Coming off Prozac during covid

[RandomGirl]

Basically this. I’m doing it - is anyone else going through it at the moment?

I was always going to do it at this time but then covid also came along for the ride.

I’m really interested to know if anyone else is doing this right now? And how it’s going for them.

[anxietrist]

Out of interest why do you want to come off it? I'm not doing it now but have done previously - go slow! & do as many other positive things as you can alongside (exercise, self care, no booze etc)

[RozHuntleysStump]

Don’t go cold turkey. The brain zaps will kill you.

[ohfourfoxache]

I’m sorry to be blunt, but why would you?

We’re going through a period of huge change, and your body will be trying to produce more serotonin to help you cope. If you’ve got a problem either with serotonin production or serotonin receptors (Prozac is an SSRI?) then now might not be the best time to stop

I’ve been on citalopram for a decade and have never been so glad to be on something as I am at the moment

[RandomGirl]

I’d already started weaning before this happened and I didn’t want to go back to taking it full time. I guess I didn’t want to lose the momentum.

I’d just had enough of being numb to everything - not least the lack of sex drive! I followed the doctors instructions to the letter and got to end of the weaning off it and all was good but now I’m getting the brain zaps a lot in the afternoons/evenings. Clearly weaned for it long enough! Hideous but I’ll ride it out.

I’m proper emotional lately, blubbing at anything but, in a strange way, I like it.

I’d been on it for the last eight years and I’d just had enough. In hindsight, if I’d known about covid, I would not have done it now. I was just wondering if anyone else was in this predicament.

[RozHuntleysStump]

What was your weaning schedule? I am thinking of getting off it too.. I've been on it for 14 years :(

[anxietrist]

What are brain zaps?

[MattBerrysHair]

I did this at the beginning of lockdown. All was fine until about 3 weeks ago when I got very anxious and started getting intrusive thought again. I'm back on it now. I don't think the stress and uncertainty of the current climate is a good backdrop for coming of AD's.

[RandomGirl]

RozHuntleysStump

So I went to every other day for a month then every three days, then four days. Then once a week. Then I stopped. I got brain zaps after a while so just took one as and when but then stopped totally. I started about 2 weeks before lockdown began. I had a conversation with my doctor who advised what time frame to go with.

I don’t regret it and will be glad when it’s all out of my system but my emotions are definitely all over the place at the moment

[RandomGirl]

I read this article this morning and found it really helpful/reassuring:

www.verywellmind.com/prozac-withdrawal-symptoms-timeline-and-treatment-4766892

[ohfourfoxache]

Sounds like the emotional side is pretty horrible to deal with

If you felt the need to start taking something again is there another you could try?

[RozHuntleysStump]

Thanks. I might try it myself.

[RandomGirl]

I don’t think I want to be on medication any longer, I would just like to see how it is to be drug-free. It might not work, gotta give it a go!

[prozacfree]

@RandomGirl

I don’t think I want to be on medication any longer, I would just like to see how it is to be drug-free. It might not work, gotta give it a go!

Hi, I was just wondering how you are getting on?

After being on Prozac for four years I decided to ditch them about a month ago and I have to say I am so pleased I did. My sex drive is back, my appetite/cravings are under control and I'm hoping that the 35lb weight gain that occurred whilst taking it will gradually come off.

I've had a few brain zaps and appreciate it might still be in my system but I am never going back on it.

[TooOldForThis67]

I came off it and HRT! I was/am in a good place and hated having to take medication every day. Didn't know Covid was about to hit us but as a SAH single Mum, life hasn't changed much. I got brain zaps and almost caved but happy to say they passed. Sure I still get down but doesn't everyone occasionally. I hope I never feel the need for them again! Was previously told by Dr. that I'd be on them forever. I met a lovely man and we laugh all the time - best medicine ever!

[RandomGirl]

Hiya, so I did it. The brain zaps lessened and I’m now I’m free of meds! Have to say that things at home have been challenging In the past few weeks and I thought I was losing my mind at one point - almost went back on them - but I had to keep telling myself to not overthink things and that what was going on at home was actually unacceptable and wasn’t just ‘me’ being ‘me’. Was able to make rational decisions to change things and am feeling really positive now. The home situation was actually the reason as to why I went back on them in the first place about six years ago. Really pleased I have been able to think clearly enough to make decisions and positive changes. I won’t ever go back on them. Thanks so much for the support, I never thought I’d be someone who discussed things on a forum (probably for fear of being slated) but I’m really glad I did .

[prozacfree]

@TooOldForThis67

I came off it and HRT! I was/am in a good place and hated having to take medication every day. Didn't know Covid was about to hit us but as a SAH single Mum, life hasn't changed much. I got brain zaps and almost caved but happy to say they passed. Sure I still get down but doesn't everyone occasionally. I hope I never feel the need for them again! Was previously told by Dr. that I'd be on them forever. I met a lovely man and we laugh all the time - best medicine ever!

That's fantastic! Well done you

I'm determined not to cave in either, I've just got to stop dwelling on things in the past that I can't change and stop being anxious about things in the future that might never happen. I'm in a good place too and so determined to stay off them.

[Athrawes]

Go very very slow.
I had tried to come off citalopram a couple of times and crashed terribly. This time I reduced my dose by a quarter of a tablet, 5mg, per month - so it took me right months - but was utterly side effect free and easy. I have been off it now for a year, having been on for 10, and lived through lockdown fine. I had bad days, grumpy days, slightly despairing days, but those were all normal responses to a pretty challenging situation.

[prozacfree]

@RandomGirl

Hiya, so I did it. The brain zaps lessened and I’m now I’m free of meds! Have to say that things at home have been challenging In the past few weeks and I thought I was losing my mind at one point - almost went back on them - but I had to keep telling myself to not overthink things and that what was going on at home was actually unacceptable and wasn’t just ‘me’ being ‘me’. Was able to make rational decisions to change things and am feeling really positive now. The home situation was actually the reason as to why I went back on them in the first place about six years ago. Really pleased I have been able to think clearly enough to make decisions and positive changes. I won’t ever go back on them. Thanks so much for the support, I never thought I’d be someone who discussed things on a forum (probably for fear of being slated) but I’m really glad I did .

That's brilliant news! Yes, it can take just one thing to make me think I need to go back on them and that it's my fault if I react to certain situations, but it's just me being normal now. I do find I've been less of a people pleaser to people who don't deserve it since coming off them and am discovering how unkind and selfish some friends really are. It's really opened my eyes to how Prozac seemed to make me gloss over certain friends awful behaviour, where now it is so obvious. I do need to stay in my happy place and not dwell on other people's unkindness, which I need to really work hard on.

[prozacfree]

@Athrawes

Go very very slow.
I had tried to come off citalopram a couple of times and crashed terribly. This time I reduced my dose by a quarter of a tablet, 5mg, per month - so it took me right months - but was utterly side effect free and easy. I have been off it now for a year, having been on for 10, and lived through lockdown fine. I had bad days, grumpy days, slightly despairing days, but those were all normal responses to a pretty challenging situation.

I have been on Citalopram in the past (8 years ago) and crashed terribly too, twice, whilst coming off them. I think Prozac stays in your system for longer after withdrawing which, I think I'm right in saying, is easier to come off. I wasn't on a high dose so the doctor did advise to half it for two weeks which I did and then completely stop. It's early days though and I might well eat my words.

[RandomGirl]

prozacfree

Yes, I completely resonate with what you’re saying - I am having to accept that I will get down but also realise that some people’s behaviour is actually really selfish and that’s not my fault!

[prozacfree]

Anyone having really horrible dreams since coming off Prozac? I had one last night, really terrible, DH leaving me and taking the dog. I was more upset about him taking the dog and we had a really big fight

[Slimeafterslime]

I came off at the beginning of the year and just went back on!

[prozacfree]

@Slimeafterslime

I came off at the beginning of the year and just went back on!

Oh no. You had a 7 month break from them? How did you feel during those months? I take it you had more down days than up ☹️

[prozacfree]

Suffering the rage at the moment. I'm irritated with absolutely EVERYTHING! Determined not to go back on them though 👍🏼

[RandomGirl]

@prozacfree stick with it!! I went through all of that as well - I was hideous. I promise it gets better. My emotions were all over the place and I thought I was going insane. But I was determined that I would not go back and it really does get better after a while. You’re doing great!