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, this article was very helpful. I am going off of Prozac cold turkey. Been taking 20 mg for around a year to get me through a rough patch. I have been feeling sad, tired, dizzy, and out of it. It’s easiest for me to stay at home as much as possible. It is comforting to know that the symptoms will pass. Good luck to all of you who are going through the same.
After being on Prozac (anywhere from 40 mg to 15) and Trilafon (only 2 mg) for 8 years, I knew that the meds weren’t working and causing depression on top of depression. The first two years, I had a renewed energy for life, had my first adult relationship with a woman, and was overall more confident. After that, the effects wore off, I had passive suicidal thoughts – not wanting to live but not going to hurt myself – and if I tried to make any progress, even with a good and honest therapist the past year, I was unable to because the prozac held me back.
I also slept anywhere from 12 to 17 hours a day and didn’t feel that energetic even when I was awake, along with weight gain despite not eating any more than usual – went from 150 to 180. Am aware that part of that is the aging process, but part of it was likely also the prozac/trilafon and eating a lot of food the few hours I was awake and not balancing out meals. Two weeks ago, I voluntarily admitted myself to a short-term psych ward where the doctor got me off it cold turkey and put me on neurotin and lamictal.
The problem is, like all of you, the withdrawal process is hell. I say horrible things to my family, am mad at them and less forgiving of things they’ve done in the past or present, if we argue, I add more fuel to the fire. My belly/stomach area feels like I have an ulcer, my arms and body shake intermittently, I have a complete loss of appetite and only drink health shakes and drink water and ginger ale, I have short term memory loss and a complete inability to concentrate. (Before the withdrawal, I’d read over 10 books this year despite having really bad depression even with the Prozac), and if someone agitates me, it makes me want to hurt myself when before the withdrawal, I’d have thoughts about not wanting to live but with no intent of actually doing anything about it.
In short, it’s a good thing I got off the prozac – in fact, a woman online who was in the mental health industry warned me about the prozac/trilafon combination 4 years ago – but I can’t help but wonder where I’d be right now if the doctor who prescribed them took me off them when the positive effects wore off. I told him the depressive symptoms I was having and obsessive thoughts/actions, but for whatever reason he didn’t want to change anything. Doctors since have tried to ween me off, but then I’d get as low as 10 mg and my body would crave more.
It’s torn apart my family, my mom is nearly having a nervous breakdown out of concern, and one side of my family is the type of people who think depression is like a common cold. Ironically enough, a lot of them would benefit from being on anti-depressants, but that’s another story altogether. The other side of the family for the most part feels horrible and is on my side, but I don’t want them seeing me in this condition.
The good news is it’s only been 2 weeks, and that every doctor I’ve spoken to says that whenever the withdrawal period ends, the neurotin/lamictol combination is perfect for manic depression, and little to no side effects and not at all addictive. In the meantime, life has physically become hell. I’d recommend the movie Clean And Sober with Michael Keaton to anyone who has never seen it. It’s not a very happy movie, but it’s a very accurate portrayal of any kind of drug addiction.
The only positive things for the moment are:
1.) My sex drive has leveled out. I’m attracted to women, but not hypersexual like I was before. Let’s say it went from an 11 on the 10 scale, finding mostly anyone that’s a woman sexually attractive, to a 7.
2.) Eating less junk food has already caused me to lose 5 pounds and if I continue to eat healthy and exercise – everything I eat has little of anything bad for you – I’ll lose my small beer gut and be able to wear the type of clothes I haven’t been able to in several years.
3.) My family is at least aware that my behavior is a result of the detox and withdrawal and is less abrasive now. It still affects them, but they know I don’t mean anything I say or do.
Very long post, I apologize! But hopefully this will help some people: After reading through literally every single comment on here, I thought it was time to post my story. A lot of times on these forums, we only see the bad – people at the worst point of withdrawal that they are compelled to share their personal stories online. However, when those people start to feel better we don’t hear these stories. The symptoms have finally lifted so they no longer seek the refuge of sites like these. I am hoping to change that and at least provide some reassurance for some of you.
My Prozac background:
I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in March of 2013. After weighing the options of how to best combat depression, I was put on 20mg of Prozac on April 6, 2013. After a few weeks, I felt the dosage was too high. I am VERY sensitive to medication. So on May 30, 2013 I was brought down to 15mg.I was doing great and felt back to my normal self. After a year, in March of 2014, I decided to start the taper. I am a young woman who some day wants to have a child – so I wanted to give myself plenty of time to wash the Prozac out of my system. I went down to 10mg and everything continued to be great. In June 2014, I went down to 5mg. Within days I felt the normal (awful) withdrawal symptoms (panic, dizziness, anxiety, difficulty sleeping – you name it). I had no idea what was going on and thought my original depression was coming back, so I went back up to 10mg and felt better. I waited a year to restart the tapering. In July of 2015, I went down to 7.5mg. Everything was good, no major symptoms. Maybe a little dizziness.
Current: After speaking with my doctor, we decided I was ready to go down to 5mg. She told me to wait until a week after I ran the NYC marathon (not bragging, just want to give you a reference point that I was very active). In anticipation of the taper, I read The Antidepressant Solution by Dr. Glenmullen– I suggest this book to all of you!
Dr. Glenmullen has patients rate their symptoms on a scale from 0-10 (0 being no symptoms at all, 10 being severe symptoms that are debilitating).
Days 1 and 2: no symptoms (score: 0)
Days 3-10: minor symptoms (slight dizziness) (score:2)
Days 13- 16: feeling dizziness more, also starting to feel tired with simple activities (walking a few blocks, grocery shopping) (score: 5.5)
Days 17 – 21: dizziness is awful, nausea, difficulty concentrating, poor coordination, intense dreaming at night, forgetfulness, headaches, can’t even fathom going to the gym (score:7)
Day 22: my peak. All symptoms listed above, but heightened. I was literally counting down the minutes in the day until I could go home from work and sleep (score: 8)
Day 23-25: symptoms subside a bit – similar to days 17-21, feeling positive about this – hoping the worst has passed (score: 7)
Day 26-31: symptoms continue to subside – starting to feel like my old self. I am able to go to the gym without becoming overly tired. (score: 6)
Day 32-33: symptoms getting a lot better – feeling mostly normal (score: 5)
Day 34-36: can do normal activities, still get a little tired but symptoms are very manageable (score: 4)
Day 37-38: still some remaining dizziness but I think it is safe to say the worst is over (Score: 3)
What I want you all to know is that the symptoms will pass. You just need to give yourself time. If right now is not the right time for you to taper, maybe talk to your doctor about going back to the original dosage and waiting. I also suggest reading The Antidepressant Solution. It is extremely reassuring.
When researching the symptoms and their duration, remember a few things: (1) Prozac has an incredibly long half life. So while patients who are tapering off Paxil with experience the withdrawal process in days (from feeling nothing day 1, to a peak on day 7, to back to nothing on day 14) – Prozac withdrawal is a matter of weeks, not days. (2) Everyone’s metabolism is different. Prozac withdrawal usually sets in within 2-3 weeks. However, I think I have a somewhat fast metabolism so it wasn’t a surprise that my symptoms started earlier. 2-3 weeks isn’t a hard deadline, you could feel the symptoms earlier or later and it’s all normal. (3) Let people around you know what you are going through. My fiancé read The Antidepressant Solution at the same time as I did, and he has been a great resource whenever I question how I am feeling.
I still have a long way to go and after this experience I know that I want my final taper from 5mg to 0mg to be excruciatingly slow (I am thinking of slowly reducing the dosage over the course of months – down .5mg at each stage). I just want to avoid the withdrawal symptoms at all costs, and if that means I have to painstakingly count out my dosage each day, I am fine with that.
You have to do what works for you – there is no right or wrong way – just whatever makes you feel best. You can do it!!
I started tapering from 80mg of fluoxetine and 2mg of generic abilify a little over a week ago. I am now on 40 mg of fluoxetine and 2mg of generic abilify. In the course of that time I have I have just had a birthday. On my B-Day I experienced a mood swing of depression. Not sure if the mood swing was from looking forward to everything and then it being over with suddenly, or being on a lower dosage, or a combination of the two. Anyone have any insight on whether this was related to the decreased dosage or just a case of the birthday blues?
I’m glad I found this blog. I’ve been on Prozac 20mg for 20 years for OCD and it still works for me. In addition, I have been on Xanax for severe panic attacks for 30 years (but have had panic attacks for 47 years). For whatever reason, the doctors don’t want to prescribe these medicines any longer, in particular the xanax. I started on .25mg 3x day in 1985 and at one point moved up to .5 mg 3x a day, but reduced on my own to .25mg 3x a day for the last several years.
I’m pretty good right now, and I don’t understand why the doctors would change something that is working. Because I have had motor tics all my life, the doctors have finally decided to try some new meds on me to help. The 3 things I have tried thus far were horrific, and I could not take them. First was Gabapentin, then Buspar, and then I can’t remember the name of the 3rd.
In the meantime, my xanax was reduced to .25mg 2x a day. The doc said he wants to take me off of xanax and prozac, and then just take one drug that will handle everything. I just can’t bear to be a guinea pig on new meds again, and I’m worried about withdrawal of prozac and xanax. I’m doing OK on the .25mg 2x a day Xanax right now. I just wanted to post and get some thoughts. Thank you for listening and responding. Cin Cin
Hey, I’m 15 and just coming off prozac (I took it 6 months, 20mg). I haven’t been able to sleep or eat, or really anything apart from being extremely nauseated, for the past few days. I just tapered down to 10mg four days ago. Is this normal, and does anyone know how I can deal with the symptoms? I know I still have to go to school and such, so does anyone have any tips? Thank you.
I got on Prozac 20 mg about 7 years ago for relief of PMDD. It helps. It is so much easier during my cycle. But, I too feel like I am ready to be done with medications. I tried to quit cold turkey and it was the worst time in my life. The mood swings were horrible. Looking back it was quite scary the way I would fly off the handle. So I got back on them per Drs orders. I recently tried to taper off a week ago. I was doing 20 mg every other day. This past Friday I was so angry and felt so much pulling and pressure on my head. So I went back on them this past Friday. I am so frustrated because I really feel not myself and I hate that I have to get back on Prozac
Great post- this was a very encouraging read. I quit Prozac cold turkey after 3 years on 40mg without notifying my doctor. I just thought I’d be ready. I’ve noticed that agitation, anxiety, and extreme lethargy have been part of my every day life, while rage spells, night sweats, and suicidal ideations (that tend to lead to self harm) happen weekly.
This whole process has been disheartening and defeating. But this article has helped show that this is by no means a fixed state, or a solitary one. I do think I’m going to go back on Prozac or some other antidepressant/anxiety, seeing as my withdrawal was purely self-motivated, with no medical consultation or compelling reason. Does anyone recommend other antidepressants that help with mood management and anxiety? Thanks again. I hope you are all well.
I’ve been taking 20mg of fluoxetine (prozac) daily for about 20 years now. It was extremely helpful for years, as I was taking it to treat symptoms of PMDD, which included depression and mood swings. Several times over the years I tried to go off it, but my problems came roaring back within two days. So I continued. Now, I’m going through menopause, and along with those changes (plus a couple of other symptoms related, I suppose, to aging), I’ve been having to take other drugs and vitamins.
Each one seems to conquer one problem, just to reveal another. I finally decided to step off the merry-go-round. I was nervous due to past experience, but as of about 10 days ago, I’ve been pharma-free. I am experiencing some of the withdrawal symptoms listed above (thank you so much for posting!), including headaches, trouble with visual focusing, lightheadedness and mild dizziness.
Outside of that, I am delighted to report that the depression seems to be gone. Time alone will tell. THANK YOU to the person who originally posted this, and to all of those who have written about their experiences. It truly helps to understand what’s going on, and that it can be done.
One day I was in prayer and the Lord laid it on my heart to stop taking Prozac. I’m taking 40mg now and have been on and off the drug for over 20 years. I’ve quit cold turkey before and had horrible electric zaps in my body, crying spells, so I always went back on it. Now, though, I am slowly tapering. Instead of taking it everyday I am now taking it every other day.
When my bottle runs out I will get it refilled and then start taking it once every three days. After that, I will see about stop taking it for good. But for now, so far so good. Also, I take .25ml of xanax and that is helping me a lot with anxiety which is my main problem anyway and I take ambien at night too. I don’t think I need prozac, xanax and ambien. Sounds like overkill to me. With God’s help though I can do this.
I was on Prozac for about 6 months. My psychiatrist had me stop taking prozac and then start Lexapro. I had no negative reactions from dropping the Prozac.
I’ve been on 80mg prozac for years. I don’t even know how many years. Thought I would have to take it for the rest of my life. I cut down to 40mg about a month ago and have been off it completely for 3 days. I didn’t know what I was going through was withdrawal. I do know talking to God about everything is helping alot. Not just what I think is permissible but everything. Including the anger, ears ringing, headaches weight gain crying, exhaustion ect… He knows all about it. And will never leave us or forsake us.
He is helping me get through the withdrawal process. Until I found this site I didn’t know it was withdrawal. I thank God for showing this to me. I was thinking I was a terrible person because of the anger and depression. I’m praying for each one of us. I know He is helping us. Hang in there. One of my favorite scriptures is It came to pass. My mom told me it didn’t come to stay, it came to pass. Praise God! It will pass.
Hi all, I have found fellow pioneers on this sight and I am going through the same type of symptoms. One thing that helps my headaches is good fish oil taken daily. As soon as I stop. The head hurts much worse. I too don’t want to be dependent on Prozac. I had severe panic attacks about a year after my mom died. We were very close. I was scared all the time. Prozac saved me.
Respect it for that. but I fear what I have gotten my brain into. 10 mg helped get me straight but then seemed to cause general anxiety. So I had to take Xanax three times a week. my doctor agreed to put me on liquid 5 mg. I haven’t had Xanax for two years. two years later. Headache, dizzy spells. Ringing ears. I tried to taper more but panic came back. So tapered back to 5 – and holding.
This may just be my life now. On Prozac and never feeling great but its a lot better to not have panic and a racing pulse that I can’t control. I was very scared that it came back. Also crying and anger with all the negative thoughts… That’s how I knew what my minimum dose was. So I’m ok for now with what this is…. I function, I have a low dose… I get by.
I’ll think about tapering more later. I was more scared to upset the norm by going through with stopping completely. If anyone has had success with stopping and panic attacks let me know. I’ve been taking it for three years. Hang in there everyone.
Went of 20mg after about 14 months. Have had a really odd sinus head cold and general laziness that pretty annoying after about two weeks off it. Also a weird foggy feeling. Last night I started weeping almost uncontrollably for no real good reason and I can’t remember the last time I cried. Trying to just laugh at the absurdness. What else can I do…
I was put on prozac for a relatively short time, I realized after reading these comments, of 6 months. But I just stopped taking it after that time as my doctor had told me there were no side effects and it could be stopped at any time. The worst one is the “head zinging”, not sure how else to describe it. It’s like electric shocks going through me and stops me in my tracks.
On top of the side effects I think I got a cold that lasted about a week, complete with severe stomach cramps, vomiting and a terrible headache. Now 3 weeks on I think I have another cold. It’s hard to know where the illness stops and the withdrawal starts! Hopefully it’ll all be over soon. Reading these comments has really helped though, thanks all.
Hi, I was prescribed 10mg of Prozac, which was then upped to 20mg, when I was twelve years old because of severe depression and moderate anxiety. I took it for a year and a half, then one day decided I didn’t need it anymore. I stopped taking it my eighth grade year, cold turkey, because I did not know about tapering off. I was fine for the first month, besides having mood swings.
Then things got BAD. I couldn’t get out of bed in the morning. It was like it hurt me emotionally to have to go to school and being around people made me feel even worse. I’d sleep and cry everyday and I felt like a zombie all the time; like I had no emotion but at the same time felt so much pain. It was absolutely terrible. So I started back on my 20mg dosage, and a little over a year later went up to 40mg because my anxiety was worsening.
I’ve been on 40mg for about 10 months now. I have recently been having these thoughts that I can’t be normal without this medication, and it bothers me a lot. I want to quit, but even with tapering off I don’t think I can handle the withdrawal symptoms. Especially since I don’t know how long they could last. Plus, my life is going okay right now and I don’t want to mess it up, but at the same time I don’t only want to be able to enjoy my life because of a pill. I want to learn to function without medication. I just don’t know if I can do it. Any thoughts?
Hope, I don’t think you have to be pill-free. If you have something that makes you feel normal, and you have to take it the rest of your life, at least you don’t have the depression and anxiety – which you cannot live with. To me, it’s worth taking the prozac. Hope this helps. Cin Cin
I stopped taking Prozac without tapering off and I fully regret it. I have horrible crying spells, agitation, anger, insomnia sometimes with no sleep for two days in a row. Bearing degrees of headaches hot flashes. And some pretty severe and consistent dizzy spells that I’ve never ever had before. I’m already ADHD so just makes it worse for focusing. My opinion is anybody you wants to go off of Prozac…please taper off because I’m in ultimate hell right now.
Love that I can find other people to relate to during this stint in, what I’d like too call, HELL. I began taking 20mg Prozac for anxiety and panic attacks. 2 weeks later, my doctor upped my dose to 40mg. I couldn’t tolerate the 40mg, as it was giving me awful headaches, nausea, dizziness, and an overall numb feeling. So I went back to the 20mg, and felt fairly well on it- it worked beautifully on my anxiety, but I also never felt like myself on it. I dinked around with my dose at times- some days I did take the 40mg, some days I wouldn’t take it at all.
Finally, after more inconsistency, I quit cold turkey. Now, I was only on the medication for approximately 3 months, but the withdrawal symptoms have been pretty bad- way worse than I felt before I even started the drug. First, it’s the headaches. They’re almost daily and all day. Sometimes it’s on one side, sometimes it feels like there’s a band of pressure squeezing the life out of head, sometimes it’s head and neck pain. It’s awful. I had the “brain zaps,” pretty bad for the first 3 weeks (I’m on week 4), and they’re starting to subside now.
Additionally, I’m getting the night sweats and hot flashes on the regular now too, and tinnitus/ear pain on & off with accompanying jaw pain. Insomnia hasn’t been too terrible, but I also take melatonin. Overall, I generally don’t feel well nor do I feel like myself. I’ve tried to up my supplement intake, and I think that’s helped a little. I definitely feel dejected. I wasn’t on this drug for very long, and I’ve always been very sensitive to medications.
Man oh man, I wish I never would have touched this stuff. Makes me feel like I’m going crazy, dying, and not wanting to live all at once. I pray hard daily that these symptoms subside, and I can get back to the healthy, active lifestyle I once lived. In retrospect, this sure wasn’t worth it.
Hi LC, I read your post and have had a similar experience – I was only on prozac for a couple weeks and had a bad reaction. This was about four and a half months ago, and while most of the extreme symptoms have diminished, the constant headaches, general feeling of disconnection from society, and poor sleeping patterns still remain.
I’m wondering how you’re doing? Has anything improved for you – especially the headaches: have they gotten any better? Also, I’m wondering if you can remember taking any cold medicine while you were on prozac? Thank you so much for sharing.
My boyfriend went on 40 mg of Prozac 3 weeks ago and abruptly stopped because of sexual side effects, he now has ringing in his ears and bad headaches. Will the ringing in the ears eventually go away?
Reading these comments have been so reassuring. I am a Nurse in the UK but still struggled to acknowledge the side effects I am experiencing since ceasing Fluoxetine 4 weeks ago. 5 years of yo-yo-ing between Citralapram and for the last 2 on Fluoxetine 40-60mg. Over 10 weeks I decreased from 60 -40-20-10 to nothing. I did not consult my Doctor (because I think I know best). The last 2 weeks I have had increasing muscle ache light headiness and headaches.
The very worst was that I started to rake meds after my 19 year old sons unexpected death 5 years ago. Last week was the anniversary of his death and I realise I have been NUMB. I couldn’t work out what was wrong with me? What a stupid time to stop the meds! But as others say when is the right time? I am absolutely exhausted and realize I have been feeling detached and isolated. I really could sleep all day and night.
I was about diagnose myself with early onset diabetes I have felt so unwell! I haven’t discussed it with anyone. I have attempted to offset the side effects with walking. I feel the tears are about to kick in but I won’t be afraid now, thanks to the discussion here I feel preferred and strong enough to get through it. I have had a couple of Shiatsu massages. I have also had really bad jaw and teeth grinding. Really painful. I think the massage and acupressure is helping. Many thanks for sharing, again so reassuring.
Reading all this at 3.30am having come downstairs to avoid the panic and racing heart beat I suffer from each night on not being able to sleep, then crazy dreams and not being able to wake properly in the morning. Found this site. Wow, it’s been so helpful to discover all these symptoms are withdrawal and not me getting worse. Been on 20mg for many years and increased to 40mg two years ago when my husband suddenly got seriously ill.
Now I’ve decided that I’d like my libido back! And would like to feel some emotion. Reduced to 20mg cold turkey 6 weeks ago. Then 2 weeks ago suffering from panic, social anxiety and exhaustion, sweats, muscle pain, depression!!!, insomnia and constant fatigue I began to consider that this might be caused by withdrawal. Did some searching online, and decided that enough was enough. I’m now taking 20 mg and 40mg alternate days (is there a 30mg tab?) and feeling more hopeful.
However, I might also consider reducing my dose no further. This site has been very helpful and I’ll refer to it as my journey continues… Off to try sleeping again!
I have been on Prozac 20 mg for 15 years. Last year I was on Effexor 300mg and Wellbutrin 300mg. I weaned myself from the Effexor using Prozac as a ladder to withdraw from Effexor. It was tough but I was able to do it. I stopped taking Prozac 20mg 10 days ago and still taking the Wellbutrin. The reason I am trying to get off of the Prozac is because of the profuse sweating I am getting.
Soaking my hair and my body for no apparent reason is very embarrassing. So as I said it’s been 10 days and am finding myself very teary and exhausted. I have also developed diareah and lack of appetite which I am assuming is anxiety. I am just hoping that this is not all the depression coming back?
Good discussion. I began taking Prozac 15 years ago when husband was diagnosed with cancer. He doesn’t really want me to stop taking it because it decreased my anxiety and my tinnitus disappeared. However, it has also given me the inability to cry (not in about 10 years) and devoid of any emotion.
I’ve been tapering the 20 mg dosage, taking 1/2 dose (10mg) every day for 2 weeks, now on my first week of taking 10 mg every other day. I’m not noticing many side effects except diarrhea and slight vision blurring, and the inability to concentrate sometimes. Mood is still good. Will the bad effects from withdrawal come later if I quit even the 10 mg every other day in another week?
Thank you so much for this post. I needed to read these words of comfort. I took 10 mg of Prozac for about 6 years then recently went to 20 mg of Prozac for a couple of months. During the 10 mg dosage years, I quit taking it for short periods (breaks were usually a couple of weeks to a few months, cold turkey) in my attempts to try and stop altogether. Prozac seems like a safe anti-depressant so I was never too worried about taking it, but I felt that sometimes I should just stop because I didn’t want to take something for my entire life.
I stopped cold turkey taking my 20 mg Prozac about 5 weeks ago. My reason was because the hubby and I were talking about having a baby so I wanted to be drug-free. The most notable withdrawal symptoms have been pretty severe: horrible brain zaps that constantly that occur with any action that involves moving my head or eyes rapidly (e.g., driving!); insomnia (I miss sleep!); headaches; weight gain & bloating. Exercising daily and just trying to wear myself out physically helps me feel much better overall, and I know it’ll get better eventually.
I’m starting a new job in a couple of weeks so I’m quite worried about the symptoms not going away or at least lessening before then. I don’t want to cave and start taking the ‘Zac again just so I’m not brain zapping all day long. These zaps affect my speaking and thoughts, and I feel it makes me seem a little mentally challenged at times. I don’t want my supervisors & co-workers to think their working with a more-than-socially-acceptable-crazy-lady!
Very informative article. It really made me feel much better knowing some of the things I was experience were not my imagination. Thanks.
I have just discovered this website after having a light bulb moment. After waking up and still feeling exhausted, aching, blurry and unable to focus, it hit me that maybe it was connected to giving up 20 mg Prozac 4 months ago, which I had been on for 20 years. So I trawled the internet (thank goodness for the www).
Maybe it was not a food allergy that was making me feel so lethargic and unable to exercise. Maybe I don’t have IBS. Or loads of other things! After reading all the comments, it sounds like I have typical withdrawal symptoms, which my Doctor never mentioned. But after reading all the posts and feeling as bad as I feel, I am wondering why I should not go back on it.
I felt happy and healthy on it, but just thought it was time to be on no medications at all except vitamins as life was in a good place. Has anyone gone back on it and feel life has returned to a better place? Possibly I won’t be allowed to post these thoughts as they are not helpful to all of you who are being so brave.
Thank goodness I researched withdrawal symptoms as I was about ready to start taking my fluoxetine again. I was on it for about 5 years at 20mg a day. Every time I have tried to come off I have been unsuccessful as I thought my depression was returning. I stopped cold turkey about 1 month half ago and for the last couple of weeks have been feeling awful, flu like symptoms, headaches, feeling disconnected and sooooooo tired.
I’m gonna stay off for now and see if my symptoms improve as I don’t feel ‘depressed’ just tired and not like myself at all. I’m just not how much longer the symptoms will last for. What worries me is that if these are the withdrawal symptoms then it’s probably best to get these chemicals out of the body.
Surprised, but reassured to learn that others have developed tinnitus due to withdrawing from antidepressants. I developed tinnitus about 4 weeks ago after trying to restart an antidepressant I had previously taken for 12 years. I never had tinnitus as a side effect of the medication in the 12 years I had taken it; however, after restarting it, and perhaps increasing the dose too quickly, I developed a “hissing” in my left ear.
The psychiatrist thought it may go away if I lowered the dose and tapered back up more slowly, but that did not work. I have since stopped the medication all together 3 weeks ago, but am still hissing. I read some promising things online, and some discouraging. They say in some cases after antidepressant therapy, it takes a few months for the inner ear and the neurotransmitters to resume normal functioning.
I sure hope this is the case with me. Or perhaps I damaged my inner ear for good. Has anyone had tinnitus disappear after the withdrawal symptoms went away? Other than the hissing, the only other withdrawal symptom I have is horrible night sweats. Hope we all stop ringing soon!
I have been on low dose Fluoxetine for a couple of years. I decide to go ‘cold turkey’ a month ago. The only withdrawal I have experienced is tiredness, slight headache and forgetfulness, all much less than I was expecting…thank goodness.
Hi Maureen, what dose were you on? I take 20mg, for 2 years. I would like to go cold turkey, did you do ok?
I agree with Jeanne that Prozac medication can be disturbing. I cannot accept that the response to this drug, which I took in May 2015 was normal. I was only able to tolerate it for 6 days. A daily dose of 20mg was prescribed for short – term stress due to overwork. Although my GP advised me to persevere if I found it hard to tolerate, I had no inkling that medication designed to help me overcome short – term anxiety could make me feel so unwell. More warning should be given. Like Jeanne, I have thought that the drug company owes me some (albeit token) compensation.
After the first tablet I could not see to drive. My peripheral vision was opaque silver. I could not sleep, had a constant thirst, headache and diarrhoea. On quitting after 6 days the insomnia persisted for 6 weeks, the headache for 2 weeks and the visual disturbance also for 2 weeks. It beggars belief that one’s life can be put on hold because fluoxetine works well for the majority of patients. If one happens to be in the minority, tough – just bear it but you won’t be able to grin for 6 weeks or so.
Week 4 withdrawal: I made it through the weekend but now I have the horrible headaches, EXTREME nausea, still diarrhea, total insomnia, extreme fatigue, feverish, body aches. Extreme nausea is my biggest complaint right now. Did break down crying yesterday but only because I want this hell to end! I can hardly take it any more. Has anyone fully recovered from this yet and when does it end? God bless my fellow sufferers. Maybe we should file a lawsuit. This is not normal.
I am currently withdrawing. After the first week I felt really unwell & didn’t know what was happening to me. I had no idea about withdrawal side effects & this article & comments from others really helped. It is easier to cope with all the symptoms now I know what they are. I am finding work a real struggle.
I’m lying here in the middle of the night miserable, feeling like I have the flu-severe body aches, chills, horrible diarrhea, nausea, stomach and chest pains. I have definitely been irritable and avoiding everyone. I’m so dizzy and tired and find it so hard to concentrate and remember what my boss is telling me to do at my new job. Yikes! I quit cold turkey 3 weeks ago after being on 60 mg for 3 years to help me get through cancer. Seems the withdrawal symptoms are getting worse.
I got off because the last time I was on it for several years I was never able to lose weight. I found myself happier and the weight fell off last time, though I know many say it makes you lose weight if anything. I also quit “cold turkey” because I became vegan a month ago and realized the gel coating of prozac comes from animal bones and tendons. Yuck! But how much longer with these horrible, bedridden symptoms? I worry about work Monday as these just hit me harder and fast! Sorry so lengthy. Thanks!
I have taken Prozac since about 1994… that is 21 years. My dosage has varied between 40 to 80 mg per day. I am in the process of coming off Prozac. I reduced the amount slowly for about a month, down to none about three weeks ago (all this under a docs supervision). I am having a few of the side effects pointed out in this article, but am doing OK. Actually I am enjoying the emotions, which have not been present for most of these years.
The two most problematic side affects, are headaches and an increase in my blood pressure. The headaches are always there. If my wife and I have sex, when I climax, my head feels like it is going to explode… from the brow over the top of the head as far down the spine as about 1 or 2 vertebrae. The pain is excruciating for about 7 – 10 minutes… then it subsides to a very nagging headache… which has yet to cease.
My blood pressure has gone up from a normal (non treated) of 132/75 to an average of 175/95. My doc has started treating me for the increase in blood pressure, with amlodipine. I started this about 10 days ago. The average seems to have dropped to about 155/85… but I still have a constant headache… even though it appears to be diminishing. I will be glad when this transition is over… meanwhile, no kissing… which could lead to sex… LOL. Good luck to all in this effort.
I fully tapered off about a week ago and I feel a lot of these symptoms. I’ve been on this crappy medication for 4 years and it hasn’t helped one bit. In fact, it just made me eat non stop and I become more depressed. I hope Prozac hasn’t permanently damaged certain parts of my brain. I haven’t felt anything like myself for almost 3 years now and I’m feeling worse during withdrawal. ;(
Omg, Anon! That scares me to death! I’ve been going through the most severe of the withdrawals and its been a year. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. Makes me want to pull my hair out, feeling like I’m going mad, but the withdrawals have been doing a great job of having so much anxiety and other stuff, my hair has been thinning out. I went off the meds because it was causing serotonin syndrome, now that I’m off it and having these withdrawals, I don’t know what’s worse. I really wish you well.
I’ve been off Prozac for about 4 mos now.I’ve experienced many of the withdrawal symptoms discussed here. I went on Prozac after my husband died, at my doctors suggestion, because I couldn’t stop crying (20 mg for 12 years). I stopped taking the prozac because it made sense to me. I have many of the symptoms discussed here such as crying and depression, but the worst is memory loss. Short term, long term, I can’t seem to remember much these days. I have to write everything down and then I forget to look at my notes.
The memory loss has recently cost me a very good job as a bookkeeper. I’m 67, so I tell everyone I’ve retired. It was a great job and will certainly effect my quality of life. I am exercising, I go for long walks in the preserve near where I live. I’ve started oil painting again, which I love doing and thank God, the withdrawal hasn’t affected that! I’ve gone back to church on Sunday’s and I cry. Please give me hope that these withdrawal symptoms are temporary and will go away!! Promise me!!!
Thank you all so much for sharing your stories. I made a mistake, cut my Prozac does in half, felt great for about 5 or 6 weeks. Then all the side effects mentioned above started, I thought I was going crazy. The only thing I don’t have is dizziness and ringing in the ears. I did not know what was happening. Then it hit me, the Prozac takes about 5 or 6 weeks to leave the body.
There is much information out there about how long it takes. Everyone is different, it can take weeks to months. I am going back on the Prozac as I can’t function like this. I never knew it could be helping the pain in my back or muscle spasms. Thank you all again. -Dee
I am so glad I read all of your comments. I’ve been on Prozac since 1988. I tried to get off of it, but that did not work for me. I am decreasing from 40 mg to 30 mg and suffering like all of you. Unfortunately, I am not able to get off of it completely. I hate these symptoms, so I may just go back to 40mg. I will talk to my therapist, she’s the best. Good luck everyone.
I’ll echo every other writer here: what comfort to read that I am not alone in this mess! I was on 40mg/day of fluoxetine for 22 years to deal with severe anxiety and panic attacks. I decided late last year that enough was enough and I needed to take things into my own hands without pharmaceuticals. I still had mild anxiety but no panic attacks in those 20+ years.
I tapered over a 3 month period and have not taken Prozac since January 2015. So, WD symptoms: weepiness, blurry vision, lack of appetite, obviously increased anxiety, significant digestive issues and irritability. There are moments when I wonder if it’d just be better to get myself back on the *&$% drug and be done with it, but then I remember I’m further along the road than I was a year ago and thanks to all of you, can stick it out. Thanks for this space. May we all find peace…
Very interesting to hear everyone’s experiences. I went off 20 mg Prozac a month ago, which I’ve done before. When I was younger and discontinued SSRIs I would get the brain zaps, but this time it’s just nausea, nausea, nausea every day. Will it ever end? Has anyone else had this as the major withdrawal symptom? Just wondering if it’s withdrawal or possibly something else.
Wow. Those withdrawal symptoms sound as bad as opiate withdrawal, which I have some experience with. I actually came here because my cat (neutered male) has been on transdermal gel fluoxetine, which was prescribed to stop him from urine marking. The stuff made little difference: he seems as anxious as ever, and the dosing ritual (catching him & holding him still while we swab out his ears with cotton balls & then applying the gel) is not pleasant for him either. Looks like a slow taper will be the best option, I hope he isn’t too miserable!
I’ve been on 20mg flux for too many years now. I started tapering in January. I’m currently down to one every five days and I’m still having bad withdrawals. Tiredness and sore bones are really bad…no energy whatsoever. Feels like chronic fatigue. I will be one happy person when I can cope without them. Also I gained weight while on these and now gaining even more coming off them…would have thought I would be losing it. Life is hell right now and I only hope that tapering has been worth it. Got to hang in there. I feel for you all out there.
I’ve taken 20mg of Prozac for 12 yrs and quit cold turkey. My worst side effect has been the feeling of being shocked, as in someone it feels like someone is taking a taser and sending electrical currents through my body. I’m not sure if it’s the Prozac doing it or the depakote. Either way I feel like I’m having mini seizures. Has anyone ever experienced this before?
I recently stopped taking Prozac, and my period has not come. I’m on the pill and I use condoms when I having sex. I’ve looked around and some people do experience menstrual problems during the span of taking Prozac, but does anyone experience this when they come off of it?
How long did it take for your cycle to return? I know someone taking it and their cycle stopped and they’ve recently quit and it has not returned.
Oh my gosh you guys! I know I’m late to this party, but I can’t begin to tell you what a reassuring “relief” it’s been to read about others’ symptoms of withdrawal. I’m just praying I’ll get back to feeling normal soon. I’ve been off Prozac now for about 6-7 weeks and feel sick ALL the time. I have the tinnitus, eye sensitivities, nausea, incredible fatigue, etc… and I have been teetering on returning to the drug, which I’d finally decided I had to stop after learning it was interacting with another medication that’s helping me with pain (Naproxen).. This has been the most confusing time of my life on top of having 24 hours a day of fogginess and uncertainty. I wish each and every one of us well.
Hi, I was on 20mg for 2 years. I decided to come off Prozac just before Christmas because of memory/concentration issues. My doctor advised me to take 1 every other day for 1 week and then stop. I felt great for 2 months and then about 3 weeks ago, chronic generalised anxiety hit me like a sledge hammer. As well as churning stomach (and associated unpleasant side effects), I have terrible insomnia due to the anxiety waking me.
Sometimes I think I am going mad :-(. I’m hoping that this current anxiety episode is withdrawal symptoms as my body gets used to the serotonin uptake. However, given how wonderful I felt for 2 months after quitting, is it at all likely that this current episode is withdrawal? Shouldn’t I have felt rubbish for the whole time? Any advice will be very greatly appreciated.
I was on 60mg prozac for 15yrs. I recently withdrew 40mg for two weeks, 20mg for 2 weeks. I have been off completely for 2 months. Mentally I am doing fine but I have been having joint pain sometimes severe,especially after going for walks. I don’t know if this is withdrawal or something else like arthritis. I have had joint pain for a few years but it has increased since stopping prozac. I am seeing a doctor in a few weeks hopefully he can give me some answers.
I think you’ll be OK, but your doctor is just like mine. He thinks a one week taper is enough. That is useless. You need to take one 20mg pill every other day for at least a few months, or go to 10mg and then after months take that every other day. Give every step a few months. I went from 80 to 20 every other day over 8 years and didn’t feel a thing, but you can do it faster than that, not just as ridiculously fast as your doctor thinks.
Hi there, your story really hit home for me. I cut my Prozac dose in half about 6 weeks ago. I was feeling great for about four and a half weeks. Then all of a sudden massive confusion, anxiety, rage. It has been awful. I did not know what was happening. Because the half life is so long on Prozac it can take a long time before our brain starts to feel the effects of withdrawal. I feel really stupid, am taking the dose I am supposed to until I can talk to my doctor. I was taking the Prozac for anxiety; I had forgotten to take it for a few days, felt great, so thought I will just take one a day instead of two. I hope this makes sense. -Dee
Thank you for this article! I’m absolutely terrified that after 11 years on a 10 mg dose and tapering for the last 3 months that now I am going to begin having panic attacks again… I was prescribed Prozac for my cluster panic attacks after having 3 miscarriages. I have since had two children and have changed my lifestyle drastically. I exercise 6 times a week, eat well and sleep as many hours a night as I can.
I’m so worried that I won’t be able to manage if I begin having panic attacks again and I am scared I’m going to snap at one of my family members… I’m uber b*tchy and tired. For two days I feel like I could barf and go blind as my vision is wonky. Are you sure I’m not staying this way forever? Lol
I don’t have any support emotionally so I feel very scared and alone. I just wanted to go off the meds to see if I am strong enough to be just me.
It’s been 20 days and only in the last two days do I feel like I’m losing my mind. Sigh. Why can’t I just get through life like a normal being? So so frustrated.
Hi Mel, >>Why can’t I just get through life like a normal being? I know precisely how you feel and often ask myself the same question. It’s probably not much consolation, but I have recently discovered that several of my friends whom I consider to be successful, confident individuals have all been in the same dark place that we find ourselves – you are not alone! -HTH
So glad I just found this website, was on Prozac at least 10 years, gave up because doctor suspected it was causing urticarial dermatitis, which ended up covering half my body, it has improved dramatically! Gave up gradually over 3 months, it’s been 6 weeks now and my joints and bones have been aching real hard out and I am so tired most of he time and also feeling sick a lot, I thought I had some fatal disease. After reading all the comments I realize it’s WD symptoms yay. I may not be dying after all. Good Luck everyone! Oh also I can’t sleep of course!! Oh and also put on a fair bit of weight…
I have just started coming off the Prozac this week. I absolutley hate the idea of medicine so try not to be on it for too long. I have also had experiences with effexor and other type of antidepressants. The withdrawal symptoms I always seem to suffer from is the shaking and the fidgeting problem. I do truly wish withdrawal wasn’t even possible!
It was good to read this. Our 13 year old daughter has just been tapered off fluoxitine so that she can be put on another medication and let me tell you, she was one nasty young lady. Very angry, irritable, disrespectful, and had no emotion. It was just like she didn’t care about what she said or did or who she hurt doing it.
Reading all of these stories has been an eye-opener! I have been on antidepressants for the past 18 years and thought I was the only one. When I started taking them I had great results and wished I had found them many years previous. However, now I have come to a point where I think that with the help of a good therapist I can handle things without the meds. Anyway I am only 2 days in to the cold turkey thing and so far the withdrawals are tolerable. But I have a question – I need to get an eye exam for new glasses but am experiencing blurry vision will this affect the results of an eye exam?
Hello Tammy. I would like to know how you are doing. I hope great. But reading your post I felt concerned that you are quitting cold turkey after 18 years! Everyone is different, but even if you had a low dose, it’s likely to bring you trouble. It’s been almost two months since your post. Very likely you had some symptoms already, I hope not, but please be aware that it can happen as in my case that they come back slowly and getting stronger. If they do please do talk to a good doctor on how to taper slowly. BTW I don’t know what you have, but CBT therapy for example, and maybe others, have the same effect one the brain as SSRIs and even better. I hope you are doing the right therapy and that it will free you from these drugs forever! God bless you.
I have been on 20 mg of fluoxetine for the best part of the last 18 years but decided to come off them during 2013. After a year of cutting down 5 mg every three months, I took my last one in February 2014. To start with I felt fine, during the summer months I took my employer for an equal pay grievance which I subsequently won. I would not have even contemplated this when I was on fluoxetine as I didn’t care enough to do something about it.
One year on and my temper is very short and I snap at everything, especially with my son and daughter who live with me (both adults not small children, I hasten to add, still not nice for them though). I am so tired all the time and I mean deep down bone tired, my brain doesn’t function correctly, which as an engineer isn’t helpful. I feel that I have missed so much of my childrens’ growing up years and this makes me sad. And now severe eczema. Aaaaaargh!