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I have been on and off Prozac since 2006. I was off of it for over a year, went back on in May of 2010 when I knew I was going to fly to San Diego, the anxiety I get from flying is just awful.... anyway, I haven't been able to get off.
Everything I'm reading with SSRI's and MC is freaking me out.
My last attempt of going off of Prozac was in January this year. I was taking 20mg every other day, then every other other day until I finally stopped. Not even two weeks later I was a raging lunatic. Everything bothered me and annoyed me. My anxiety was through the roof. I also believe I'm going through perimenopause but I am unable to take any hormones due to breast cancer back in 2008. Prozac seemed to be the only med that saved me from killing my co-workers. So I called my PMD and asked for 40mg. Yesterday I saw him again and asked to be put down to 20 as I want to attempt this again.
Any recommendations?? I am exercising faithfully. That helps relieve stress but how do I overcome the anger I feel when I'm off of it? I don't like being so darn miserable
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
Joanne-
Do you think Welbutrin might be a better drug for anxiety and depression? I don't think that it affects MC or is a trigger for MC like the SSRIs are. Many people have taken it when trying to quit smoking because it appears to help w/ anxiety. It is a much older "tried and true drug".
Because we are a forum of people spread out all over the world, I'm sure that someone of us would visit you in whatever prison you should land if you kill a coworker, but I think probably prison diets are full of gluten and not one of your fellow inmates would be sympathetic when it came to sharing bathroom facilities with you.
Also, you are doing a good thing for yourself to decrease your stress by exercise--especially wt bearing exercise if you are worried about osteoporosis. Sounds like you are doing everything you can from all aspects. Good luck as you heal.
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Joanne, have you thought about some natural remedies? There is a book called "Before the Change" by Ann Gittleman that a friend of mine found to be helpful. I remember those years as being pretty tense. Lots of deep breathing and walking away from bad situations. But there is light at the end of the tunnel!
Remember, everyone is different and an SSRI may not adversely affect your MC.
I'm on an SSRI and it hasn't affected my MC at all; matter of fact, it may have helped calm my gut. I went on generic Lexapro in late December and I was able to get off Entocort on Jan 4. I'm still doing well. So hang in there!
I don't know anything about Wellbutrin but it sounds like you need to stay on some kind of SSRI.
I've been on Prozac before, and went to the doc to try to get a new med for my anxiety. I specifically asked for Wellbutrin because I read good things about it here. However, because anxiety and not depression is my "thing," the doctor absolutely refused to try Welbutrin. He said it is not good for anxiety.
I got on Cymbalta instead. So far so good as far as my LC goes.
I've tried Wellbutrin in the past... made my anxiety way worse.
What recommendations do you have for natural remedies? Sometimes I don't even think the prozac works as I still get anxious, especially at work, I hate my job
To top it off, my boyfriend said he needed a break. I'm very sad. I think it's because I'm always sick but of course he won't say that to me.
Life goes on as much as I would just prefer to sleep it away. One day at a time right?
Joanne
"A Journey Of A Thousand Miles Must Begin With A Single Step"
HI Jazi,
I haven't taken Prozac, but I've certainly been through pre-menopause, which was so much worse than menopause. It seems to me that if you were maintaining on 20 mg every other day, that's not bad. That's a fairly minimal dose. Unless it sets you in a flare, you may want to get back to that level.
There is a lot to be said for quality of life too. Although its not ideal to take SSRIs, it sounds like your body needs and uses that serotonin boost. Only you can decide if the quality you gain is worth it, but again, if it keeps your mood stable and keeps you functioning better it may be worth it. It may not set you back to take a minimal dose of Prozac. Only you can tell.
Good luck and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
So sorry to hear about your boyfriend Jazi. That can be hard. Maybe since he couldn't stick it out with you through this phase of your life, he isn't the right one for you. Try to just use this time you have to yourself to get better. Once you heal and get back to feeling well, you can meet someone else :)
When it comes to peri-menopause, I'm going through it right now ( as is my sister). The night sweats were leaving me sleep deprived and cranky. I went to the health food store and bought an herbal menopause blend ( gf/df/sf). it took about two weeks to kick in, but I feel so much better and my sister did the same thing and her hot flashes have almost gone away completely. I know that mood swings can can also be a side effect, so maybe something like that would help.
Stanz, I really like this article. The research makes sense with what we know and experience and what we've seen others go through.
The only thing I disagreed with was the statement that chronic stress is one of the most preventable causes. I don't find in my life or others that chronic stress is preventable. We have to manage it, we can't avoid it. So much is outside of our control. I'm surprised the author would say that.
Otherwise I found the article valuable.
thanks for posting it.
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
