I have never taken this particular antidepressant. I need positive input on this medication please?
Is anyone currently taking Prozac, with positive results?
Question posted by Anonymous on 18 March 2017
Last updated on 12 April 2017
Added 18 March 2017:
Wellbutrin has always been my go to AD. Do any of you support group members (esp. those who have been thru the ABC's of antidepressants) have any advice for me concerning Prozac? (I've tried most of the others in the past). Thanks
5 Answers
ChelleKay
7 April 2017
Dear Gm c - I took Prozac about 8 yrs ago and my doctor had told me that a lot of people feel so much better that they do more, hence, weight loss for them. I was on it for 6 weeks and packed on 30 pounds. I was so stressed over that weight gain it overcame any positives I reaped. Remember we are all different and can react differently to any med. The best thing with any new med is to give it a chance to work, don't rule it out too early or you will never know for sure if it could have helped you. Prozac is like a coin w/ 2 sides,
some people get the good side effects, others the other side. It is worth an honest to goodness try. Good luck, and best wishes, Chelle
Inactive
8 April 2017
Thanks for an honest answer, Chelle. It is much appreciated. And also thank you to all the other "posters" here who took the time to give me honest experiences. I have always been told by most people I know that Prozac had certain unwanted side effects, two of them being weight gain and decreased libido. This is a red flag for me. Thanks again to every one who commented.
Inactive
8 April 2017
Update from me this week, as of March 7, to my fellow "Posters" - I recently tried a different generic of Wellbutrin, since I last posted my comment to "ahyperdoc" AKA "Ray".
I decided to give it one more try with a different generic for Wellbutrin SR. I was hopeful that it would work more effectively than the last generic that I took. I had a very bad experience with it when I went up to 300mg. It caused me some very serious digestive and IBS problems, which I am trying to overcome currently. I have been in a lot of pain, brought on by pain and abdominal bloating, and constipation, which I found from my research to be brought on by Wellbutrin, in many cases.
Ironically, I am having recurring problems with IBS problems such as diverticulosis, along with recurring diverticulitis, which has been exacerbated by my current regimen of my new generic Wellbutrin SR!!! The irony of it all is that is one of the main reasons that I was taking generic wellbutrin, to treat my digestive problems. Evidently, I am not able to take this antidepressant now, regardless of which generic company it is manufactured by. Knowing this, I am very reluctant to try any generic of Prozac at this time. I didn't know what to do. Now I am going to try the "medication vacation" once again, since I am no longer getting the relief that I experienced in past years from this medication. My side effects have been so severe lately, that I cannot continue it any longer, trying to treat my anxiety/depression, at the expense of my physical health. So, Ray, and all of you, I will continue to update you on my journey. Peace to all.
Inactive
12 April 2017
Update today: I went from 300mg wellbutrin to 150mg wellbutrin since my last post, and I am still in a lot of pain. Time to go off the wellbutrin again and see if it helps to alleviate this pain. Thank you to everyone for responding. It helps.
Grouchy47
7 April 2017
I was recently switched to Prozac after Lexapro failed to sustain a beneficial result in my mood. Over a period of a year, I was gradually increased to 30 mg. Following each dosage change I would feel the positive effects for about a week, then I would revert to the negative side. My doctor said that every individual reacts differently, and that there are many other SSRIs out there. I understand that it takes an average of 4 to 6 weeks for the Lexapro to work, and I am only 2 weeks into it, but I do feel a subtle improvement in my overall mood. Hopefully, this is a sign that the Lexapro is going to work for me. I hope this helps with your decision.
arabianhorselover
21 March 2017
I took Prozac for about 15 years, and it changed my life with no bad side effects. I am now back on it after a few years off, and once again it is working for me. I felt the effects within the first two weeks.
Inactive
21 March 2017
Thank you for your input. Would there be any particularly irritating start-up side effects to watch out for?
arabianhorselover
7 April 2017
I seem to be one of the lucky one who doesn't get any noticeable side effects. It's like the Prozac is exactly what my brain needs, and it's not complaining!
ahyperdoc
18 March 2017
Hello G Mc. This particular subject can get drawn out and complex and even downright contentious, so let me give you the basics. First, the positives. Prozac is tolerated quite well by a significant portion of patients taking it also--a positive depending on which particular way you need/want to go--Prozac can help with weight loss and all its desired effects. Additionally, the withdrawal symptoms are quite less and also less strong when compared to other SSRI's. It can take 4 - 6 weeks before one sees a positive clinical effect--that's waisted time if you don't get good results by the end of the 6th week. I have never done well on trials of Prozac. I get little antidepressant effect and almost no cessation of anxiety. Prozac is the quintessential; characteristic drug of it's class. Indeed, it was the first SSRI marketed and approved for use in the USA.
Some people get stuck on that "back to basics" way of thinking but there are much better SSRI's and SNRI's with significant relief of symptoms--1 - 3 weeks--and a better tolerance profile. I personally take Effexor and I noticed it's effect quickly and--to my utter relief--the complete loss of my General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) as well. I'm not saying that you will get the kind of results I did from the medication and unless you have a major contraindication for starting Effexor, I would say at the very least to start a different; newer in class drug. In theory each new drug in its class is "supposed" to have worked out the chinks-in-the-armor, so-to-speak, of drugs that have come before and while this is not ever a sure thing the risk-vs-benefit profile is favorable on the side of the benefit. Other drugs to consider: Paxil; Pristiq and Trintellix. I hope this helps you... As always, my best to you G Mc. >> Ray.
Inactive
19 March 2017
Hi Ray: Thank you so much for taking the time to give me all this information! I will take it all into consideration. G
Inactive
19 March 2017
To all my Friends here, and recent Posters: Currently , I am considering going AD free. I will document my journey in the meantime. Thank you for all your comments. We are all on this journey together!!! G
ahyperdoc
21 March 2017
Your post is very invigorating. It inspires me to attempt to drop my AD as well. I'm not quite ready to take the challenge; hopefully I will have the wherewithal and insight to know when to attempt it. My best to you G Mc on your journey. Please keep me updated as to your progress. I'm very supportive; you can always contact me for advice, questions or just personal chitchat. My very best to you friend. >> Ray.
Inactive
21 March 2017
Hi Ray: I truly appreciate your support! Stopping an antidepressant is not an easy thing to do, is it, when we are so used to living with them to try to help to have a better quality of life. I think I have reached the point where my current antidepressant stopped working for me. I have taken many in the past, but never took Prozac, for whatever reason. (I think it got a bad rep through the years that caused me to shy away from it).
I am trying the AD-free route for now. I asked this question above, because I like to research and get opinions about meds, file it in the back of my mind, and have it for future reference, just in case I might need to go back to an antidepressant later on.
I feel good about getting off Wellbutrin for now. My husband's opinion: He said it didn't seem to be making much difference one way or the other. So, if that is the case, why take it? (LOL!)
mundling
18 March 2017
I took it for several years with good results. Did a few years with no antidepressents but began to crash and burn. Doctor started me on Cymbalta this time. Prozac may take a few weeks to kick in, but I had no problems with it. I just wanted to be drug free for a while.
Inactive
18 March 2017
Hi mundling: Thank you for your response. Could you please tell me if you gained any weight while taking Prozac? 20mg?
Allyoop64
18 March 2017
Hi G Mc, I was on Prozac once for three years and lost weight but I was also watching what I ate and did some exercise and was put on something else and went back on it recently but as many have said before it's not always the same, this time I had headaches, lost weight but no there problems hope this helped, I liked it, was sorry I had to switch to Lexapro.
mundling
18 March 2017
I put on a little but not a big deal. I'm on cymbalta now and that weight gain is a big deal. Feel human or be thin? Think I'll go for feeling human.
Related topics
prozac, depression, panic disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety and stress, antidepressant, medication, antidepressants
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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