Question on Prozac?

Question

Oddly enough the first week on this pill, the amount of energy I had was great without bouncing off walls.....nice lift.
Now I feel sort of indifferent (neither happy or sad) and a little tired, during my 2nd week on prozac.
I've been put on 25mg for my anxiety/panic disorder.
....I don't know if pms is interferring with my current mood.
also, I look bloated don't know if its the meds or pms.

Any insights?

to be more explicit:
sure I'm a hell lot calmer, but I feel emotions vaguely.
Like nervousness, anger, jealousy, embarssment,
also the happiness is not all there, especially my sex drive

memory-wise
its increased my ability to retain information (very cool)
I used to always forget trivial stuff.
Negetively, my thought process in a conversation is slower. The right words, or what I mean to say don't come out exactly the way I would normally say without meds.

Answer 1

"Irritable" is right. Medicating for depression or anxiety is very much a trial-and-error proposition. You need to keep up a dialog with your doctor until you can find the right medication for you. A psychiatrist will have more experience with the effects/problems involved with the different psychotropic medications and usually will feel more comfortable with them and also more up-to-date about them.

Lexapro is a fairly new anti-depressant that has few side effects and works well for many people - more benign than Prozac. It also has an anti-anxiety effect.


P.S. One poster mentioned becoming dependent on anti-depressants. Most anti-depressants are not addictive for most patients.

Answer 2

You are right on the money how anti-depressant work.Every thing you are saying is how they work on me also, and other people I know .I hate that emotional vagueness that you talked about. Ask your doctor if he thinks Welbrutin will help you.I use Welbrutrin XL.if you want a sex life wellbrutin is the way to go. Most people do not gain weight on it either. People in my group have all lost weight or stayed the same.So,far it has been the one Anti-Depressant that people in our group who enjoyed sex before Anti-Depressants still do enjoy sex while using Anti-Depressant. Of course welbrutrin is not for every one.All psych meds have side effects most of the time you have to decide which medication that is working for you has the side effects you can live with.My psychiatrist when he puts me on a new medication has me go to a group while I am learning about how the new medication is going to work for me. I normal sigh a paper that I will go for at the least a month to met with the group. The group has Rn's and mental heath counsels and other mental heath professional's.Also other patients and I go to that three times a week to learn about the medication and to be reminded of other things to do .Medication a lone does not work.With most mental illness, you need to learn have someone to talk to. I meet with my psychiatrist onces a week. Getting on the right medication or the right combination of medication can take a while.That is why it is good to get your meds only from a psychiatrist

Answer 3

I'll tell you the same thing my psychiatrist told me. If it's effecting your sex drive, it's probably not the right medication for you.
It's difficult to medicate bipolarity, depression, or panic disorders because everyone is different, but have no shame in telling your doctor that this might not be the right medication for you.
Doctors now a days are eager to put people on the mainstream medications which are certainly not right for everyone. Especially depending on age and symptomology.
For instance, giving someone with bipolarity disorder certain depression medications can cause audio hallucinations- scary huh?
Well. Regardless, first I'll say, go in to a psychiatrist to get yourself directly diagnosed, the doctor does have some training in this, but a psychiatrist is specialized to deal with issues concerning your mind.
And keep a log of the repeated issues you know your medication may be causing. Don't be afraid to ask to switch medications after it has become clear that the disadvantages overweigh the advantages, there is usually a medication that is better for you.
And good luck.

Answer 4

These generally are the normal side effects of taking Prozac im afraid. You may also notice other effects such as muscular spasms or twitching. Persevere for a while, it may take months, up to a year for you to feel much better in yourself. However, if you dont like how the pills are affecting you, you could speak to your GP about changing them for Sertraline or Citalopram? Maybe even lower the dosage?
If you dont like the thought of prescribed drugs, you could opt for the alternative method, St Johns Wort. Taken three times a day, it has a very similar effect to Prozac but without the majority of the side effects. Like most antidepressants, St Johns Wort can take up to three weeks to start working properly. I would suggest though, coming off Prozac if you are going to take St Johns Wort, and be sure to protect your skin from UVAs as it becomes more sensitive to sunlight.

Answer 5

I totally know how you feel. you should ask your dr. to decrease the doseage if that doesnt work try something else.

I cant take anti depressants for that exact reason...because I feel numb and emotionless. I can't cry when I should, or be sad, it's just whatever.

I have learned to psych myself out of anxiety...when i am really depressed I drink a glass of wine or take a xanax on bad days..which isnt very often...I hardly drink. I have had a box of wine in the fridge for about 4 months..lol

Answer 6

Well, I was taking 40mg for years. The stuff worked for awhile. I had no sex drive, felt like crap. Had strange numb sensations around THAT area. It stopped working for me, as far as the depression. I'm on another med now, and feel much better.

Answer 7

poor love i suffered with anxiety for 4 years,doctors don have time they dont understand,i sorted mysel out in the end,by using breathing excerses,and hypnosis tapes i got off ebay paul mckenna,if you feel anxiety coming on breath in slowly through your nose hold for a few seconda then breath out through your nose slowly counting to 5-6 for as long as it feel comfortable,i used to go and lay down with my relaxation tape and walkman just for half hour a day,the antidepressants he gave me made it worse they were ssri ones,i also had panic attacks so i know how you feel,i learnt to face my fears as i couldnt go out either.my son is on prosac and when he first started taken them they made him drowsy and feel worse until his body had got used to them he has stuck to them,there most tolorated ones,the side effects usualy go after a short time but you need to on them for about 4 weeks before they work properly,you will get all the things you have mentioned until you get used to them,they are one of the best,if you rearly need to take antidepresants stick it out,but i wouldnt stay on them for to long as you will become addicted
good luck and hope you feel better soon

Answer 8

WHAT I HAVE SEEN OF MEDS IN MYSELF AND OTHERS ESPECIALLY PROZAC AND ZOLOFT I COULD GO ON AND ON GET OFF OF THEM THEY MAKE YOU CRAZIER NOT GOOD

Answer 9

zoloft is about the same, you could use that and try it out see the difference.

Answer 10

i think you should take a little less