Prozac..pros and cons..

[remyandhollandsmommy]

I am doing some research on the med Prozac..anyone on it or know anything about it? I am looking for the pros/cons or whatever on it. TIA!

 

[cepmom]

I took Prozac for postpartum depression after the birth of my 3rd DD. It helped me get through the anxious/unsettled feelings I was experiencing. I was on it for about 1 year. No adverse side effects that I can think of other than being a little more tired than usual and ummm, how shall I put this....a little less desire for intimacy? Could have been attributed to having a new baby too though...who knows?

 

[allie&mattsmom]

After our dad died suddenly a couple of years ago, my sister's doctor prescribed prozac for her. She had good luck with it and no side effects. Well, I think she lost a few pounds but nothing drastic.

 

[becka]

I am currently taking Prozac for postpartum depression. It has really helped with the anxiety feelings related to the PPD but there have been side effects. I am fatigued and also have that same lack of desire mentioned above. In addition, it is making me sweat very easily. It took me a few weeks to realize that was the reason and it is sometimes unpleasant. In fact I think I am going to call my doctor soon and see if she can switch me to something else.

PM me if you have any other questions....

 

[pklein09]

My first question is "Who is the prozac for and why?"

Like the other posters, I was on prozac (20 mg) for about a year after my 4th child was born. My doctor also prescribed it on an as needed basis for when my horomones are going wild right before my period. I know they say you need to be on it constantly for it to be effective, but it works the couple of days a month I feel I need it. It takes the edge off and I'm not a quick to yell at my kids.

Also, DD9 is on prozac for anxiety (10 mg). She is classified as learning disabled and is in a self-contained classroom in our school district. She's been on it for about 16 months. I noticed a difference in her personality in about a week. She just relaxed and was able to concentrate much better in the classroom. She says it's her medicine to "not make her cry." She cried at EVERYTHING before. Now, she can keep it under control better.

IMHO, if you need it to get you through a rough spot, TAKE IT. Use it like a person with a broken leg uses a crutch till their leg is better. Putting my daughter on medication was not the first thing I wanted to do, nor was it the first thing I tried, but it is what she needs so she can learn these basic skills that will get her through the rest of her life. At some point, she'll come off of it.

Also, PM me if you have any other questions.

Michelle

 

[clarabelle]

Prozac is an SSRI
So are Zoloft and Celexa and Paxil and a few others
Prozac takes a little longer to kick in than some- but it lasts longer in the body
Many people on SSRIs have a lack of desire and ahem an inability to "get there" when they are being intimate (I am trying to keep this PG)
It is used for Depression and Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Hope this helps

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

Wellbutrin is one of the few antidepressants that do not adversely effect the libido. It may even postively effect it.

 

[ElizK]

I took it for several months about 10yrs ago. It did help me get rid of the depression, which was good, but came with a host of side-effects that finally caused me to stop taking it, including:
hand tremors
sexual side-effects
always tired, but didn't sleep well
appetite was suppressed -- a good thing for me!

but the main reason I stopped was because while I was no longer depressed, I wasn't really "feeling" anything. Not happy, not mad, not sad, etc. Just completely flat-lined on emotions.

 

[lewdyan1]

...Also, DD9 is on prozac for anxiety (10 mg). She is classified as learning disabled and is in a self-contained classroom in our school district. She's been on it for about 16 months. I noticed a difference in her personality in about a week. She just relaxed and was able to concentrate much better in the classroom. She says it's her medicine to "not make her cry." She cried at EVERYTHING before. Now, she can keep it under control better.

This describes my DS to a tee. He actually was just taken off of it yesterday. He has taken it for two years and we are going to trying without it. This helped him deal with stress beautifully! And like Michelle's DD, he cried for eveything and for two years now has been able to control his emotions really well!

 

[texaslassie]

Here's my story on Prozac,

I took this drug for 10 years. Little did I know that SSRI's are to help you over the slump of depression, and not to be used on a permanent basis. (This is what I read in an article) Some people have been on it for more years than I with no ill effects.

Well, 3 years ago, my right eye started twitching and within 2 weeks my whole body was twitching..legs, arms, back, neck ALL OVER!, like a twinkling Christmas tree. I had to see a neurologist that specialized in movement disorders. I had an emg(muscle test) to rule out any bad diseases, one in particular had me very scared...ALS. Everything that could be ruled out was. The neurologist told me he couldn't rule out that Prozac some how changed my nervous system. He also backed up the article I read about not using SSRI's on a permanent basis. I was diagnosed with BFS(benign fasciculation syndrome) I twitch 24/7, and nothing can be done. Trying to sleep while your body is moving is very, very, hard

Would I take prozac for a little while..YES, for long term..NO NO NO!!!

JMO,

ME

 

[Laurajean1014]

Found on Eli Lily (mfg) website:


Prozac is prescribed for the treatment of depression--that is, a continuing depression that interferes with daily functioning. The symptoms of major depression often include changes in appetite, sleep habits, and mind/body coordination; decreased sex drive; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; difficulty concentrating; slowed thinking; and suicidal thoughts.

Prozac is also prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder. An obsession is a thought that won't go away; a compulsion is an action done over and over to relieve anxiety. The drug is also used in the treatment of bulimia (binge-eating followed by deliberate vomiting). It has also been used to treat other eating disorders and obesity.

In addition, Prozac is used to treat panic disorder, including panic associated with agoraphobia (a severe fear of being in crowds or public places). People with panic disorder usually suffer from panic attacks--feelings of intense fear that develop suddenly, often for no reason. Various symptoms occur during the attacks, including a rapid or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, trembling, and shortness of breath.

In children and adolescents, Prozac is used to treat major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Under the brand name Sarafem, the active ingredient in Prozac is also prescribed for the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), formerly known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Symptoms of PMDD include mood problems such as anxiety, depression, irritability or persistent anger, mood swings, and tension. Physical problems that accompany PMDD include bloating, breast tenderness, headache, and joint and muscle pain. Symptoms typically begin 1 to 2 weeks before a woman's menstrual period and are severe enough to interfere with day-to-day activities and relationships.

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

When I took it -
Pros: I was a lot calmer when things stressed me out
I wasn't as down

Cons: Not the libido, but couldn't 'get there' ever like one person mentioned above.
Couldn't sleep at night, but wanted to sleep all day long
When I tried to get off it, I had horrible withdrawal symptoms including the shakes and had to go back on it for every other day for awhile before I could cut it out completely. I hated the feeling of being 'addicted' to something, so I won't be taking it again.

I recently tried Cymbalta instead and I threw up nonstop during the two days it was in my system, so that one for some reason didn't work with me, either...

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

The prozac is for me. I went to the doc today to discuss my meds (I was on Wellbutrin and my allergy med Zyrtec and they weren't working very well). My doc changed the allergy med to Claritin and prescribed the Prozac to help with my panic attacks (I have bad ones) and anxiety/depression. He only gave me a low dosage to start, 10mg (the wellbutrin was 150mg) and I was just curious what I should expect from the Prozac. I was getting irritated VERY easily taking the Wellbutrin, so I am hoping the Prozac will help me take it easy LOL. I have a follow up appt 10/3 to see how the Prozac is helping and if he needs to up the dosage. Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it!

 

[pklein09]

Best of luck and hang in there.

 

[dcentity2000]

Prozac:

1. Is an anti-depressant
2. Is a stimulant
3. Is an SSRI (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitor - it makes your neurons soak longer in serotonin, the happy chemical)
4. Is likely to reduce your sex drive
5. Is likely to make you "silly"
6. Has a comparitively low side effect profile
7. Has the longest half life (longevity within the body) of any SSRI anti-depressant, meaning it takes the longest amount of time to be flushed out when you stop taking it
8. Is not suitable for minors
9. Is best for melancholic depressions (anxiety based depressions are best treated with a sedative anti-depressant such as Dothiepin or Sertraline)

Rich::

 

[Christine]

I took Prozac for a few days for anxiety disorder. I was eating everything in site and it was causing my acid reflux to go into overdrive (probably because I was eating everything in sight!!).

Anyway, I had similar issues with Wellbutrin. I was starting to feel like I was going to go into a rage every time I got irritated. Wellbutrin has a stimulating effect. Unfortunately, so do the other SSRIs. It is "tricky" getting treated for panic disorder because often times the SSRIs will hike it up a notch.

You sound like you are going to a GP. Let me tell you--their knowledge is VERY limited on panic disorder. There are a few other SSRIs out there that have a much lower side effect profile than Prozac and also work better for anxiety than Prozac. Lexapro and Cymbalta seem to be the best. But, a GP usually is not well-versed in them. Also, when treating for anxiety disorder and starting with SSRIs, most psychiatrists will give a small prescription of Xanax or Ativan to help you get through the "rough" little SSRI adjustment period as these meds can exacerbate panic initially.

I don't mean to scare you but want you to be informed as possible.

It will certainly not hurt you to try the Prozac. You may be one of "lucky" ones and it will work like a charm. If it doesn't, don't despair. Try another.

 

[Rex Rules]

Here is my personal experience. I have been prone to bouts of depression, most of my adult life.
I did take Prozac and did not find it to help that much and then there was NO desire at all for sex with DH - as you might imagine, this made him not too happy, more tense, therefore making me even more depressed.
This last time, the doctor prescribed Wellbutrin for me and it has helped substantially.