Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• EL ...
• September 16, 2020

"I was against medication, especially for my daughter that is 13 years old. She was getting worse with suicidal thoughts and depression. She has therapy, I did help her, but it wasn't enough. Finally, I listened to the psychiatrist starting with fluoxetine. She started with a very low dose, within the first week, she got better. She is getting better and better, two weeks in, and I can see a huge difference, of course, with therapy."

• Fed...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2019

Fluoxetine "I have generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. From 14-22 years old, I tried so many different medications and none of them worked, so for several years, I didn't take anything at all. Prozac is the first medication I've been on in 5 years. I started at 10 mg. For the first three weeks, I was amazed at how good I felt, not anxious at all and really no obsessive/intrusive thoughts, and then the scales started to tip. I've spent a month feeling like I'm going absolutely out of my mind, the depression and anxiety and obsessive behaviors have been ramped up times 1000%. I can't remember the last time I've been this suicidal. I went to the doctor, and she immediately took me off of it. Let's hope the withdrawal isn't too bad. I really wanted this to be the thing that worked for me."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 22, 2017

Fluoxetine "Amazing effective medication. Works like magic. Makes me relax and happier and enhanced my sexual drive. Very safe and I LOVE IT. Overall, this medication changed my life and enhanced everything and helped me function in a very short time that I stopped taking it."

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2022

Fluoxetine "I took Prozac for Major Depressive Disorder. I would definitely say I was severely depressed and had suicidal ideation. Also, some nights I could not sleep, and the nights I could sleep would only sleep a couple of hours. I went to see a psychiatrist (something I always recommend for mental disorders, I do not recommend a general practitioner), and he prescribed Prozac for depression and Seroquel for my insomnia. I’m not gonna lie, nothing changed much for about 3 1/2 weeks, but on day 24 of taking those meds, it’s as if there was a complete and total change for the good. I say all of that because you gotta hang in there, as it takes a while for meds to “kick in.” I have been on these meds for over 5 months, and I will follow my psychiatrist’s instructions. I feel great. I am thankful to God for my psychiatrist and these meds. Oh, and I take 40 mg of Prozac and 200 mg of Seroquel per day."

• Nad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2019

Fluoxetine "I tried Prozac for 5 weeks, it made me feel awful. Shaky, brain felt wired, nauseous, made it difficult to sleep, and the last 4 days on this, I was severely depressed and feeling suicidal, which is what led me to stop taking it. At that point, I felt like I was on it long enough to be getting some benefits, but I felt worse than before. I had success for many years on Paxil (paroxetine), unfortunately, it stopped working for me, and I was at the highest dose. I also suffer from anxiety. Fluoxetine actually felt like poison to my body, even though it was supposed to be okay according to my Genesight test results. Very disappointed."

• Lig...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2017

"I have had severe depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts since I was about 12. I'm 22 now and sought treatment when I was 17. I tried Zoloft, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Remeron, and even tried to self-medicate with heroin. Prozac/Fluoxetine, 20 mg a day, was a game changer for me. It came with no side effects, and a month into it, life seemed so much brighter, and I was given my life back. If it weren't for Fluoxetine, I would be dead by now. I've been taking it for 3+ years and have no plans on stopping. Please, if you suffer from depression, give Prozac/Fluoxetine a try. It has literally saved my life. Good luck to you all."

• Anonymous
• March 6, 2019

"I started taking Prozac in October 2017 after trying Wellbutrin and Vistaril. The Prozac, though, has been the first and only antidepressant to remove the “heaviness” I feel weighing me down when depressed. I took Prozac for a year at 20 mg, and when I was functioning the best I had ever done so in life, I decided to try life without it. I went 6 months with no medicine and relying only on meditation, but I found myself going back down into that dark place. I “lost it” at every agitation, got angry a lot, and had suicidal thoughts without the Prozac. Now, I’m getting back on at a 10 mg dosage. It’s been 2 days, and I already feel calmer and able to handle life again. Plus, there seem to be no weight gain or sexual side effects at 10 mg. I honestly feel like I can’t function like the “other half” do without an antidepressant. So, needless to say, I highly recommend Prozac. It adds a calm to my life I wouldn’t have otherwise, which allows me to live my best life."

• Myn...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 24, 2016

Fluoxetine "I was put on fluoxetine 40 mg daily due to a particularly bad bout of depression that left me unable to work or even get out of bed. That was over a year ago and it was a godsend. I started on 10 mg and increased to 40 within a month, close to no side effects (some stomach pain), and the relief of my depression happened within the first week. After a month and a half on it, I was feeling great and alive again! It was amazing! After 8 months on the medication, I decided to wean off. That went well, however, anxiety started building up again. I believe my condition has now changed. I was put back on fluoxetine 40 mg but felt no relief of my anxiety whatsoever and had to add Ativan to my regimen. I am now exploring other options but it was great!"

• SSR...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2023

"Taking fluoxetine and later other SSRIs had a terrible adverse effect on libido (sex drive), ability to have erections, and ability to experience orgasm. Tried other SSRIs, and they just perpetuated the issues. Eventually weaned off all of them and have had some recovery - but not fully - and have since seen many reports of long-term/permanent damage to sexual functioning and pleasure. A very high cost that’s been hidden and may create more misery than it’s intended to remedy."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2023

Fluoxetine "As far as depression and suicidal ideation goes, Prozac, along with therapy, community, and setting boundaries, have helped to change my life. I've been on just about every SSRI, SNRI, or other medication on the market (give or take a few), and I just have a different, more positive outlook on life since I started taking it. The only drawbacks are it does seem to mess with my sleep (more so in the beginning), not that I can't sleep on it, it just makes me feel like I require less of it, whereas my body knows otherwise... and it gave me some tics when I first started on it and still, every now and then (worth it), and it doesn't always work for major anxiety (however, I have panic attacks, and despite what doctors tell people because of the benzo stigma in the US, these meds are for anxiety, they are NOT for panic disorder), but if you're looking for a medication to ease your depression or suicidal ideation, this may be the one for you too."

• Cap...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2018

Fluoxetine "My dad was 'special ops' Korean War. I was training at 6 years old, I was a marksman, a black belt at 8, and by 24 years old I was a deep cover operative. SAP/SCI missions. Night terrors/PSTD episodes were 'every day/evening' most of my life. Now at 63, my kids have degrees and are 'engaged with the world'. I trained them. My son has ADHD/on Adderall, my daughter is fine. Hiding my past, I lived 2 lives. Severe increase in night terrors, rages, screaming. Lately as we have moved from Hawaii, my wife found old paper about my past, scared her ass, she grabbed $, a bag, and flew back to London. 'Dear John' text 4 days later. I am using Xanax, Zoloft, and Adderall for my 'suicidal thoughts'. My family is 'scared to death of me'. I am hollow, but looking to move on. Trying Prozac for the 1st time, hope it has the desired effect. What better test subject?"

• tay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2022

Fluoxetine "I’ve suffered from depression for a long time and was taking 20 mg generic Lexapro for years, which seemed to work and kept my mood even with no side effects. Recently, a health scare gave me a brand new illness, anxiety, panic attacks, and worsened depression. Lexapro wasn’t working anymore. I was started on 10 mg Prozac 4 days ago by my psych, to go up to 20 after a week. So far, side effects have just been some drowsiness and feeling jittery/slightly anxious after taking. I will come back in a couple of weeks with an update. The reviews here give me hope! It’s been a hard 3 months. I will also note I’m seeing a psychiatrist and doing bibliotherapy/CBT. We can do this!"

• Gra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 25, 2017

"My story is very long. But to get to the point, fluoxetine is the ONLY antidepressant that helped me. Brain injury caused my problems with anxiety and depression. I was born highly sensitive to medications. I’m VERY thankful for fluoxetine. I had some side effects in the beginning, and had to work up from 10 mg to 60 over a period of a few months. That was very difficult. But the side effects eventually did go away. I went from the deepest form of depression possible to a very satisfactory quality of life within a few years. I still struggle with issues related to a brain-injured person, but the fluoxetine was one of the tools that saved my life. And I’m very thankful for this medication."

• Lis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2021

Fluoxetine "If you are looking to completely numb yourself out, then this is the medication for you. But if you still want to feel your emotions and feel happy about things and a little sad about others, I do not suggest this. It only numbed me."

• Tie...
• October 8, 2016

Fluoxetine "I know this is a process, but it sucks. I'm now taking 40 mg of Prozac, and it literally does nothing for me. I started with Zoloft, and at least that was an appetite suppressant. Both Zoloft and Prozac just make me tired, which is the opposite of what I'm looking for. My goal is to gain energy and be able to do...anything...other than sleep."

• Ang...
• June 14, 2018

"Prozac is the medication I always come back to. Doctors want to try this one or that one, but always come back to Prozac. I am able to tell the doctor now that I will not switch medications, 30 mg. The weight gain makes me have a different kind of depression (self-loathing). I suffer from PTSD, anxiety, stress, depression, and social anxiety. I have had multiple traumas throughout my life without time to heal before the next one hits. Thank you, Rondog, for sharing, I thought I was the only one to hang onto things, not let go, and obsess over the past. Jcb2334, I also had the gene test, and that convinced the doctor to leave me on this med. Thanks for sharing. We can learn from one another, the doc can only suggest, we decide what we put in our bodies. This site was better than a month of therapy. Thanks to all. I feel better that you are all here."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 25, 2018

Fluoxetine "I started on Prozac in 1990 and went off just over a year ago. So it was a total of about 28 years. I was on 80 mg a day, but at one time they had me on 160 mg! This is a great life-saving medication. When I first started, my family called it my 'chill pill.' It made things not seem so bad, sort of like, oh no, you cut your arm off. Let's just pick it up and go to the doctor's so they can sew it back on. You have to work at finding the time of day to take it so that it works best for you. The side effects that affected me the most were the headaches. They triggered my migraines in numbers and strength. At times I would forget and/or put off taking it, and I could definitely feel myself hitting below rock bottom. The original doctor prescribed Prozac and Phentermine at the same time. He wouldn't do anything unless I went through therapy too."

• 29F...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

"I wish I asked for Prozac sooner. I've been suffering with negative emotions since I was 13, and I was just too embarrassed to discuss them. Virtual care has given me courage, as I don't have to show my face. I was started on fluoxetine 20 mg on month 1 and titrated up to 40 mg for month 2. I will be on 60 mg for the next 2 weeks, 80 for another month, and then I will go on the 80 mg once a week, Prozac. Most of my bad days have been eradicated. It didn't work the first month, but by the second month, I began feeling not sad. Be patient and trust the process. I am grateful for mental health research. Stay happy and healthy, everyone."

• Mer...
• June 21, 2017

Fluoxetine "Been on this medication for a few years now. I've tried Viibryd, Lexapro, Prozac, and Paxil, and Prozac has worked the most efficiently. It doesn't seem to me like I'll ever find an antidepressant that makes me feel like sunshine and rainbows. It just numbs the pain really. I have major depression, and while I do wonder if there are any 'happy' pills that up your mood significantly, I'm too afraid to try any other antidepressant, especially after switching to Paxil. I became very depressed on Paxil."

• gib...
• December 6, 2015

Fluoxetine "For the first time, I've been on Prozac. I talked to my provider, and we decided it was the best. This is my second week. I didn't realize I suffered from OCD intrusive thoughts. Now those are gone. I feel tired and sleepy, which is rare for me. I am taking other meds as well, so I do not know if I should attribute this to Prozac or not. So far, it seems like it was a good idea. I am monitoring my behaviors, being mindful about what I am doing, not in an OCD way, though."

• Hal...
• January 12, 2016

Fluoxetine "I started Prozac as one of my first antidepressants for MDD. It made me horribly sick. I was nauseous all day and wouldn't eat for days at a time. I stayed on it to try and get through the side effects, but they wouldn't stop. I was throwing up every other day. One day I woke up and I started to violently shake. This lasted for over 12 hours until I ended up in the hospital with tachycardia. This was a horrible experience, and months later I still have stomach and heart issues. I'm on new medications now, but because of my bad experience, I get very anxious when I take them."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2021

"I had almost given up hope in life. The only thing keeping me from completely giving up was the anxiety of knowing if I was gone, my husband would have to figure things out on his own with our baby girl. I felt numb to the world and couldn't feel any type of emotion. My marriage was falling apart because I was so irritable and distant. My job was suffering because I had such little self-esteem that I couldn't speak without stumbling over my own tongue. The first month on fluoxetine was rough. A lot of sleepless nights with anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Reverted back to some old self-harm habits. But now I am so glad that I stuck it through because I have never felt as good as I do now, not even as a kid. Looking back, I'm mad at myself for living life up till now as a zombie, not knowing that the solution was a simple pill. My marriage is the best it's ever been, my boss has noticed my performance improving, and I have so much energy I feel like I can accomplish anything."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

Fluoxetine "I've been on this fluoxetine for 5 months. I don't think it did a lot for my depression, but it definitely gave me more energy and improved my concentration. I am taking 40 mg fluoxetine along with 150 mg Efexor."

• Int...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 17, 2015

Fluoxetine "I lost my sexuality from the first pill, overnight it went from 100% to 0%. Was told it was a common side effect, so I continued using Prozac (called Fontex here in Norway). After a while I didn't want those side effects, so I stopped using. But my loss of libido and ED continued. Now 3-4 years later my problems are still the same, doctors refuse to believe me, but I'm certain I had very high sex drive before my first Prozac/Fontex pill. Now I can't keep my erection more than 5 seconds, and my penis often feels numb. This pill should have been illegal. (Sorry for my poor English)"

• Pro...
• June 19, 2017

Fluoxetine "I have struggled with anxiety and depression for about 25 years. After almost dying from meningitis in 1993, post-traumatic stress disorder became an issue as well. My general physician recently diagnosed me with major depressive disorder as well. She is an amazing doctor who took extra schooling for psychology and pain management. She suggested I try Prozac. I had heard so many bad and controversial things about Prozac, but decided to ignore the naysayers and try it. I've been on it about 2 weeks. Not noticing too much yet, but I am going to hang in there as I know it can take 6 to 8 weeks for full benefits. I realize I can't expect something to work right when I want it to work. It takes time. Giving it a chance. Will update."