Please or to access all these features

Mental health

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

Fighting depression without Prozac, what to do?

6 replies

sammiches79 · 05/12/2019 09:29

I've had depression and anxiety on and off for a few years. I've been on propanolol (beta blockers) for anxiety for a few months but on Monday the Dr said they weren't working and moved me to Fluoxetine (prozac). I thought the bb's were doing ok but Dr said the fact that I still need them means they aren't.

I'm not against taking prozac and I did once before and had zero side effects but now I'm worried I'll get them, I don't think I'm bad enough to need it, as feel it's more my anxiety causing issues than depression. I've taken them for 4 mornings since Mon and I know they take weeks to kick in but I'm thinking about the long term effects and the withdrawal symptoms, also that you have to take them for 6 months on average, which I really don't want to do with such a strong medicine. They have already killed my libido!

On Monday I also changed my lifestyle, cut back on bad things, attempting to get out more and exercise, trying to get better sleep. I work from home and find myself staring at the screen for hours sometimes and very unproductive, just feel so hopeless sometimes.

So my question is, can I get better without Prozac? Are there any other alternative medicines you have found to help or just general lifestyle changes that have made a huge difference? I'm worried about getting the side effects of this and being on it so long so any advice really welcomed, thank you.

OP posts:
luna2luna · 08/12/2019 06:27

Anti-depressants don't work after a short time. Its not true that they work. Drug companies want you to believe they do work.

luna2luna · 08/12/2019 06:27

The talking treatment is best plus lifestyle changes

sammiches79 · 11/12/2019 11:43

@luna2luna what is the talking treatment?

OP posts:
jamdhanihash · 11/12/2019 11:45

Look into psychotherapy. EMDR was what worked for my previously incurable depression. Hope you find something that works for you.

nearlyfinished1moreyear · 11/12/2019 11:46

A high dose of antidepressants helps with anxiety. Though CBT is also recommended along with medication to get the best possible outcome for your MH issues

luna2luna · 11/12/2019 13:48

Human beings ned to talk about their problems and anxieties, etc., drugs can supress this and they often just mask over them. Talking to an empathetic person is the best treatment for mental health issues. I know about this as I have had mental health problems for over 40 years. and have been treated with drugs, some with very bad side effects.

They say anti-depressants are not addictive, well, if you cannot sleep without them, is this not an addiction???

New posts on this thread. Refresh page