No please don't go off of it without a doctor's Ok and let the doctor (or pharmacist) help you to develop a schedule on how to reduce the Prozac slowly.
If you care to share more:
How long you have been taking Prozac?
Why do you want to stop this medicine?
Do you have a support system in place to help you with the withdrawal from Prozac?
I would like to invite one of our moderators, Lisa @lisalucier, to this conversation as well. She might be able to offer some suggestions.
Here is a post that came from a Mayo pharmacist a while back regarding withdrawing from antidepressants. I found this educational as well as helpful. I hope that you do as well.
"Taking antidepressants for MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) shouldn’t be considered “addictions.” Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but missing doses or stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms including sudden worsening of depression. MDD and GAD are often chronic diseases that can require lifelong treatment. Sometimes people feel so much better with treatment they think they don’t need treatment any more. Your clinician can help you try to taper off safely. Communication with your healthcare provider is important in providing a personalized taper and options for resuming therapy, if needed.
Extra care should be taken regarding tapering from clonazepam. It will be important for you to get tapering instructions from your psychiatrist. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines like clonazepam can be serious and may include tremors, anxiety, sweating, psychosis and seizures. The onset and severity of withdrawal depends on the which drug was used, for how long and other patient specific factors. If needed, you could ask about less addictive anti-anxiety medications.
Your psychiatrist can help you through discontinuing marijuana. Drug-free social support may help.
I wish you the best of luck in battling the true addictions you mentioned. Physical activity, sunshine and adequate rest will help to boost mood and endorphin levels. You are taking on a lot at one time. Don’t throw it all away because of 1 missed step. Celebrate every day of progress."
@hopeful33250 Thank you for sharing this information. I have been reading an increasing number of comments about withdrawing from antidepressants and people who are wanting to stop taking them. I can say I have concerns as there are those needing antidepressants. Like you shared-speak with the doctor before doing so abruptly or even tapering. Antidepressants are not for me and I have shared about some of my experiences with psych meds.
Taking an antidepressant is not a sign of weakness. Seems to be gaining in popularity to NOT take them. Not sure what this is all about and could be overly concerned when I have no dog in this fight as I have heard it said.
I am wondering why it has become an issue...if it is do to side effects. I am mostly reading negative. I know those on antidepressants that have decided they don’t want them anymore and end up in a mess. Is this becoming some type of new thing??
Not looking for answers or arguments. Some more of my wondering/thinking about it. I do keep learning and why I keep reading about this. Depression is hard to deal with at times.
I need to think this through more.
I appreciate you taking the time to do what you can to educate and clarify some things.
Thank you
It's my pleasure to offer what I've learned from others, @parus. I am a firm believer in meds to help with depression (but not to be forced on anyone who has adverse side effects). I have learned that when you live through stressful circumstances in life your brain chemistry does change and often antidepressant meds helps to replace the brain chemistry that is depleted (similar to an epileptic taking anti-seizure meds or a diabetic taking insulin).
I certainly appreciate your thinking out loud in your posts and trying to come to an understanding. I think this is the great thing about Connect. It allows us to educate ourselves and learn from others.
@hopeful33250 Why I remain. I have done my share of criticizing medications and it is only what I have experienced. Taking a medication for the “correct” reasons and under the supervision of a physician can be helpful. Going off of them w/o the help of a physician I do not recommend. I did so because of fear of physicians and others. At that time things were more than even I can express.
It is so important to have people in one’s life that are safe.
I hear others sharing about brain zaps, etc and it can be scary,etc.
Off topic...Had a play-day w/ my grandson. Our imaginations soar together. What fun!!
Think I finally found a profile pic I like too!!
@hopeful33250 Why I remain. I have done my share of criticizing medications and it is only what I have experienced. Taking a medication for the “correct” reasons and under the supervision of a physician can be helpful. Going off of them w/o the help of a physician I do not recommend. I did so because of fear of physicians and others. At that time things were more than even I can express.
It is so important to have people in one’s life that are safe.
I hear others sharing about brain zaps, etc and it can be scary,etc.
Off topic...Had a play-day w/ my grandson. Our imaginations soar together. What fun!!
Think I finally found a profile pic I like too!!
How delightful that you had a play day with your grandson, @parus. Yes, I really like your profile picture as well. Thanks for adding to our conversations in a meaningful way.
It's my pleasure to offer what I've learned from others, @parus. I am a firm believer in meds to help with depression (but not to be forced on anyone who has adverse side effects). I have learned that when you live through stressful circumstances in life your brain chemistry does change and often antidepressant meds helps to replace the brain chemistry that is depleted (similar to an epileptic taking anti-seizure meds or a diabetic taking insulin).
I certainly appreciate your thinking out loud in your posts and trying to come to an understanding. I think this is the great thing about Connect. It allows us to educate ourselves and learn from others.
I just had DNA testing done through my psychiatrist. It’s really eye opening. It tells you so much about your body, what drugs work and don’t work plus so many other things. I’d definitely look into it.
I just had DNA testing done through my psychiatrist. It’s really eye opening. It tells you so much about your body, what drugs work and don’t work plus so many other things. I’d definitely look into it.
Thanks for your input regarding DNA testing for drug effectiveness, @kdo0827. Other's have spoken about how helpful this is. I'm glad to hear another great story about it's helpfulness.
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 24, 2018
Hi, @amira. Along with @kdo0827, who has provided some input, some other members I'd like you to meet who have mentioned being on fluoxetine (Prozac) previously or tapering off of it include @revtjls@texasduchess@smurf@youngsally. @gailb may also have some input on your desire to go off this medication.
I just had DNA testing done through my psychiatrist. It’s really eye opening. It tells you so much about your body, what drugs work and don’t work plus so many other things. I’d definitely look into it.
@kdo827
I knew the DNA test gave info re what drugs are best to use (or not to use) but did not know it gave info on other things too. I wonder if you would share with us what the other things are (not yours but in general)?
Many thanks
Ainsleigh
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Hello @amira
No please don't go off of it without a doctor's Ok and let the doctor (or pharmacist) help you to develop a schedule on how to reduce the Prozac slowly.
If you care to share more:
How long you have been taking Prozac?
Why do you want to stop this medicine?
Do you have a support system in place to help you with the withdrawal from Prozac?
I would like to invite one of our moderators, Lisa @lisalucier, to this conversation as well. She might be able to offer some suggestions.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@amira
Here is a post that came from a Mayo pharmacist a while back regarding withdrawing from antidepressants. I found this educational as well as helpful. I hope that you do as well.
"Taking antidepressants for MDD (Major Depressive Disorder) and GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) shouldn’t be considered “addictions.” Antidepressants aren’t addictive, but missing doses or stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal-like symptoms including sudden worsening of depression. MDD and GAD are often chronic diseases that can require lifelong treatment. Sometimes people feel so much better with treatment they think they don’t need treatment any more. Your clinician can help you try to taper off safely. Communication with your healthcare provider is important in providing a personalized taper and options for resuming therapy, if needed.
Extra care should be taken regarding tapering from clonazepam. It will be important for you to get tapering instructions from your psychiatrist. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines like clonazepam can be serious and may include tremors, anxiety, sweating, psychosis and seizures. The onset and severity of withdrawal depends on the which drug was used, for how long and other patient specific factors. If needed, you could ask about less addictive anti-anxiety medications.
Your psychiatrist can help you through discontinuing marijuana. Drug-free social support may help.
I wish you the best of luck in battling the true addictions you mentioned. Physical activity, sunshine and adequate rest will help to boost mood and endorphin levels. You are taking on a lot at one time. Don’t throw it all away because of 1 missed step. Celebrate every day of progress."
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@hopeful33250 Thank you for sharing this information. I have been reading an increasing number of comments about withdrawing from antidepressants and people who are wanting to stop taking them. I can say I have concerns as there are those needing antidepressants. Like you shared-speak with the doctor before doing so abruptly or even tapering. Antidepressants are not for me and I have shared about some of my experiences with psych meds.
Taking an antidepressant is not a sign of weakness. Seems to be gaining in popularity to NOT take them. Not sure what this is all about and could be overly concerned when I have no dog in this fight as I have heard it said.
I am wondering why it has become an issue...if it is do to side effects. I am mostly reading negative. I know those on antidepressants that have decided they don’t want them anymore and end up in a mess. Is this becoming some type of new thing??
Not looking for answers or arguments. Some more of my wondering/thinking about it. I do keep learning and why I keep reading about this. Depression is hard to deal with at times.
I need to think this through more.
I appreciate you taking the time to do what you can to educate and clarify some things.
Thank you
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsIt's my pleasure to offer what I've learned from others, @parus. I am a firm believer in meds to help with depression (but not to be forced on anyone who has adverse side effects). I have learned that when you live through stressful circumstances in life your brain chemistry does change and often antidepressant meds helps to replace the brain chemistry that is depleted (similar to an epileptic taking anti-seizure meds or a diabetic taking insulin).
I certainly appreciate your thinking out loud in your posts and trying to come to an understanding. I think this is the great thing about Connect. It allows us to educate ourselves and learn from others.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@hopeful33250 Why I remain. I have done my share of criticizing medications and it is only what I have experienced. Taking a medication for the “correct” reasons and under the supervision of a physician can be helpful. Going off of them w/o the help of a physician I do not recommend. I did so because of fear of physicians and others. At that time things were more than even I can express.
It is so important to have people in one’s life that are safe.
I hear others sharing about brain zaps, etc and it can be scary,etc.
Off topic...Had a play-day w/ my grandson. Our imaginations soar together. What fun!!
Think I finally found a profile pic I like too!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHow delightful that you had a play day with your grandson, @parus. Yes, I really like your profile picture as well. Thanks for adding to our conversations in a meaningful way.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI just had DNA testing done through my psychiatrist. It’s really eye opening. It tells you so much about your body, what drugs work and don’t work plus so many other things. I’d definitely look into it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsThanks for your input regarding DNA testing for drug effectiveness, @kdo0827. Other's have spoken about how helpful this is. I'm glad to hear another great story about it's helpfulness.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi, @amira. Along with @kdo0827, who has provided some input, some other members I'd like you to meet who have mentioned being on fluoxetine (Prozac) previously or tapering off of it include @revtjls @texasduchess @smurf @youngsally. @gailb may also have some input on your desire to go off this medication.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@kdo827
I knew the DNA test gave info re what drugs are best to use (or not to use) but did not know it gave info on other things too. I wonder if you would share with us what the other things are (not yours but in general)?
Many thanks
Ainsleigh
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction