I just started taking 20mg prozac and 150mg wellbuterin. I have been on them for a wk. I have been so tired that I sleep all day and night. Will this go away or is this a side effect? I have a 2 and 3 yr old to take care of and just cant be this tired."
Will major fatigue go away with time while taking prozac?
Question posted by krissyj143 on 23 Oct 2012
Last updated on 13 July 2017
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7 Answers
Trinabell
22 Oct 2014
Hi there Krissy. I know exactly what you're going through. Everyone is different in how their body deal with meds. For some ppl the fatigue eases over time with use but others like me for instance it never went away. However the good news is that there are things that could possibly help. When the fatigue didn't ease my Dr prescribed at different times 3 drugs that help rid you of the exhausted feeling. I tried Provigil, Nuvigil & Adderall. The Provigil didn't help me much but has been a blessing to my hubby. The Nuvigil helped me a lot for a long time. I wasn't sleepy, I was alert & able to focus & complete the tasks that home & kids needed from me yet it was a mild enough stimulant that I could still sleep each night. Nuvigil didn't make me anxious or shaky at all.
Now once I developed narcolepsy I was moved up to the Adderall which at 1st made me feel a bit speedy like a tweaked for about 30mins after each dose but now it doesn't do that at all. It just enables me to live a normal life instead of sleep thru it. Talk to your Dr about how you feel & see what options he has for you. Take care
mukhtaar
22 Oct 2014
@krissyj143 I am no doctor but I can advise you to consult one as soon as possible because Prozac has done more harm to me than anything. It disrupted my sleeping patterns and makes you feel like you living in a world where you just gaze into the sky and day dream. I take 20mg and I literally fall asleep at my work station. it drains me completely. I feel your pain, anyway Good luck and keep positive
angel1662
23 Oct 2012
Hello krissyj143,
I agree with the community, when I took meds that did this to u, my psychiatrist would always have me take it at night this way I could sleep alot of it off, and alot of side effects do go away after u have been on it for a couple weeks, but I wouldn't take it upon yourself to just say okay I am going to take it at night, discuss it with your doctor first... I would also tell your doctor how u are sleeping all day and night, maybe he can do some labs and make sure it is definitely the meds... good luck...
mukhtaar
22 Oct 2014
I have been using Prozac for nearly ten months now and there are days where I feel a zombie. lack of appetite, tired through out the day, aggressive, and utterly confused. on the other hand it has been quite impressive where I barely feel emotions and this may sound wrong but when I am in any debate or argument I almost don't give an iota of what the next person may say or do. I wish to get of these meds as soon as possible.
Inactive
23 Oct 2012
Hello krissyj143. I suggest you take the Prozac at night, before retireing. This side effect (fatigue) will ease up once you have been on the drug a bit longer. Regards pledge
Inactive
23 Oct 2012
Good morning Pledge. How about a cuppa about now? :o) (I have sweet rolls too)
Inactive
23 Oct 2012
Sounds like a plan. Have a great afternoon Mary.
Delila
23 Oct 2012
Hi, when starting antidepressants, it will take up to 4 weeks/a month for any side effects to dissipate and for the medication to be working at its best. It is a time thing. Unfortunately there is little you can do during this adjustment phase. If it is affecting you really badly you should contact your doctor for advise. It will improve with time.
endlessPred
23 Oct 2012
Are you taking it before you go to bed? In the morning is a tired day. Side effects go away slowly, but you ought to be better after a couple weeks or so and much better than now. I used a lot of coffee. Otherwise, call your doctor for suggestions.
By the way, depression may well be the reason for sleep more than the medication. Hang in there, be sure you follow up with doctor and work with a therapist. It is the real way out of this malaise.
tazc23
23 Oct 2012
I actually advise you take the prozac at night and the wellbutrin in the morning. The prozac will help you sleep better while the wellbutrin will wake you up. I usually wake up about 6 am every morning to take my wellbutrin. I also take trazadone for sleep but it leaves me tired during the day so i only take it occasionally if I really have issues sleeping. Also, I take vitamins and increased the amount of B12 in my system... this could also improve your mood.
Treating depression is complicated and their is no cure all for everyone. As the other lady said, continue to see your doctors, it is extremely important. Especially if you are having these types of side effects. You may need to make more adjusments to the medication. This is also a war with your emotions and mental state. No drug can change how you think, it only alleviates some physical symptoms. You must continue therapy to find the center of the confusion so you can fully heal.
It took my doctors three years to find a medication combination that worked but I am so grateful we finally figured it out.For the sake of your children and yourself, please don't ever give up hope... happiness is out there.
58andsucky
7 March 2014
Thank you!
I have been very tired taking the prozac tried it all night but it kept me awake! LOL!
I just started a new job and its been tough but I have been depressed since I was laid off in 2012 and lost my home as welll!
My Dr had to try zoloft ick I was too dizzy, and a mood stabilizer, it just made me irritable and angry!!
It makes sense why I am so tired I take 20 mgs in the am and the medicine is helping its not even been a week yet. Why I am so tired is the fact that it is making me feel more calm like making my brain cells connected instead of being fried and burnt! Having a chemical inbalance is a real thing and scary!
I am tired because everything that I have been fighting like my feeling of total despair and lonelness the sense of total sickness in my gut that frozen feeling when someone says its of just take a walk and u will feel better. Thats not it when u are depressed u feel stuck like u cant move no motivation or interest. Just sleeping and then excited to sleep more.
So being tired is ok but when I feel like closing my eyes in the commute to work or at my desk it sucks!! So yes coffee for me and move stand stretch!!
dapperdog
13 July 2017
Lexapro is known to work faster as doesn't seem to affect sleep, at least for me. I also take lamictal. The only thing I hate is the heat intolerance.
tazc23
23 Oct 2012
I have never taken prozac but I was prescribed Wellbutrin for chronic fatigue syndrome, a common effect associated with the depression. My entire body ached and I hated to even get out of bed and i had an elderly grandmother to take care of. I can tell you the wellbutrin changed my life. I take 300 mg a day. I also take cymbalta to relieve the pain. Give it a shot... i feel it is one of the better anti- depressants for chronic fatigue.
Related topics
prozac, depression, side effect, sleep, fatigue
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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