My on and off romance with Prozac

[easilybruised79]

Anyone else out there have an on and off relationship with fluoxetine?

I first started it in 2006 but it has been in and out of my life ever since.. I can't seem to live without it :-(

When i'm not on it im a shy paranoid (and paranoid looking) bad tempered, blubbering mess..

And when I take it every day im chilled out, able to cope great with my 3 children and life in general with a big cheesy smile on my face!!

I wish I could talk to someone who is in the same situation.

Hi there
I started using fluoxetine in 2005 after a breakdown and remained on it for 3 yrs during which I was much improved after they sorted the dosage - started on 20mg then went up to 60mg and back down to 40mg for the majority of the time. I came off it slowly when I realised it may be responsible for my insomnia and managed pretty well with nothing for 9 mths. I then started to go downhill a bit and had to go back on it but the sleep problems increased again. The next step was changing to a different anti dep which worked a treat both with my mood and sleep probs BUT in 6 mths I put on 2 stones !!!! Once again went back to GP who at first didnt believe the weight gain was due to meds but after a few more mths strict dieting and still gaining weight she agreed to bring me off again. I was convinced I could do without and tried again, managing for around 6 mths this time before a major drop in mood increase in anxiety and my husband and family begging me to go back to GP again.............
I have now accepted after talking to my GP CPN and Psychiatrist that my condition is due to a chemical imbalance and just like diabetics I need to correct the imbalance with meds. It took 5yrs to realise that and previous to the breakdown my life and my familys was affected for a lot longer than needed. I just wouldnt accept that I needed help and flatly refused to take any medication....... It was such a waste of precious time looking back......
Dont feel bad about it - do what is best for you and yours and Take care of yourself !!

Hi,

I was on prozac from the age of 16-17, i didn't get on with it at all, as it is an SRI (I think if i remember correctly) there are others in that group, I now take sertraline which i get on a lot better with which i have been on for 5 years (on and off)

My brother (who has depression and psychosis) is also on prozac and doesn't get on with it. He is also due to be changed but as his situation is slightly different his needs to be changed by a psychiartrist (sp?)

I have heard that it is widley known as one of the not so good anti depressants.

Take care :)

I managed just three days on prozac - it gave me the worst insomnia ever, anxiety, constant nausea and I felt like the living dead. I felt bad for not sticking out the 'two weeks' or whatever it is supposed to take to get over side-effects, but it was horrendous. I don't take anything at all now as GP didn't suggest an alternative except 'getting better gradually by yourself'.

Thank you for the replies :) its interesting to hear other peoples experiences with anti depressants as its something i dont generally discuss with anyone apart from other half.

I take 20 mg every other day and that is just enough to keep me sane just now, I understand what you are saying uncoolmum its a waste of time trying to deal with life without them, such precious time is motherhood and not so good being jekyll and hyde for the kids, I think i just have to accept that i willhave to keep taking them.... Also did you have the "numbness" whilst on it? i feel as though i couldnt give a toss about certain things which is quite worrying...

ipuke poodles I have known loads of people to get on with Prozac and vice versa i gues its what suits you huh?.. i darent try anything else as dont want the interim period where the monster in me comes out!!!

beckybendylegs totally.. i havent felt this sick since my last 11st trimester of pregnancy!!