Prozac for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Ove...
• August 7, 2015

"I can honestly say that Prozac works for me. This medication takes some time to kick in to full effect and many people stop taking after they feel nothing the first week or so. That is a big mistake. If you wait the full 6 weeks, you will see such a difference that it will amaze you. The way it builds in the system and its afterlife is why it takes a while to get to optimal serum levels in the bloodstream. I have battled severe depression and suicidal ideation for over 25 years now. This medication Prozac 40 mg, along with Abilify 10 mg, have solved most of those issues. I also take Ativan 2 mg as needed for severe anxiety. Talk to someone if you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or just do not know what the point of life is."

• Jac...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 21, 2019

"My side effects of Prozac are 1. All-night dreams. At my age, 72, I wake up at least four times to go to the toilet, every time I wake up with a dream. 2. During the first years of using the drug, the quick throw after intercourse was solved but not anymore after 65 years old. 3. Diminishing of appetite to having sex, once every 3-4 weeks. 4. Flu and colds are very little. Otherwise, it is the happiness pill which I cannot stop after 32 years of using it."

• Lko...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2019

"This has been the most effective antidepressant I've used. Have taken Lexapro for 2 years but going back to Prozac as Lexapro didn't do a whole lot. 20 mg is the best dose in general with Prozac, even though some people take more (with more side effects). I personally would never go above 30 mg, trust me on that one. Also, because it has a super long half-life it is easier to stop taking it."

• Gga...
• December 16, 2018

"I've been taking Prozac for three months. Initially, I felt better, my family and partner agreed that this is the best medicine for me, and that I was doing great. I felt hopeful but not certain. I have now changed to a new antidepressant as I had side effects: very sore eyes, muscle pains, shaking hands, no interest nor motivation to do anything I usually would. I even had anxiety seeing my closest friends, and I would lay in bed all day up to 6 pm. I stopped cleaning, cooking, and taking care of myself and didn't want to eat. The only time I would force myself to get up is to go to work as I did not want to lose my job. Has anyone else had this experience? I truly feel worried that my mood is down a lot and that my motivation is gone, especially not feeling like moving out of bed. If anyone has any tips for me, I honestly would appreciate it because I want to push forward in my life. I'm only 26 and would like to get far in life. Thank you in advance."

• gre...
• October 30, 2011

"Prescribed Prozac 20 mg in 1988. In three days, I felt much better. Tried several times to reduce dosage, but could not stay with lower dosage. I have been on 20 mg ever since. It gave me back my life. In 1955, I was hospitalized and given electroshock treatments for a month. Then the depression returned in 1982 (same year of menopause). My psychiatrist prescribed Elavil, then Palimor, and then Prozac. I am now 81 and take the same dosage. Still enjoying husband of 63 years, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Thank God he sent Prozac."

• Ak3...
• February 14, 2018

"I’m a 45-year-old female. I had a very tough past. It has haunted me in the present, preventing me from being a whole person. Although I had made peace with myself on some levels, my head would spin, go to dark places, feelings of self-loathing, inadequacies would take over. I am premenopausal now as well, which in itself is a struggle. I started the meds almost 8 weeks ago. I was at 10mg for 4 weeks, very slight side effects, mostly foggy. I felt it was “scratching the surface” in terms of helping. I was increased to 20 and it is doing the job just fine. My concerns were weight gain and sexual dysfunction, of which I have neither. If I have put on a couple of pounds, it’s worth it for the clarity in my head. I am very pleased. My only regret is not starting it sooner. Good luck, I hope this helps."

• cam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 14, 2017

"Some useful advice. TIMELINE: Started 5mg, felt slightly high, just a little more positive. Took 5mg for 9 days, then had a major crash that lasted about 5 days, plus 2 days to level out. Valium is very handy, just hang in there, it will pass & get better. Day 13/14 started feeling much better, now on 10mg, @day 16 really good now. Initial day 9 crash as autoreceptors sense too much serotonin and move to regulate levels, so they drop, making you feel like the world is coming to an end. Once they desensitize, things improve. Tips: stay calm, relax, talk to people, take Valium, sleep, eat carbs, distract your thoughts, walk if up to it. Do not read reviews, will do your head in - too many depressed people + reviews = many negative, useless reviews :-)"

• Lor...
• November 14, 2014

"In 1995, I was miserable for no particular reason and was diagnosed with depression and prescribed Prozac. Great life, depression in check. In 2013, I weaned myself off it because I didn't think I needed it anymore. As luck would have it, I hit a period of challenging events in life that the brain interpreted as trauma. To cope, I began drinking a little, which evolved into daily. I concluded that I had gone off Prozac, decreased self-control, and created a personal crisis. I'm back on Prozac, and my moods have leveled off, and I so far have the ability to abstain. I won't go off it again."

• chl...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 11, 2013

"I started taking Prozac 20mg a day for nearly 6 years! I stopped taking them 7 months ago as I thought I didn't need them anymore. Since I've stopped taking them, I've become really agoraphobic, really depressed, can't stop crying, I've just shut myself away. I'm thinking of starting Prozac again."

• pil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 23, 2019

"Prozac is one of the better antidepressant pills I've taken. There are better pills out there that treat depression, Effexor is one. But Prozac affects everyone differently, and for the most part, it's been positive. I have suffered from depression my whole life, and I can tell you to at least give Prozac a chance. I am currently in Germany, and it's helped me a lot."

• Ziz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2013

"I am a 25-year-old PhD student. I have been taking Prozac for 5 weeks now. It started affecting me on the 3rd week. I felt so much more active, and I had hope for living. I am working more efficiently, and my sleep schedule is perfect. I am gaining some weight, which means I should also start exercising. I still have vivid dreams and wake up several times during the night, but I don't mind it because my life has changed so much, and I feel so happy after years of depression."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 15, 2015

"Most of my life I have struggled with severe panic attacks, general anxiety, PTSD & moderate depression. Been on meds twice before until I felt better & then I would stop taking them. This last time it had been close to a year that I had been suffering again before I decided to reluctantly go back on meds. I tried Celexa again- it worked kinda okay in the past but this time it made no improvement for me. Saw the doc who switched me to Prozac- all I can say is WOW! Best yet- I feel like my old, happy self after only 1 month! 10mg the first week, 15 the second and 20mg the last two. Give it time to work & be patient- it might make you feel a bit off & not better at first, but it is a miracle drug. These bad feelings will pass hang in there!"

• Anonymous
• April 12, 2009

"I took Prozac for several years to treat my depression, and it was awesome. It had few side effects but gave me my life back. I went from not leaving my bed to actually being a productive member of society again. I did lose a good deal of weight while I was on it, but that eventually balanced out. I took it until it got to the point where it stopped working for me, and I've never found anything that has worked as well. Hopefully, I will be able to take it and have it work for me again one day."

• Sox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 4, 2018

"It literally saved my life. I have been on antidepressants and mood stabilizers for about 25 years now. Up until about 8 years ago, I was on sertraline and Depakote plus other mood stabilizers... nothing worked. I was horribly depressed, suicidal, and had gained so much weight. Then I had a breakdown. I was rushed to a doctor's out of town and changed my meds. I was put on Prozac. I have been on it for about 8 years. You have to stick with it. If you stop it for whatever reason or miss more than a couple days' doses, then you will start feeling bad. It does help. I probably would not be here today if it was not for my doc and Prozac. Just give it time and stick to it. Do not give up. You have to give it time to kick in. A couple of days of side effects is not a reason to quit. Good luck."

• Kru...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 13, 2014

"At first, when I began taking Prozac, I had a lot more episodes. I just cried in my bedroom for hours. I can't even describe the emotions, if I could even call them that, going through me. It was like a dark part of me took over, and it wanted nothing but an end. I don't even know to what. Everything was way worse, multiple suicidal thoughts per a single day were not uncommon. Gradually, I started feeling better, there was no sudden happiness or peace, but I felt normal. Now, I just don't know what's going on with me. Stress and everything is piling up on me, once again. Eating is a chore. I feel like I'm on the brink of falling apart, on the thin line between sanity and insanity. I don't want life or death. I want to not exist. I'm just confused."

• vin...
• February 9, 2014

"It's always a test of one person. Everyone will have antidepressants that work best for them. I tried Lexapro and Wellbutrin. I hated Wellbutrin. Prozac gave me ZERO side effects. No sexual frustration, no irritability, and no insomnia. I'm on my 6th month and just got bumped from 20mg to 40mg because of seasonal depression and feel a HUGE deal better. I've lost 10 lbs in 3 weeks because my appetite and drinking are also under control. I've also heard Prozac is associated with weight loss. If something isn't working for you, give it a try."

• Ana...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 20, 2016

"At first, it made me feel really sick constantly and have stomach aches, but after 2 weeks, it started to help me cope with my anxiety and depression way better. I wanna make it clear, I wasn't looking for a cure when I started taking Prozac, but just a way to better manage my feelings because I don't think I will ever be cured since I've been chronically depressed my whole life. And it does really help me manage way better. I still have depressive episodes though, but I don't break down crying easily or feel anxious all the time, and I stopped dissociating."

• SAV...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 26, 2015

"Living all my life and only knowing highs and lows of depression, I've taken many pills. Sure they worked at first but then the depression came back, Prozac is quite a ride from when you first take it, there are so many changes. I'm at 40mg, 6 months later I have diarrhea and have lost a lot of weight. I hope I'm not dying. I was a complete idiot and delusional the last 45 years, this pill made me feel like I'm supposed to feel, it doesn't feel fake. Yes, I did experience memory loss, fatigue, have to look back and live with my mistakes before Prozac, Prozac made everything clear, I feel sharper as well, it actually cured my depression. Just made sure to follow instructions as you increase dosage."

• LWH...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 5, 2020

"I've taken this medication Prozac for about 7 months. I had a little nausea, weight gain, sleeping more, and felt like less energy, but for once I was content and happy. I dealt with the loss of a child and the father of my kids at 22. I never sought out help or treatment until last year. I finally drew a line with my depression and anger. Felt like a crappy parent. This medication has had its side effects. My biggest notice was my sexual desire was 100% no longer. I had tried dating but had no desire to talk, touch, or be intimate. When I was having sex, it was somewhat uncomfortable and had a hard time with lubrication. I also found it hard to climax. I read up and this is a side effect with fluoxetine. I didn't care though. For once I was happy and enjoyed my life. It is not for everyone."

• Xel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 13, 2016

"I have been on several different SSRIs before and haven't seen much improvement. So far, this seems to be the only antidepressant that's worked for me and hasn't given me too many side effects. I was on Luvox, which wasn't helping at all for any of the multiple conditions it was prescribed to treat, and was switched to an equivalent dose of Prozac. Ever since starting it, I've had more energy and have been able to smile, laugh, and overall just feel like a normal person. For me, in combination with Seroquel, Adderall (for ADHD, but also gives what I take for depression a little boost), and Wellbutrin, this is a wonder drug. It still helps me get through every day after quite a few months on it. Couldn't say the same about other SSRIs."

• Lau...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 15, 2015

"I can honestly say that fluoxetine has improved my quality of life to a great extent. I went from feeling extremely depressed on a daily basis, to feeling very happy and content with my life. I am a lot more open and honest with people, I feel like my inhibitions and anxieties (about some things) have been lifted. I am a lot more talkative and chatty, and for some reason enjoy trashy TV more (which I'm not sure is a good thing)! I have had several tattoos since beginning taking this drug (I had none before). I did carefully consider them though. The only negative effects to note were that at the start of the treatment I did have insomnia for a while and very intense nightmares."

• Emm...
• May 1, 2016

"I have had depression and anxiety for several years, and have been on many antidepressants and none have been as effective as Prozac has been for me. I was previously on Celexa, and although it did help my depression, it also made me gain a lot of weight. Since being on Prozac, though, my appetite has gone down tremendously, and I feel amazing. I have never been this happy even before depression hit me."

• eth...
• April 28, 2015

"I have suffered from severe depression and anxiety for 9 years now. I also suffer from PTSD. I have tried almost everything out there, and Prozac is the only antidepressant that I can take and that works for me. I am very sensitive to medication, and I'm glad I have found at least one medication that helps my severe depression. It helps motivate me and keeps me alive. I have been on 10 mg for a long time, and then recently went to 20 mg. I think I need to increase my dosage even more so. But it has been the only reliable medication I have ever taken, and for the longest duration."

• mar...
• March 4, 2013

"I started taking Prozac two years ago, and I thought it wasn't doing anything for me. So I quit cold turkey (which I do not advise because you could become very suicidal) and I did not take it for 6 months. Just about a week ago, I started taking it again, and I have to say I feel so much better. I realized Prozac was working for me because I wasn't having intense feelings anymore when small things upset me. I was able to cope with them more. And now, when I look back on when I was taking it years prior to my cut-off, I remembered I did better than when I wasn't taking it. I'm really pleased with this medication, and I'm glad I take it. Yes, I still get upset, but I do not go from being a 1 to a 10. Remember, it's not a magic pill. It is only to help."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2012

"What a life saver! And I mean that in the very literal sense. I've now been taking 20mg of Prozac for about 18 days. The first week was hell. I couldn't sleep, I felt more depressed, anxious, and panicky than before. Nauseous and disorientated. But I stuck with it. Only now that I'm starting to feel better do I start to realize how incredibly unwell and out of control I've been for so long. I'm now starting to feel like I have my brain back and am in possession of rational thoughts again!"