How did (or has) Prozac effected you?
459112
I took Prozac in 1994 for depression.\nIt took about 4 weeks to take full effect, but when it did, I lost 40 lbs. in 3 months!!!\nI really felt like exercising and keeping my life very active every day! \nI didn't eat much; the medication took my appetite away.\nI felt very happy and energetic!\nI saw things in life very vivid and optimistic.\nI wish that I could have stayed on Prozac, but when I had lost all of that weight, my brain and body started to work overload.  I found out, after a manic episode, that I really had Bipolar Disorder!!!  \nWow.\nI would highly recommend Prozac, however, for depression.  It really took my blues away and then some.\nGood luck.  Be patient.
681680
What exactly do you mean? Are you referring to the effects of antipsychotic medication or those of psychotherapy?
423819
I heard it can make you feel a bit emotionally numb, Most of the anti depressants I have taken have have had a similar effect on me, but only as I have begun taking them. If it is still the same after a month or two I normally demand a change of medication.
90057
I am uncertain how Zoloft would affect you. If you feel sleepy from it at all,it could very well be affecting your memory. Depression itself can affect your memory. If this continues, speak to your doctor as you may be overmedicated. Good Luck
655255
I'm a doctor.\nFirst of all it is NOT a stupid question.  Far from it.  As a matter of fact, its a hot & controversial topic in medicine right now.\nSecondly, ALL doctors should go over any new medication with his/her patient.\n\nAbout prozac - this and all the other meds of its class (SSRIs) have come under scrutiny in the last couple years.  Despite the large benefit that these meds can do, some claim there is a small yet signifigant risk.  According to some highly disputed research, there is a SLIGHTLY higher risk of suicide in patients, esp younger patients, in the period briefly after starting the medication.  Its poorly understood, but if its true it may related to the increased motivation and decreased impulse control BEFORE the antidepressant effects have kicked in yet.  Some psychiatrists believe that the evidence is not strong and has not been able to be reproduced because it isnt true.\n\nWait a second, isnt this supposed to be an ANTI-depressant??!!  Yes, and that's part of the problem.  These meds are being given to a population of patients that are allready at high risk for suicide to begin with.  You can see why this is so controversial...\n\nThat being said, it shouldnt be forgotten that these meds (the SSRIs) have helped MILLIONS of people not only with depression, but also with other problems like OCDC like yourself.  As a matter of fact, these meds are so good that they've totally changed the practice of psychiatry today.  \n\nHOWEVER, if you do experience problems with the medication (or ANY other new medication for that matter) tell your doctor or somebody that can help RIGHT AWAY.  In that situation, your doctor should talk to you, and likely an alternative medication can be tried.\n\n\nI know this is very confusing.  I'm SORRY!  but you are not alone.  It is a controversial and unresolved issue for doctors as well.  Don't blame your parents, because they may have easily been totally unaware too.  PLEASE dont be afraid to ask your doctor these questions - PLEASE.
1025622
Yes I sure was on that junk and just got off about a week ago. I will tell you it is induced terror. Thehttp://health.yahoo.com/drug/d04220a1/;_ylt=AoAqlTzfxG2W40AtTosAkoRo3LMF are are many side effects and that link is for them and the instructions. I felt awful all tight and sick gained weight, threw up, found it hard to breathe and felt very scared and tight. Then before that depresson and thoughts of suicide are very high. It was not nice Risperdal is better! Happy to be off it good luck to you my friend!
752356
I love Prozac!  I can not live without out. I was told to stay on Prozac for nine months as well. This drug works good, well before the ninth month, with me anyway. I guess that is when you will get the complete effect of it.  The only thing I did not and do not like (the one that sticks out in my mind the most that is) is the lack of sex drive.  That is a bummer.  I have been on it now for 15yrs.  I tried to ween myself off a couple of times with my Doctors awareness but I would start to go down hill after a month or so. So back on it and feeling good again. Guess the other side effects were not worth remembering or just were not that bad to be burnt in my mind. Good luck.
268063
Prozac is a SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, now that's a mouthful).  Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is thought to be in inadaquate amounts in the brain contributing to depression.  Initially by preventing the existing serotonin from being put away so quickly (re-uptake) it hangs around and affects more action...sort of a bigger bang for the buck.  This is the effect that occurs in the first couple of weeks and actually can cause people to be more impulsive and can improve negative symptoms (being tired, slow, no energy) very quickly - but perhaps still depressed.  There are actual programing changes that happen with time and true effects are usually starting to be felt in 2-3 weeks but you should give it 6 to 8 weeks before deciding it is not effective or consider a dosing change, unless you are having intolerable side effects.\n\nSSRI medications have been around since the late 80's and most primary providers are competent in prescribing and using them.  It is like anything else, though there are exceptions.  It has been my experience that those who went to medical school before the late 80's and work in primary care are sometimes less comfortable than others.  Since depression is such a huge part of day-to-day practice in primary care, most providers are well informed on the subject. \n\nBy the way, it is unethical to provide a sugar tablet to a patient under the guise of treating a condition.  On the other hand many medications do not intend that you have some dramatic feeling from them.  If they are working you don't feel particularly happy, or euphoric, just normal.
585434
I was put on Citalopram (Cipramil) as the first medication for my depression. I was on it for about a year and then I think my system just got used to it. Unfortunatley I was then put on Efexor, which caused some very bad side effects.\n\nI have now tried every anti-depressant available to me (I'm 24) and for me, Seroxat works.\n\nIf you really want to give up, here is what I recommend - I tried to do this and it reduced the electric shock sensations in my head and sickness of withdrawal.\nAsk your docotr to prescribe you a low dose of Prozac instead of the Cipramil. Prozac is quite non-aggressive to come off of, so after your system has got used to the Prozac, you can then come off it.\n\nWorked for me...til I had to go back on meds, but hopefully you can do it. Good luck!!
36915
I am on Prozac and it works great for me, I am on a 10 does, by the way
952752
SIDE EFFECTS: The most commonly noted side effects associated with bupropion are agitation, dry mouth, insomnia, headache, nausea, constipation, and tremor. In some people, the agitation or insomnia is most marked shortly after starting therapy. Some patients may experience weight loss. Uncommonly, patients may experience manic episodes or hallucinations. Four of every 1000 persons who receive bupropion in doses less than 450 mg/day experience seizures. When doses exceed 450 mg/day, the risk increases ten-fold. Other risk factors for seizures include past injury to the head and medications which can lower the threshold for seizures. (See drug interactions.) \n\n"If antidepressants are discontinued abruptly, symptoms may occur such as dizziness, headache, nausea, changes in mood, or changes in the sense of smell, taste, etc. (Such symptoms even may occur when even a few doses of antidepressant are missed.) Therefore, it is recommended that the dose of antidepressant be reduced gradually when therapy is discontinued." \n\nIt has been suggested that bupropion and SSRIs may cause depression to worsen and even lead to suicide in a small number of patients. These potential side effects are difficult to evaluate in depressed patients because depression can progress with or without treatment, and suicide is itself a consequence of depression. Moreover, the evidence supporting these potential side effects is weak. Therefore, no conclusions can yet be drawn about the relationship between bupropion and SSRIs and worsening depression and suicide. Until better information is available, patients receiving bupropion or SSRIs should be monitored for worsening depression and suicidal tendencies.
1091603
Hi, I can totally sympathize with your dilemma.  Prozac, the medication, causes a depressed person, who may not have been taking great care of themselves to have an appetite again.  In other words, it increases your appetite.  I take a med that does the same thing.  I know that when my brain says I am hungry, it is lying to me, so I portion my food, and eat sensibly.  If I go out to eat, I eat only half of what is on my plate, asking for a "doggie bag" up front and removing the other half before I eat.  Then I don't gain weight.  I have been on Prozac.  It was a good medication for the time I was on it.  Other things came along and it lost its effectiveness.  Just a suggestion to be ever mindful that the side-effects may be less horrible than the alternative, but if they are too hard to live with, tell your doctor right away, don't stop taking them, and have your doctor switch you to something else.
657260
You can, but I wouldn't recommend it.  Alcohol is a depressant and one of the common side effects of Prozac is fatigue.  You add the two together and you'll have a severe psychomotor impairment (it won't kill you, but it'll knock you out and you'll wake up with a hell of a headache).
220582
I didn't think so, but go to the site I've included below. It lists all the possible side effects. Most of them are not common or not severe. I do know that it can become addictive if you take too much for too long a time. In other words, you can become dependent on it so that it's hard to stop or so you need more and more for the same effect. But I assume your doctor is monitoring you. I take it, too, for the same reason. Have you tried asking your doctor about particular anti-depressants that help to prevent panic attacks? These include Zoloft, Welbutrin, Prozac and others. They are not addictive. I use Xanax only for the times when my nerves are edgy, and I use Zoloft for the daily control for my panic attacks.
517872
Taking prozac should have no effect on blood pressure. I take prozac and my pressure has not risen.  It takes about 3 or 4 weeks before the medication takes affect.
451742
i took it for like one or two days & had horrible side effects.  i got confused & forgot what i was doing in the middle of cooking dinner.  i also had horrible anxiety & restlessness.  i haven't heard any good feedback about it. i wouldn't recommend it.  however, everyone reacts differently to different meds.
1061217
people who are more receptive to a therapist will be helped  i am not one of those people i can talk to someone all i want but the choice to make changes had to be mine and i knew that \n\nas for the medicine it made me feel dead inside limiting someones emotions with pharmaceuticals is unnatural and messes with a person they made me worse and even worse when i stopped taking them.  i think no medicine for the most part is the best thing