My 14 year old son is on it and when I ask him if he feels better or feels anything he says he doesn't know. Will appreciate any personal experience or insight, thanks.
2007-07-09 09:08:25 · 4 answers · asked by Mark 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Evan has been on this for years and is under a doctors care. I feel he is depressed and asked about an increased dosage. We will revisit my request later this month. I (age 50) recently asked my doctor about a "happy" pill and he prescribed Citalophram for me. I felt it's effects the moment I took my first tablet and still do despite the belief that it's a blood level thing that gradually effects one over time. One thing is for sure, we are all different. thanks for the responses.
2007-07-10 07:10:37 · update #1
The effects of fluoxetine will differ for everyone. It is also hard to really know if you 'feel different.' The differance comes in the long run gradually. I don't think you can expect sudden changes. Some , however like me experience side-effects on all SSRIs- including sleepiness, yawning, 'shaking hands' . It's good if he doesn' t notice any of these.
2007-07-09 09:21:43 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, let me tell you that I have been on fluoxetene for several years (Prozac) It literally saved my life. I fell into serious depression and tried to treat it myself. I declined physically and mentally and finally tried to commit suicide. My story can be found on Yahoo search under "The Last Tempation of George Petrie". Hard to believe but I had suffered from untreated depression and anxiety since I was a child. Fluoxetine is one of the SSRI class of drugs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). These medications have the ability to restore normalcy to the levels of serotonin that are necessary to achieve healthy brain chemistry. They take three to four weeks to reach optimum efficacy. Contrary to what some people think, they are not "happy' pills. The improvement in mental health is gradual and sometimes other people around the patient notice the difference before the patient does. What these meds do, when the therapeutic dosage is reached, is allow the patient to cope with depression which has reached the point that it is unmanageable. People taking this class of drugs can still grieve, cry etc. but they are much more in control of their emotions. They also do not have that suffocating feeling of being at the lowest point in their lives. Depression, like many organic diseases can be fatal if left unchecked. best wishes
2007-07-09 09:24:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it inhibits the re uptake of serotonin(the feel good neurotransmitter) in the brain and therefor increase the amount in the brain.But it doesn't make you feel great all of a sudden you just one day realize you feel better and less depressed You would be a better judge whether it is working or not by the mood his in.
2007-07-09 09:21:33 · answer #3 · answered by dr H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope your son is very closely monitored, Prozac, (fluoxetine) is NOT recommended for use in teens, it can cause suicidal ideation and there have been deaths from suicide reported in teens that were put on Prozac. Please be sure you son is seeing a therapist at least once a week.
2007-07-09 09:13:42 · answer #4 · answered by essentiallysolo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋