Date:  Sat May 19, 2001  6:13 pm

Hi, 
I'm new here - This is my second attempt to "get off"
prozac.  The first time I tried to "taper off" and it
didn't work.  I began to cry at the least little
frustration and felt I couldn't handle the stress in
my life (which really isn't that much) I decided to
try it "cold turkey"... 

I have been reading your posts with great interest.  I
have become very frightened about what might happen
but I hate to go back to "tapering off" since I've
made it through a week without any prozac.  I was on a
rather small dose... 10 mg a day so maybe cold turkey
will work for me? 

I'm feeling weak, nauseated, and light headed.  But
other than that, I think I'm ok... one day at a time I
guess...

Maybe I should consult my doctor and ask him how to go
off this drug.  When I first started taking it 2 1/2
years ago, he told me I could go off any time with no
ill effects.  He prescribed prozac for fibromyalgia. 
It did seem to help me cope with the pain. But the
other side effects after building up for a long period
of time became more than I wanted to deal with.
Lack of sleep, nightmares, nausea, diahreea (can spell
it but you all know what it is) -  I also felt like I
was isolated... in my own world.  Also a lot of other
ramifications I can't go into here.

Anyway.... what to do you think?  Should I continue my
journey into the unknown..?  or consult medical
advice? Thanks for hearing me,

Kelly

Date:  Sat May 19, 2001  8:27 pm

Response1: 
Hi Kelly,
I'm new here myself. I've been on prozac for most of the past ten years, 
and I was put on it for fibro and chronic fatigue syndrome. The list files 
have the right way to tape off of SSRI's, and I am using that as a guide 
rather than the way my doctor advises.. because the way he advises doesn't 
work.
Immunocal works well on the fibro. I use the stuff myself and know several 
other people who have gotten relief from it. Malic acid and Magnesium are 
also good for energy and pain control, along with calcium. I've had most of 
the fibro problems under control for quite some time, but for the past year 
I've had neuro problems driving me crazy, mainly because I've been awake 
enough to notice them.
They've all been classic SSRI side effect problems.. but they are also 
classic MS problems. My doctor chose to believe that I had advanced into MS 
but with a neurologist's diagnosis of such he refused to do anything but 
tell me to double the prozac and take these valium when you get too shaky 
or have muscle spasm electric jolt problems. After a year of tests and 
consultations.. there is still no MS diagnosis and my body can't handle the 
physical pain and wired feeling.. and emotionally I can't handle it either.
   I've only been here a few days, but I don't feel alone in this anymore. 
It feels comforting to know that I'm not imaging things, and that things 
can get better. I know it won't be easy.. but I want my life back.

Phyllis

Date:  Sun May 20, 2001  3:00 am

Response2: 
I would be careful I was on the lowest dose of meds and on no med longer
than 2 weeks,6 months later i was hit with  horrible withdrawl.The brain
levels are far greater than blood.It also is stored in body tissues.WELCOME
to the group.

Kim

Date:  Sun May 20, 2001  4:02 am

First, thanks to you all everyone who so thoughtfully
gave me opinions on this.  I am very frightened...
more so after reading your posts than before.  I was
so sure this would be easy for me. I have the choice
to go back on it.... at a lower dose or take it every
other day.... or just continue where I'm at.

I don't know what I'll do.  I regret I was such a
pushover and allowed that doctor to start me on
prozac. Thanks again everyone....

Kelly