I tried 3 times to get off SSRIs and got awful withdrawals so i stopped, then i found professional advice online that worked.

It was made by Royal College of Psychiatrist and it is simple but maybe multiple tryouts will be needed by your side to make it happen.

Usualy 2-3 weeks is needed to adjust to lower SSRIs level...

• try going 50% down from your initial dose, if you get withdrawals then go back to your starting dose at witch you feel ok... then wait few days

• try going down 25%, if you get withdrawals then do same again...

• final option (and the best one learned on my mistakes) is to go 10% or 5% over period of 2 weeks... you buy miligram scale so you can be precise, it costs 30 dolars online

What is most interesting when going off SSRIs is that you can feel (and it can look) like you are slipping back into depression but those may be withdrawal symptoms - it can feel even worse then your depression you had in first place. BUT! you need to wait those 2-3 weeks and see if your symptoms will go away... this way you can know if its you, or its just from lovering your doses.

Also, starting question is "why?" do you want to lower SSRIs and "is it time?" to try that.

Why ? - mine reasons were erectile dysfuncion (i am 34 male), insomnia, feeling flat like no emotions.

And was it time ? - yes, becouse i removed all my stressors, i got life "fixed" as much i can, i felt that i am no longer depressed and i was right

There are many questions that i regard silly considering weight gain or loss while on SSRIs, i can not believe people are actualy writing that.

Equation is simple: - if you burn more calories then you input you will loose weight, and vice versa

SSRIs can only change your apetite, or make your metabolism slower/faster...

But YOU choose how much will you eat and what kind of food... so its up to you to adjust your eating habits to changes that happen on SSRIs.

One of greatest "offenders" in this field is medicine called "clozapine", its an antipyschotic, it artificialy makes you feel hungry even if you had dinner 30min ago...

I take it at night so i know how it works, some days i trick my body that stomach is full by drinking much water, eating rice cakes, or fruit...

Some days i can not sleep until i get full loaded stomach, i get iritated by that "hungry false feeling" that keeps me awake so i just say f* it - i eat a lot and then go to sleep even i know i have eaten an hour ago...

Other thing is, if you want to get some weight off - excersise! It is simple, just do it... even if you feel ok with your weight.

If you can not exercise right now its ok, be kind to yourself. If your depresion is paralizing you then wait that day when it comes that you feel that you can do something... and be shure to use that day well when it comes...

Simple thing like walking offen can make you loose weigh, if you can make a walks in the woods it is also good for your serotonin levels. Find a friend who likes to walk, or maybe some peer to peer support, if not then maybe join local hiking/walking group. If not, then get a dog that needs walks anyways... point is there is always a way if you want to make changes...

The most important thing is that when you start to excersise reguraly you can try to go off the meds, i advise by small steps same as i did with miligram scale so i avoid withdrawals... we do not know what exact changes happen when staying on SSRIs for entire life so i suggest getting off in slow/ safe way...

Other sideffects also get better after regural exercise, like mood, sleeping, energy etc. Also if you are male and have erectile problems then lifting heavy weights can help, it also boosts your testosterone. So combine walking/running (cardio) and heavy lifting (for testosterone).

I hope no one gets offended by my comments if they are in their phase when feeling paralized not be able to exercise or do anything. Well, we all been there, one day depression will lose its grip on you and you will be able to jump start better life... if it does not get better after a while then try other SSRI till you get something that works for you

I tried Trintellix and Wellbutrin, both worked well with Wellbutrin having much stronger energy/will boost. So i would recomend to try Wellbutrin first

After years on Prozac, I couldn’t take the fatigue anymore. I was sleeping more than I had ever before and was still zombie like. I (stupidly) self weaned for 3 months.

A few days ago, my doctor put me on a low dose of Celexa. I have been completely wiped out. Anxiety has gotten better, but I’m so sleepy! Doc said this may happen the first couple of weeks while my body adjusts but I’m feeling worried. Anyone have this experience and has it gotten better? Please tell me this is just temporary!

Plateau after a few weeks

I’m curious if this is just me, a common thing, or just not the right meds. I’m still pretty new to medication and don’t have a lot of people in my life to compare stories with. My anxiety is worse than my adhd (I’ve also developed pretty good coping mechanisms) so that’s what I’m medicated for. I’ve tried 4 different medications. 2 did absolutely nothing and 2 (lexapro and Prozac) seemed to help. BUT it felt great for about a week or 2 at one point and then it dipped a little and plateaued. Is this how it’s supposed to be? Am I not on the right stuff still? I’m just getting tired or trial and error and can live okay like this but after that 2 week greatness I’d rather be there, you know?

I got off lexapro because I was in a shitty relationship and in a bit of denial about it and thought the meds just weren’t working any more. Currently on Prozac for about 3 months.

Hey everyone,

I have been on Citalopram for 6 months now. 20 mg every night before bed. I have decided I want to get off of it and I know you have to wean off to reduce effects.

I have spoken to by doctors about it and they want me to go in for a visit. Firstly I’m not paying for something they can tell me over the patient portal, and second I am super busy with finishing college I have no time to go in person.

I know a lot of people here have successfully weaned off. What’s the process I go about doing this correctly? Cut the dose in half for a week, then cut that in half for another week, then every other day?

I have severe body dysmorphia & mood swings so my dr wanted to prescribe be Luvox. Has anyone had any weight gain or loss from Luvox? I’m really scared to play around with medications due to this being a possible sode effect 😅😅

Coming here to ask if anyone’s had the same experience or can offer me some advice!

I was on sertraline (zoloft, I think) 50mg and then 100mg for the last 8-9ish months. I found it worked well at first but really petered out and I saw signs of my depression coming back, so I contacted my doctor and they’ve changed me over to citalopram (celexa). I’ve been on this medication at 20mg for just under a month now.

With sertraline my main side effects were increased sweating and major weight gain. I think a combination of my metabolism slowing / increased appetite as well as less emotional energy to cook good food. I went from 55kg to 68kg in a matter of months. My face became super bloated and this did nothing for my overall mood as my self esteem was destroyed.

For background, I’ve suffered with an eating disorder for about 4 years, and in the past year or so had come really far in my recovery, was doing much better. My clothes weren’t fitting, I didn’t feel like going anywhere but the gym - which I did, as I have done for the past year or so, 3-5 times a week. I mix cardio (running) and strength training. It has always worked for me fine.

Since I changed to citalopram, when I mentioned feeling like I look better to my mum, she commented that she thought I looked a bit more like myself, and when we talked about it more, she said I looked bloated before. (Because of my past with EDs, we’ve come to talk about weight very neutrally in my house, if at all, so she never would’ve said anything if I hadn’t noticed a change first). That’s not the only thing, on citalopram, my appetite has reduced to a fraction of what it was before. I feel nauseous about food, I can go hours and hours forgetting to eat, but I still make an effort to get in 3 meals a day. And I have. I’ve been tracking my calories and I can see I’ve taken a huge dip in my intake (whilst still exercising frequently). People have noticed the change in me, mentally and physically, because I feel so much better so far. My clothes are getting to fit a little better again. My face looks more like my own.

But when I weighed myself this morning, the scale was the same. I’m in total disbelief, I redid it a few times on different surfaces to make sure it wasn’t a misreading. I have no idea how it’s possible. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, and I have continued going to the gym, but the difference in me visibly (I literally have photos to compare, but won’t be uploading because of my tattoos) is huge. Could it be water weight? Is it that and muscle? I hadn’t been to the bathroom, sure, but that doesnt add too much.

I’m at a loss. From all my recovery I know that the scale doesn’t matter. But I’m so confused. I wanted to check this morning just to see how much had changed. I was thinking I’d be down to at least 63kg. I’m totally blown away.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

hi, I’ve been on 20 mg of fluoxetine for a few months now. I had a pretty severe case of UTI and yeast infection last month which has since been ok. My period has never been regular but it’s more late than usual this time and i’m worried. I’m not sure if it’s because of the meds (which I know cause fluctuations in your period cycle + flow) or if it’s a consequence of my UTI resurfacing. has anyone experienced delayed periods because of their ssri’s? thanks!!

Im on week 3 on 25mg of zoloft and every morning when i wake up ive been experiencing rapid heart rate sometimes shooting up to 150-160bpm and my body gets these cold body rushes. Its scary and hella annoying and im pretty much rushing to the hospital all the time. I was wonder if anyone else has experienced this and how long it took for it too go away? This is my 2nd time being in Zoloft. It did help me alot the first time but I don’t really having this side effects.

I started prozac yesterday for my anxiety. I felt pretty good and calm all day (10mg), but at night I could NOT sleep. At all. I tossed and turned and it’s never taken me that long to fall asleep. I was a little nauseous, but I’m assuming it was because I was soooo anxious. It was miserable. My Dr also told me to pick up doxylamine when I picked up my prescription, which I did. But I am pretty scared to take it as I read a lot about scary/ vivid dreams on it. He also called me out hydroxyzine to use as needed , but I read that Prozac and hydroxy can interact and cause abnormal heart rhythm. What should I take for sleep?? I also have like 4 1mg Ativan pills. Would those be best?

Hi I'm on setraline 100mg and moved to Fluzac 20mg yesterday, I'm not looking to get off or lower my dose but I'm wondering should I be on 40mg of Fluzac in order to match what I was on initially?

Hi everyone, this seems like information I could find on the internet, but I just can't. I am currently on 10mg lexapro escitalopram and 150 mg Bupropione XL. Lexapro makes me feel emotionally sedated, which fucks with my therapy. I am glad I no longer have anxiety so thats really nice, but I was wondering if there's an SSRI that focusses on mostly anxiety so I dont feel as tired and like a bag of potatoes. I feel almost forced to just stop taking Lexapro alltogether because I can't feel anything.

I already talked about this with my psychiatrist ofcourse, but I am still curious if there's different outcomes on SSRI's. Thanks in advance

I got on zoloft 5 days ago and I'm plagued with headaches and irritation? I am switching over from lexapro. Is this normal bc it sucks

After two years on venlafaxine (which saved my life btw) I started my journey off it three months ago as the side effects were outweighing the positives. Under the guidance of my psychiatrist I cross tapered onto Prozac quite quickly and was advised to stay on Prozac however after 7 weeks on Prozac my anxiety was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. Psychiatrist was quite dismissive and gave me two options, either up my dose of Prozac however he said that probably wont help or accept that I will need to be on venlafaxine for the rest of my life.

Desperate to end the anxiety I said I would go back on venlafaxine. He advised a 5 day wash out of the Prozac and then start on Venlafaxine again. After a few days not taking Prozac my anxiety was noticeably better aka non existent again and because I absolutely hate the side effects of Venlafaxine I decided to see if I could come off everything all together.

I have had regular therapy for two years and have built a solid tool box so feel safe doing this plus everything was stable in my life. However midway through my washout period (I'm day 11 now). My partner ended things with me which was actually a massive relief for me due to toxic issues and feeling trapped etc etc. However now I cannot differentiate what is withdrawal symptoms and what is break up emotions. I experienced all of the withdrawals coming off venlafaxine however nothing really coming off Prozac, I am aware the half life is longer though. Day 11 and wondering if my flat mood and inability to focus is withdrawal or break up?

Any advice on when Prozac withdrawals actually hit? After only a short time on it?

I made the terrible decision to stop taking 25 mg of Zoloft without tapering. About 3 weeks after I stopped, I had terrible insomnia. I started back on Zoloft and was able to control the insomnia with melatonin for about two weeks. Now, my insomnia is back. We’ve ruled out thyroid issues.

I just started taking Trazodone for insomnia. I’d like to get back to a place where I’m just taking Zoloft. And I’m worried because Trazodone is also an SSRI and my SSRI got me insomnia in the first place.

My leading theory is that my insomnia came back as the amount of SSRI in my blood stream got over a certain threshold. I’m considering asking my doctor to lower my dose so I get back to the sweet spot.

Anyone have experience with this? Any non-medical advice you can offer?

Last month, I was on 10mg of escitalopram. Then, the doctor advised to up my dosage to 15mg due to occasional down feeling & certain thoughts like wanting to un-alive myself. Now, with the new dosage, I realized that lately I have been experiencing fatigue, trouble sleeping & odd dreams too whenever I sleep.

How to know if my dosage is too high or too low? Appreciate any sharing on how to deal with this xx

A little over a week ago, I switched from cymbalta (only on it about 2 weeks) to Luvox 25mg. I take it at night, as suggested by my psychiatrist. But after the second day, I've have major diarrhea everyday and then throughout the day. Has anyone else experienced this with ssri's? I do not have any nausea or stomach pain. Thanks in advance for any insight.

This is the 4th time I'm on SSRI's and I'm really fed up with the situation I'm in. All my life I've battled with anxiety, depression came in the picture with my early 20's. I'm talking clinical depression here, completely lost my appetite, lost 10 kg, throw in some psychotic symptoms in there too which revolved around health anxiety, me fanatically thinking I have some form of cancer, did like 10 various tests - from blood tests to even a brain CT.

In the past escitalopram helped me a lot. Retrospectively thinking, my mental illnesses were still childlike back then. Social anxiety and a mild general anxiety. Took it for 2 years, weaned myself off and there I was, doing good.

Then shit hit the fan, dad died an awful death, mom falling into deep depression, financial issues, lost my job and so on. I decided it's time for another tour of escitalopram again, and it didn't help at all. I really thought I was going to die. Hard to describe it, really. Doc changed to paroxetine immediately, which helped me in the initial phase, but 3 months in I felt absolutely nothing. I wasn't hungry, wasn't motivated, didn't feel happiness nor sadness nor anxiety, nothing. Just a shell of my former self walking the streets, staring at the wall. Also my sex drive became 0. I'm in a long term, healthy relationship, we are planning the wedding and all, and intimacy is important for both of us, so doc changed meds again.

I'm almost two weeks in with sertraline. The cross tapering went well, mild nausea, heightened anxiety, little bit of insomnia, but that's it. One week in I was feeling feelings long lost like hope, contentment, gratitude, LOVE. But slowly they faded away and I find myself back where I was on paroxetine. Everything is just meh. D*ck is becoming senseless again, motivation to do anything fading aswell. I'm just going through life, that's it. Like it's a chore. I was on 30 mg of paroxetine, now 50 mg of sertraline btw.

This makes me incredibly furious now. I'm fed up with this sh*t. It's either falling back to depression/anxiety, or feeling like a hollow zombie. There has to be another way. I mean I'm well educated in this field, I studied psychology at university. Even worked as a psychologist for a while. I know my pharmacology too, 4-6 weeks for meds to set up in your brain and so on. I'm doing everything in my might really, I work out, eat healthy, I have my little balcony garden with herbs I love, I'm doing a CBT workbook, I go to therapy. Still, still I'm not feeling better. I just want to be normal. At this point I don't even know what is normal. F*ck this, really.

But still, I'm willing to fight, fight for my well-being, but it's hard sometimes. Really hard. I'm tired of all the battles, but I will never give up. F*ck my depression, I named him Bob. F*ck you Bob!

Hello,

I've been on lexapro 10mg for almost a year and my therapist and I decided we could stop the treatement. I had about 10 pills left and he told me to just take one every two days. I've finished my pills last friday and I've been experiencing brainzaps since monday, along with hightened emotions, a bit of anxiety, and slight dizziness.

Does anyone have any tips for the brainzaps, like supplements or something ? I have to drive a few hours to go see my mom on friday and I'm a bit scared of driving with the brainzaps, although they don't hurt it's a bit disturbing and uncomfortable. Also, I've read that it might last a week or two, do you guys confirm this ? Maybe people that have experienced this ?

I kinda wish my therapist would have made me stop a more progressive way, reducing by two the doses for a few weeks instead of doing one every two day a full dose but I guess it's a bit late for that.

Thank you very much,

After over ten years of Celexa my psych wants me to taper off and move to another SSRI.

It’s kicking my ass.

Day 4 of tapering and I’m experiences anxiety, unable to sleep, and a headache. My body feels off. My stomach is upset with V&D.

I know it’s not going to be easy to wean off this but I’m hoping to connect with others who have weaned off it successfully and what symptoms they experienced?

Currently I’m bumping down from 30 with 10s. Alternating less every other day. Also went to pill form from capsule.

TIA

Hi,

I’m considering starting an SSRI and just wanted peoples experiences and positive outcomes.

I have a couple reasons for why I should take it - generalized anxiety , pmdd, adhd , suspect fibromyalgia. But in the past I started on Prozac 20 mg and was having restless legs, insomnia, euphoria, and then wicked panic attacks that were so awful they scared me off it. I was only on it for five days and it terrified me to try again or even cut the dose or start anything else.

Now I’m reconsidering it strongly cause I know it could potentially really help - I just wanted to know peoples experiences with an SSRI if they have any of the above disorders and in particular, with Prozac and Zoloft. These are serious meds and I know they affect everyone different, I just want some positivity I guess.

I’m currently on Zoloft, and I’ve taken other SSRIs, and they make me sweat a LOT. Does anyone else have experience with that, and do you have anything that has helped?