ok dis drs...whats up?

[The Mystery Machine]

I have never heard of taking the medication for one week at a time. At the very least I would ask for more clarification on this.

Even though that it is an "off label" use, I cannot see someone taking Prozac from your OBGYN UNLES you need confer with a psyche or PCP for this so you can be under a watchful eye with regards to how the med is working for you.

I would say that this is poor use of the medication to prescribe it that way.

After watching my family play medication merry go round, it is really better if you get it from a psychiatrist or a PCP whom you trust and see on a reg. basis.

 

[Christine]

Even though that it is an "off label" use, I cannot see someone taking Prozac from your OBGYN UNLES you need confer with a psyche or PCP for this so you can be under a watchful eye with regards to how the med is working for you.

I would say that this is poor use of the medication to prescribe it that way.

After watching my family play medication merry go round, it is really better if you get it from a psychiatrist or a PCP whom you trust and see on a reg. basis.

SARAFEM is PROZAC and has been prescribed for PMDD for years now. It can be prescribed full-time or it has been proven effective with intermittent use. See below from the prescribing information:

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Initial Treatment
The recommended dose of SARAFEM for the treatment of PMDD is 20 mg/day given continuously (every day of the menstrual cycle) or intermittently (defined as starting a daily dose 14 days prior to the anticipated onset of menstruation through the first full day of menses and repeating with each new cycle). The dosing regimen should be determined by the physician based on individual patient characteristics. In a study comparing continuous dosing of fluoxetine 20 and 60 mg/day to placebo, both doses were proven to be effective, but there was no statistically significant added benefit for the 60 mg/day compared with the 20 mg/day dose. Fluoxetine doses above 60 mg/day have not been systematically studied in patients with PMDD. The maximum fluoxetine dose should not exceed 80 mg/day.
26

 

[Planogirl]

I would do two things. First, go to the doctor and have every possibility completely checked out. Second, I would not take the advice of people on the Internet. Except for the part about going to the doctor that is.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

SARAFEM is PROZAC and has been prescribed for PMDD for years now. It can be prescribed full-time or it has been proven effective with intermittent use. See below from the prescribing information:

I get what you are saying however this poster does not go to the doctor. If you are going to take Prozac you need a working relationship with your PCP.

That was the point I was trying to get across.

 

[Christine]

I get what you are saying however this poster does not go to the doctor. If you are going to take Prozac you need a working relationship with your PCP.

That was the point I was trying to get across.

Oh, I didn't think the OP was even taking it anymore:

I talked to my OBGYN about 2yrs ago I guess & she prescribed Prozac to take the wk right before my period....drugs scare me...so I took it the first month & not again.

I was mainly responding to a few posters and yourself who seemed to think it was oddball to take "Prozac" in this fashion (see below). It's not really and is often done at the GYN (I've seen the brochures in my GYN's office).

Even though that it is an "off label" use, I cannot see someone taking Prozac from your OBGYN UNLES you need confer with a psyche or PCP for this so you can be under a watchful eye with regards to how the med is working for you.

I would say that this is poor use of the medication to prescribe it that way.

After watching my family play medication merry go round, it is really better if you get it from a psychiatrist or a PCP whom you trust and see on a reg. basis.

Now, having cleared that up: I do agree that a psych is a better person to see for these meds. I think the SSRIs are quite potent, powerful and shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

[disneymarie]

Let's see if you can figure me out.
I'm 40.
I am dragging every day, needing a nap...not necessarily long -around 2, if not earlier.
I don't drink caffeine
My memory has gotten terrible. I think its both long & short term. I can remember where I parked the car, but not why I went to the store. and I can't remember the conversation I had with you from this morning, but I may remember something random like you were cooking mearloaf for supper last wk.
I go thru bouts of depression - I don't want to get dressed...and usually don't...cry...and feel useless (ya know the no job, sitting around the house all day getting nothing done, nobody loves me, everybody hates me feelings...)
These seem to be PMS symptoms for the most part. But its not just PRE...often it's during & after still.

I talked to my OBGYN about 2yrs ago I guess & she prescribed Prozac to take the wk right before my period....drugs scare me...so I took it the first month & not again.

What do you DIS drs suggest?

Have they done a good work up on your thyroid ? That and just ton's on my mind are a problem.

 

[Micca]

OK, I'm a guy and lousy with knowledge about vitamins, hormones, etc. I'd encourage you to see a doc or docs till you can figure out what's up. Doctors are generally better with handling this kind of thing than they were just a few years ago. If meds are the answer, give them a try to see if it helps. Best of luck

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

You sound exactly like me. Look for the perimenopause thread, it is on the first page today.

Seriously, it sounds hormonal.

I am 40 and I feel some of that stuff too. I also have the issue of being WAY too emotional, I seem to cry over the smallest of things now.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am 40 and I feel some of that stuff too. I also have the issue of being WAY too emotional, I seem to cry over the smallest of things now.

Commercials make me cry, TV shows make me cry, Movies make me cry, Songs on the radio make me cry, and the one that is the hardest to hide, crying every single time I go near DS's high school.

OP did you make the appt. I didn't notice an update.

 

[xipotec]

Thyroid problems could cause the fatigue, fuzzy brain and feelings of depression as well. Has your Dr tested your thyroid?

80% of depression is mis-diagnosis. This is not speculation but literature supported.

Prozac couldnt get FDA approval until cognitive therapy was added. Ssri's like prozac are at best a chemical band-aid that never comes off. What you need is true behavior modification to discover why you are feeling down.

Assuming that is you have no actual disease states like hypothyroidism, which is very common in women your age.

Also , are you eating good food? Getting plenty of exercise? Sleeping in consistent patterns? Finding new interests and activities? Pills are never the answer, the above solutions work but they take commitment and effort, as do most things in life that yield fruit.

Get your complete blood count, talk to a counselor or social worker , and get off the prozac. Thats my advice.

Dr Xipo

 

[xipotec]

actually you can....prozac is the one AD that can be prescribed this way and often is for pms and pmdd..............

This is wrong, prozac prescribed this way is simply a placebo. The studies ELilly did were the worst sort of clinical trash in a long time. they pretty much invented PMDD to get the patent life of Prozac extended so they could keep making money. The kinetics and dynamics of the compound will NOT work this way. It like saying a drop of water a day will keep you hydrated, its not possible. Sorry!

 

[xipotec]

Double post