Hi guys! I was prescribed Prozac last November and I've ben taking it ever since. Last Saturday, I decided to just not take it anymore. I've been feeling okay emotionally wise and physically wise in general. Yesterday though, I started feeling a bit dizzy spontaneously and I've been experiencing 'brain zaps'. Does anyone have any advice on how to maybe decrease these symptoms?
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BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards
prozac withdrawal
- Thread starter ameoba
- Start date
You're experiencing SSRI discontinuation syndrome - brain zaps and dizziness are two common symproms. Fluoxetine (Prozac) is actually one of the least likely antidepressants to cause it, as it has a really long half-life so blood concentration falls slowly and smoothly when you stop taking it, rather than abruptly dropping off - infact, sometimes when doctors stop other SSRIs they switch patients onto Prozac for a more gentle taper to try to reduce the symptoms..
What dose were you on and did you stop it abruptly or taper? It's always best to stop psychiatric medication under the guidance of your doctor - they can help plan a suitable regime and monitor you for any discontinuation symptoms or a return of your depression. It's recommended that you continue to take antidepressants for 6 months after you feel better, otherwise there is a pretty high risk of relapsing. I would advise you to go and see your doctor and explain what is happening, and see if they can recommend a taper for you. You could also try riding it out - the symptoms tend to be fairly short-lived - but I do think it would be best to talk to your doctor about this. Remember too, we're not a psychiatric or medical website
What dose were you on and did you stop it abruptly or taper? It's always best to stop psychiatric medication under the guidance of your doctor - they can help plan a suitable regime and monitor you for any discontinuation symptoms or a return of your depression. It's recommended that you continue to take antidepressants for 6 months after you feel better, otherwise there is a pretty high risk of relapsing. I would advise you to go and see your doctor and explain what is happening, and see if they can recommend a taper for you. You could also try riding it out - the symptoms tend to be fairly short-lived - but I do think it would be best to talk to your doctor about this. Remember too, we're not a psychiatric or medical website
i know, i just wanted to see if anyone else had experienced it and if they'd done something about it.
i was taking 40mg and yes, i did stop abruptly. i will talk about it with my doctor next time i see him.
but for now, i think if i can continue being emotionally stable by myself i won't be taking anymore of the medication.
i was taking 40mg and yes, i did stop abruptly. i will talk about it with my doctor next time i see him.
but for now, i think if i can continue being emotionally stable by myself i won't be taking anymore of the medication.
Ahh fair enough, yeah I'd definitely have a chat with your doctor
I've experienced it from stopping venlafaxine - I didn't find anything especially alleviated the symptoms apart from just waiting them out.. exercise helped a little bit, but it's not really what you tend to feel like doing if you're feeling a bit dizzy and weird!
I hope the symptoms ease off soon for you
I've experienced it from stopping venlafaxine - I didn't find anything especially alleviated the symptoms apart from just waiting them out.. exercise helped a little bit, but it's not really what you tend to feel like doing if you're feeling a bit dizzy and weird!
I hope the symptoms ease off soon for you
trance in fraance
Bluelighter
I just stopped taking my Effexor 2 days ago and I've been getting those. Be thankful though, Prozac has a long half life compared to other medications, like mine. I ran into a wall at work today and I just feel like shit, I've been in bed crying the last hour. Fish oil is supposed to help with brain zaps though so try that.
have you considered speaking to your doctor and trying a slower taper, or even switching to something like Prozac for a short while to taper off with?Geaux Tigers!
Bluelighter
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- Nov 15, 2010
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Consult your doctor for an alternative taper schedule and have him give you a temporary script; say, #30 clonazepam 0.5mg. to ease the anxiety.
Really, if you want to quit you're going to withdraw. The only way to manage these symptoms is tapering. Period. It sounds like you may need to take a dose increase to alleviate your current symptoms and taper over the course of 1-3 months as advised by your doctor.
Really, if you want to quit you're going to withdraw. The only way to manage these symptoms is tapering. Period. It sounds like you may need to take a dose increase to alleviate your current symptoms and taper over the course of 1-3 months as advised by your doctor.
^ I really wouldn't suggest starting taking benzos daily for 30 days to ease SSRI discontinuation syndrome - the symptoms shouldn't last that long for one thing, but more importantly 30 days is enough time to develop a psychological and probably physical dependency on benzos which would be a lot harder to quit that the antidepressant.. Benzo addiction is very difficult to tackle and withdrawals are not just unpleasant but can cause seizures and even be fatal..
It shouldn't really take 1-3 months to taper off antidepressants - most tapering schedules I've seen run over a week or two, perhaps a little longer - but best to discuss this with your doctor
It shouldn't really take 1-3 months to taper off antidepressants - most tapering schedules I've seen run over a week or two, perhaps a little longer - but best to discuss this with your doctor
Geaux Tigers!
Bluelighter
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I disagree. I would suggest the clonazepam be dosed twice a day as needed. Also, 1-3 months would PRODUCE zero withdraw issues. It took me a month to taper off 50mg. sertraline and venlafaxine can take up to 3 months AND I think the clonazepam is indicated for venlafaxine withdraw. Clonazepam is frequently prescribed for this kind of issue. You will not experience benzodiazepine withdraw from this.
Cloroxtastebad
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I was on prozac for a year and a half a while back at 40mg a day a.d stopped cold turkey. I didn't consult this with my doctor, which is never the smart thing to do. This being said, I did not experience any noticeable withdrawals other then a slight headache for some days after as well as slight difficulty sleeping. It was a very easy med to stop for me.
I was later put on 300mg of effexor and was on it for 6 months. This med was very bad.for me. It caused worsened depression and left me feeling lethargic and nearly emotionless. My doctor began tapering me off 2 weeks ago and in 12 days was down to 0. This was a very very very fast taper for a drug.like.effexor. it left me with cold sweats, the shakess, nausea, and last night I had a 2 hour period of full blown audity hallucinations unlike anything ive experience from hallucinogens ive taken ( Lsd, 25i NBMOe, 2C-b, 2C-c, and dmt) It was quite scary, I had loud voices suroinding me like I.was at a party, as well as dogs barking, and random notices of things falling. It was not pleasent.. I guess that's what happens when you taper off a drug that is said to have the worst withdrawal effects over only 12 days when they reccomend a number of weeks too months.
I was later put on 300mg of effexor and was on it for 6 months. This med was very bad.for me. It caused worsened depression and left me feeling lethargic and nearly emotionless. My doctor began tapering me off 2 weeks ago and in 12 days was down to 0. This was a very very very fast taper for a drug.like.effexor. it left me with cold sweats, the shakess, nausea, and last night I had a 2 hour period of full blown audity hallucinations unlike anything ive experience from hallucinogens ive taken ( Lsd, 25i NBMOe, 2C-b, 2C-c, and dmt) It was quite scary, I had loud voices suroinding me like I.was at a party, as well as dogs barking, and random notices of things falling. It was not pleasent.. I guess that's what happens when you taper off a drug that is said to have the worst withdrawal effects over only 12 days when they reccomend a number of weeks too months.
Hmm maybe it is in other countries, in the UK you would absolutely not be prescribed a benzo for SSRI/SNRI discontinuation syndrome. Do you have a source for tapering venlafaxine over 3 months? I have read a guideline which recommends 2-4 weeks for venlafaxine, longer than most I agree, but I can't find it now sorry! I'm not saying you are incorrect, it's just not something I have come across in the literature so far, I'd be interested to read about it.. This article is pretty informative but doesn't give any recommendations about tapering duration.
If you're taking a benzo daily for 2 weeks then I agree that physical dependence is unlikely but taking a benzo every day for that long could certainly produce a psychological addiction, and at 4 weeks I would be concerned about at least some minor withdrawal symptoms. My major concern is that it may well be difficult to stop at 2-4 weeks and you'd be replacing a non-addictive drug with an addictive one, and one that can be a nightmare to come off as well as being potentially dangerous.. the rebound anxiety alone could be pretty unpleasant even if you didn't get full-blown benzodiazepine withdrawal.
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Cloroxtastebad
Bluelighter
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I know typically a Benzo would not be prescribed for that, but I believe a small percentage of people require special treatment e.g. for severe anxiety provoked by stopping an ssri/snri. I wouldn't think that it would be protocal to prescribe a Benzo for patients discontinuing an ssri/snri.
I can say however, some psychiatrist use there own methods that don't fit the norm. My previous psychiatrist prescribed me Xanax 1mg twice daily the first time I saw him. I mentioned that I was experiencing some anxiety and he immediately went to Xanax. I can say that I was not in need of Xanax. I didn't complain however
I can say however, some psychiatrist use there own methods that don't fit the norm. My previous psychiatrist prescribed me Xanax 1mg twice daily the first time I saw him. I mentioned that I was experiencing some anxiety and he immediately went to Xanax. I can say that I was not in need of Xanax. I didn't complain however