how to wean off PPD meds???

[emilys_mom1]

what is the best way to do this. I'm on prozac 20mgs. I have been on this since the birth of my second daughter in 2004. I have tried a few times to wean myself off, but after 2 weeks I feel like the world is going to cave in on me. It is so hard. I have 3 children DD 2/16/02, DD 5/23/04, and DS 3/6/06. I didn't take the PPD med with DD #1, as I was afraid to take them. (new mom syndrome).

I would like to do a more natural way, any suggestions?

[newcastlemama]

!

I got off meds under a dr.s supervision and I highly recommend that. This is the way she had me taper off Effexor

I started at 225 mg

For a week or so I took 225 one day and 150 the next (For example-Monday:225 Tuesday:150 Wednesday:225 Thursday: 150) and spread out the 225 until I felt comfortable just taking 150 everyday.

Then I took 150 mg for about a month and started the process with the next doage down, 75 mg. And took that for about 2 weeks before dropping down again. Then I went to 37.5 alternated with 75 the same way. I probably only did that for a week. Then I did the alternation with 37.5 and 0 (37.5 is the smallest dose Effexor comes in).

I would do the last step when you have a week where there is not a lot happening and maybe have someone to call to watch you kids/come over. I was very dizzy and hot for about a week when I quit...so much that I could not drive.

Using the books the Mood Cure and Diet Cure helped immemsely (I wish I read them earlier!)....I was on higher protein diet for about 2 months before I quit and started taking supplements (5-HTP and GABA True Calm) after 2 days after I was totally off Effexor.(I had two days with no drugs or supplements because I wanted the drugs to be out of my system before adding mind altering supplements) I don't belive I could have gotton off them any other way because I had tried and done miserably about 6 months earlier.

I believe I read Prozac has a longer half life than Effexor and sometimes is a littler easier to wean off of. It exits your system more slowly which is better IMO for withdrawl.

It took me about 2 months to be totally off. Take your time and I hope it all goes well for you!(Feel free to tell me if I was not clear on my instructions)
Jennifer

[LynnS6]

Originally Posted by emilys_mom1

what is the best way to do this. I'm on prozac 20mgs. I have been on this since the birth of my second daughter in 2004. I have tried a few times to wean myself off, but after 2 weeks I feel like the world is going to cave in on me. It is so hard. I have 3 children DD 2/16/02, DD 5/23/04, and DS 3/6/06. I didn't take the PPD med with DD #1, as I was afraid to take them. (new mom syndrome).

I would like to do a more natural way, any suggestions?

Definitely contact your doctor. The best research shows that you need to be on the SSRIs for 6 to 12 months after you feel yourself to get the full effect. Since you've been on them since 2004, you should be OK - how did you do after the birth of your little one?

I guess I would put a plan of self-care, vitamins and fish oils into place, and then ask your doctor's advice about how to wean. I am currently weaning down from Paxil. I have a pill splitter and cut them up so that I'm taking about 5 mg less (I'm on 40 mg). So, this week I'm going from 40 to 35 mg. Next week it'll be 35 to 30, then 30 to 25, then to 20, where I'm going to stay for a bit and see how I'm doing. If after 6 weeks I'm fine, then I'll do the same thing from 20 down to zero. (I'm also going to nightwean our 26 month old during that 6 weeks - I need a little 'cruch' while doing that!)