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Original poster

Just been prescribed Fluoxetine (Prozac) - Anyone else taken this?

67 replies

tid · 02/03/2005 21:11

I was prescribed Fluoxetine today after 10 months of ups and downs (mostly downs). Counselling helped a bit, but lately I'm just not making any progress and have actually reversed a bit.

I had been thinking about trying medication anyway, but now that I have them and have read the potential side-effects, I'm a bit scared.

Has anyone taken this drug recently and willing to share experiences?

OP posts:
bitdowntoday · 04/03/2005 23:37

Hi tid,
I got prescribed fluoxetine over 2 years ago now and they basically saved me. Suonds a bit dramatic, but they did. They didn't have the great weight loss effects that some members have talked about but they started working after about 10 days (I was on 20mg) and gave me my back my old self. I haven't had any of the side effects mentioned, except a drop in libido ... double
I did have a rough time coming off them - I came off them cold turkey in mid January of my own accord, but don't let that put you off taking them in the first place. For one thing, everyone reacts differently and it could have been a psychological thing with me, rather than more physical side-effects I was feeling and believe me, coming off them has been much easier than suffering with the depression I had before. I got a bit (well, a LOT) weepy a few days ago, but got some wonderful help, support and advice from Mumsnetters and am feeling loads better these last few days.
I was advised that the longer you are on them (up to about 2 years), there is evidence that you are less likely to need them again in the future.
HTH

edam · 03/03/2005 21:36

I know it can be controversial, but my mother and sister have both taken Prozac and both credit it with saving their sanity. Seriously.

mummytosteven · 03/03/2005 21:29

oh yes, occasional glass shouldn't be a problem. ads like prozac can make you drunk a lot more quickly (or might not) so best to take it easy till you have the measure of the combined effect. best not to have too much alcohol anyway tho in combination with ADs, as alcohol is a depressant anyway.

Original poster
tid · 03/03/2005 21:28

Thanks KatieMac. Yours sounds like a good plan.

Miam - the weight loss side effect is about the only one I'm not afraid of! Can I ask if it's significant? Should I have that chocolate biscuit tonight or just a drink of water?

I've noticed there is no warning about alcohol...is the occasional glass of wine OK with ADs?

OP posts:
KatieMac · 03/03/2005 18:06

I remember I took them in the evening....when I took them in the morning I was a bit queasy so I couldn't eat my breakfast, but at bedtime it didn't matter as I wasn't eating then anyway

Original poster
tid · 03/03/2005 17:38

Wow. Thank you all for your input - I really appreciate it. I think I've spent too much time reading websites that are designed to scare you off. I've been so worried about this.

One more question - is there a good or bad time of day to take them?

Thanks again to each and everyone of you!

OP posts:
paolosgirl · 03/03/2005 09:27

I've been prescribed Fluoxetine in the past and didn't realise it was Prozac

I found it wonderful - just enough to help lift me and to clear that awful brown mist that descends. I also didn't have any problems coming off it at all. Hope you feel better soon

expatinscotland · 03/03/2005 09:00

I was on 20mg/day and had no negative side effects at all. Felt better after about a week.

miam · 03/03/2005 08:58

Hi tid. I take 20mg each day (1 tablet) and have experienced no side-effects, except the rather pleasant one of initially losing some weight! They work incredibly well for me, I notice a big difference in my mood if I forget to take them. I hope they work as well for you. x

alibubbles · 03/03/2005 07:32

I'm taking it at the moment. I only take it about every three or four days now, or when I feel that black cloud on my shoulder.

It is brilliant for PMS, they prescribe it in the USA for this. I may need to up ny dose as my DS ( 17 yr old teen, now a fully qualified level 2 ski instructor) comes home from Canada today. DH and I have had the house to ourselves as DD is at Uni in Paris, so it is going to be different having another adult around!

Hopefully he will get a ski job somewhere for the rest of the season, he lives in ski boots, so I don;t think he'll be around long!

Good luck with the Prozac, I can only take the branded rather than the generic, gave me less side effects, mainly mega headaches.

I came off it easily enough before, but my doctor days take it for at least a year this time. Whatever you do don't take Seroxat if prozac doesn't work.

Evesmama · 02/03/2005 21:44

didnt make me feel any different other than my nose was always cold??????

PiccadillyCircus · 02/03/2005 21:43

I was prescribed them a few years ago and they helped with my depression a lot. I think I was on them for a few months and had no problems coming off them either.

Chandra · 02/03/2005 21:40

You are a fortunate one, I took them for 3 m and cleared the depression beautifully. I was a bit too smiley in the first couple of days, afterwards was normal. I was fine for several years, then I got PND and have been prescribed several things and to be honest... nothing works as well as prozac, you end up using ADs for a considerable shorter time.

KatieMac · 02/03/2005 21:37

Hiya Like Mummytosteven, I've taken it twice.

Both for relatively short times (9m & 6m)....I didn't have many side effects (ate a bit more - I think, that's unusual I think it usually goes the other way)

I stopped taking it easily....and both instances of taking it were quite separate. (ME first time and Ectopic Pregnancy 2nd)

Good Luck
KMc

colditzmum · 02/03/2005 21:37

One side effect I remember is feeling very cold for a couple of weeks, and having a very dry mouth. After a few weeks though I really did start to feel better.

mummytosteven · 02/03/2005 21:30

hiya - have taken it twice, without much problem with side effects at all.

time 1 - felt agitated for first few days, no other side effects

time 2 - mildly dodgy tummy on and off for two weeks, no other side effects

I would say it took abouyt 2 weeks to have any effect, a couple of months for it to have a big effect (improvement)! ime it slowly shifts life little by little from the unbearable to the bearable, in quite a slow and subtle way. no personality changes or anything like that.

purpleturtle · 02/03/2005 21:25

Personally, i think it should be in the water!

I was first prescribed 20mg a day in September 04. They did make me tired to begin with (first week or so), but I'd been so knackered with depression anyway that it didn't make a great deal of difference. And I rapidly began to feel a LOT better. I'm coming towards the end of a 6 month run now, and slightly concerned about how I'll cope without them. We'll give it a go.