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Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Mental health

Do the benefits of Prozac outweigh the side effects?

94 replies

IHateBadGrammar · 01/03/2011 13:14

I started with Prozac last Wednesday, taking one just before bed as they say they can cause drowsiness and I can't afford to be unable to drive. I have suffered quite badly with vomiting and/or diarrhoea every morning (quite like morning sickness) since taking them and need to convince myself that the benefits outweigh the side effects, so if anyone can give help on how to cope with that I would be really grateful?

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NanaNina · 01/03/2011 13:47

Sorry I don't know about Prozac as take one of the old fashioned tricylics. It's very early days though. Does it say anything on the leaflet or google about side effects. If this continues you will need to go back to the GP. Trouble is ADs act differently on individual people, so it is ofte a case of trial and error, and the side effects often start before you feel the benefit (usually 2 - 4 weeks) Am sure someone with better advice will be along soon.

yellowvan · 01/03/2011 14:01

Is it branded prozac or generic flu-thingy-tine? Side effects worse with generics afaik.

IHateBadGrammar · 01/03/2011 14:15

Doesn't say Porzac on the box though that's what my Gp said it was. Its an SSRI one - box says Fluoxetine?

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valleyqueen · 01/03/2011 14:23

I am on fluoxetine (generic prozac I think) and like you started taking it last Wednesday. I have been taking it with my evening meal and so far no side effects apart from feeling a little wozzy which wears off around mid morning.

I have been told side effects normally wear off after about 2 weeks and there is a noticeable difference in mood. Fingers crossed we should both feel better in around a week and a half :)

valleyqueen · 01/03/2011 14:23

I am on fluoxetine (generic prozac I think) and like you started taking it last Wednesday. I have been taking it with my evening meal and so far no side effects apart from feeling a little wozzy which wears off around mid morning.

I have been told side effects normally wear off after about 2 weeks and there is a noticeable difference in mood. Fingers crossed we should both feel better in around a week and a half :)

PaperView · 01/03/2011 17:04

Prozac is the brand name - like Heinz. Lots of places make it but the medical name is FLuoxetine.

strawberry17 · 01/03/2011 18:48

I have been on prozac (fluoxetine)a few times (currently withdrawing from it) the side effects (stomach upsets) last 2 - 4 weeks in my experience before disappearing, they also start taking effect about 2 -4 weeks (although everyone is different and this is just my experience). The other side effect to note is that it can impact badly on sex drive/libido/ability to orgasm, but obviously it's very personal as to wether that would be an issue for you or not.

brightermornings · 01/03/2011 18:55

I'm on fluoxetine I started around 28th dec and it has definatly helped. I was suffering anxiety when I first started so my stomach wasn't good I couldn't eat. The tablets have made it possible for me to get through the day and just do what I need to do. I take mine first thing the only thing I have noticed now is I'm exhausted at night.

IHateBadGrammar · 02/03/2011 11:26

Valleyqueen have you noticed the good effects yet then? Did your GP recommend anything else alongside the tablets?

I forgot to take mine last night then woke at 5am and remembered. Decided to take it then as I didn't want to miss a dose when just getting used to it. I felt quite woozy this morning though, and had a headache, so knmow that evenings are the best time for me to take it. Stomach upsets haven't been as bad the last 2 days.

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valleyqueen · 02/03/2011 13:26

I don't think they are working yet although I was a lot more relaxed leaving the house this morning. I didn't check my bag a million times like normal, this could be a placebo effect I am not sure.

At the moment I don't feel anything really not happy, not sad just numb. My doctor wasn't very helpful at all, he hasn't mentioned counselling and wasn't even going to prescribe ad's as he thinks I am stressed being a single parent working fulltime! Even suggested I find a man.

BoredCommuter · 02/03/2011 20:29

I've been on them 3 weeks now and I think they are just starting to kick in, int he last two days it's like a fog is starting to clear in my head.

For the first two weeks I had dreadful side effects, nausea, tremors, headaches and a real "head fog", but they have all but gone now. My doc suggested not taking them on an empty stomach so as to reduce nausea, and cutting out coffee and diet coke helped reduce the tremors

IHateBadGrammar · 03/03/2011 10:27

I am like you valleyqueen, not really happy but not down either. Numb probably describes me too. i think I am more relaxed as I continue to take them. As you said, boredcommuter, it is a bit like a fog! Now been taking them for just over a week so hopefully in another weeks time the effects will be more apparant?
Wouldn't mind keeping this thread going, it's good to hear from others in similar situations to know I am not alone in needing a bit of a pick me up

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Skifit · 03/03/2011 10:33

If you are vomitting and have diarrhoea you are loosing the Prozac mostly , and its not having the right effects anyway, so you best speak to your GP IMHO.
Many year go when i took Prozac I found it to be fantastic and really helped me settle down and feel less depressed and anxious.

FluffyMuff · 03/03/2011 16:40

Well, there really is a thread for everyone on MN isn't there!

I started taking FX (no idea how to spell it!) yesterday.

I have been taking it mid-morning and reading through this explains why I've been fast asleep come 2 O'Clock and nearly missed picking DD up from school! So, I need to start taking it at night then.

My GP has been fab. It's looking like I'm going to be losing my job....either I quit or they let me go. I am unable to do the job I was employed to do and there is nowhere else for me to go.

I've spent today trying to organise respite on my car loan/credit card and speaking to the benefits people.

I think short term I am going to be on what was Incapacity Benefit but is now....Employment Support Allowance (found this out today).

I've been off work for a month. I returned on Monday and was ok-ish and then on Tues went into a meeting with manager and broke down. They sent me home as am unfit for work. GP signed me off for another 2 weeks and prescribed FX.

I feel anything from euphoric to numb to sobbing to asleep to angry to so desperately sad - all in one day. Today I have mainly been numb, which is good because I have been able to make some phonecalls - any of the other feelings virtually paralyse me.

My GP said for the first couple of days you can feel a lot worse, I think this is happening today as I'm very sensitive at the moment and do feel as though there's no way out.

IHateBadGrammar · 03/03/2011 18:55

Stick with it FluffyMuff, but maybe try taking it in the evening? I have slept really welll recently, and wonder whether that is in part to being droswy from the drugs. Mornings are starting to get better after a week.

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valleyqueen · 03/03/2011 19:39

Well I was awake at 3am and couldn't get back off, the night before it was 4.30am.

I will see what I am like tonight and may take it a little earlier in the day. Also been yawning loads which is a side effect.

IHateBadGrammar · 05/03/2011 08:59

Valleyqueen how are you feeing now?

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valleyqueen · 05/03/2011 09:59

Ok now, I hae been taking the tablet a bit later so not waking up as early.

How are you doing?

Pixielovescake · 05/03/2011 14:25

Hello , would you mind if i hijack briefly ? Im on prozac and ive had a terrible few days , i think i must have forgotten to take a dose, maybe even 2. God ive felt really really bad , worse than before i started it almost. Is this typical ? And does anyone else feel more confused on prozac ? Ive always been what people describe as "scatty" and forgetful but i seem to be worse than ever - cant decide if im paranoid or not ! Thanks all.
And just to add , i have a bit of trouble sleeping but the main side effects for me wore off with a couple of months if that helps anyone ?

valleyqueen · 05/03/2011 17:57

I've not forgotten a tablet (yet) but I have heard it's not good to do that.

As for forgetting stuff yes, I keep going to get things out of cupboards and forgetting what I was doing, not sure if it's the Prozac or me though.

IHateBadGrammar · 05/03/2011 20:59

I'm no more forgetful than usual!! Still feeling a bit stragne - now on day 10 - not happy, sad but just 'there' if you see what i mean. i think I naively expected Prozac to 'jolly me along' all happity skipping if you see what Imean! Some days are def better than others.
Have read another thread about SAD and it sounds like me. From when I have started feeling like this it could be the explanation for my depression? I may discuss with GP to see if a lightbox is a good investment to try?

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valleyqueen · 05/03/2011 23:04

Some suggested a lightbox to me not sure I have SAD though.

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IHateBadGrammar · 06/03/2011 19:22

Felt much better today hope the rest of you are feeling better too x

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IHateBadGrammar · 08/03/2011 13:51

Valleyqueen and the rest of you on Prozac, what dose are you on?

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IHateBadGrammar · 10/03/2011 10:25

Bumping this thread up as I would love to keep it going to see how everybody is coping x

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