To ask if Prozac has helped you?

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Just that really - posting here for traffic.

Long story short, in the past few years my life has fallen apart completely. Marriage in crisis, redundancy, serious financial problems, MH issues, stress, insomnia - all whilst dealing with stroppy teenagers and the menopause. I'm a naturally pretty resilient and optimistic person, but at a time when I'd totally expected to be happy and settled, I feel overwhelmed with despair on a daily basis. This has been the case for over three years now.

Still managing to keep up a facade of normality and most people (inc kids) know only surface details of what's gone on, but the truth is I'm exhausted and at breaking point. Much as I try to put a positive spin on things and find reasons to feel grateful and blessed and all that Hallmark wankery, I cry all the time when I'm alone and can't seem to get my head straight - I just feel like I've lost the ability to see what the point of it all is.

Can't afford therapy and not sure I could muster the energy to dredge through it all with a stranger. Have tried to tackle with diet, exercise, even new hobbies (Christ!) but the effects don't last. I feel like drugs might be my only option at this point but I'm anxious at the thought of taking anti-depressants. Not sure why, really - it's not like things could be much worse!

So is stuff like Prozac any good? What are the side effects, pros, cons? How long do you need to take it to get the benefit? Do you feel worse again when you stop? I know I can google the facts, but it would be good to hear from anyone who's been in a similar situation. Any advice gratefully received. Thanks.

Don't be anxious about taking anti depressants. It's like an asthmatic needing an inhaler. Or someone with eczema needing steroid cream. The good thing about Prozac is that it helps with anxiety - did for me anyway.

I have taken Prozac for a long time. It keeps me level and means I can cope generally well with life's ups and downs. Try it, Make sure you give it a good month or two as it takes time to work. If it's not for you though never ever just stop taking it. You need to wean off it.

Yes, I think it’s worth trying and it can work.

I was very sceptical but resisted taking it but was feeling increasingly low (can well relate to crying all the time).

For me, it definitely worked. However I have just stopped taking it after a few months on it because it was affecting my sleep.

I’ve been on prozac (for different reasons) for a few years and i felt way less anxious and way more optimistic on it. Citalopram (another i gather cheaper widely prescribed med, antidepressant) i cannot handle though- it made me feel weird, i was overactive and could not sleep properly. It gave me racing thoughts and insomnia. Prozac all the way for me as it had calming and uplifting effect. Cannot be sure exactly what happens when you come off if as i was in a different situation wise when i’ve done the course.
I’ve done therapy along with prozac so perhaps that’s why stopping it didn’t feel so bad. Depends on what demons you’re battling x

Thanks. I guess that's what worries me, the 'weaning off' thing. I'd be concerned it would be less a short-term boost and more of a long-term crutch that might become difficult to let go of. Have you found any negative effects from taking it for a long time?

If you have a headache you don't hesitate to take aspirin or paracetamol. Depression and the feeling that go with it are caused by changes in the chemistry within your brain. Prozac helps regulate that and makes you feel better.

I have had two bouts of being on SSRI's, 25 years ago and 12 years ago, each for about 6-8 months, then with a gradual reduction until stopped. I would not hesitate to do it again.

Honestly, it can vary wildly which antidepressant works for who,
But In my experience- I've been on every anti depressant that the Dr could prescribe in the 10 years I've been having treatment for depression.
Prozac changed my life, for the absolute best.
It worked for about 18 months, then for some reason wasnt helpful to me at all.

If it doesnt work, dont be afraid to try new medication.

Yes,give it a try.Usually takes about 3 weeks to have an effect.If it doesn't suit you,don't give up.Your doctor will find you another medication that will.You will probably need to be taking it for at least 6 months & its very important not to suddenly stop taking it.
Hope this will be a positive step for you and that you start to feel better soon.
Speaking from experience!xxx

I'm just coming off Prozac - went on it Sept 18. I had dreadful perimenopause symptoms and had to come off HRT for a while until I saw a menopause specialist. I had anxiety, rages, depression etc - and I'm a single woman. I would have been impossible to live with if I'd had a partner or kids. As it was I had to move jobs because I couldn't cope and my female boss was less than supportive.

It has been a lifesaver. I didn't want to kill myself, but I barely left the house, stopped seeing my friends, ate really poorly, and lost all interest in things that previously brought me pleasure. I just wanted to do a Reggie Perrin and disappear. Now I'm back hiking up fells, falling off climbing walls, and riding my bike. I rode more miles this month than in the whole of last year.

The one thing my specialist said to me was - when you decide to come off it, speak to your GP first and try and come off in the summer. It's just easier. I'm down to one every three days, and haven't noticed any difference in mood. It's nothing to be scared of, and can really help. Some people come on here and say that doctors shouldn't be giving it out for the menopause, but it got me in a better place quicker than the trial and error of taking a different HRT until you find one that suits.

As others have said, different anti-depressants suit different people.

In saying that, Prozac (or fluoxetine - the generic drug) worked for me. My GP describes it as a tool: you take it while you need it, to give you a chance to recover.

You do need other support too - anti-depressants work best when combined with a talking therapy - counselling, CBT etc. But those therapies are harder when you're fighting depression. I found that the drugs helped stabilise my brain in a way, so that the counselling could be more effective.

I came off the drugs slowly, supported by my GP, but didn't have any major problems.

It is difficult, asking for help. I had a relapse and had to go back to the GP. I hated myself for it but that was the depression talking.

Also, if you feel your GP isn't supportive, try and find another one. When I went to the GP that very first time, I left in tears because he made me feel like a failure. He didn't even try to listen to me and just scribbled a prescription. It took some of my friends persuading me to see another doctor, for me to go back and get proper care.

Good luck, OP, hope you get the support you need.

Thanks everyone. When I did a few searches on side effects etc, some of the results were a bit horrifying, so it's reassuring to hear some positive RL experiences and to know that it's possible to achieve a good outcome within 6-8 mths.

I took it for about 6 months. It really helped my depression. You might feel sick for a few days while your body gets used to it and it takes a few weeks to start working.I can't believe you have suffered for 3 years ,get some help, you can feel much better.

Definitely give it a go. It keeps me on the level. Works very well.

You mate we'll feel a bit worse for the first few days and wonder what you've done to yourself. That'll pass though

If you have severe depression you should probably take the antidepressant if you're offered it. They can be fantastic for some people. Antidepressants aren't as much use either in mild to moderate depression or in shit life syndrome. If you're struggling to cope simply because things are beyond what you're capable of coping with, well or ill, Prozac won't help. If you're suffering mild to moderate depression, it might help but chances are it's placebo effect. Good thing is, placebos work even when you know they're placebos. But the recommended first line treatments for mild to moderate depression are psychological, not pharmacological. There should be a local IAPT service that you can either refer yourself to or get your GP to refer you to. If you have severe depression, the best thing is a combo of both. Since you seem wary of antidepressants, why not try that first? Dredging through stuff isn't really what NHS therapy of the type you're likely to be able to access is about — it's more about how to change the way you manage things in the present.

Sorry, I typed that in a long stream-of-consciousness kind of way; hope it makes sense. Prozac sent me crackers but I know some people who've done really well on that and similar drugs.