people who obviously has depression for life. Why oh why aren’t these things made clear when Doctors prescribe an anti-depressant?
I’ve been on and off Prozac for 20 years now. The longest I was off, was 5 months. Then back on! I hate it! But it looks like I will have to be on it till science comes up with something better. I get terribly suicidal and can’t take care of myself or my family if I’m not on my med. :(
Rebekah, I’m so happy to read your comment! I’ve been on 60mg Prozac for 2 years now. Went down to 40mg one week ago trying to wean myself off. I feel like I’m starting to feel side effects already. I don’t know. Wondering if I’m just going to be on these pills until something better comes along because me and life just can’t get along without Prozac!!
I have been reading all these comments on coming off prozac. I have been on 40mg plus 150mg Wellbutrin. Was diagnosed with a pinched nerve/bulging disc and stopped taking Prozac and Wellbutrin because I was prescribed gabapentin for nerve pain and didn’t want to take all these medications at the same time.
I am now off the gabapentin and it’s been almost 2 months since taking Prozac. I am totally feeling so many of the symptoms described in many of the posts. I’m tempted to go back on although I did go back on wellbutrin. I’m so irritable, very tired and a general malaise. Not sure if better to stay off or start taking it again.
Thank you so much for this article. I am having withdrawal symptoms after discontinuing 25+ yes of Prozac use. Have been on 15+ yrs of 80mg of Prozac. I have been completely off now for 1 1/2 months and wondered if I had a new disease! My body feels heavy and slow, my joints hurt, I want to stay in bed, I feel selfish and irritable, disinterested and unmotivated and feel confused and sad! After reading this article I realize that perhaps this is just a somewhat normal response to quitting years of a heavy dosage of Prozac. Thank you for sharing; it will help!
So glad to hear that others are having the same symptoms as myself. Joints are aching like never before and tiredness—–wow! Thought it was just the change of seasons. I went cold turkey after 12+ years on 10mg then 20. Been off for about a month and after reading these I am so excited to know that it will go away. I was thinking that my cholesteral meds all of a sudden were messing me up.
I was on 20mg for about two years and quit less than a month ago. It was meant to help my bipolarity and anorexia (which it did). Having read this article though (as helpful and great as it was, don’t get me wrong), has left me a little worried over the anorexia part.
I know it’s probably a silly question, but is there a bigger chance for me to relapse to my anorexic ways by quitting this? I feel strong enough to never fall back into that illness again, but will the withdrawl create unwanted weightloss?
Hi Cat!
I thought I’d weigh in on your question, if it’s okay. I think there’s big difference between full-blown anorexia nervosa and the appetite changes that may or may not accompany Prozac withdrawal. If you’ve done the hard work of conquering anorexia nervosa, then I wouldn’t worry about temporary appetite changes from Prozac withdrawal. Good for you for beating it! Stay the course and do the things that have been working for you up until now. All the best, C.
Hi again,
Thanks so much for your answer – it’s very comforting! I managed to pull through the anorexia nervosa, but there’s always been a fear that I might fall right back and it’s a terrifying thought.
Just a quick thing, though. It’s been on my mind for a few weeks now.
I don’t think I’ve seen any mentions of period changes on here, but did read a snippet about it elsewhere a while ago about how some women experience random bleedings(?) and irregularities in their period upon quitting Prozac.
This has been happening to me for weeks now. I just turned 26 (to rule out menopause). One day it’s there, the next it’s not. I finally got what seems to be the real thing a few days ago.
Do you know anything about this, perhaps?
Thanks so much again and sorry for the lengthy post!
Cat
Hi Cat,
So, speaking from experience, anorexia nervosa can mess with your periods big-time! Mine eventually sorted themselves out. I’m not sure how Prozac affects our hormones, but if it does, it will probably normalize like the other things. I’d be checking in with the doctor to see what s/he thinks and whether a blood test is necessary to ensure that the levels are all normal.
With regards to anorexia and falling back into it, I can say (after many, many years of looking back on it) that once you know certain things, you can’t “un-know” them. That is, if you have gotten to the root of what took you down the route of anorexia nervosa, then you’re well on your way to just moving forward with your life. If you’re not feeling confident, then counselling is way better than medication for getting you there. As crappy as I feel now, I couldn’t ever go back to starving myself. Losing one’s appetite for awhile isn’t the same as wanting to starve oneself (possibly to death). It’s all about self-esteem so take good care of yourself (healthy food, exercise, relaxation, fun, family and friends, etc.), love that body of yours and seek out a great, supportive, knowledgeable therapist if you feel it will help. There are some good ones out there!
Having been on Prozac for 18.5 years I thought that a lack of review by Doctors hear in the UK after 10 years of support in France, I would come off cold turkey. I have now been off for 8 months. Initial WD was hell, anxiety, irritable, aches and pains all over but on the good side sex drive improved and after 18.5 years sleep came east, perhaps too easy. Now 8 months later i feel tired most of the day and still sleep well. Sex drive has faded, anxiety remains plus tearfulness and recently I have lost all interest in food. I remain short tempered but then perhaps would admit in reality that I have always suffered fools badly. I hope that some of these symptoms will disappear like many of the physical ones I have had since quitting. I was on varying doses over the years but stabilised for 12 years on 20 mg per day plus Xanax for panic attack. All usage ceased 17 jan 2014.
Hi Linda,
I’m just curious, what has made you decide to quite after 30 years?
I’ve been taking Fluoxetine for 24 years. Thank you!
I was on 40 mg first ten years and went up to 60 mg for another ten years. Then same doctor upped it to 80 mg. 3 weeks ago got the flu and drank only water. Wound up in hospital dehydrated. Was there 4 days and never used my Prozac. That was 2 and 1/2 weeks ago. Withdrawals suck but I have wanted off this for years.
I asked Doctor along time to get me off and was always told “now is not a good time.” When is a good time? Prozac was instrumental in helping me for long time. I will never put it down. Worst symptoms are nausea, insomnia, crying at anytime and Brian Screwing with myself. This to shall pass. -Paul
Wow. I am so glad to read all of your comments. I was feeling so alone in this but now realize I am not. I began taking Fluoxetine 3 years ago to help me through a rough situation, I began to have hair loss which only made the stress worth which is ironic because it was the stress that caused the hair loss.
Anyway, I started at 10mg and a year later felt that it wasn’t doing anything anymore and of course instead of suggesting that I wean off, the dr recommended a dosage increase to 20mg. I bit, thinking she knew best and that it was the solution that made sense. Now 3 years in I am realizing that there’s no reason I can’t “do life” on my own and can’t even remember what the “normal me” feels like anymore.
My last follow up I told the dr that I wasn’t pleased with the side effects anymore and feel like I should be okay weaning off now and I couldn’t believe her reluctance to agree with me. She doubted my symptoms (I said I was feeling depressed and she dispelled it immediately stating that “Prozac doesn’t cause depression” in a very condescending tone). I didn’t even have a chance to get through the rest of the list I had sitting on my lap because I was so taken aback by her reaction (the others were foggy brain, low libido, weight gain, no interest in activities and depression, or what we decided by the end of the visit was actually ‘lack of/devoid of emotion’).
I maintained my position and she finally agreed to me weaning off. This too is no picnic. I have been weaning for about a month now and can’t focus on anything, unable to read anything and actually absorb what I read, concentrate on work or continuing education classes I have to take for work. I am a creative person by nature and like to draw and write songs, but all I see is a blank sheet of paper.
The dizziness, fatigue, lifelessness and feelings of insecurity and hopelessness are unbearable. I am so so hopeful that this will be a short ride, bc I can’t imagine having to go through years of this discomfort. I just want to feel like me again. Like someone above said, it would be nice if the tapering symptoms were disclosed in the beginning and not come as a surprise at the end.
I wish someone had told me. I may have handled the situation differently 3 years ago. I hope if you are thinking of going on Prozac/fluoxetine that you read this first and inform yourself. Maybe it is right for you, everyone is different. I just wish I had known beforehand. Much luck to all of you – persevere!!
Stephanie, thank you for writing the above – it’s given me some hope. I’ve been on (predominantly) Fluoxetine for 18 years, put onto max dosage, then tried other anti depressants. I am 52 and tapered for 6 months, now been drug free for 1 month. I cry uncontrollably and randomly. I have a constant cold and feel ‘what is the point’ a lit if the time. I have lucid happy moments too, and just want the balance to change so I have more good and less bad. Hindsight is great, I believe the decision to start Fluoxetine was right at the time, but question GPs reticence to help you coming off them. Hope all continues to go well.
I have been on Prozac and then fluoxetine for about 30 Years now. I have a chemical imbalance and after years of self medicating finally went to detox and rehab and got involved in Narcotics Anonymous. After 3 years clean feeling still terribly depressed I got referred by my therapist to a psychiatrist who started me on 20 mg of brand name Prozac and never knew how different I would feel.
Even friends commented and I stayed involved in sober meetings and living but the results were short lived so I was increased first to 40 mg then 60 mg then 80 mg then 100 mg. Eventually I came down to 80 mg and have been there for the past roughly 30 years until it stopped working. Now I am advised by my shrink to alternate 80 mg one day and the next 40 mg so I could slowly wean down to 60 mg.
I don’t know what’s next but I feel horrendous and also had to have a craniotomy 3 years ago for a 6 cm aneurism only found by a fluke. I also was misdiagnosed for over 8 years being told to see a shrink when in 2004 I was finally diagnosed with Bartonella and Lyme disease, Chianti Malformation 1, and trigeminal neuralgia. I’ve suffered from migraines since the age of about 7 and am a DES daughter.
So ok withdrawal but what’s next? I know of no one in the same situation but am weaning off the fluoxetine slowly. I take 100 mg of topamax twice a day to prevent migraine ( tried every thing else and am allergic) and that is the short version. Also many concussions throughout my life. Any feedback would be welcome.
I’Very taken prozac for 30 years 40 mg. I quit for about 3 weeks cold turkey….The only thing that I feel so far is I’ve been sick and now I’m experiencing Allot Of Fatigue….I mean allot can’t seem to get anything done. Mentally I’ve been very good. I have great friends and family around me so that’s a Great plus in my favor. I hope I can continue to quit I’m pretty determined ..wish you all good luck!!
I have started seeing a PhD therapist to treat my depression regarding some external events in my life, including my marriage, participating in an auto-pedestrian accident as a pedestrian, reverting back to alcohol after 15 years sobriety and some awful things that happened during the drunk time, and menopause. I decided to stop the PROZAC after 15 years solid on 60mg a day; it seemed to me a band aid to cover the symptoms I needed to learn to fix. My therapist is helping me a lot.
I am experiencing many effects, but I’m not sure if it is the depression coming out or WD from the pills. Crying, chest hurting (like a heart-ache), feeling lonely with people all around, feeling picked on and criticized and worthless, tired, aches all over (but in addition to the accident and a new discovery of moderate scoliosis, which cause pain by their very nature), sometimes I will stand and stare. I quit the pills in August or September.
I am going off the Xanax gradually – and am feeling the anxiety well up quicker as well as some of the other WD effects of that one. The therapist is helping through this as well. I also started using a medical grade marijuana, which takes the edge off the aches and pains and also has an immediate calming effect for when I get overly anxious or agitated. It also helps lighten my mood if I’m in a pit of pity or self doubt or brutal reminiscences (flashbacks on a not-so-perfect life).
The marijuana’s effects help put me at a point where I can function, and when they wear off I find myself at a starting point again where I can continue to function and focus on LIFE (that keeps going whether I do or not) and getting better without the pharmaceutical band-aids. My problem right now is: explaining to my family that I don’t have an ATTITUDE PROBLEM. I AM JUST TRYING TO GET BETTER. It is sooooooo hard when they don’t understand.
I know what you mean and both of my daughters are Drs and should know I need support, not criticism.
I quit cold turkey after 30 years also. I have been off for about a month. Really no side effects. Maybe get a bit moody at times but really surprised things are going this well. I hope it stays this way and I never have to be medicated again.
I also quit Prozac cold turkey about 10 years ago, however about 1 month after that I got severe neck pains so I started taking tramadol. I felt great with tramadol and lost 55 pounds and went from dress size 18 to size 6. I was really excited. I believe the prozac puts the weight on. The sad thing is that in 11 months I went back into severe depression and had to get back on prozac. Now I am back to 165 lbs and I will try to taper off Prozac. I am praying for a miracle. God Bless all of you who are tapering off Prozac and Good Luck!!!
Hi. How have you progressed with your cold turkey off of Prozac? I cold turkey’d a year ago and like you, didn’t have any symptoms of withdrawal for about a year. A year later I have severe insomnia and depression and anxiety. I’m questioning whether it’s withdrawal or something else. I hope you are doing well.
Linda, how did this go for you? I’ve been taking 40 mg for about 4 years and 20 mg for several years before that. Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of the rare side effects of the drug happening to me and have made the decision to stop taking it. I’m nervous though.
Linda, How are you doing? I have been on Prozac 40 mg for 26 years. I have just talked to my Doctor about taking me off.
I tapered off 20mg Prozac over 6 weeks, i.e. 5 mg drop per week. I’m at just over 10 weeks post-taper, and the most prominent physical symptoms have been disabling dizziness (sensation of being on a boat or in a strong ocean current), head shocks and lip tingling, muscle aches, tinnitus, insomnia and diarrhea. The dizziness has continued, although the other symptoms are now variable. It’s somewhat comforting to see that others were still symptomatic at 8 weeks, meaning I’m not the only one whose symptoms have gone on for so long. But I wish I’d never taken the stuff and that no one else had to go through this either. I wish I’d been informed BEFOREHAND, and I’m left with regret that I ever took this medication. I’m sticking with melatonin for sleep, a healthy diet and CBT for now. A wise person told me this: “You’re closer to the end (i.e. of the withdrawal) than the beginning, so keep moving forward!” It’s good advice. I’d appreciate hearing from others with long-running withdrawal symptoms who have come out the other side. Hope is helpful!
Hey C, really sorry to hear about those rough symptoms you are experiencing. I think a lot of people wish they would have known before-hand how incredibly crazy withdrawal and lingering withdrawal symptoms can be.
As each day passes, you are one step closer to overcoming this. It may take another 10 weeks to feel better, but focus on taking things one day at a time. Good call on the melatonin for sleep and CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) – both should be very helpful. Wish you nothing but the best and a speedy recovery.
Hi, stopped taking fluoxetine in January and had been on it for a decade. I have been on a antidepressant medicine for the better part since I was 16, and I’m now 33. I didn’t feel anything for the first 7 weeks, then it just hit me like a ton of bricks!! I started feeling low after getting over a cold.
Then I started not being able to handle my job and had to cut my schedule. I couldn’t get out and do much just watched a lot of movies. Started crying all the time and feeling very overwhelmed with everything. Every morning I got to work I felt fried and like my center core had been ripped out!
I am now dealing with poor self image about my weight as I put on some getting off fluoxetine second month in. But what really starts to turn it around for me is to be outside as much as possible! Changes my whole being.
Hi, My experience with coming of fluoxetine has been very similar to Tiffany’s. I have been on the medication for over 10 years. I have come off it once or twice and had to go back on it due to relapsing. I have on it recently for over 4 years and recently stopped taking it.
Around the week 3 week 4 mark it hit me like a tone of bricks. Endless exhaustion, headaches, dizzy spells, nausea and feeling lightheaded – have been the most extreme symptoms I have experienced, on top of a number of others. It’s been really difficult and exhausting.
Hi Angel this is Tiffany – has it got any easier for you? I hope so! I have been off since January and I am still going through it, now it’s May! Just feels like it is not going away.
Hi Tiffany, My experience was similar to yours. How have you been since that post and what else did you find helpful (or not helpful)
thank you. Lisa
Lisa, I am coming up on a year off the fluoxetine! I am finally feeling much better and I was wondering how you are doing?
I’m going through the same thing. Been on fluoxetine for 10 years or longer. Been off for going I’m 4 weeks. And hopefully God’s will, I will never do this again. I hurt so so bad like I have the flu. Body aches, pains, and am a tired mess. Just wanna lay some an sleep all the time. And that is so not like me. Wish these side effects will go away SOON!!!!
I have muscle spasms so bad in my legs and my hands feel like I have arthritis. I was on Prozac for over two years at 40 mg. Now down to 10 mg every other day. I also feel tired. Started a workout program so I am hoping this helps.
How are you doing now Michelle with aches and pains, spasms, and tiredness?
My Dr has prescribed antivert for vertigo that I have occasionally. I am taking that and it helps me with the dizziness!
was on 20mg for 4yrs , reduced it over 2mths now prozac free but the tiredness & lathargy is severe .
Stephanie, I am curious about how you feel now. Have your withdrawal symptoms improved?
Unfortunately no, in some ways I have worsened. I was doing well for 3 weeks but went to the gym and that night the Hell started all over again. I have been in severe withdrawal again for 2 weeks. Im sorry, I wish I had a better report.
Stephanie I am sorry to hear that. Things have been bad for me too! Last 3 weeks have been hell! I blow things up way bigger and I have been feeling really unattractive and just bad. I am going on five months without it.
I have been off prozac 4 months now and I went through hell. If I’d known the ‘withdrawal’ would be like this I never would have taken the first pill. The anger and ‘blow ups’ have gotten fewer and the mood swings are getting better. One of my main complaints now is I STAY sleepy, all day everyday. No energy.
I want to do things, but then I want to sleep. I still have blurred vision at times, headaches, and stomach upset. I wish I could turn back time, I never would have agreed to take it. All I can say is hang in there, it has to get better. My dr. said I shouldn’t be having any withdrawals now. So I let him read, from my phone, three different articles I found on withdrawals; his reaction, no joking was “WOW, I’m so sorry.”
Thank you so much for writing this. I am laying here crying from desperation. It has been nearly 8 weeks since I tapered from Fluoxetine and though I am not relapsing, I have every damn WD side effect. It is a living nightmare. Along with severe tinnitus, which I’ve never had in my life. I am so afraid I will never be normal and have become a useless burden to my sweet family. I fear my brain had been damaged from the mere 20mg I was on for 9 months. This information you have written has helped ease my anxiety a bit, so again thank you.
No doubt Stephanie, I hope you recover ASAP. Some people are more sensitive than others in regards to withdrawal… sounds like you are having a rough time. You’ll bounce back and recover with time, just keep trying your best and things will improve. Best wishes.
Thanks for this! I have been on an off for the past two months with Prozac. As I research I am finding it may be the reason that I don’t have a healthy sex drive. I used to be very well off with my orgasms but now I have been unable to get healthily aroused with my husband. It is rather frustrating to my husband and I. Although he may think it is him that is the problem, I think otherwise. I think it may be my 8 months of usage from prozac. Again, thanks for sharing. It is nice to know that I’m not the only one going through something similar.
Absolutely no doubt at all about the orgasms – please don’t blame your husband. It’s definitely a price you pay for Prozac, initially at least.
Hi there, I am feeling right now what you were feeling in your post. Did it pass eventually? Any advice? X
I have a lot of the same symptoms you are describing, Stephanie. The tinnitus and light headed feeling I get whenever I turn my head suddenly has been troubling especially when driving. I was on 30-40 mg of fluoxetine for approximately 6 months to help me get through a rough patch. I have found getting out and being of service instead of isolating has helped me immensely. It took time for me to feel better with the medication and I know that it will take time to withdraw. Hope this helps. Hang in there!
Hi Steph, I was only on 20mg for around a year and a half. I’ve been taking them every other day for a week and feel rotten. I feel really needy and lonely and also get the tinnitus too. I find I’ve also become very open with people – too open. Sounds strange but just not me.
I sincerely wish you the best.
I feel exactly the same. Good job. We have each other for support. I really feel for my poor husband. He too is going through hell because of me.
How are you now Stephanie?
Thank you for the insights. I went off Prozac after tapering, in March. It is very helpful to hear from others going through this process. I am interested in any information on ways to help the brain reestablish serotonin. I have found exercise, family support, pets, singing and dancing all help. Positive thinking helps but I also honor my emotions as they come. I was on 20 mg. for 10 years, went to 10 mg for another 5 years. I started having eczema outbreaks that I believed was related to the Prozac. Since I have gone off it the eczema has cleared up. I found this article helpful, thanks.
I have been on 60mg of prozac for at least 15 years. I overdosed in Jan 2016. I was put back on 20mg then taken off that nearly two weeks ago because it could not be given with Naproxen. I am now on none. I feel and act like a person possessed. I shout, argue, want to smash thing, feel drunk even though I don’t drink now. I am not me. The quiet withdrawn artist. I feel so suicidal. The doctors are mucking me about.
I am grabbing at straws here. Am I withdrawing or they put me on longtec PR every 12 hours. I was blaming that. But they said it was oxycodone and I have been on that for five years. I can’t sleep and have been avoiding family because I can’t control myself. I feel I have enough adrenaline to run a marathon and kick the living daylights out of anyone in my way. I am not me. I know that but I don’t know why. Help help help.
Kat, I think that may have been too sudden a stop for you. I’d talk to your doctor about tapering or getting you on another SSRI.
Kat, I’m at the place you were when you posted a few weeks earlier. I was on prozac for a little over three years, first 20 then 30, then 40 mg. It was perfect the first month or so and then slowly stopped working altogether, and I experienced longer and deeper depression than I’d ever endured before.
Going cold turkey is definitely doable, but like you (I’ve been off it for a little over three weeks now) I have major anger, frustration, yes, shout, argue, but thankfully no suicidal thoughts, at least not yet. I have a ton of adrenaline, too, and honestly it makes me feel SO much more alive when I was on the meds. Prozac made me sleepy, groggy, and I even had blurred vision from it.
Yes, I love your statement about running a marathon and (angrily?) kicking the daylights out of anyone in my way. It feels kind of good in a way lol. I don’t know. I just hope the withdrawal ends sooner rather than later for us both. I don’t like feeling all this anger. And oh yes, very hard to sleep even when I’ve put in long, physical days. I hope you are doing better since your post. Hang in there.
I’ve been on Prozac for 10 years and stopped 2 months ago. I’m a freakin wreck. I’m always agitated, cannot sleep for more than a couple hours, everything bugs me and my kids are becoming afraid of making me even slightly mad. Everyone is walking around on eggshells around me. When will I feel normal again or should I just start taking it again? I’m a total pacifist by nature but now want to scream bloody murder at people for the stupidest things. I don’t want to take drugs for the rest of my life but I’m beginning to think I’m going to have to.?
How you feeling now Jenna? I have been off prozac for 2 months now and your description above describes me to a tee ?. How long did you feel like this?