Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 6008

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Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by Jamie on May 12, 1999, at 13:39:50

I have been taking Prozac for about 6 years @ 60mg per day. My health plan provider has ceased to exist so I'm in between doctors at this time. I need a refill on my prescription but no doctor will refill without seeing me first and the first available appointment isn't for another month. With all this difficulty, I've decided to just STOP the medication on my own.
I have been off Prozac now for five days with no side effects, but then, I don't know what to expect. Anyone out there with experience or information?

 

Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by saintjames on May 12, 1999, at 15:29:06

In reply to Prozac - abrupt stop on my own, posted by Jamie on May 12, 1999, at 13:39:50

> I have been taking Prozac for about 6 years @ 60mg per day. My health plan provider has ceased to exist so I'm in between doctors at this time. I need a refill on my prescription but no doctor will refill without seeing me first and the first available appointment isn't for another month. With all this difficulty, I've decided to just STOP the medication on my own.
> I have been off Prozac now for five days with no side effects, but then, I don't know what to expect. Anyone out there with experience or information?

James here....

You should not have any problem but what ever reason you were taking Prozac (and 60 mgs is a large dose)will return. Try to get back on your meds asap. Every large and med. city has sliding scale doc you can see. Side effects of taking meds is nothing compaired to what happens when the depression comes back.

james


 

Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by Jamie on May 12, 1999, at 15:34:29

In reply to Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own, posted by saintjames on May 12, 1999, at 15:29:06

> > I have been taking Prozac for about 6 years @ 60mg per day. My health plan provider has ceased to exist so I'm in between doctors at this time. I need a refill on my prescription but no doctor will refill without seeing me first and the first available appointment isn't for another month. With all this difficulty, I've decided to just STOP the medication on my own.
> > I have been off Prozac now for five days with no side effects, but then, I don't know what to expect. Anyone out there with experience or information?
>
> James here....
>
> You should not have any problem but what ever reason you were taking Prozac (and 60 mgs is a large dose)will return. Try to get back on your meds asap. Every large and med. city has sliding scale doc you can see. Side effects of taking meds is nothing compaired to what happens when the depression comes back.
>
> james

Thanks for the feedback, however, if I chance the return of the depression, what side effects if any will I be subjecting myself to?

 

Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by chuck on May 12, 1999, at 17:58:54

In reply to Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own, posted by Jamie on May 12, 1999, at 15:34:29

one problem with ceasing medication that i'm aware of is that you may not get the same effects should you wish to go back on prozac; a scary proposition for ME anyway.

 

Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by laura on May 13, 1999, at 18:58:19

In reply to Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own, posted by Jamie on May 12, 1999, at 15:34:29

> > > I have been taking Prozac for about 6 years @ 60mg per day. My health plan provider has ceased to exist so I'm in between doctors at this time. I need a refill on my prescription but no doctor will refill without seeing me first and the first available appointment isn't for another month. With all this difficulty, I've decided to just STOP the medication on my own.
> > > I have been off Prozac now for five days with no side effects, but then, I don't know what to expect. Anyone out there with experience or information?
> >
> > James here....
> >
> > You should not have any problem but what ever reason you were taking Prozac (and 60 mgs is a large dose)will return. Try to get back on your meds asap. Every large and med. city has sliding scale doc you can see. Side effects of taking meds is nothing compaired to what happens when the depression comes back.
> >
> > james
>
> Thanks for the feedback, however, if I chance the return of the depression, what side effects if any will I be subjecting myself to?


I stopped taking prozac abruptly 2 months ago. I had been on it for about 1 1/2 years. I haven't had any withdrawl problems. In my case, the side effects (fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, facial swelling, night sweats, weight gain, loss of sex drive, excessive sweating) far outweighed the benefits of the drug. Although, I was on it for anxiety, as opposed to depression. I have yet to suffer any anxiety since discontinuing the drug. Actually, I feel a lot better. This might not be true for everyone, though. If you look back at previous posts it seems to effect everyone to different degrees, so be careful. Good luck to you!!

 

Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own

Posted by JD on May 14, 1999, at 6:24:48

In reply to Re: Prozac - abrupt stop on my own, posted by laura on May 13, 1999, at 18:58:19

Since Prozac leaves the body very slowly, it is the least likely of the SSRIs to cause serious "withdrawal" problems. This said, going cold turkey from such a high dosage for a month's time could be a little rough on you, both side-effect-wise and psychologically. Withdrawal problems I've heard of with other SSRIs are dizziness, nausea, shock-like sensations, malaise, etc. I agree with the others that (a) there are ways to get a refill practically immediately, and (b) a relapse of depression can be a very serious issue...
Good luck,
JD


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