taking prozac for 4 years

DEAR DOCTOR,
I WAS DIAGNOSED TO HAVE DEPRESSION AND I WAS GIVEN PROZAC 20MG I TABLET DAULY WITH RIVOTRIL 2MG 1 TABLET AT NIGHT. ONCE I WAS RELATIVELY OK WITH  THESE MEDICATIONS. BUT LATELY EVEN WITH THESE MEDICATIONS I SUFFERING FROM INSOMNIA, I'M NOT ABLE TO SLEEP BEFORE 3 OR 4 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING. PLEASE BE KIND ENOUGH TO GIVE ME THE CAUSE OF THIS INSOMNIA.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH...
ALEX

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

I am sorry to disppoint you but there are many causes of insomnia, and one can't make a diagnois on the basis of these medications.

[setshiva]

Any how we cant give you a diagonosis but I suppose this piece of information could come to your help, since This helped me to know more about my problems. Do visit http://www.anxietytreatment.com/#resources to learn more.


Regards

[terramuggus]

Hi,

I would strongly suspect that the "Rivotril" is the suspect. This is clonazepam (Klonopin), a very potent and neurotoxic benzodiazepine. You are now obviously experiencing what's known as tolerance withdrawal, also commonly reffered to as interdose withdrawal, or rebound insomnia. You have been on extremely high doses for a very long time. The only way to reverse the neuroadaptability of the GABA receptors this dangerous drug has been known to cause these last 30 years, is to slowly wean youself down to a much lower level (about .5mg) over the course of several months, then to switch over to valium. Liquid valium is preferred, as this will allow 5% to 10% cuts every 14 days, the withdrawal method recommended by the British National Formulary of medicine.

For more information please visit www.benzo.org.uk and join their support forum. This is free and very informative. Do not abruptly stop taking any of these medications. They also have forum moderators who speak several languages who will be happy to assist and support you during your withdrawal from benzodiazepines (Rivotril).

Good luck and God bless,

Terramuggus