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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lini on August 4, 2001, at 13:20:43
I just started Prozac last week (5 days/20mg) and I haven't had any side effects, but I can't really tell if I feel any different, I know I don't feel worse, but can't tell if where I am at right now emotionally is due to the AD or because I am avoiding some of the situations that really trigger the downward spirals. Wondering if anyone has any advice on time frames, for feeling "better" or side effects. I don't really want to "test" myself by attempting to deal with things I haven't been able to handle before until I "know" the drugs are working. Never been on an AD before, so don't know what to expect.
Thanks!
Posted by SalArmy4me on August 4, 2001, at 14:07:46
In reply to Just beginning: Prozac, posted by Lini on August 4, 2001, at 13:20:43
Nierenberg, Andrew A.M. Timing of Onset of Antidepressant Response With Fluoxetine Treatment. American Journal of Psychiatry. 157(9):1423-1428, September 2000:
"...The onset of response for most responders to fluoxetine should be observed within 2-4 weeks of beginning treatment, with about 10% of the eventual responders starting to feel better after 6 weeks in an 8-week trial. Conversely, the lack of onset of response by 4-6 weeks is associated with about a 75%-88% chance that patients will not have an onset of response by 8 weeks. The mean time between the onset of response and the time to response was slightly more than 1 week. We were unable to identify baseline characteristics that could predict time until onset of response or time to response. Similar analyses should be applied to longer antidepressant trials and to other antidepressants..."
Posted by AKC on August 4, 2001, at 15:04:27
In reply to Just beginning: Prozac, posted by Lini on August 4, 2001, at 13:20:43
It can take a few weeks before you will start to feel the effects of the medicine. It is hard to be patient, but give it some time. My first medicine was prozac and I had good success with it. It took me about 3 1/2, 4 weeks to notice a difference with my depression, but it did help.
I don't know your situation, but mine got kinda complex -- I am no longer on prozac -- but I think you can have great success on it for good ole basic depression.
Good luck.
AKC
Posted by afatchic on August 4, 2001, at 23:06:48
In reply to Just beginning: Prozac, posted by Lini on August 4, 2001, at 13:20:43
Lini, Give it time. You shouldn't expect to feel any different yet. Your post reminded me of the very first time I took an AD. After 2 weeks and no improvement, I decided I was doomed to be depressed for the rest of my life and could never be normal. 2 weeks after that, it was as if someone had turned on the lights. I actually felt happy! It was wonderful. I was on Prozac for a few years and thought it was a fantastic medication. Hang in there, you should feel better soon.
> I just started Prozac last week (5 days/20mg) and I haven't had any side effects, but I can't really tell if I feel any different, I know I don't feel worse, but can't tell if where I am at right now emotionally is due to the AD or because I am avoiding some of the situations that really trigger the downward spirals. Wondering if anyone has any advice on time frames, for feeling "better" or side effects. I don't really want to "test" myself by attempting to deal with things I haven't been able to handle before until I "know" the drugs are working. Never been on an AD before, so don't know what to expect.
>
> Thanks!
Posted by Lini on August 5, 2001, at 15:30:55
In reply to Re: Just beginning: Prozac, posted by afatchic on August 4, 2001, at 23:06:48
> Lini, Give it time. You shouldn't expect to feel any different yet. Your post reminded me of the very first time I took an AD. After 2 weeks and no improvement, I decided I was doomed to be depressed for the rest of my life and could never be normal. 2 weeks after that, it was as if someone had turned on the lights. I actually felt happy! It was wonderful. I was on Prozac for a few years and thought it was a fantastic medication. Hang in there, you should feel better soon.
Thank you . . . I guess I will just wait for that light switch. I am scared that nothing is going to work and not even sure what "work" means, can't really imagine feeling different, but certainly hope this will be the case. this board is helpful, it is nice to know that someone else has been there, done that, makes it easier to hang in.
Posted by adamie on August 5, 2001, at 23:37:06
In reply to Re: Just beginning: Prozac, posted by Lini on August 5, 2001, at 15:30:55
> > Lini, Give it time. You shouldn't expect to feel any different yet. Your post reminded me of the very first time I took an AD. After 2 weeks and no improvement, I decided I was doomed to be depressed for the rest of my life and could never be normal. 2 weeks after that, it was as if someone had turned on the lights. I actually felt happy! It was wonderful. I was on Prozac for a few years and thought it was a fantastic medication. Hang in there, you should feel better soon.
>
> Thank you . . . I guess I will just wait for that light switch. I am scared that nothing is going to work and not even sure what "work" means, can't really imagine feeling different, but certainly hope this will be the case. this board is helpful, it is nice to know that someone else has been there, done that, makes it easier to hang in.
>my recent severe depression also made it hard to imagine being better but that is simply the depression talking. it makes us think that way. when you feel horrible of course it is hard to see yourself better. but it did get much better for me. such a huge improvement. it was amazing. I was actually feeling good! then it got worse again. but at least my depression is just moderate now instead of life threatening. take care.
This is the end of the thread.
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