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Mental health

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Original poster

Prozac side effects

19 replies

anotherglass · 15/09/2012 15:08

I was prescribed Prozac for mild depression ( anxiety mainly ) and am into Day 2 or taking 20mg per day. Since popping my dose at 10.30am I've felt whoozy, a headrush, slightly nauseous and, now, fuzzy headed and tired. I'm wondering if these side effects are a) normal, b)will go away ?
I don't think I will be able to function at work if I have all these symptoms to contend with. Blurgh! The doctor did say to wait a couple of weeks and take the meds in the morning. But I am thinking to drop the dose to 10mg and take later in the day. Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thanks.

OP posts:

SilveryMoon · 15/09/2012 15:10

I was the same for the first few weeks when I started them years ago. was also on 20mg.
After noticing the side affects you describe, I started taking them in the evening.
Hope you start to feel better soon.

SirGOLDBoobs · 15/09/2012 15:11

I always took my meds in the evening - once they're in your system, it doesn't really matter what time the daily dose is.

Side effects are normal, and they will die down. Try to continue with them, its worth it in the long run.

Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster

anotherglass · 15/09/2012 15:14

Thanks ladies. Good to hear it's transitory. I am feeling so blurrggh now feel like it's not worth it. Did eating before or after you took dose make a difference to side effects?

OP posts:

SilveryMoon · 15/09/2012 15:20

Can't answer the eating thing, don't remember. I came off of mine about 6 months ago after 3 years.

SirGOLDBoobs · 15/09/2012 16:10

Making sure you're eating well and drinking enough fluids is always important when taking a new medication, so just keep an eye on that. I can't remember it making a difference, but never hurts to try.

PurdyShaky · 15/09/2012 16:16

I had really bad side effects too, I felt dreadful for almost 4 weeks. It was like being in the worlds worst hangover for weeks.

I take mine at night as they make me feel really tired.

The side effects should subside soon.

I hope you feel better soon x

Original poster

anotherglass · 17/09/2012 20:37

After another day of feeling nauseous, stiff and major head fog I've decided to stop taking Prozac. I was only 4 days in but can't bear the side effects. How long does it take the get out of your system? Already feeling wired and anxious from missing today's dose!

OP posts:

PurdyShaky · 17/09/2012 20:49

I'm sorry I don't know how long it takes to wear off.

Maybe have a chat with your GP tomorrow and see if they recommend changing or persevering with it and hoping that it gets better soon.

I felt terrible at first and seriously considered trying something else, I'm glad I persevered and feel much better now. It did take 4 weeks though, I felt like my head was going to fall off and the nausea was terrible, I could hardly stand up without feeling like I would fall over. It felt almost like a migraine.

I did lose half a stone in two weeks through hardly being able to eat a thing. I looked good but felt like shit.

I hope you feel better soon

Original poster

anotherglass · 17/09/2012 21:02

Thanks Purdy. I don't know how you persisted? I'm not as bad as you but feel really weird. My behaviour has also been more bolder and I've said things today which I shouldn't have, really. The drug is having quite a powerful effect on my and TBH I am nervous about where it's taking me. Having said that I have actually been feeling a couple of notches more positive, which is great, but the side effects are really hard to cope with. I dropped from 20mg to 10mg to ease myself out. I'll call the doc in the morning but I'm sure you'll say try reducing the dose. Glad you are feeling better. How long you been taking Prozac?

OP posts:

Original poster

anotherglass · 17/09/2012 21:04

I'm sure the dr will say to try reducing the dose, not you, sorry. My fingers aren't connecting with synapses!

OP posts:

bigbuttons · 17/09/2012 21:10

Just a thought here. Ask your dr if you can take the paediatric form as its in liquid. You use a syringe to measure the doses. You start off low and can gradually up them until your body is used to it, thereby pretty much eliminating the side effects. I did this and it worked. I took about a month to get up to 20mg. When I could tolerate it I switched to tablets. Some people are very sensitive to AD's. You might find as you work your way up that you find a level below 20mg that works for you. HTH

Original poster

anotherglass · 17/09/2012 21:14

Thanks big buttons. Your plan sounds sensible. Are they working well for you?

OP posts:

PurdyShaky · 17/09/2012 21:17

Almost 8 weeks, I'm still off work but looking to go back in a couple of weeks. There was no way that I could have worked feeling so ill.
I feel like a new woman now though, the side effects have eased and my mood has really lifted.
I'm feeling much more positive about things now.
I am so glad that I got sucked into mumsnet, it has really kept me entertained while I have been off and ds has been at nursery.
Ds has got chicken pox at the moment so has been off nursery since Wednesday, I have coped much better than if it had happened 2 weeks ago. I could barely look after myself, never mind a busy, rascal of a 2 yr old...

It's really good that you have started to feel more positive x

Original poster

anotherglass · 17/09/2012 21:22

Good to hear that the meds are working for you? Sounds fairly stressful all you have to deal with. Are you still suffering from any side effects?

OP posts:

bigbuttons · 17/09/2012 22:49

Thanks another glass. I'm not taking anything now, but they did their job

Shaky · 18/09/2012 16:32

How are you feeling today anotherglass, any better?

I found taking my meds at night really helped as they made me really drowsy. That way I would sleep much better and be more refreshed in the morning.

If I took them in the morning I was wanting to go to sleep by lunch time and then be awake half the night.

I changed the cycle by waiting a bit longer to take them, went from first thing in the morning to lunch time the next day, then tea time and now I take it as soon as ds is asleep, usually at 8pm. I'm usually ready for bed by 10.30

It might be worth a try.

Original poster

anotherglass · 18/09/2012 21:25

Thanks for asking Shaky I'm fine today, thanks. Halved the dose yesterday and again tonight and I am actually feeling pretty damn good! It's been a roller coaster but think that 10mg is what I can tolerate - 20mg was way tooo much. I'll keep it at this level for a few more days and see how I feel. You are spot on with the suggestion about evening dose. It doesn't spoil your whole day and I managed to get some sleep last night but needed a sleeping pill. So total reverse in position from yesterday but today feels much better so I'll stick with it. Hope you OK.x

OP posts:

Shaky · 18/09/2012 21:47

I'm good thank you.

I'm really glad you are feeling a bit better today, onwards and upwards, things can only get better.

See, look, I did some positivity, happy pills must be working

MummysHappyPills · 19/09/2012 09:09

Glad you're better. I had similar side effects to start with but they went soon enough. Just started back on them today and waiting for the side effects to kick in this time round!

It's funny, they always make me feel really buzzy in a bad way, like I have had way too much red bull or something so no way could I take them at night! But my main issue was depression, not anxiety. It seems that people who are more on the anxious side seem to feel tired on them. It is almost as though they are redressing the balance but you go too much the other way to start with?

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