Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Mental health

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

Flip

1 2 3 4

Original poster

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?

OP posts:

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 11/03/2011 17:45

bump

OP posts:

Pixielovescake · 11/03/2011 17:58

Im doing better , actually remembering to take it after ivbe started writing on the calander. :)

valleyqueen · 12/03/2011 20:30

I am on 20mg a day. Still doing ok and think I am starting to see the benefits. Although I had a bit of a wobble on Thursday and crashed a bit.

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 14/03/2011 19:50

20mg a day here too. Defineitly not as tearful though still unsure of any effects they are really having yet?

OP posts:

hendriks · 14/03/2011 20:03

Re prozac you can take it at night if it makes you sleepy / nausea problems -

brightermornings · 14/03/2011 20:06

I'm on 20mg I've been on mine 3 months now and feel a lot better. I've also started counselling which I'm finding useful. I had a bit of a wobble one day last week but I spoke to my counsellor and she suggested a mood diary. Hope everyone else is ok

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 15/03/2011 09:45

brightermornings how long were you taking them before you noticed feeling much better?
BTW love the name - it says a lot

OP posts:

brightermornings · 15/03/2011 13:46

It took about 6 weeks before I felt more like me. It was such a relief after feeling so terrible. The mornings are definantly brighter now!!

valleyqueen · 15/03/2011 17:19

I forgot to take mine for the first time on Monday, I was off getting stitches in my foot at the hospital :( and just came home and slept. Luckily forgetting one didn't cause me too many problems.

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 15/03/2011 18:27

6 weeks is interesting - GP has signed me off work again as i can't see any effect yet - but was thinking after 3 i would have noticed a difference! How do the 'good' effects make you feel?

OP posts:

piratecat · 15/03/2011 18:32

after years of being on it and coming off it. losing about 3 yrs of my life fighting not to be on it, thinking i could do this life thing alone, i finally realised i was better off on it.

had depression since a young girl, and i would not be here today had it not suited me and had i not decided to stay on it.

I know they can have different affects on different people, but i have found them fantastic.

brightermornings · 15/03/2011 19:29

Pirate I'm with you I never want to feel like I did if I have to stay on them long term then I will. Grammar I found I can get up in the mornings, I can eat I actually look forward to things again. I work full time but I was on holiday over christmas and that's when it got worse for me I felt better when I got back to work. Obviously it's not the same for anyone. The worst thing at the moment is the tiredness I've had blood tests today to see if there is any other problem. If there isn't I'll just listen to my body and try and manage it in other ways (like diet)

BoredCommuter · 15/03/2011 21:15

How is everyone doing? I've been on it about 4 weeks now, the head fog is lifted and I've stopped shaking. However the appetite suppressant effect is gone and I'm eating everything in site, I'm not going to go to weight watchers this week. I need to get through some family stuff this week, then I'll try and get on the diet.

I'm back at work, which has gone well, but I'm only having a short week due to the family stuff. I'm not sure how it's going to be after when I'm back full time. The occ health at work as been very supportive and I'm back to see him in two weeks.

I think the counselling is starting to work, I could give a couple of examples of where I had done things differently and not reinforced my normal negative behaviour, and I feel better for it. It's interesting, last time I had counselling for PTSD I just sat there and cried for an hour each time, this time there has been far fewer tears, but a lot more thinking and I feel she is challenging me a lot more.

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 15/03/2011 21:23

I am still waiting for a CBT / counselling appointment.
Commuter - FWIW I wouldn't worry about weight at the minute - isn't trying to do weightwatchers surely only going to add to your angst?
Brightermornings - I ahve also had loads of different blood tests, but my gp said that my horrendous tiredness was a side effect of the ADs. Also, although I think I am having loads of sleep, I am still at a point where my body is sleeping but my mind is active all night (why I wake up feeling anxious) and so adrenalin is pumping all night long, hence the tiredness. Does that make sense?

OP posts:

brightermornings · 15/03/2011 21:27

It does make sense ,we have a doctor at work so it wasn't too difficult to get them done. I've had some counselling last time I filled a mood diary in (I'd had a bit of a wobble on the monday so we went through want happened). I'm just trying to take each day as it comes I've had a good day today but tomorrow could be different.

valleyqueen · 15/03/2011 21:45

My doc hasn't even mentioned counselling to me, is this something I should ask for?

Anxiety levels are through the roof today, that's the feeling I want gone more than anything.

BoredCommuter · 15/03/2011 21:51

ValleyQueen - definitely talk to your GP about counselling, it supposed to help reduce the chance of a relapse, I am finding it really useful to have my inner thoughts challenged. My GP offered it through the NHS, but I found it was covered through my priavte health care from work, so if you have that it's worth checking.

Bad grammar - I have to say when I was signed off I slept a lot, and when I wasn't asleep i was really tired, I actually feel better for having done things. I am tired this evening, but my energy levels were higher during the day and I had a busy day.

Stac2011 · 15/03/2011 22:59

hi ladies can i join in? Have had had various AD's since PND with ds starting with seroxat (worse tab ever) but I am now on 40mg of prozac/fluoxitine which i change to after being on citalopram due to weight gain. Anyway i have been on it about 6mths and gp wants me to come down but I am scared. I didnt have side effects but do dip if i miss a dose, dont know why.

How are you all doing?

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 16/03/2011 10:36

Morning all! I am ok today but it's very dull outside and i definitely feel better on sunny days Side effects are much less now, and the anxiety comes and goes. Feeling guilty about not being in work but my gp said that guilt was a big symptom of depression - still doesn't stop me feeling guilty though!

OP posts:

brightermornings · 16/03/2011 11:44

Good morning everyone and welcome to stac. I'm at work so I've sneakily logged on. Feeling positive today made a list of things to do when I get home (before I spend hours on here!!). I feel more motivated when I have a list. Hope everyone is ok

valleyqueen · 16/03/2011 17:14

Afternoon everyone hope you are all feeling good.

I am confined to the sofa at the moment, giving me far too much thinking time.

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 18/03/2011 10:39

How are you now Valleyqueen? Still on the sofa?

OP posts:

valleyqueen · 18/03/2011 17:58

Nope :) I went to work today, limping, but I went.

Been yawning lots again which is a side effect of the Prozac, I literally can not stop.

BoredCommuter · 20/03/2011 20:43

Hope everyone has a good week. VQ - I remember the tired feeling especially on week 2 of the prozac.

It's my first feel week of work this week, I'll have to see how I get on. DH is abroad, my mum is coming to stay so hopefully that will help.

Original poster

IHateBadGrammar · 22/03/2011 18:58

Evening all! Hope you are all feeling the good effects of the ADs? I am definitely feeling better & think it's a combination of these plus more exercise and fresh air - I am sure the good weather helps .
However, I had a bad nights sleep last night as my skin all over was really itchy. I can't stop scratching. It has lasted all day and quite unbearable. I can't think of any change such as washing powder, different shower gel, foods etc. but have read that Prozac can increase your allergic reactions. Has anyone else suffered with excessively itchy skin?
Thank you.

OP posts:

Flip

1 2 3 4