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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:
valleyqueen · 25/03/2011 19:51

Yes I have badly but didn't know it was a side effect, my legs and hands have been the worst.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 25/03/2011 21:19

I went to the pharmacist (couldn't face being at the doctors AGAIN!!!) and he thinks it's an allergic reaction - probably linked to hayfever. The prozac does say that it can heighten allergic reactions, so I'm assuming that's what it is. Now got some antihistamines as well as eveything esle, to try and stop the itchiness! Back at doctors on Monday so will enquire further then.
Feeling much better though, now been on them for 30 days and can see the positives Smile

OP posts:
BoredCommuter · 27/03/2011 20:09

IHBG glad you had an answer, it does make sense, my hayfever (sneezing and runny eyes) seems worse this year than it has in a couple of years, might be time to break out the anti histamins

VQ did you get any counselling sorted?

Hope everyone is doing OK, I'm back at work, definitely getitng better, but still struggling to make decisions

valleyqueen · 01/04/2011 20:04

Thought I would check how everyone is doing. Not sorted the counselling yet but I know I need to do it.

I am feeling ok though, going out for a friends birthday tomorrow which I wouldn't have been able to face a few months ago.

brightermornings · 01/04/2011 21:25

Hi everyone hope your all doing ok. I've had 3 counselling sessions and basically I've realised what sent me on a downward spiral. I was stressed and I should have gone for help sooner. I've decided not to have any more counselling as I feel I can deal with things better now and if I do feel bad I will do something sooner. I have a doctor at work and he said I can go and talk to him any time I need to. He's been really good and when I've been to talk to him I've answered my own questions! Still really tired all my blood tests fine so I'll just have to live with it. Feeling really good but still trying to go easy on myself trying not to do too much when I get slight panicky feelings I know I need to stop. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 02/04/2011 09:19

I am back at work now and ok Grin the thought of being at work was worse than actually being there!
Still got really itchy skin and a bad rash in places, it's an allergic reaction to something but just noe sure what!!!

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BoredCommuter · 04/04/2011 19:21

Hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm feeling really rubbish today, one of my big issues is I cannot deal with making mistakes and in the last week I feel like I've made a lot, mainly losing things or leaving them behind. Have lost my train season ticket, left my phone at home when i needed to sort things out today, spent part of the weekend with storming hangover so felt guilty for ruining what precious time i have with DH and DD. DD is putting the terrible, into the terrrible twos. I feel like such a fat, useless cow. I just let people down, but do it with a veneer of being terribly competent when I'm not, I'm just rubbish.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 05/04/2011 14:48

boredcommuter we've all beeen there and had bad days. Hope things are a bit better now? Do keep posting how youu are doing - it definitely helps me to moan whinge share my thoughts.
I am at a bit of a loss this week as DCs are off school and the day has less structure than usually. I feel a little lost without any routine to follow, so am trying to plan things in for each day to give me some direction!

OP posts:
BoredCommuter · 05/04/2011 22:57

IHBG, hope you are managing to find some routine and things to do. In can be hard when you have to decide what you want to do, int that way my life is easier, I'm in work every day and my diary is managed by my secretary, so I just turn up where I'm expected. If I have a few unstructured hours at my desk I get anxious now knowing what to do.

I'm feeling better today, I did some exercise this evening for the first time in weeks as I'm getting over a foot injury. I also didn't make many mistakes today, no forgetting anything, losing anything.

Original poster
IHateBadGrammar · 06/04/2011 09:11

Glad you feel a bit better today Wink

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BoredCommuter · 11/04/2011 21:08

valleyqueen and IHBG how are you both doing? I don't have good and bad days, but good and bad hours, it's wierd, utterly miserable at 6pm, a lot better now.

Counselling is definitely going well

Pixielovescake · 12/04/2011 16:14

Thouht id drop in and say hello. Im doing fairly well on the prozac , the forgetfulness seems to have eased off , think it was down to havin a lot on my plate rather than the prozac. Im itchy too but ive always had excema so im putting it down to that atm.
Just wonderin do any of you ever have a drink when taking the prozac ? I know its not advised but i asked my GP she thought it would be ok as long as i didnt go on a bender. Which i have no intention of ! Im more used to prozac as ive taken it for years before but i just wondered what you ladies do ?

brightermornings · 12/04/2011 19:07

Hi everyone hope your all ok today. Pixie I never drank much before but I think as long as your sensible you should be ok. I've been feeling so much better still really tired but I can put up with that if it keeps me out of the dark place I was in. Managed to go for a swim last week and a long walk in the lovely sunshine. I've been making lists of things to do as it keeps me focussed and helps me get things done!!

Pixielovescake · 12/04/2011 20:25

Sounds like you re having a good few days brighter.Hope it carries on for you .

philnteds · 12/04/2011 22:16

Hello i too started taking Prozac two weeks ago. So far so good as i was having panic attacks on a daily basis especially at work. I haven't had any side effects as such BUT i did get my period two weeks early (i am usually regular) and my face has broken out quite badly....has anyone else ever heard of Prozac affecting hormones? i couldn't see any info in the patient information thanks...

BoredCommuter · 13/04/2011 19:47

I couldn't drink in the first few weeks of taking prozac, but now I'm fine, I've even had one big night out, that I can remember all off, had a really fun night and felt little rough in the morning, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Sounds like people are feeling brighter.

philnteds have to say didn't really affect hormones, I did have one massive spot, though

philnteds · 13/04/2011 21:18

Hi BoredCommuter
sorry to hear about your massive spot!! I have PCOS and am prone to spots but cripes i look like a rotten apple at the moment. Having bad headaches as well from time to time and find it hard to wake up in the morning but other than that the Prozac seems to have killed the panic attacks :)

I have taken all manner of AD's in the past but this one seems to have worked the fastest so we will see how it goes..2 weeks on and more relaxed if a little hormonal...

philnteds · 14/04/2011 20:12

Setback

I don't know if anyone is still posting on this thread but do any of you have this happen to you....someone at work (the Deputy Manager) accused me of doing something which she says is in breach of my contract (i haven't done what she says this has been a misunderstanding) and this has been banging around my head all day long.....anxiety today has been through the roof so much so that i haven't eaten :( which also meant i didn't take my Prozac as i take it with food :(

any advice to get this out of my head???? I think i am making this into more than it is...does anyone else do this??

brightermornings · 14/04/2011 20:16

Has everything been sorted? Try and eat have your tablet otherwise you will feel a lot worse. I've had some work problems but have managed to keep my anxiety under control. Try and focus on what your going to do at the weekend make some plans. Put it behind you it's done now tomorrow is another day

philnteds · 14/04/2011 20:21

thanks for posting brightermornings i am on my own tonight as hubby is away

its been work problems that have triggered this whole panic/anxiety situation off again i have been relatively ok for three years

had dinner took my tablet and now feel quite tired :) but that is ok....i told this deputy manager that i was having panic attacks and then i start thinking cripes is she picking on me? but i think my thoughts are running away with me.....

brightermornings · 14/04/2011 20:25

What about a bath to relax you? I hope you manage to get some sleep at least you can starfish in bed!!

philnteds · 14/04/2011 20:39

Hi i did have a bath lovely! and tomorrow me and DS will have a 'chill' day i.e. no commitments :)

I am reading a great book by Marina Lewycka so will pick that up in a minute should help turn my mind off a bit :) thanks

brightermornings · 14/04/2011 20:42

It's not a short history of tractors in the ukrainian is it???

philnteds · 14/04/2011 20:43

read that and loved it am reading the other one about caravans? she is such a good writer :)

brightermornings · 14/04/2011 20:45

I'm halfway through the tractors one and plan to read the rest of her books. Enjoy your day tomorrow.