⭐

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @RO, I'm really sorry you're going through such an ordeal. Akathisia can happen when either starting or stopping psychiatric drugs. Also, constantly starting and stopping a drug can really sensitize the nervous system. I'm sorry your GP does not seem to understand this. If it were me, I would be very hesitant to try and restart the Prozac again, considering what has been happening. For now, it might be good to focus on minimizing anything that could place additional stress on your nervous system such as another drug or substance to try and "fix" the situation. Many doctors will try to add a benzo or another SSRI, but that can present a whole other set of problems. Here are some helpful links you might want to review: https://taper.community/thread/a80813cd-5a59-4f2c-8765-693fe877aa41 https://taper.community/resources/blog/akathisia-from-antidepressant-withdrawal https://taper.community/thread/57d0fb51-6e6e-4517-9d3d-1dd2f2e3880c https://taper.community/thread/f76a3f22-7cb8-40d6-9fd8-bd7bf50f3657 Many people find that over time the symptoms of akathisia improve, so hang in there. Hopefully some other members can provide some input as well. Catina 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

M

MamaLaSep 23

NavigatorProzac · holding

@RO - I also have had akathisia when restating after a cold turkey stop and again when dropping my dose too fast while weaning off Prozac. It is very unsettling but I agree with Catina that the best thing to do is hold steady where you are. Adding more to your already sensitive nervous system is likely to make things worse. As much as I didn’t want to, I found purposeful movement( like going for a walk) along with attempts to do do things like having a warm bath, gentle yoga, and trying to meditate( which didn’t work but I still tried) helped a lot on the worst of days, basically anything to try and keep my stress levels lower to help my nervous system.

Prozac — 2.0mg tapering

songbirdSep 23

WelcomerValium · holding

I stopped fluoxetine in February 2025 and I still get bouts of restlessness and akathisia and nothing really helps. It’s become so much more intense since I dropped off a med called mirtazapine in June this year. Sometimes I use this fascia roller that you can roll around on your body and legs to get some respite from the feeling and that’s the only thing I can do for hours when it’s really bad. I couple this with a acupressure mat (they are called shakti mats) which have little needles that relieve pressure. It is enough to do something. When I have the k motivation and energy pushing myself to go for a walk outside in nature and do some Pilates and yoga helps. I also take epson salt or magnesium baths with essential oils. If it’s hot I’ll jump in the pool or ocean as that can sometimes give a few minutes of relief. I often have to push myself as I have lost all my willpower to do anything since coming off SSRIs. But the akathisia is hell. I know these hacks are annoying but they do help. I used to be on and off fluoxetine for years due to PMDD so I kind of know the feeling.. it’s not worth it for me in the end I’d rather stick it out and see if things get better long term. I hope things get better for you eventually. It should be fine in a few months. Good luck

Valium — 2 years, 2 months — holding | Topamax — 25mg — 3 years, 3 months — actively tapering | other — 3mcg — 3 years, 9 months — supporting others | other — 30mg — 3 years, 3 months — supporting others

R

ROSep 23

Thank you so much for your answer, really appreciate it. I heard that some medications can help with the akathisia symptoms which are Propranolol, another one Gabapentin. I’m really scared to try anything now. Has anyone tried any of these and did it help or the opposite? Thanks again

⭐

CatinaSep 23

Community AnchorEffexor

@RO, I hate that you're in this position....I'm so sorry. When we're suffering, it's only natural that we look for something to help relieve it. If it were me in your situation, I'd rather try something natural first like B6. Someone on BenzoBuddies said it helped her, but I think it was a very low dose. The greatest healer that I've seen with any iatrogenic injury has been time. Our bodies know how to heal when given enough of it. Just keep that in mind. 💝

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 23

Thank you very much. When I was on week 2 of Fluoxetine taking and my symptoms were getting worse I called my GP and he prescribed me Buspirone said this should help you. My goodness I thought I would die when I took it for a few days, but thankfully stopped. Then the GP gave me Promethazine after I stopped both Fluoxetine and Buspirone and by then I was scared of everything they give me so only tried less than half the tablet and that too threw me out of the roof. I’m absolutely terrified of any medication and even more terrified of GPs.. I’m on week 6 since stopping all that poison and Fluoxetine must be just gone out of my system as it has a very long half life, my receptors have no buffer and are firing like mad, I feel like I’m being fed electricity non stop. When I get out of this with God’s help I’m going to stay away from these poisons as far as possible and also make others aware. The doctors really need to make us aware of the side effects and guide us carefully through if they do give us these things, not just throw them at you and walk away.

⭐

CatinaSep 23

Community AnchorEffexor

Doctors seem to think that adding more drugs or increasing the doses of things is the best solution. Many times it's not and only perpetuates the iatrogenic injury. They don't understand withdrawal or adverse drug reactions very much at all. Be thankful you found this site so you can get the proper information. You're going to make it through this - we're going to make sure of it! 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 24

Has anyone has akathisia reaction and did it ever go away? You literally feel like you are fed electricity even though you can’t take it no more, makes the body burn like you are in hell. Now I’m nearly week 7 since stopping it and these symptoms are almost twice as severe and spreading onto arms, face etc. It’s a torture to live with and that is softly said. Will it ever ease off? I wish that it would at least ease off at least a little bit. I don’t understand why my body is reacting worse. I know that Fluoxetine has a long half life and it must be at the tail end now of leaving the system. Could it possibly be that now it’s left my system and my brain reaction is all over the place? Will it ever ease off? Sorry to be a pain. I’m desperate.

⭐

CatinaSep 24

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @RO, I had a form of akathisia when I tapered too fast five years ago. Worst time of my life. I know how difficult it is when you're in survival mode 24/7. PLEASE know it does get better. It took awhile for things to improve, but they did. I'm doing much, much better now. Yes, it could be that the effects of the Prozac withdrawal are hitting you now. Please don't feel bad for reaching out. You're not a pain or burden. That's what this community is here for. 💜

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

⭐

CatinaSep 25

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @RO, I wanted to check in with you today to see how you're doing. I hope you're hanging in there okay. 💜

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 25

Thank you. I’m hanging on as hard as can, but this illness must be the hardest illness to bear. Hope you don’t mind me asking. Did you take any medication for your akathisia symptoms or you stayed off all medications? Are you currently taking any? Thanks

R

ROSep 25

I like the Bible verse you have shared on your page Revelation 21:3,4

M

Maria A.Sep 25

LighthouseZoloft · active

Hi Ro- when I had a cold turkey withdrawal from Zoloft the first time, I was prescribed propranolol during the day and low dose gabapentin at night for sleep so like 200 mg. The propranolol I only took when I felt pretty bad and the gabapentin I took for about a month at night and didn’t have an issue stopping. Obviously it’s up to you if you want to take something to help with it but I did find both somewhat helpful. However just know that this will pass with time. I know it’s horrible to say to someone who is suffering daily but it will go away eventually and you will get better.

Zoloft —50 mg to 15 mg — 8 years with a cold turkey and reinstatement in between— was liquid micro tapering, crashed at 14.275 mg and now holding at 15 mg.

⭐

CatinaSep 25

Community AnchorEffexor

"I like the Bible verse you have shared on your page Revelation 21:3,4" — @RO

Thank you! It's one of my favorites. 💜

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

⭐

CatinaSep 25

Community AnchorEffexor

"I’m hanging on as hard as can, but this illness must be the hardest illness to bear." — @RO

I know you're going to get through this, it just takes time and patience. Can you try to distract yourself and focus on something else as best as you can? https://taper.community/thread/e47305af-d74b-4d06-94eb-743f747886a6

"Hope you don’t mind me asking. Did you take any medication for your akathisia symptoms or you stayed off all medications? Are you currently taking any?" — @RO

I don't mind at all RO, no worries! When I experienced a horrible crash I was desperate and did take some lorazepam and hydroxyzine. However, it was time that truly made things better. I currently am not taking anything else. You can reach out anytime if you need a listening ear. It's important for you to know that we're here for you. You're free to express your distress. You are safe here. Please know that although you're struggling what you're experiencing is only temporary. It will get better. Keep HOPE alive. Hugs, Catina 🩷

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 25

Thank you so much. You sound like a friend indeed! I heard that Mirtazapine can help some. Have you had any experience with Mirtazapine yourself? I try and distract myself as much as can, but every day is exhausting. It’s great to have God’s promises which never fail and I hold on to that as much as I can. God bless

R

ROSep 26

It’s just when I feel so awful my mind immediately is looking for a pill fix, but in reality I am afraid to take another chemical. It just feels like 10 weeks since I started the drug started getting the symptoms and 7 weeks since I’m off it. My burning symptoms have worsened in the last week or so. I’m wondering whether the reason for that is because Fluoxetine has such a long half life that it’s only now reached the stage where it’s left my system and so my system is getting a shock of being left on its own and so is firing more. But my hope is that once my system realises that it’s time to step up and do its own mending then the symptoms would start getting better. That’s just my theory if it makes sense.

⭐

CatinaSep 26

Community AnchorEffexor

"Thank you so much. You sound like a friend indeed!" — @RO

Aww you're welcome. ❤️

"I heard that Mirtazapine can help some. Have you had any experience with Mirtazapine yourself?" — @RO

I've heard this too. People have tried many things - some with success, others not so much. Everyone is so different in how they react to something.

"I try and distract myself as much as can" — @RO

This is good to hear. What kinds of things do you do?

"It’s great to have God’s promises which never fail and I hold on to that as much as I can. God bless" — @RO

It truly is. Knowing this is all just temporary and an wonderful future awaits can carry us through the bad times.

"once my system realises that it’s time to step up and do its own mending then the symptoms would start getting better. That’s just my theory if it makes sense." — @RO

Yes, that makes perfect sense. As I said before, time is the greatest healer. Our bodies are designed to work a certain way and are always trying to find homeostasis again. They know how to heal - they just need plenty of time to. Keep trusting that your body knows what to do. 👍

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 26

"kinds" — @Catina

I go for walks in an electric buggy which was my husband’s old one, I can’t walk too far so have to use it which helps me to get out of the house. My husband is disabled and I take care of him so we go together he’s in his powered wheelchair and I’m in mine which is his old one. Never thought I’d be using one, if someone told me in the summer I wouldn’t have believed it. I do try to walk around the house but this electric burning which has affected my legs has just made me feel so weak and the legs are very painful. I still do house chores etc and take care of my husband, not that I can but that I have to but also don’t want to give up

⭐

CatinaSep 26

Community AnchorEffexor

"My husband is disabled and I take care of him" — @RO

Aww bless your heart. You have a lot on your plate right now.

"don’t want to give up" — @RO

No, never give up! Just do the best you can. Is there anyone that can help assist you with the caregiving - a friend, family member, or local organization?

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 26

"assist" — @Catina

I do have someone helping me with caring a couple of mornings a week. He’s been a great support mentally for me even though he can’t do anything physically, I don’t know how I’d carry on without him. This illness is a torture. I do suffer with low mood as well which is also drug caused but this akathisia is so awful on top that can be just unbearable. Did you suffer with akathisia as well?

⭐

CatinaSep 26

Community AnchorEffexor

I'm glad you're getting a bit of extra help. It can make a big difference. I suffered from a form of akathisia about five years ago when I tapered Venlafaxine too fast. It was the worst thing I've ever had to endure. I'm doing much, much better now. Things will get better for you too. We find that we're tougher than we think sometimes.

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 29

The depressed feeling is awful and is so heavy at times. Will this improve with time? I didn’t have this heavy depressed feeling before I took Prozac.

⭐

CatinaSep 29

Community AnchorEffexor

"The depressed feeling is awful and is so heavy at times. Will this improve with time? I didn’t have this heavy depressed feeling before I took Prozac." — @RO

Depression is a hard symptom to deal with, I'm sorry. It's very common to feel more depressed or anxious due the changes in brain chemicals. Your body just needs some time to work through it. Yes, please be assured it will get better. This article gives some nice suggestions on how to deal with it. https://taper.community/thread/c981af8f-22d3-43c0-8342-11303c5a442c I hope you feel better soon @RO! We're here anytime you need a listening ear. Sending you lots of love and support! ❤️

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

R

ROSep 29

"due" — @Catina

Thank you ☺️

Akathisia symptoms

52 Replies

Join the conversation

Need a clinician who understands tapering?