Has anyone ever been on or know about Prozac personally?

Question

I'm asking because my doctor just gave me a script and i just wanted to know what side effects, if any. was good or bad for you.

when i said doctor i meant psychologist

i meant psychiatrist okay sorry

Answer 1

I took it for a while. I am off of all anti-depressants now. The point is if you are having problems to seek out a psychiatrist because MD's give out scripts but a Psych can help in so many other ways.

They do work and you can get better.

Here are some of the side effects from WebMD:

Common side effects:
Drowsiness Less Severe
Abnormal Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Nervous Less Severe
Anxious Less Severe

Infrequent side effects:
Itching Severe
Hives Severe
Joint Pain Severe
Muscle Pain Severe
Fever Severe
Chills Severe
Rash Severe
Trouble Breathing Severe
Nightmares Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Abnormal Heart Rhythm Less Severe
Stuffy Nose Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Inability to have an Erection Less Severe
Pain During Periods Less Severe
Sun-Sensitive Skin Less Severe
Hair Loss Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Low Energy Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Taste Problems Less Severe
Temporary Redness of Face and Neck Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Weight Loss Less Severe
Increased Hunger Less Severe
Fast Heartbeat Less Severe
Cough Less Severe
Chest Pain Less Severe
Throwing Up Less Severe
Gas Less Severe
Frequent Urination Less Severe
Stomach Cramps Less Severe
Confused Less Severe
Sexual Problems Less Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe

Rare side effects:
Hepatitis caused by Drugs Severe
Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy Severe
Seizures Severe
Swollen Lymph Nodes Severe
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Reaction due to an Allergy Severe
Allergic Reaction causing Serum Sickness Severe
Low Blood Sugar Severe
Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood Severe
Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity Severe
Mild Degree of Mania Severe
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Related Links

Answer 2

I was on Prozac for 9 years, and I just recently came off all anti-depressants. At first Prozac was wonderful, the world seemed like a different place. But after a while it seemed to stop working. Then I tried Effexor, which is the drug from hell. I went back on Prozac but it never worked as well as it did at first. I started to have a lot of side effects (weight gain, fatigue, and no sex drive) and decided to try it drug free for a while. It's sad to say but I don't feel much different without it. I would recommend trying some type of therapy first. Drugs can't take away the things that make us feel the way we do, but therapy can teach us to deal with them. I feel like I missed out on a lot over the past 9 years, because now I know that the drugs numbed my emotions, which can be good in a time of crisis, but not long term. Find a good doctor or therapist who you can talk to open and honestly and share any concerns you have about taking Prozac. If your doctor doesn't listen and address these concerns, find a new one that will. Best of luck to you, I know from experience that depression can be a rough road but it can be beat.

Answer 3

I have a cousin who ten years ago at your age said she would never ever give up Prozac. She has been off meds for at least a 2 years I think and is ten years older and smarter. She said she still has bad times. She told me when I flew out to visit recently that taking SAMe 400mg on an empty stomach and loads of fish oil is the difference. Your case is very very extreme and I would not recommend that you ever take yourself off of any meds. Also, unless you have spent lots of time in therapy and gained a certain level of maturity which most 27 year olds do not have, you are asking for trouble trying to get off meds. By the way, research shows that Prozac actually grows new brain cells so it's not all bad and it can save lives. Good luck to you. Based on your story, I'd say do not try to substitute any natural remedies for meds unless you want to end up in the hospital again. Ask your doctor if you can take Natural remedies with your meds - if he/she says no - leave it alone. Your life depends on it. Best of luck. Things will change as you age, Give it time.

Answer 4

Yes i have been on fluoxetine for 3-4 months 2-3 times 5-6 yrs back. Fluxetine is the generic name of the drug. its available with different brand name in India. But the basic drug is same.

Well i dont remember going through any significant side effects at that time a bit of disturbed sleep may be so my Dr also prescribed some tranquilizers with it. This drug is usually given in combination with tranquilizers.

Now i was again in depression 2 months ago and my dr. prescribed escitalopram. I asked him i had been on fluoxetine and if i can try tht again, he said it has more side effects and if escitalopram effects me i dont need to change the medicine. I didt quite bother much to ask him of the side effects of tht drug (Prozac). Wht i wud suggest u is to u can search for it on web. Many pharmacology sites are available which gives u detailed infomration about drugs and its potential side effects. If anything disturbs u, u can always discuss tht with ur dr. he can change the med. There are lot of options available now a days.

And one thing more only PSYCHIATRIST can prescribe u drugs not PSYCHOLOGIST. U shd know the difference between two.

U can always messge me if u hav trouble in understanding any medical terms.

Hope u get well soon
cheers

Answer 5

this all depends on your age, if you are a teen, DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICATION. Studies have show it increased depression to a suicidal level. I was on this medication for about a year (while a teen) and actually tried to kill myself while on the anti-depressant Prozac. If you are an adult, then go ahead, my mom took this medication and it helped her alot, but beware, after taking the drug for an extended period of time will build up in the system and you may have to up the dosage or even switch to a new medication. This goes for all other depression medication as well. Usually Prozac is the first medication they start prescribing a person who has depression and be prepared to change if you don't feel better in a 2-4 week span...it may not be the right medication for you. Good luck

Answer 6

I never took the Prozac but did try Paxil. At first I noticed a nice change, but then with time didn't feel it helped me anymore so they increased the dose. In a short amount of time I was a zomby. I wouldn't have cared if my house burned down. My husband really missed me so I got off of it again. I also gained quite a bit of weight from it which I'm still working on getting back off. I don't like anti-depressants myself. I'd rather go to the gym.

I hated feeling soooooooooooo tired. Horrible stuff (at least for me)

Answer 7

In terms of SSRI's, it didn't have any more horrible side effects than the others. The best thing about Prozac, though, is when you stop taking it, you don't have as horrible withdrawal symptoms as you would with other, newer SSRI's because it has a longer half life. And I can tell you, coming off of some of the other SSRI's was one of the worst experience in my life and I even tapered like the doctor recommends and everything.

Answer 8

Everyone acts differently but alot of my family seems to be just as lost as they were before the meds, it really is all in the mind, excersise and have them take a blood test to make sure your chemicals are off, my doc said most women that get antidepressants are misdiagnosed and usually is there hormones are off balance, said women can feel suicidal if there hormones arent perfectly in sync..so insist on a saliva test not a blood one for hormonal check..if thats the case, talk toyour doc about going off the prozac and taking the hormones and see if that helps...give it a month or so..it worked for me! Good luck

Answer 9

I lost 3-4 years of my life taking prozac. My children said I was a totally different person and I was mean. My personality changed. There are other medications out there that are better and not as altering.

Answer 10

It saved my sanity. I don't recall having any side effects but my Daughter (who was a teenager at the time) said it made me less meek and more self assured acting. Give it 4-6 weeks to work and keep the faith!