Prozac - What was your experience?

lexibelle · 12-19-2008, 03:21 PM

I went to the doctor today and he's wanting me to start taking Prozac (well, the generic) to help treat my depression. In the past I've been on Paxil (which stopped working) and Cymbalta (didn't like the way it made me feel - or the price tag...).

It looks like he prescribed 20mg/day, at least for now.

I'm just curious what others' experiences have been on it. The main thing I'm worried about is becoming more zombie-like. As it is I have issues getting myself out of bed and finding the energy to get anything done - I really don't want to take a pill that's going to make that worse. Does the prozac actually help? Do you find yourself able to function more normally or is it more a feeling of walking around in a numb fog where nothing really bothers you, but at the same time doesn't really phase you either way?

I know everyone's reaction will be slightly different, but I was hoping to get an idea of what others have dealt with while on it.

Thanks in advance

Bethann · 12-19-2008, 05:27 PM

Having trouble getting out of bed and feeling flat (or zombie like) can be symptoms of depression, so they might not be drug related.

lexibelle · 12-19-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bethann

Having trouble getting out of bed and feeling flat (or zombie like) can be symptoms of depression, so they might not be drug related.

Well, I *know* they're depression-related because I'm not on any medications yet.

What I'm afraid of is the Prozac making it worse, or making me feel 'foggy'. Like I said, I just don't want to take a medication that could have side effects that are just as bad or worse than the depression itself.

Mindijean · 12-19-2008, 07:07 PM

I started on 10 mg's, moved up to 20 and am now on 40. I was a little tired and zombie like the first few weeks, but I also had just started Astalin for my allergies and that can also make you sleepy, so I'm not sure which it was.

I really like the Prozac now. I'm still spacey sometimes but I feel happier and calmer. And I've tried many depression and anxiety meds.

Good luck to you!!

lexibelle · 12-21-2008, 05:11 PM

Mindijean: Thanks for your candid reply. I think I'm still on the fence as far as what I'm going to do. I may fill it and keep it around, but give my current course of treatment a little while longer to work. I'm holding out hope that starting a new job (and therefore getting out of the house) and added treatment for my PCOS will give me the mood stability I'm looking for without the numb feeling antidepressants can cause.

Mindijean · 12-21-2008, 05:26 PM

I take Prozac for severe panic attacks and social anxiety. I have taken Paxil, Imipramine, Trazadone, Zoloft....and none of them worked very well for me. I had heard the bad stories about Prozac making people into zombies and was scared to start taking it. Everyone I know says that I've changed for the better since starting the Prozac. I am a little spacey and sometimes forgetful, but I haven't ended up in the ER with a panic attack since starting it.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

siamlovex2 · 12-22-2008, 06:51 PM

Lexibelle, I'm personally not a big fan of Prozac. I took it for awhile a few years ago when I was going through a divorce and I didn't feel that it helped me at all. I felt very fatigued, numb, and fuzzy-headed when I was taking it, and I also gained quite a bit of weight on it (and also on Effexor, which I tried afterwards). After being on Prozac and Effexor and gaining over 35 lbs in 3 months, I got off it, lost the weight, and felt more like myself again.

I've had a lot better luck with Wellbutrin. It's in a different class than Prozac and Effexor (and Zoloft and others like it) and doesn't have a lot of the side effects that these anti-depressants have. I especially like that it doesn't cause one to gain weight. I've been taking 300mg of Wellbutrin daily for about three years now and it has done a great job of keeping my depression in check.

However, this is just MY experience with Prozac. I tend to be very sensitive to drugs and seem to have a different "biochemistry" than most people, so drugs that help others usually don't help me at all and vice versa. If you're concerned about side effects, you can always try it at a very low dose (like the 20mg/daily you're taking now) for three months and see how you feel on it. If the benefits you're getting from Prozac outweigh the s/e's, then by all means continue taking it. If not, there are other AD options for you out there. Good Luck!

Bethann · 12-22-2008, 08:01 PM

Keep in mind that with SSRI's, the side effects you first experience won't necessarily stick around. Feeling fuzzy headed, weird, vague, all those are normal and will usually pass within a couple weeks. So if you can, tough it out and see how it's working for you in 6-8 weeks.

goldeneyez · 01-05-2009, 12:08 PM

I was on Celebrex (I think thats what it's called) and am now on Prozac. I wasn't too sure about it when the doc first wanted me to try it, but now I'm glad I did. I feel much calmer and don't have the panicky feeling I had when going into a place with lots of people. That helped alot when I had to go Christmas shopping. Dh even had me go with him Boxing day shopping this year!!