Prozac Withdrawal

[zzi]

I have taken Prozac 10-40 mg over a period of 20 years. I have seen my internal med physician, my psychiatrist, and a neurogist about chronic headaches, chronic tinnitus, and chronic body pain. Depression runs deep in my family history including myself, but with medication and cognitive therapy I lead a relatively stable (but miserable life). The constant physical symptoms have ruined my quality of life. I feel terrible every day, but no one can or will try to diagnose my symptoms. Can these symptoms be caused by Prozac and are they permanent? I really want to stop this medicine because I'm having strange neurological symptoms (numbness in extremities, a weird gait when I walk, pain shooting up and down my spine and into my head and horrid ringing in the head and ears). What kind of doctor should I see, and how do convince them that I am not "just a head case." I have attempted suicide once because of these miserable symptoms.

[Sheilathatsme]

All the symptoms you have are common with Fibromyalgia. It is an awful thing to live with and makes you feel as if you're going crazy. I was diagnosed in 2005 and struggle with new symptoms all the time. Do some research on Fibromyalgia and my suggestion would be to see a Rheumatologist ASAP. Good Luck to you and God Bless!

[zzi]

I actually got the ringing in my ears after having traction for my back. The matter was confused by my also coming off Paxil and back onto Prozac.  I actually ruptured a disc in my neck and had to have surgery a year later.  The neurologist said the disc pressing on my spinal cord could cause ringing in the head. However, the surgery did not relieve the ringing so, I'm back to the medication induced theory. The ringing is absolutely maddening! And sometimes it pulses with a nasty headache. I've had an MRI of the brain and the neck, and other that the herniated disc , the brain seems normal. Ha!...so why does it sound and feel like a frying egg?  My neurologist is concerned but doesn't know how to help me.  I think he should have gone into another field like accounting or something. I am absolutely fed up with this! Arrrgggggggg.

[LoosyLucy]

hi,
i was on 100 mg of prozac for awhile; it wasn't making me feel better, and i started to feel even suicidal so they took me off of it. for depression that severe, they put me on risperdal (spelling) or you might want to ask about a mood stabilizer. of course you need to talk to your doctor, but in retrospect the prozac made me feel worse i think, and the mood stabilizers made me feel better. that's just my own experience and i've heard many people do better on mood stabilizers than antidepressants.
good luck, and it'll get better.

[LLFgirl]

Hi,
My friend had a similiar problem and she had to stop taking her meds all together becuase of ringing in her ears. The problem has faded but is still there somewhat. I would suggest you talking with your doctor. It could be the meds causing it but like I say talk with your doctor. Do you feel better when you don't take medicine like Prozac?
Remember don't ever stop taking a medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Regards,
LLFGirl