Stopped taking fluoxetine (prozac) when will the numbness stop

[TheArmadillo]

Been on prozac since march when I was pregnant with dd . Stopped taking them about 3 weeks ago as the flat emotions/numbness has gotten too much to take.

Dd is 6 months old now and I still haven't bonded with her. Have lost the feeling wtih ds (6yo) as well. Am finding it very difficult.

Have stopped taking my risperidone as well.

I look after my children to the best of my abilities adn act like I adore them so noone will ever know - especially not them. I am always kissing and cuddling them. Dd is never left to cry and I'm alwways playing with her and making her laugh. Ds is such a good child, lovely to be around.

I've returned to work as was finding it tough staying at home but it hasn't really helped. I don't miss dd when I'm working though everyone assumes I do.

I'm under occupational health at work and doing a phased return (shorter hours and supported one to one) plus lots of meetings about how I'm doing. As far as they are concerned I'm still taking my tablets and seeing the doctor regularly (supposed to be going every month though haven't been for a while). I'm under pressure to get dd sleeping through the night as they are worried it will affect my mental health if I am tired all the time (dd wakes several times a night). Everyone is pressuring me to leave her to cry at night (something I'm against) especially my manager and hr contact.

I had a bad childhood and no longer speak to my parents and I want my children to have the best possible. But this numbness means whatever I do I feel they're suffering.

How much longer until this gets better?

bump

Hi, I didn't want your post to go unanswered. I really think you need to go back and see you GP. I'm wondering if the numbness/lack of emotions is still due to depression rather than a side effect of the prozac.

I have no personal experience of taking prozac, but my SIL did and IIRC she felt emotions with in days of reducing the dose (anxiety was the first one).

Please, please see your GP and discuss your medication with them. Also please don't feel guilty about your children. From what you say you sound like an excellent mum. I think sometimes people that have had a not so good childhood end up overcompensating for their children (I know I do).

Good luck with speaking to someone. I know it is hard (I'm building up the courage to go see my GP over anxiety and depression).

I think the idea that it may not be the prozac is my worst fear - that this is here to stay. I was so hoping that by stopping the medication I would feel better.

I'm scared of going back to the gp as they will be cross that I came of the meds.

I so want to enjoy dd as a baby. Ds first few years were ruined by my family. I don't want dd's to be ruined by my illness.

IT would be nice to be able to laugh and enjoy things again as well.

Hi, sounds like you're having a tough time - do you have any support at home? Tutu is right you should go back and see your GP. Have I interpretted your post correctly and that you stopped suddenly 3 weeks ago taking Prozac? That could be withdrawal. You might need to start taking them again and come off them in a phased approach to lessen trouble. Sorry but I don't have any experience of risperidone.

You mention about your not so good childhood. Are there issues that you would benefit from some kind of counselling (with or without the medication). For me counselling in the past has had far the bigger benefit than the drugs.

Please go back and see your GP. Meanwhile be kinder to yourself. You sound like you're being a lovely mum to your children even if you don't feel like you are.

Thanks for your reply. I haven't felt too bad coming off the prozac, just haven't felt any better.

I'm on the waiting list for CBT, have tried ordinary councilling, btu I understand my issues adn why I am like I am so it doesn't really help. I hoping the CBT will be a positive thing though.

My dh is at home full time and is good with the children - not so good at the hosuework/washing/cooking etc though. He is supportive but struggles because there's nothing he can really do to fix it.

That's good to hear. Hope the CBT doesn't take too long to come through. Glad your oh supportive - nothing worse than one that thinks you're making it all up. Take care.

Definitely go back to your GP. It might not have been the right AD for you, there are plenty of others that might be better.

I've taken Prozac for quite a long time and never noticed a numbness at all.

I worry that you might have a crash with you coming off things so suddenly and having support from your doctor is no bad thing. He is only there to help you.

Thanks for these. Dh is good.

I will go and make an appointment with the doctor.