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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Verloren on February 28, 2010, at 20:33:09
Hi
I'm on 20mg of Prozac. I need to wean off of meds. I don't want to take them anymore. My pdoc wants to switch me to a different med, but I just want to be off of them and see how I do on my own.
Pdoc wanted me to wean off for 6 weeks, but I wanted off too badly and am only giving myself 2 weeks. I think this should be enough time.
I was only on Prozac for 6 weeks. I think that is such a short time that my system should not need a long withdrawal process.
What withdrawal symptoms should I look for? Has anyone else went off Prozac without switching to something else? Did you stay balanced on your own? For how long?
Thanks,
-Verloren
Posted by Maxime on February 28, 2010, at 21:49:33
In reply to Weaning off Prozac, posted by Verloren on February 28, 2010, at 20:33:09
Prozac has a half life of *5.5 weeks* you really don't need to wean yourself off it like other meds. I was on 100 mg of Prozac and I went off cold turkey with no withdrawal effects.
Posted by Deneb on February 28, 2010, at 21:58:25
In reply to Re: Weaning off Prozac » Verloren, posted by Maxime on February 28, 2010, at 21:49:33
I agree with Maxime. People can take Prozac once a week and maintain blood levels. You really don't withdraw from Prozac. Its half life is so long.
Prozac is often used to prevent withdrawal from other SSRI's with short half lives.
Posted by conundrum on February 28, 2010, at 23:15:11
In reply to Weaning off Prozac, posted by Verloren on February 28, 2010, at 20:33:09
Also you shouldn't look for side effects. Looking for them will create more a of a chance of them coming true.
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2010, at 0:11:17
In reply to Re: Weaning off Prozac, posted by conundrum on February 28, 2010, at 23:15:11
Are you no longer depressed or anxious? Agree has a very long half life. Keep us posted. Love Phillipa
Posted by Verloren on March 1, 2010, at 6:16:10
In reply to Weaning off Prozac, posted by Verloren on February 28, 2010, at 20:33:09
Thanks Maxime, Deneb, Conundrum, and Phillipa
My pdoc had me so worried that I would experience some type of horrible effect if I went off too soon. But thanks all for the reassurance!
>Phillipa: I am no longer as depressed or anxious as I was. I still have my moments but I'm thinking those aren't far from what is "normal". I think and hope that I can manage well on my own. I hate being reliant on medication to live my life.
Thanks again,
-V
Posted by bleauberry on March 1, 2010, at 18:49:12
In reply to Weaning off Prozac, posted by Verloren on February 28, 2010, at 20:33:09
Getting off prozac 20mg after 6 weeks shouldn't be too hard. That doesn't mean it won't be completely smooth sailing. But likely much smoother than most withdrawals.
Prozac has a long halflife which is to your advantage. Half of your last dose still exists in your system a week later. It isn't completely gone until after a month. An even easier wean would be to mix the contents of a capsule in orange juice and drink a custom dose every other day or every third day. 15mg, 10mg, 7.5mg, 5mg, and such. Easy to measure in a glass of juice. Just stir it well each time since it won't dissolve. Stays good in the fridge for a week.
It's hard to predict what you might feel in withdrawals. I think you will feel some weirdness, but nothing profound.
Posted by conundrum on March 1, 2010, at 20:54:58
In reply to Re: Weaning off Prozac, posted by bleauberry on March 1, 2010, at 18:49:12
Sei sind nicht verloren!
Posted by conundrum on March 1, 2010, at 20:56:00
In reply to Re: Weaning off Prozac, posted by bleauberry on March 1, 2010, at 18:49:12
Whoops last message was for vorloren and should have read. Sie sind nicht verloren!
Posted by Verloren on March 2, 2010, at 12:14:34
In reply to Whoops!, posted by conundrum on March 1, 2010, at 20:56:00
Danke Conundrum,
But some days I still feel lost. It's getting better.
-V
This is the end of the thread.
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