And ears ringing louder than usual.

Oh and on my genesight test I am a poor metabolizer of Prozac.

9 hours ago, Need to End said:

Yes 2 x .5 per day

Perfect. Just wanted to check.

6 hours ago, Need to End said:

And ears ringing louder than usual.

It’s normal for things to fluctuate. Tinnitus is very common.

19 hours ago, Need to End said:

Oh and on my genesight test I am a poor metabolizer of Prozac.

Hi @Need to End ,

Sorry about your ongoing struggles. Your life stressors combined with the effects from Prozac, and possibly Clonazepam too, would be very hard for anyone to deal with.

I want to thank you for sharing that info from the Genesight test. Although not necessarily conclusive for all that you're enduring, it could be pointing to something you have long suspected: Prozac is a poor fit for you. You have clearly expressed that using other words--it's been "hell" the whole time; Prozac has been bad for me since "Day 1"; holds have not been helping; I had a severe panic reaction on day 3 when I first tried this med. So, conceivably, if you do not metabolize Prozac well, it could be accumulating more, eliminated slower, over its already relatively very long half-life. That may be okay for some, but for others who are more sensitive to it, it could be problematic, and potentially severely so if the Prozac dose is activating to begin with and that effect continues during slow elimination over a long half-life.

I am glad that @Chippy asked and you shared some info on your benzo. I want to ask you, because it could be important, why you were placed on that med 4/25? Also, do you sense any difference in how you feel soon after dosing it or before your next dose?

I've re-read your whole thread, including your opening post, but I'm not clear on what your experiences were on the various antidepressants you took over your timeline. It could be important for members here to know for example, if Zoloft helped at all or if you had intolerable side effects from it, and why you were given a short second course of it before Prozac. And also your time on Lexapro. Answers to these may give us a clue whether this is Prozac-specific or indicative of SSRI sensitivity to a degree in general.

So as I see it now, the big picture of your situation looks like: history of Prozac + subjective reports of it feeling "paradoxical" , bad since "Day 1" + panic reaction long ago + lack of benefit from holding + some earlier signs of improvement with reductions + "poor" metabolism finding (Genesight) + withdrawal mixed in. That's the "gasoline" that's likely being poured on the "fire" of your major life stressors.

On 5/19/2026 at 8:25 AM, Need to End said:

Oh and on my genesight test I am a poor metabolizer of Prozac.

@Need to End in my experience the genetic tests can be very misleading. My doctor changed 2 of my meds based on the test, and the results were devestating.

Hi guys I am feeling horrible - my girl basically ended things again last night on text saying the last few times with me she messed up and gave into temptation and doesn’t want to mislead me and then today my industry got dealt another huge blow that will make earning income even harder. Then my daughter graduates 8th grade this week and goes to Mexico so that’s emotional and I’ll be alone. My body is on fire and my brain won’t stop. I want to die. I dknt want to work or go out of the house. This isn’t good.

@Gaucho for the long period I was in Zoloft I did not have any of these negative effects. Even when I switched to lexapro I did okay and didn’t have these issues . Then I got off lexapro in 2 months and Shortly after that everything went to hell. They tried putting me back on zoooft and lexapro and both of those attempts failed. I felt horrible. Then I switched to Prozac and began tapering.

With klonopin it’s hard to say but I am starting to feel like I’m worse shortly after I take the morning dose although that could also be because my cortisol is rising at that time. I do feel dizzy and tired for most of the day. At night after that dose I don’t feel much relief. When I first started it I did feel relief after both doses

7 hours ago, Need to End said:

@Gaucho for the long period I was in Zoloft I did not have any of these negative effects. Even when I switched to lexapro I did okay and didn’t have these issues . Then I got off lexapro in 2 months and Shortly after that everything went to hell. They tried putting me back on zoooft and lexapro and both of those attempts failed. I felt horrible. Then I switched to Prozac and began tapering.

With klonopin it’s hard to say but I am starting to feel like I’m worse shortly after I take the morning dose although that could also be because my cortisol is rising at that time. I do feel dizzy and tired for most of the day. At night after that dose I don’t feel much relief. When I first started it I did feel relief after both doses

All of these drugs have the potential for a paradoxical reaction at some point, which sounds like it's happening with your benzos as well.

The only way out is to stop, slowly as you are doing @Need to End

The tinnitus by the way is an integral part, I've had it for at least a year now, during flare-ups it's extremely loud but it'll subside over time as well as the other symptoms, just keep moving forward bravely.

Edited May 20May 20 by Fullhealing

8 hours ago, Need to End said:

for the long period I was in Zoloft I did not have any of these negative effects. Even when I switched to lexapro I did okay and didn’t have these issues . Then I got off lexapro in 2 months and Shortly after that everything went to hell. They tried putting me back on zoooft and lexapro and both of those attempts failed. I felt horrible. Then I switched to Prozac and began tapering

I think your nervous system is very sensitive because of all these changes mainly. It is possible your body specifcally dislikes Prozac, however the bigger picture is the entire drug history. Kindling has caused most of this. You are doing your best to get off, there isn't much else you can do. I certainly wouldn't switch or anything at this point based on this test.

8 hours ago, Need to End said:

With klonopin it’s hard to say but I am starting to feel like I’m worse shortly after I take the morning dose although that could also be because my cortisol is rising at that time. I do feel dizzy and tired for most of the day. At night after that dose I don’t feel much relief. When I first started it I did feel relief after both doses

You will be tolerant to the drug now, so that is why you feel no benefit. As you said, the worsening in the morning is likely cortisol related. Id leave this to taper later after Prozac. Be good to get you off it too. I isn't likely serving you at this point and you are really just taking it to hold back Benzo WD.

Thank you guys. Is there anything I can do to calm this constant worry and uneasiness i have all day every day?

Also, I have a breakout on my face that been there for there for the past 4-6 weeks. Can this be related to my drop recently? Over the last 90+ days I went from 3.6 to 2.2 and then in the last 30 days down to 1.99.

2 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Thank you guys. Is there anything I can do to calm this constant worry and uneasiness i have all day every day?

Yes, there are many coping tools you can use like acceptance, mindfulness, and distraction. Check the Symptoms and Coping Strategies Forum!

Ok ty. I’m also physically tired / dizzy. It’s the physical stuff too and I have to keep going loving but it’s extremely hard.

I also can’t help but keep comparing to others that are younger or not falling behind and it’s making life feel pointless especially since I used to be so far ahead . This really sucks. I’m sorry guys I know I’m not Mr positive - I am literally suffering at every moment of the day.

2 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Ok ty. I’m also physically tired / dizzy. It’s the physical stuff too and I have to keep going loving but it’s extremely hard.

I also can’t help but keep comparing to others that are younger or not falling behind and it’s making life feel pointless especially since I used to be so far ahead . This really sucks. I’m sorry guys I know I’m not Mr positive - I am literally suffering at every moment of the day.

As long as you continue to focus on your symptoms and on comparing yourself to others, you will continue to suffer. You are a unique person so your recovery is going to be uniquely yours. If you broke your leg, would you lie in bed waiting to heal, or would you do physical therapy to get better more quickly? We've all been through what you're experiencing, and we can assure you that you'll recover, but you need to confront what's keeping you trapped in ruminating, and focus on ways to recover.

I’m trying I promise I’m really struggling tho. Feel like I’m going to lose everything. And I feel like absolute crap daily. I’m sorry I am trying

You're trying too hard. Acceptance is key. Ease up on yourself. Don't set expectations based on other people and don't blame yourself for not meeting so timeline you made up. Let healing happen.

31 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Thank you guys. Is there anything I can do to calm this constant worry and uneasiness i have all day every day?

Also, I have a breakout on my face that been there for there for the past 4-6 weeks. Can this be related to my drop recently? Over the last 90+ days I went from 3.6 to 2.2 and then in the last 30 days down to 1.99.

It certainly could be, these chemicals disrupt hormones as well as anything else in our body, it will pass.

As for the looping thoughts, beyond external distractions that provide temporary relief, it's worth working on a repetitive counter, for every bad thought pushing positive one, it's certainly much harder during wd but it is possible, the more you practice it the more it will sink in.

19 minutes ago, Need to End said:

I’m trying I promise I’m really struggling tho. Feel like I’m going to lose everything. And I feel like absolute crap daily. I’m sorry I am trying

Or another option, ignore them, tell yourself here we go again, wd brain pouring poison through thoughts..

We know you are trying hard and as well as how difficult it is breaking a loop, it's continuous hard work but it is possible and takes time, Just keep practicing and please don't forget to be compassionate with yourself, you deserve it.

Edited May 20May 20 by Fullhealing

10 hours ago, Need to End said:

I also can’t help but keep comparing to others that are younger or not falling behind and it’s making life feel pointless especially since I used to be so far ahead .

I would try to reframe your relationship to life. Life is not a game, there are no goals, this experience teaches us that the only thing that matters is being happy and content within ourselves. We learn to stop comparing with others, this comparing leads to stress and anxiety. Its a pointless loop. Time to get off the hampster wheel in my opinion, your health is all that matters. Just do your best with the rest of it. As @Luke said what is the point in having millions of pounds but bed ridden! We would all gladly swap all the money in world just to feel well and enjoy breathing and being in our own bodies. Focus on your recovery and not chasing material goals n2e! Acceptance is everything.

Ok I feel like that’s another way of saying I won’t ever be successful again. Is that what this is in reality that I’m facing?

10 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Ok I feel like that’s another way of saying I won’t ever be successful again. Is that what this is in reality that I’m facing?

That's not what anyone is saying at all, and I think intellectually you know that. You're letting your anxious mind control how you interpret what we're saying. In fact you can recover, and you need to accept that, instead of letting your anxious thinking find new ways of keeping you trapped.

Ok I’m most so scared. I just talked to a friend who has a headache issue and is resigned to not getting betttrt and it scared the crap out of me. I have to get better.

26 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Ok I’m most so scared. I just talked to a friend who has a headache issue and is resigned to not getting betttrt and it scared the crap out of me. I have to get better.

As we have advised you several times before, you need to stop continually looking for reassuracne. Because your mind is hyper focused on symptoms, its not really looking for reassurance. Its looking for validation of your fears, and it will inevitably find it. Again, accept that you can and will recover and work towards that instead of looking for another reason why you can't. You can do this!

I’m sorry. I feel so hopeless and dark. I’m trying.

One thing I noticed wa I took half the klonopin dose this am by karaoke and actually felt a bit better during g the day. I’m assuming I should resume the normal dose still??

9 hours ago, Need to End said:

Ok I feel like that’s another way of saying I won’t ever be successful again. Is that what this is in reality that I’m facing?

No, you can read what you want into anything.

It is on the face of it saying you should reframe what success is. I suspect the reasons for you being on the drugs was in pursuit of this percieved success. Success for me is being happy and content within yourself, not striving for more material things, money etc...

The other way to look at it, is that when you are happy and content within yourself you are in much better shape to choose the goals in life that are important to you and go after them.