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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Brainbeard on January 7, 2010, at 13:30:42
I've been using Prozac in subtherapeutic doses before, and I've been taking such doses now and then lately.
However, I think I may need some stronger antidepressant action. I'm considering several options for that, but Prozac in a 'therapeutic dose' (20mg or more) is one of them.
I was wondering what your experiences are on 20mg (or more) of Prozac. Does it take a month or longer to kick in, or did anybody have quicker results?
Posted by rjlockhart04-08 on January 7, 2010, at 15:48:41
In reply to Prozac - how fast (or slow) can I expect results?, posted by Brainbeard on January 7, 2010, at 13:30:42
It takes about 6 weeks to be noticable. You'll notice a warm feeling in the mood.
Posted by mtdewcmu on January 7, 2010, at 16:14:00
In reply to Prozac - how fast (or slow) can I expect results?, posted by Brainbeard on January 7, 2010, at 13:30:42
> I've been using Prozac in subtherapeutic doses before, and I've been taking such doses now and then lately.
>
> However, I think I may need some stronger antidepressant action. I'm considering several options for that, but Prozac in a 'therapeutic dose' (20mg or more) is one of them.
>
> I was wondering what your experiences are on 20mg (or more) of Prozac. Does it take a month or longer to kick in, or did anybody have quicker results?If you want a fast response, you may want to try a different med. Prozac takes a month just to reach steady state. All of the other SSRIs reach steady state within about a week.
Posted by Phillipa on January 7, 2010, at 18:41:13
In reply to Re: Prozac - how fast (or slow) can I expect results?, posted by mtdewcmu on January 7, 2010, at 16:14:00
I took it when new and felt it the first day wasn't depressed though given for anxiety. Wallpapered the foyer first day that I'd put off for three years, day two anxiety, day three shear panic and stopped the med. I took extra xanax for three days to be back to normal as worked then. So for me it worked very quickly. Now this was also namebrand. Phillipa
Posted by orbital on January 8, 2010, at 13:49:31
In reply to Prozac - how fast (or slow) can I expect results?, posted by Brainbeard on January 7, 2010, at 13:30:42
I started out at 10mg, then up to 20mg. 20 mg made me feel very foggy, tired and agitated - not a nice experience, so I've been @10mg for 3 months now. It didn't take long to feel the 20mg kick, however - less than 2 weeks.
I find that 10mg is quite well for my depression; I might raise the dose again, but I'm weary of the SSRI fog (I've tried all SSRIs, and Prozac is the only one that hasn't affected my cognition - Celexa was the worst offender).
Anyway, maybe you could try 10mg for a few weeks and see how you respond? That's my main issue with Prozac, it requires such a long-term gamble if one wants to give it an adequate trial.
> I've been using Prozac in subtherapeutic doses before, and I've been taking such doses now and then lately.
>
> However, I think I may need some stronger antidepressant action. I'm considering several options for that, but Prozac in a 'therapeutic dose' (20mg or more) is one of them.
>
> I was wondering what your experiences are on 20mg (or more) of Prozac. Does it take a month or longer to kick in, or did anybody have quicker results?
Posted by orbital on January 8, 2010, at 13:56:14
In reply to Prozac - how fast (or slow) can I expect results?, posted by Brainbeard on January 7, 2010, at 13:30:42
I tried 30 mg for a few days, but it simply made me unable to function. According to my pdoc, 20mg is just a reference dose, most of her patients find relief from depression on low doses - it does take patience though.... A few of her patients do benefit from very high doses - usually the OCD gang.
> I've been using Prozac in subtherapeutic doses before, and I've been taking such doses now and then lately.
>
> However, I think I may need some stronger antidepressant action. I'm considering several options for that, but Prozac in a 'therapeutic dose' (20mg or more) is one of them.
>
> I was wondering what your experiences are on 20mg (or more) of Prozac. Does it take a month or longer to kick in, or did anybody have quicker results?
Posted by Brainbeard on January 8, 2010, at 17:22:36
In reply to Re: Prozac .. FORGOT to mention, posted by orbital on January 8, 2010, at 13:56:14
Thanks, Orbital and others, for sharing real life experiences.
10mg might be a better dose for me than 20mg (or higher).
Posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2010, at 20:56:14
In reply to Re: Prozac .. FORGOT to mention, posted by Brainbeard on January 8, 2010, at 17:22:36
I only wish they had low doses back when it first came out who knows may have been able to tolerate and get off benzos? Oh well. Phillipa
Posted by Brainbeard on January 9, 2010, at 3:59:23
In reply to Re: Prozac .. FORGOT to mention » Brainbeard, posted by Phillipa on January 8, 2010, at 20:56:14
> I only wish they had low doses back when it first came out who knows may have been able to tolerate and get off benzos? Oh well. Phillipa
Actually, the first Prozac trials showed that there was no lower limit of effectiveness, i.e. even very small doses worked for a lot of people. 20mg was just the dose that worked for a slightly larger amount of people. So it should have been available in lower doses.
You can, by the way, mix the content of a Prozac capsule with cranberry juice and then take part of it. I know of one p-doc who used to advice this and called the mixture 'Cranzac'.
Posted by orbital on January 9, 2010, at 15:41:54
In reply to Re: Prozac .. FORGOT to mention, posted by Brainbeard on January 9, 2010, at 3:59:23
I can relate to your experience, Phillipa.
Ten years ago, I was put on Prozac for depression by my absolutely useless ex-gp. She told me to start out at 20 mg, and to raise the dosage to 40 a week later (!). I was not warned about side effects such as agitation and panic attacks.
Needless to say, I landed in the ER 10 days into treatment, with uncontrollable panic and anxiety - I thought I was dying. I had to overnight at the hospital after being administered 100mg valium IV. They eventually sent me home with a small supply of Ativan to take as needed, along with firm instructions to fire my doctor.
My pdoc had to do a LOT of convincing to get me to try Prozac again.
> > I only wish they had low doses back when it first came out who knows may have been able to tolerate and get off benzos? Oh well. Phillipa
>
> Actually, the first Prozac trials showed that there was no lower limit of effectiveness, i.e. even very small doses worked for a lot of people. 20mg was just the dose that worked for a slightly larger amount of people. So it should have been available in lower doses.
>
> You can, by the way, mix the content of a Prozac capsule with cranberry juice and then take part of it. I know of one p-doc who used to advice this and called the mixture 'Cranzac'.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on January 9, 2010, at 19:46:05
In reply to Re: Prozac .. FORGOT to mention » Brainbeard, posted by orbital on January 9, 2010, at 15:41:54
So namebrand is still a capsule? As my pdoc prescribed it a long while back still got the full bottle but were l0mg tablets? Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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