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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:18:25
Well, it's been five days at 20 mg. and this is what I'm noticing: 1) CRAZY dreams, and difficulty waking up in the morning, 2) not much decrease in worrying and anxiety yet (but I'm hoping this will take effect soon), 3) sleepiness during the day, 4) decrease in binge eating, 5) slight elevation in mood, 6) mild headaches, 7) sinus congestion, 8) itching. Do these thing sound normal? Please share your experiences! Thanks, Jess
Posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:21:20
In reply to day 5 on Prozac..., posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:18:25
Oh and one more thing: I'm noticably slower in my mental reaction time, and my memory seems a lot foggier. Is this typical with start-up and something that will eventually decrease? Thanks!
> Well, it's been five days at 20 mg. and this is what I'm noticing: 1) CRAZY dreams, and difficulty waking up in the morning, 2) not much decrease in worrying and anxiety yet (but I'm hoping this will take effect soon), 3) sleepiness during the day, 4) decrease in binge eating, 5) slight elevation in mood, 6) mild headaches, 7) sinus congestion, 8) itching. Do these thing sound normal? Please share your experiences! Thanks, Jess
Posted by bassman on April 25, 2006, at 10:47:18
In reply to Re: day 5 on Prozac..., posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:21:20
I started at 5 mg, so my experience may not be typical. I felt a little stimulated at 5 mg and sleepy during the day. That's it. But us panic disorder guys have to start light on the meds or we get too stimulated. I'm surprised you don't have more SE starting at 20 mg...good luck!
Posted by tallwaters1962 on April 25, 2006, at 15:16:00
In reply to day 5 on Prozac..., posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:18:25
HI I have tkaen prozac for many years. All the way up too 80mgs.. I am a panic disorder person severe.
Not an more though. Prozac saved my life. It lifted me out of the pit and I didn't even need benzos anymore. I pray you experience the same. It took about two weeks on 20mgs to kick in. I did roller coaster a bit in that time. The only thing you need to check out is the itching. Tell your Doc it's probably nothing but it can be telling you your allergic.
best wishes,
Rainee
Posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 16:55:30
In reply to Re: day 5 on Prozac..., posted by tallwaters1962 on April 25, 2006, at 15:16:00
Thanks for the inspiration! The itching isn't actually that bad, and I think it's due in part to seasonal allergies that are acting up right now. I never used to have allergies, but I seem to be developing them over time. My sinuses have been acting up too, which is indicative of allergies. I don't think it's the medicine. I did have an allergic reaction to Wellbutrin once that caused red itching patches all over my chest. But this is nothing like that. :)
> HI I have tkaen prozac for many years. All the way up too 80mgs.. I am a panic disorder person severe.
> Not an more though. Prozac saved my life. It lifted me out of the pit and I didn't even need benzos anymore. I pray you experience the same. It took about two weeks on 20mgs to kick in. I did roller coaster a bit in that time. The only thing you need to check out is the itching. Tell your Doc it's probably nothing but it can be telling you your allergic.
> best wishes,
> Rainee
Posted by blueberry on April 25, 2006, at 18:30:04
In reply to day 5 on Prozac..., posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:18:25
I'm surprised you haven't had more side effects. That's pretty good actually. Usually when someone starts prozac they feel extremely stimulated. I'm surprised you can sleep at all. I could not sleep at all on prozac. The whole 8 years I took it I always needed something for sleep to go with it.
The headaches are normal with any antidepressant. They will go away shortly. Same thing with any nausea. Same thing with the stuffy nose. The crazy dreams though might be around a while.
Don't know about the itching. I don't think it is a concern, but I'm sure you'll keep a sharp eye on it. Should clear up.
The brain fog is likely just the extra serotonin floating around. As the receptors adjust, things should clear up. Prozac is usually very clean once you get used to it.
The early slight elevation of mood is probably prozac's unique ability to raise norepinephrine and dopamine levels in a way other ssri's don't.
I just restarted prozac 3 days ago at only 2.5mg, and already it has reduced my worry and fear a little bit. It really does take 2 weeks to 6 weeks for significant effects though. Hang in there, you're doing great.
> Well, it's been five days at 20 mg. and this is what I'm noticing: 1) CRAZY dreams, and difficulty waking up in the morning, 2) not much decrease in worrying and anxiety yet (but I'm hoping this will take effect soon), 3) sleepiness during the day, 4) decrease in binge eating, 5) slight elevation in mood, 6) mild headaches, 7) sinus congestion, 8) itching. Do these thing sound normal? Please share your experiences! Thanks, Jess
Posted by Phillipa on April 25, 2006, at 20:30:06
In reply to Re: day 5 on Prozac... » jessers11581, posted by blueberry on April 25, 2006, at 18:30:04
Had I tried it when smaller dosed were available I think I would have done well on it but 20mg was the smallest dose at the time and panic as major dx at the time. Even with small dose xanax by day three had to give it up. I'm still seriously considering trying a low dose now maybe start with 2.5mg. As the first day on prozac I wallpapered a foyer I'd wanted to do for three years. The next two days the panic increased I ditched it. The pdoc at the time begged me to take it every three days . He said I had had a remarkable response to it. So stick with it but maybe lower the dose. Wierd thing is that anxiety leads to depression for me. Which came first chicken or the egg? Love Phillipa
Posted by BrianBoru on April 26, 2006, at 9:39:15
In reply to day 5 on Prozac..., posted by jessers11581 on April 25, 2006, at 9:18:25
Jess,
I have taken every SSRI under the sun. Most have very similar side effects in the beginning. I have taken Prozac since 1995. Your side effects are not at all unusual. After a while, you won't even notice that you're taking the drug.
This is the end of the thread.
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