How long do withdrawals from AD's last?

[shadowknight]

Hello everyone,

I have been on antidepressants from the past 4 months. And right now I am taking the following:

Fluoxetine (Prozac) 20 mg once a day
Amisulpride (Solian) 50 mg once a day
Pregabalin (Lyrica) 75 mg twice a day

I got married two weeks back and I was suffering from erectile dysfunction and I was having a very difficult time reaching an orgasm. At times I was even failing completely. So four days back I stopped taking these medications. I had talked to my doctor and told him I wanted to stop these meds but he insisted I keep taking them and there is no reason for me to quit. I even told him about the erectile dysfunction problem. Now since I stopped taking these meds I have been feeling weird, tired all the time, dull, etc. I guess I am experiencing withdrawals.

I'd like to know how long these withdrawals usually last?

Best Regards,
-- SK

[shadowknight]

Karl,

Why couldnt you get to the prescribed dose?

I gave my doctor a visit yesterday and he said I need to take these meds for atleast 9 months. So there is no way he'll let me taper. Prozac helped me a lot I guess. When I started taking treatment, I was suffering from psychosis, had this fog in my brain all the time and was having these really bad panic attacks so the doctor had put me on Prozac and Olanzapine (Zyprexa). It took around 45 days for me to get stable and in around 60 days or so, I was feeling great. Thats when he took me off from Olanzapine and replaced it with Amisulpride.

So I am not sure which medicine I should give the credit to. SSRI's like Prozac and Lexapro take a lot of time to kick in.

If the erectile dysfunction / sexual dysfunction being caused by these meds wasn't an issue to me, I wouldnt mind continuing these medicines even for years. They are helping me feel great and more importantly, they help me feel 'normal'

And ya, Prozac is a commonly prescribed drug so I guess it has to be good.

[Karl1000]

HI, I was on Lexapro for only three months I never could get to the prescribed dose of 10mgs. I only got up to 5mgs. After only being n it for 3 months getting off of it was brutal. I had severe anxiety for about 6 months after stopping it and yes insomnia. I took about 6 weeks weaning off of it slowly but it didn't much help. Prozac has a much longer half life and I think weaning off of it is easier. You probably shouldn't stop it all at once but rather taper it down slowly anyway. Did the Prozac help your mood? I was thinking of giving it a try. Best of luck,

[shadowknight]

And also because I was on these meds for just 4 months, I thought I wouldnt experience withdrawals. Was I wrong?

[shadowknight]

4 hours and no reply yet. I am hoping somebody will reply soon. My situation seems to be getting worse. I am thinking either these are withdrawals or I am going into depression again. Should I go and take my meds?? I am not able to sleep either!