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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cass on December 2, 2005, at 23:39:21
Hi, I had been doing great off of ADs for about 3 years, but a couple months ago, for some reason I fell into a really deep depression. I don't like to take ADs, but I finally gave in and went on Prozac. I have taken Prozac before, but it was about 10 years ago. So far it's making me feel better. I've only been on it 5 days, and it's also supressing my appetite which is nice. I've heard it can cause weight gain, and I hope I don't have that side effect because I recently lost 30 pounds, and I want to keep it off.
Can anyone tell me their experiences on Prozac?
Posted by cablegirl on December 3, 2005, at 4:56:00
In reply to On Prozac after a long time off ADs, posted by Cass on December 2, 2005, at 23:39:21
I took Prozac for about 3 years.....2 weeks on and then 2 weeks off (for P.M.S.) it helped at first. but then "pooped-out' on me!!! Everyone is different....so just try it and see....Good Luck!!!
Posted by med_empowered on December 3, 2005, at 6:55:09
In reply to Re: On Prozac after a long time off ADs » Cass, posted by cablegirl on December 3, 2005, at 4:56:00
hey! I havent taken prozac, but I have taken numerous other SSRIs. Basically, with Prozac you're usually going to see a pretty fast increse in energy, with a reduction in depressive symptoms a bit delayed--sometimes it takes up to 8 weeks to see a really noticeable difference. With Prozac and other SSRIs there is a risk of akathisia (an intense sense of inner-restlesness; it is pure, umitigated hell) and, of course, increased depression and suicidality (paradoxical reactions..the big joke psychiatric drugs play on the miserable).
Some people gain weight on Prozad and other SSRIs. With Prozac (and zoloft) the usual response is either no change in weight or minor weight loss...some docs combine prozac with diet drugs such as the "PhenPro" combo (phentermine+prozac). If you get much of a change in weight in either direction directly caused by the drug, its probably a good idea to switch.
If you experience akathisia, start-up anxiety (similar to, but milder than, akathisia), or sexual problems (especially loss of libido), then you might want to add something...adding Wellbutrin helps alot of people, and adding BuSpar helps others. Either one can boost the antidepressant effects and/or speed up time to response; BuSpar tends to be more soothing, so its good if you get prozac-induced anxiety..it also helps with sexual stuff. Wellbutrin is great for apathy, fatigue, and sexual issues, but can induce anxiety.
Good luck!
Posted by blueberry on December 3, 2005, at 16:25:36
In reply to On Prozac after a long time off ADs, posted by Cass on December 2, 2005, at 23:39:21
Prozac is my favorite of them all. It stimulates the release of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the prefrontal cortex in addition to its serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Posted by ShellyM on December 3, 2005, at 18:48:26
In reply to Re: On Prozac after a long time off ADs, posted by med_empowered on December 3, 2005, at 6:55:09
Akathisia? I just started on Cymbalta about a week ago and do feel extremely restless and agitated which sounds like "akathisia" which I've never heard of until this post. Is this typically only a temporary, start-up side effect, I hope?
I am on cymbalta for anxiety / panic attacks after trying Paxil and Lexapro and am really holding out hope this one will help (I can't take benzos-xanax, klonopin).
Thanks,
Shelly
> hey! I havent taken prozac, but I have taken numerous other SSRIs. Basically, with Prozac you're usually going to see a pretty fast increse in energy, with a reduction in depressive symptoms a bit delayed--sometimes it takes up to 8 weeks to see a really noticeable difference. With Prozac and other SSRIs there is a risk of akathisia (an intense sense of inner-restlesness; it is pure, umitigated hell) and, of course, increased depression and suicidality (paradoxical reactions..the big joke psychiatric drugs play on the miserable).
>
> Some people gain weight on Prozad and other SSRIs. With Prozac (and zoloft) the usual response is either no change in weight or minor weight loss...some docs combine prozac with diet drugs such as the "PhenPro" combo (phentermine+prozac). If you get much of a change in weight in either direction directly caused by the drug, its probably a good idea to switch.
>
> If you experience akathisia, start-up anxiety (similar to, but milder than, akathisia), or sexual problems (especially loss of libido), then you might want to add something...adding Wellbutrin helps alot of people, and adding BuSpar helps others. Either one can boost the antidepressant effects and/or speed up time to response; BuSpar tends to be more soothing, so its good if you get prozac-induced anxiety..it also helps with sexual stuff. Wellbutrin is great for apathy, fatigue, and sexual issues, but can induce anxiety.
>
> Good luck!
>
Posted by med_empowered on December 3, 2005, at 18:53:02
In reply to Re: On Prozac after a long time off ADsakathisia, posted by ShellyM on December 3, 2005, at 18:48:26
hey shelley..i dont mean to pry, but why cant you take benzos? could you maybe give them a try if you changed docs?
Anyway, akathisia is a sense of "inner-restlessness". Its most common with antipsychotics, but also happens with antidepressants. Sometimes--but not always--there's fidgeting, pacing, that sort of thing associated with the restlessness. It tends to increase violence and suicidality.
Similar to, but different from, akathisia is start-up anxiety or drug-induced anxiety, which is pretty common with antidepressants. This might go away. It might not. If your problem is anxiety to begin with,you might want to consider a swtich. Adding BuSpar **migh** help, since it will antagonize some serotonin receptors and kill off some SSRI/SNRI side effects.
Good luck!
Posted by ShellyM on December 3, 2005, at 19:06:15
In reply to Re: On Prozac after a long time off ADsakathisia, posted by med_empowered on December 3, 2005, at 18:53:02
Hi there,
I've had panic attacks for as long as I can remember and for almost as long as I can remember I took Xanax and Klonopin to relieve the symptoms. Unfortunately, extreme anxiety, extreme person, extreme measures...developed an extreme addiction. I've been off the benzos for 3 months now and my doctor tells me there is an AD out there that can get my anxiety under control. Being of the "quick fix", I want to be fixed now nature, wading through these side effects and wait 'n see for 6 weeks period is hell!
I'm hoping Cymbalta works.
Shelly
> hey shelley..i dont mean to pry, but why cant you take benzos? could you maybe give them a try if you changed docs?
>
> Anyway, akathisia is a sense of "inner-restlessness". Its most common with antipsychotics, but also happens with antidepressants. Sometimes--but not always--there's fidgeting, pacing, that sort of thing associated with the restlessness. It tends to increase violence and suicidality.
>
> Similar to, but different from, akathisia is start-up anxiety or drug-induced anxiety, which is pretty common with antidepressants. This might go away. It might not. If your problem is anxiety to begin with,you might want to consider a swtich. Adding BuSpar **migh** help, since it will antagonize some serotonin receptors and kill off some SSRI/SNRI side effects.
>
> Good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on December 3, 2005, at 22:55:16
In reply to Re: On Prozac after a long time off ADs, posted by med_empowered on December 3, 2005, at 6:55:09
Med that explains what happened to me. When it first came out and I'd never taken any Ad. I was prescribe 20mg of prozac. Day l lots of good productive energy. Day two anxiety. Day three was hel*. Panic attacks took three days of extra xanax to quell. The pdoc begged me to take it every three days. I've been mulling this over for quite a time. Do you think that I should again try prozac and start at a low dose? My fatigue is keeping me from doing anything productive. Thanks med. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Cass on December 4, 2005, at 22:28:06
In reply to On Prozac after a long time off ADs, posted by Cass on December 2, 2005, at 23:39:21
Thanks for all the information and support. I already feel like the Prozac is working although I had a very bad day on it yesterday. I was deeply depressed again and didn't get out of bed. Today I feel better. Did I mention that I'm on Lorazapem too? It seems to be helping with my negative thoughts. My judgement has been way off in feeling that no one loves me and all the good situations in my life would end badly. I've really been through hell with this depression.
This is the end of the thread.
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