Suffer from dep;ocd;panic disorder. Dr gave Prozac. Want to try St.John's over Proz. Pro's & Cons on the two?
970585
St. Johns is not a good idea to take.. It's been a long time but I used to take that and had bad side effects. (dizzy, sick, headaches)  I've been on Prozac and gain weight with that... I've also been on Effexor XR.  If the DR ever prescribes you Effexor XR do not take it! It was the worst feeling I have ever had when trying to get off of it!!!  I have been on others and after the Effexor incident I will not take prescriptions anymore... I did a lot of research on what would be safe and I found a herbal pill called 5-HTP, it works I've noticed I've been calmer, happier, I can sleep at night, and I don't have panic attacks anymore.  You can find it online... I buy it from an online company Swanson... I've been using them for years for vitamins and such. They are trustworthy.  I've also seen it in CVS.
961742
Get a second opinion, and not from a neurologist at the same hospital.  If the second neurologist confirms, you might want to get a psychiatrist's opinion as well - not suggesting mental illness, they just specialize in different aspects of brain functioning and should be willing to work with the neurologist.  The psych would also be the best resource if depression and anxiety are setting in.  You'll definitely want someone quite knowledgeable about drug interactions.
267258
St. John's wort worked for my wife, didn't work for me, but it's a place to start.\n\nI was almost certainly clinically depressed for a while in college and toughed it out instead of getting help, which I've decided was a mistake.  I had a relapse a few years ago and got counseling, but I resisted anti-depressants for over a year.  It was totally irrational, and I regret stalling.  Judging by how I reacted to going on and off the meds, it was obvious I had a chemical imbalance, and being ashamed of them or resistant to them was as foolish as a diabetic refusing insulin.  I did not become dependent and I tapered off after a couple of years.\n\nIf you're opposed because of potential side effects, keep in mind that the arsenal of anti-depressants has increased in recent years, so it's more likely than ever that you can find something without serious side effects.\n\nAlso keep in mind that depression that doesn't go away in a reasonable time is terrible for other aspects of your health, so toughing it out with exercise and comedies can jeopardize other systems in your body.
1086993
st john's is the herbal alternative, however, if you find an other one, it probably wont work either.  Just get the scrip or try therapy for the time being (it works great)
988061
Hello,\n\n  I have taken many anti-dep and have taken along time to find one that fits all my needs. I had a really hard time sexually when on prozac and zoloft, etc. I let my new doc know the problem was affecting my life and he suggested Wellbutrin. So I take a smaller dose of lexapro for the depression because you can only take so much wellbutrin. Then I take a dosage of Wellbutrin to help take the sexual side affects away, which also helps with depression. That changed my life taking both drugs together!!! Been taken them for over 4 yrs. now and I thank my doc all the time! My sex drive is actually usually in over drive now :)
764638
Lightheadedness, headaches and dizziness are all side effects. For the first couple of weeks after taking it I also had an upset stomach and felt really jittery. I lost all interest in sex and felt quite 'spaced out' a lot of the time, and separated from what was going on around me. Of course some of this is symptomatic of depression too. Word of warning about the alcohol - its a depressant so will counteract the prozac. If you must drink try to keep it to a minimum, but the safest bet is to avoid it completely.
633011
Look for Zoloft or Paxil. They are second generation SSRI's just like Prozac.
1138886
It looks as though you have gotten a lot of good answers already.  I just wanted to tell you that I am in the medical profession and I can tell you for a fact that anything you tell your doctor is confidential.  However, if the psychiatrist, doctor, psychologist, etc. feels that you pose a risk to yourself or to someone else, they will report you.  \n\nWhat happens is that you'll be placed on what they call a 51/50 hold, where you will be admitted to a psychiatric facility and then interviewed and assessed by an appropriate staff memeber (doctor, psychiatrist, etc).  If they agree with your doctor's assessment, then you will be held for a few days until you have been placed on medication and stabilized on those meds.  \n\nI know this sounds scary, but this is actually a good thing, because it gives you a safe place to stay where you'll get the help you need, and you will most likely be placed back on antidepressants.  \n\nI'm not sure why your doctor took you off Prozac, but doctors and psychiatrists are the only people who can put you on medications, so a counselor will not place you back on any antidepressant. \n\nOne other thing to note is that if you are having suicidal thoughts, but aren't actively planning to commit suicide, then your doctor may not place you on a 51/50.  It all depends on the doctor's assessment.  I would advise you to be as truthful as possible with your doctor, because that is the only way he or she can help you.  \n\nI wish you the best of luck.
218763
I don't know about Prozac specifically, but I would worry about taking any drug for that long, unless it was something like blood pressure medication, where there is simply no choice.  Do you feel you can get a second opinion on this without damaging the relationship you have built up with your doctor?  You might go so far as to ask him whether he would be offended if you wanted a second opinion.  Most doctors don't mind that at all, because they expect to be confirmed.  \n\nThe other thing you should probably do is read the formal drug information on the Prozac which the manufacturer puts in every package.  Look for "long term effects," and for any "contraindications."  I would hope that, in the last nine years, you have already read this information, but it is worth it to review it now.\n\nI would talk to a neurologist if you do go for a second opinion.  If the Prozac is going to do you any harm, I would think that is the place where it would happen.
353415
I actually have my son on it right now.  Yes, I think it's working.  It's NOT going to replace an anti-depressant but if you need a little help dealing with stress it can do wonders.  I didn't tell him what it was but he noticed a difference in just a couple of weeks.  \n\nI started taking it and noticed a difference in less time  than that.  I started taking it to deal with some added stress that left me with symptoms of chronic fatigue and find that while I didn't actually notice it so much while taking it, I noticed a real drop in my overall mood after about a week of not taking it.  By constast, St. John's Wort didn't work for me AT ALL.\n\nIt's not a miracle by any means, but I'd recommend it.
918633
IT IS MY WONDER DRUG!!! well its tied with Zofran (an anti-emetic that my Dr gave me while i was pregnant.. phenergan didn't work)  i suffer from MDD.. major depression disorder... i have been on Prozac and Zoloft before... i still felt really down with both of them.. Zoloft made me crazy feeling... then they tried wellbutrin!!  \n\nnot only do i feel great!!  but i have lost alot of weight while on it!!!  I'm on 300mg once a day!!  \n\none down fault... you can not mix it with consuming alcohol... it will cause seizure activity!!!!   also take it of the mornings because if you take it at night it can cause insomnia\n\nsome of the girls i work with took it for smoking cessation...they loved it too.... \n\nI've never heard anyone not like it... the only down fall i think pple would have with it .. is they don't give it a chance... because it takes 4-6 weeks to start being affected.. but about a wk after starting on it.. you feel BETTER!!!\n\nI *HEART* Wellbutrin... i NEVER want to go without it!!!\n\nhope this helps!
448865
there is not one good anti-depressant vs. another but the one that works for you the best is the best one. because everyones chemistry is different so you might say prozac is really working great for me but, bob might say prozac made me sick but he think zoloft is better for him and you say no that stuff made me sleep. so there's your answer for the anti-depressent. Now, i can tell you the newest anti-dep out is called cymbalta and it supposibly has no side effects and starts working within a week. now, the anxiety could easily be stoped once the anti-depressant starts working but if it's severe and you need something now depending on your age they will prescribe a xanax or ativan but not for long because there controlling substances now if your in your teens they will probably perscribe buspar which only takes a week to work and is not addicting. GOOD LUCK!
550393
I also have been on a number of antidepressants.  If you have never been on them before, your Dr. might start you out on Prozac or Zoloft.  or if you suffer from social anxiety you might be put on Paxil.\nIt all depends on your DR, what type of symptoms you are having, your age  etc...\nCost depends on your  insurance company's prescription benefits.  I have to pay 20% for my meds.  I find that in my case, that mail order is cheapest (you get 3 months worth of pills at once) My Effexor XR-150mg 3 pills a day=450mg- costs me $130 for a 3 month supply.  But you probably need to try to see how the antidepressants work for you , before you buy 3 months worth.\nRemember, it can take 4-6 weeks +/- to see benefits from the antidepressants.  So be patient and seek out a counselor or therapist to talk with.  They can help you work on your 'problems'.\nGood Luck
627164
You can take the St. John's Wort but just mention it to your doctor first.  If you are taking any antidepressants already, there may be an interaction beteen the, and the Wort do don't take them both together. Good luck...
1152792
I gained weight while on Prozac and found Weight Watchers to be an effective program for taking it off. The point system and daily food journal helped me keep track of what I should be eating and the weekly meetings helped me identify with other women and learn about how to deal with situations where I'd be tempted to eat the wrong foods (i.e. parties, vacations, holidays, etc.)\n\nBy the way, I believe that Soul Doctor means well.. .but you shouldn't take any homeopathic remedies without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. They can mess with the effectiveness of your Zoloft.
928939
My thoughts, for what they are worth:\nWell, prozac IS approved for use in a 10 year old (and younger), and would safe (as far as the medical profession knows).  IF started at too high of a dose, or increased to quickly, it would likely cause GI problems (stomach ache, nausea, etc.).  But these minor side effects often go away, don't cause serious problems, and will always stop if the medicine is stopped.\nAND, prozac can be VERY effective in depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attack disorders, etc...\n\nTherefore, it is not completely unreasonable for a 10 year old to take Prozac.  In fact, in certain circumstances, it can literally be life saving or very significantly improve a persons life!\n\nSo...I can see it as a possibility.\n\nIn the end analysis, it is ALWAYS a risk versus benefit thing.  In other words, would prozac have more benefits and less risks if taken than the risk of not taking the medicine...?  This is the question that needs to be answered.\n\nIn the case of a depressed person who is suicidal, then yes, a trial of Prozac would be warranted and a very good thought (in addition to counselling, etc.).\n\nIn the case of an OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) patient, which can and does exist at age 10, who's life is in complete ruins because of their problem, then yes, a trial of Prozac would be warranted and a very good thought (in addition to counselling, etc.).\n\nHOWEVER,\nUsing medications for psychiatric reasons in a child that is only 10 years old throws up HUGE red flags with me.  I just don't like it.  I mean the SSRIs (like prozac) are much more reasonable than the other antipsychotics I see some kids on...but still.\n\nIf the reasons for the need of taking Prozac are not severe (like mentioned above), then I would much rather have your daughter get some counselling first from a psychologist.  Perhaps even family counselling, where you (and/or other family members) would go with her to counselling.  Counsellors at church are also an excellent option, and oftentimes many churches have a lot of resources that could help your daughter.\n\nI would try all these other options and avoid pills as much as possible, UNLESS the problems are severe.\n\nBut, a course of Prozac for 6 months, or so...is not THAT big of a deal...even in a 10 year old...and might be VERY beneficial with NO side effects or problems...\n\nSo just talk more with your doctor, share your concerns, ask about different options, and perhaps get another professional opinion, who can evaluate your daughter.\n\nI hope this helped some...and that things work out for your daughter.
745454
When I came off my medication for anxiety, I started taking St John's Wort and felt fantastic. It gave me loads of energy and kept me 'happy'. I have recommended it to loads of people, it works for some and not for others. Definitely don't stop taking your other medication until you have checked with your GP though, alot of drugs you need to be weaned off or you may get unpleasant side effects.