Hi all,
I went on Fluoxetine in August. My doc prescribed me 20mg/day. I actually asked her because I was feeling very down, had anxiety and obsessive thinking. I never took ADs before then.
In October, after I was feeling better, I asked her if it would be okay for me to cut it down to 10 mg and she told me I could try and if it doesn't work out to go back to 20 mg. 2 weeks after I went on 10 mg, I moved countries, and had really bad obsessive and fearful thinking and was just sooo scared. So I went back on 20 mg.
So since beginning of November I have been on 20 mgs. I changed a lot of things in my life. Changed my diet (lost some weight), started excercising, made wonderful friends, have been working for the past 3.5 months and took a language course. The weather is amazing and I'm positive that I want to try to cut down the dose. So a few days ago I went on 10 mg/day and today is my 3rd day on 10 mg and I am feeling fine.
I was wondering about the half life tho. When will I start feeling the full effects of being on 10 mgs? Also, is there a chance that I won't be feeling as crappy as half a year ago because I changed so many things that I was unhappy about?
Last but not least, I was thinking about asking my DOC to prescribe me Valium just in case I do have a full blown anxiety attack? When that happens Valerian Root won't really help.
I will start therapy in July, so that'll also give me support.
I've just been quite annoyed by the side effects and I'd rather start dealing with my fears and face them. So, I decided to take another shot and see how it goes.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks :)

i_am_me

Wow, you have put in a lot of hard work since you started your medication and made a lot of progress.

Well done!!!! Thats so great.

Maybe last time you tried to re-evaluate the medication with your doctor it just wasnt the right time and you needed to make the different lifestyle changes.

I dont think any one will be able to tell you how your going to feel reducing the medication, but sounds like you are working well with your doctor, it sounds so postitive in all that you have done.

Try and take one day at time and see how it goes, you might be able to reduce it down or you might have to get increased for a while again. Just see how things go.

Just keep doing what your doing, your doing great. Its good your getting some therapy sessions soon too that will all help too. I am currently doing relaxation therapy with my therapist and hopefully that will help with some of the anxiety I face.

Keep posting and let us know how your doing
Reading post like yours inspire me to work harder
Thanks
HUGS
Isabeau

Hi Isabeau,
thanks for your kind message! Believe it or not, it is very encouraging! Sometimes, I wonder if I am doing the right thing, but I will never know if I don't try.
My current Doc doesn't really know much about my situation and I haven't been able to speak to her yet and ask her about what she thinks. I just went with my last Doc's advice. When I spoke to my current doc last time, she was very understanding and told me that's it's normal that my anxiety increased with all the life changes, but I think I've learnt to deal well with things. I know it's not recommended to lower the dose without doctor's advice, but I'm just trying what my doc approved of 6 months ago. Furthermore, my boyfriend's dad is a doctor, so worst case scenario I can ask him. Either way, I will get an appointment with my current Doc, so I can see her and talk to her and get her Ok, too.

I was wondering about asking for Valium, just in case I do have an anxiety attack. I took it once only a few years back, but it really calmed me down.
Do you know anything about it? I'm just thinking about having it in the house and only take it if things get really bad. I don't know if the two mix well and if it's recommended. I guess, I just wanna calm myself down, by having it somewhere.
Any advice on the Valium/Prozac idea?

Thanks, again. :)

This post has been edited by i_am_me: May 26 2008, 07:54 AM

i_am_me

I didnt realise that you were lowering the dose on your own and I am now glad that you are going to see a doctor to make sure thats the right thing for you. But thanks for clearing that up for me.

As for Valium, I know the calming affect of this very well and it does work wonders. But over here its not very often a doctor will prescribe this drug, I suppose it really depends on the doctor and if they do from my knowledge it would only be for a short term period. Well that is the times that I have been given it. But ask your doctor and see what she has to say, its worth asking, she might even have another alternative that might help you with anxiety.

Sorry I couldnt of been more help
But I am glad you asked and maybe
Some other members will know more about this
HUGS
Isabeau

Hi, just an update. I decided against valium.
After consultation with my bf's dad, I decided to go with his advice. 20 mg one day, 10 mg next day, 20 mg next day for two to three weeks. After that 10 mgs every day for two to three weeks and after that 10 mgs every 2nd day for two to three weeks and see how that goes. If it goes well I think I'll do another 10 mgs once every 3 days for another 2 weeks.
Seems gradual enough. What do you think?

This post has been edited by i_am_me: May 29 2008, 06:48 AM

I am so glad you have talked it over with your bf's dad. He would know exactly how to deal with reducing the dose and it sounds like you have worked out a good plan with the doctor.

I hope everything goes well for you
Keep us posted
Isabeau

Actually, you should be consulting with your regular pdoc about your medication. The changes your bf's dad did are unknownst to your doc and may cause a major problem with hers/his treatment plan for you. Also, Prozac usually comes in capsules rather than pills. Splitting capsules is not advisable nor possible as each little pill inside the capsule is only a small part of the whole medication.

Prozac has anti-anxiety properties. If it's not helping your anxiety, again consult with your pdoc. Benzo's like Valium and Xanax are commonly used for anxiety.

Call your regular pdoc and inform him/her what you are doing with your medications. Open and honest communication between you and your doc is vital for proper treatment.
Sheepwoman