Was on lexapro for two years but it stopped working after a while. Started prozac now 10mg but it seems to be making me more depressed. Only have been on it for 3 weeks though.
2007-08-06 12:45:22 · 7 answers · asked by ginger 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
You may need a little more time for the Prozac to reach optimum effectiveness...or you may need a higher dosage. Another week or two should give a good indication of whether the current dose will work for you.
On the other hand, menopausal depression can respond well to a combination of replacement hormones. Most doctors now will consider prescribing a custom combination of supplemental progesterone and even testosterone (energizing), along with estrogen. There have been recent scare-studies about estrogen replacement causing cancer, but combined progesterone-estrogen therapy seems to have a somewhat lower risk. Also, shorter term therapy may work just as well for you and is also less risky.
You may also want to ask your dr about a more stimulating antidepressant, such as Effexor or Wellbutrin. Effexor affects both serotonin and norepinephrine and works better for some people; however, I have heard that it has really unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when you go off it. Wellbutrin is a totally different class of antidepressant from the SSRIs or SNRIs, and is more of a stimulant. It takes longer than the others to reach maximum effectiveness - up to 8 weeks, so if you try it don't give up too early.
Personally, I take a combination of Celexa (same as Lexapro) and Wellbutrin, and feel the best I ever have. Wellbutrin is often prescribed in combination with SSRIs when people say they are feeling less depressed but still having low energy, poor sex drive, etc.
If the Prozac doesn't work for you, ask whether a combination of hormones and/or other antidepressants, alone or in combination with Prozac, could be prescribed. There is no reason anyone should put up with poor results or a dr who is not willing to keep trying new things! Everyone has different brain chemistry and one size (or drug) does NOT fit all.
Also - if you haven't had one recently, request a thyroid test. Many menopausal women have hypothyroidism, and often the only major symptom is depression and low energy.
Best of luck to you!
2007-08-06 16:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by KW 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prozac or flouoxetine has a long half life. That means it won't start to work for 6-8 weeks. I was on Prozac for two years and it helped tremendously. 10mg is a very low dose, so I think it may take about 6 weeks for you to feel the effects. Try Prozac for a while and see how you like it.
2007-08-06 13:02:01 · answer #2 · answered by TheMissingLink 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you will have been taking Paxil (and undoubtedly after two decades it could give up being robust) I might bet it is nonetheless despair. You stated "I have virtually been within the condominium due to the fact that Dec. 2006" - (been there too) I'm sorry... that simply makes matters worse "My frame aches so badly." - is that this seeing that you do not transfer round a lot? (I spent weeks in mattress looking television) "My brain is sluggish.....on no account use to be this manner." - Your mind NEEDS stimulation. Work, a motive to suppose. The longer you keep away from persons and existence, the more difficult it will get. I endure from despair and it angers me that I ought to move to paintings to pay my charges, and so forth; whilst I simply wanna keep residence. But whilst I take a few days off from paintings and move slowly into that gap - it does not get larger! YES, in case you have the alternative of checking right into a health facility, PLEASE DO SO!. You desire a health facility a good way to manage your despair.
2016-09-05 09:38:36 · answer #3 · answered by cronican 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I suffer from depression and went into "shock" menopause so now I am just going through menopause and the only thing that I know that works for me is my hormone, estradial and Wellbutrin SR but different things will work differently for everyone. I do know that I would lose it without my hormones. Good luck to you~
2007-08-06 12:54:43 · answer #4 · answered by Hopeful 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It varies from person to person. Unfortunately you may have to keep trying until you find something that works for you. But don't give up after 3 weeks. It still needs time to really kick in and then you'll be able to judge. Good luck.
2007-08-06 12:50:08 · answer #5 · answered by paperpenandtea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something for you to discuss with your Dr.
Sometimes trial and error is what it comes down to to find the one or two that work best for you.
Ask about estrogen. It can have positive benefits.
2007-08-06 14:13:57 · answer #6 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all-natural hormone replacement, a better diet, exercise
http://www.womentowomen.com/
2007-08-06 12:50:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋