[Rennerenner]

So, my pdoc thinks that prozac has triggered me into a hypomanic episode and has told me to stop given I was having suicidal thoughts earlier while still on it. The thing is, she told me to stop cold turkey, as in don't take my pills tonight and throw the rest away. I thought this was bad for you? Is it?

[Trippin2.0]

Apparantly. Altho I chucked mine cold turkey after 2yrs and it wasnt as bad as research and pdocs said it would be... So actually, idk. I think, that if you weren't taking it long its ok to chuck, guess thats why your pdoc isnt worried.

[cocoabeans]

Not in cases like yours. I always quit my drugs "cold turkey" and never had an issue but, some people complain or can't deal with symptoms returning suddenly or adjusting to being without medications. Then there are the scare stories!

Of course, you can always confirm drug advice with your pharmacist! That's your local expert.

[Rennerenner]

I've only been on it for a month. I thought the suicidal thoughts were a side effect from the meds, and the hypomania was me pulling out, however my pdoc seems to think the opposite. That the meds weren't working so I was suicidal, and then had an adverse reaction and triggered hypomania.

I emailed my therapist to ask his opinion. I'm sure I'll live if I skip it tonight, but I just wanted to ask about it as I was reading a bunch of horror stories.

[Trippin2.0]

Cocoa, i always thought it was only me who believed that its the adjustment period that others cant seem to get thru... Glad you share that view

[Trippin2.0]

A month? Nah, it only starts working after a few weeks. So you'll be fine.

[Rennerenner]

haha thanks guys, now i probably look nuts to my therapist lol
well that's a relief

[Rennerenner]

though part of me wants to stay on it if it's triggering hypomania :P
it feels so good after weeks of depression

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Cocoa, i always thought it was only me who believed that its the adjustment period that others cant seem to get thru... Glad you share that view

Well it makes sense to me, medication requires an adjustment period while it makes your brain all funny, if you adjust then quitting meds changes your brain too! Also, I experienced it!

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

A month? Nah, it only starts working after a few weeks. So you'll be fine.

Worked for me in a matter of days - less than a week.

[BlueInanna]

i quit prozac cold turkey - not a problem for me. i think it might just be prozac is sort of a mellower drug.

but cymbalta, omfg, worst withdrawals from anything ever!

[Rennerenner]

it also might be of note that I was only on 20mg, so maybe that will make coming off it less cray cray

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Worked for me in a matter of days - less than a week.

I had side effects within the first day or two! It was 8 or 9 yrs ago but, I remember feeling really far away from my voice lol

[Rennerenner]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

i quit prozac cold turkey - not a problem for me. i think it might just be prozac is sort of a mellower drug.

but cymbalta, omfg, worst withdrawals from anything ever!

haha great, that's the drug I'm getting put on next.

[cocoabeans]

Originally Posted by BlueInanna

i quit prozac cold turkey - not a problem for me. i think it might just be prozac is sort of a mellower drug.

but cymbalta, omfg, worst withdrawals from anything ever!

Long half life, Prozac takes a lot of time to leave your system so, little to no "discontinuation syndrome". It is considered one of the more stimulating SSRIs if not the most.

[BipolaRNurse]

Paxil w/d was the WORST---nonstop brain zaps, kept losing my balance, wild mood swings that could turn on a dime and give you change......and the horrible sweats and nightmares made sleep an extremely scary proposition. But then, I'd been on the stuff for 9 years and was transitioning to Wellbutrin (another big mistake), and I went from 40 mg/day to 0 mg/day, so it's no wonder.

Then I tried coming off Celexa at my pdoc's request after weaning down from 20 to 10 mg/day without difficulty.......and was promptly thrown into a mixed episode, during which my family was threatening to kick me out of the house. I mean, the w/d symptoms hit me within 36 hours, starting with shaking chills and flu-like body aches.

I wish I could do without antidepressants entirely, but it just doesn't seem to be in the cards, any more than doing without an antipsychotic (which is a whole 'nother story). Of course, in a perfect world I wouldn't need any meds at all......like THAT'S gonna happen. LOL

[Trippin2.0]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

Worked for me in a matter of days - less than a week.

my pdoc said that it was probly the placebo effect when I said I felt better within days, cos my brain was 'expecting' to feel better... Either that or just med sensitivity- turns out it was just an initial burst of 'goodness' in my brain, and started doing its actual job a bit later on... Did experience side effects (fatigue) before I actually felt it helped tho... All in all, I never had a problem with it.

[Victoria'smom]

Prozac made me have a psychotic episode as soon as pdoc found out how told me never to take it again. I was mainly really tired, try to relax.