8 hours ago, Need to End said:

Thank you everyone.  I will keep going at .02mg / day.   I get a compounded formula made that is 1 mg/ml.   

 

Part of my fears are around the SI and depression.  Have others here experienced SI once getting onto prozac (or anothe SSRI) when they never ever ever had SI their entire life prior to? 

 

Same with depression - anyone notice the depression escalate dramatically along with crying spells that leave you with red bumps under your eyes/tear ducts the next day constantly? 

 

Im asking because Im am SO afraid this is who I am and it won't change.

Both SI and crying spells are wd symptoms and totally not who you are 😀

6 hours ago, Fullhealing said:

@Need to End perhaps now that your body contains less of the drug there's a chance for your system to adjust? so tricky, I wish I could be more helpful, truly sorry.

tagging @Chippy for his thoughts on that.

You could try to hold and see if you settle as ADRs and alike are lower at lower doses but I think I’m more of a mind in this situation to get the drug clear and concentrate on healing. I wouldn’t normally think this but for me here I can’t see benefits of a hold. Just my thoughts. Definitely do what you think is right. 😀

Thank you guys!   Has anyone noticed that things ease as you get lower?   I have felt like things have eased slightly and at least not gotten worse from 3.6 to 2.87. 

25 minutes ago, Need to End said:

Thank you guys!   Has anyone noticed that things ease as you get lower?   I have felt like things have eased slightly and at least not gotten worse from 3.6 to 2.87. 

Great news @Need to End. Yes most days are more level, however in between I have intense WD symptoms. These only seem to be sort lived and then I go back to what I call baseline. So I think overall my baseline is good, but the spikes I get are far more intense than what they were. It’s definitely far more difficult to decrease very small amounts. My CNS is definitely more sensitised. Happy you’ve noticed an easing of symptoms 🤗

I hate this feeling that I am done.  That i won't be the guy i was before tapering too fast.   It haunts me all day every day for the last 19 months.   Its very very convincing and scary.  Day to day I don't / can't do the things needed as an adult let alone at the level i used to.   

 

I feel like I spend more time in bed than any other human being on earth.   It feels never ending.  My appetite is so low and has been for 19 months.  I have always lifted weights and have somehow managed to keep my bodyweight up but it feels like any day everything is going to crumble. 

30 minutes ago, Need to End said:

I hate this feeling that I am done.  That i won't be the guy i was before tapering too fast.   It haunts me all day every day for the last 19 months.   Its very very convincing and scary.  Day to day I don't / can't do the things needed as an adult let alone at the level i used to.   

 

I feel like I spend more time in bed than any other human being on earth.   It feels never ending.  My appetite is so low and has been for 19 months.  I have always lifted weights and have somehow managed to keep my bodyweight up but it feels like any day everything is going to crumble. 

Hi @Need to End in the previous update it seems like there was some relief, right? that's a good indication of healing, just to remind you that you are still in a non-linear process in an unregulated system, so that's to be expected unfortunately, but if there was relief, even a tiny one that's a good sign. and no, you are not done and yes, you will get your old self back, no doubt, you may not feel it at times, but it will happen, just keep pushing, hoping and stay strong!

Edited March 5Mar 5 by Fullhealing

stay strong!!! 

HI all, Im having a really great direct conversation/messaging with a member and wanted to ask if holding is as necessary when doing small daily drops like .02mg/day versus when you are doing big drops like .5mg at a time.

 

My understanding is that doing the small daily drops allows the brain to slowly adapt as you go versus dropping a big chunk all at once? 

 

if yove read about the tapering strips from the Netherlands thats basically what they are - small daily drops.   They have a 71% success rate of getting people off SSRI's and do so in about 5 months. 

On 3/6/2026 at 9:33 PM, Need to End said:

HI all, Im having a really great direct conversation/messaging with a member and wanted to ask if holding is as necessary when doing small daily drops like .02mg/day versus when you are doing big drops like .5mg at a time.

 

My understanding is that doing the small daily drops allows the brain to slowly adapt as you go versus dropping a big chunk all at once? 

 

if yove read about the tapering strips from the Netherlands thats basically what they are - small daily drops.   They have a 71% success rate of getting people off SSRI's and do so in about 5 months. 

In a micro taper you basically drop a set amount per month as normal but do it in 1/30 daily drops rather than all at once and hold for the month. So in effect there is no hold. Hope that makes sense.  
 

Can be more kind to the nervous system as you sort of sneak off the drug. I think you should give it a try. 

Ok I’ve been doing that for 45 days or so.  I’m definitely dropping above the 10% threshold but nothing has gotten worse.  I’ve gone from 3.6 to 2.79 in 45 days and feel the same possibly a bit better.  

5 hours ago, Need to End said:

Ok I’ve been doing that for 45 days or so.  I’m definitely dropping above the 10% threshold but nothing has gotten worse.  I’ve gone from 3.6 to 2.79 in 45 days and feel the same possibly a bit better.  

It’s good you’re feeling better possibly but at least no worse. I’d try to slow it down and keep to the 10% I think if it were me. 

Keep in mind that typically the lower the dose, the harder it is to tolerate drops.

 

Also, people tend to "crash", and find that what was tolerable previously suddenly is not. This can be very difficult to reverse.

 

Hopefully the rest of your taper passes without significant issues.

I'm decreasing at ~2% at the moment (originally this was a 1 week dose of a monthly drop of 8%) it's taking me at least 3 weeks for each step. I'm on day 15 and still have some intense WD symptoms.  It's now at a snail's pace.

Thank you guys.   I’m approaching. 2 years on this taper already.   I’ve never felt stable and cannot see making it if I go at 10%.  That’s another year or 2 if this misery.  It would be one thing if I stabilized but I haven’t.  SI and depression only showed up when I started Prozac.  I’m literally losing my life as time passes.  How is it that the tower strips have a 71% success rate and they get people off in an average of 5 months?

8 hours ago, Need to End said:

I’ve never felt stable and cannot see making it if I go at 10%.

It’s your call. I totally understand. We are here for you what ever. 
 

8 hours ago, Need to End said:

How is it that the tower strips have a 71% success rate and they get people off in an average of 5 months?

I’m not sure what these are? Tapering strips? And have you the source for this stat?

Hey, here is the study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471516/

 

This is the website for the actual manufacturer - https://www.taperingstrip.com/an-observational-study-about-the-use-of-tapering-medication/

Also, do you guys remember feeling dizzy/weak and anxious every single day?   I can never escape it and then the crying and having no mental or professional strength constantly for 19 months.  It feels so permanent that Im afraid of never returning to myself. 

 

Im sorry for needing this level of assurance or whatever one would call it but I am scared to my core basically 24/7.   Then throw on depression and pure hopelessness.   I need to be the leader of my business and the father I once was and it just doesn't feel like its there. 

3 hours ago, Need to End said:

Hey, here is the study - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34471516/

 

This is the website for the actual manufacturer - https://www.taperingstrip.com/an-observational-study-about-the-use-of-tapering-medication/

@Need to End I think tapering strips are a good innovation and can be useful in some situations, particularly straightforward situations where patients are not at high risk of withdrawal syndrome. This is only an abstract not the entire paper and needs to be considered in the broader context of all the tapering literature (and also self reported withdrawal symptoms and issues reported on forums similar to this one.

 

I draw your attention to the last sentence of the Results section:

Females and individuals with (1) more severe experience of withdrawal during the use of tapering strips, (2) more years of use of antidepressant medication and (3) more previous attempts at discontinuation were less likely to be able to discontinue their antidepressant medication with tapering strips.

 

The strips maybe helpful when used as an adjunct to help with the initial stages of tapering before the steep part of the occupancy/dose curve. they are not for everyone. Given your level of distress at the moment, holding the dose seems to be a reasonable option. Stability appears to be the key factor in people being able to taper as safely and comfortably as possible.

 

I had a period of 3-4 years where I was dizzy, weak hyperaroused, panicky and feeling utterly helpless and alone; and this was before tapering. I understand how horrific and draining the experience can be. I don't suffer crying spells though — I haven't been able to cry for a long time.

 

I'm really sorry you're in the current dilemma of weighing up the ongoing adverse effects vs. tapering. I don't know if anyone has any answers. The responsibilities of caring and providing for your family along with meeting the requirements of your job must make this a very challenging time for you. Do you have the support of family, friends and/or therapists? Therapy may help with developing non-drug strategies to cope.  Remember time is a great healer. 🤗

Thank you for this detailed reply.  I have been tapering for 2 years and I have not once been “stable”.  So I don’t believe holding will help - I’ve tried holding without success.  I guess I’m scared to death because it seems like everyone is saying I am stuck suffering for years still and I can’t do that.  
 

I feel like some things have gotten better as I’ve gone down.  Currently I’m at 2.75mg.  If you guys are saying I have to suffer for another year or 2 I know this is a journey that I can’t complete.  
 

I had hoped that I could continue to taper and feel better as I get off.  I feel like the stories in these subs are the people who had it the worst of the worst and those with less horrible experiences don’t come here and report . 

7 hours ago, Need to End said:

Thank you for this detailed reply.  I have been tapering for 2 years and I have not once been “stable”.  So I don’t believe holding will help - I’ve tried holding without success.  I guess I’m scared to death because it seems like everyone is saying I am stuck suffering for years still and I can’t do that.  
 

I feel like some things have gotten better as I’ve gone down.  Currently I’m at 2.75mg.  If you guys are saying I have to suffer for another year or 2 I know this is a journey that I can’t complete.  
 

I had hoped that I could continue to taper and feel better as I get off.  I feel like the stories in these subs are the people who had it the worst of the worst and those with less horrible experiences don’t come here and report . 

Hi @Need to End

 

You are an individual, everyone is different.

 

You, as you have said, have never been good on prozac. If you are getting more relief from reducing the drug than you are wd symptoms from tapering it this is good. It means you body is happy to be getting rid of it. Just remember you are not immune from WD symptoms and they can be delayed in onset.

 

It may be you get to the point you can get enough relief from the drops to stop reducing for a bit and hold and let your brain catch up. This is what I would be thinking about if I were you. You are on quite a low dose now so I would hope that any ADR you were having would be lessened significantly.

 

Main thing, listen to your body.

 

Chippy

Aren't the ADR's still high because the sert occupancy is still 50% or so at this dose? 

9 hours ago, Need to End said:

Aren't the ADR's still high because the sert occupancy is still 50% or so at this dose? 

When people react to these drugs we don’t know why and what causes it as far as I’m aware. It may well be responding to the same sensitivity of the sert occupancy curve but may not. 
 

Ive seen that people’s ADRs settle on the lower dose and can then hold and taper more carefully from there. 
 

Everyone is different. 
 

Have you considered a micro taper? So 1/30 of your planned 30 day reduction daily. Might be more gentle but you will get the same speed. 

First thanks for being patient - I’m so on edge I ask about and you all are so gracious.

 

that’s kind of what I’m doing.  I’m doing .02 mg/day instead of one big drop.  Since starting that 45-50 days ago at 3.6 I’ve gotten to 2.7 without anything getting worse and a slight slight improvement.

 

Im happy to hear ADR’s have settled for some at lower doses

 

every day I find myself having to reconvince myself this depression anxiety fear crying and hopelessness is the drug as it’s got me thinking it’s just me even though I know wasn’t  like this before this fiasco. I had anxiety yes but a whole different kind than this.  

2 hours ago, Need to End said:

First thanks for being patient - I’m so on edge I ask about and you all are so gracious.

It’s what we are here for. It’s a pleasure. 
 

2 hours ago, Need to End said:

that’s kind of what I’m doing.  I’m doing .02 mg/day instead of one big drop.  Since starting that 45-50 days ago at 3.6 I’ve gotten to 2.7 without anything getting worse and a slight slight improvement.

Sounds good. Listen to your body. I’d consider readjusting the daily reduction or at least consider readjusting each month. Ideally 10% of your last monthly dose divided into 30 small bits. Then recalculate. Ideally. Listen to your body it’s your call just remember that 0.02 becomes a bigger decrease the more you drop. 
 

2 hours ago, Need to End said:

every day I find myself having to reconvince myself this depression anxiety fear crying and hopelessness is the drug as it’s got me thinking it’s just me even though I know wasn’t  like this before this fiasco. I had anxiety yes but a whole different kind than this.  

Many feel this way. Wave brain we call it. You know you best. Don’t listen to the wave brain. 
 

Chippy

2 hours ago, Need to End said:

even though I know wasn’t  like this before this fiasco. I had anxiety yes but a whole different kind than this.  

 

This really is the key. Deep down we just know that the state we're in is not natural.