Prozac for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• eth...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 24, 2015

"I have been dealing with Major Depressive Disorder for 9 years of my life, along with PTSD and severe anxiety. I have been on so many different medications for depression and have found that Prozac is the only antidepressant that works for me. I have been as low as 10 mg, now currently on 20 mg. I am considering going to 30 mg. I have to see how I feel in the next number of days. I have been on this medication steadily for 6 months or so. I do have face twitches, but they are very minor and don't come very often. It really does help me get out into the world and not be so affected by things emotionally. It's crucial to my well-being and emotional state and has prevented me from hurting myself for a long time."

• Inv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 5, 2016

"I went on Prozac several months ago after having been severely depressed for over a year straight (with a few days here and there of hypomania). It's made a huge difference! I'm only on 20 milligrams, but I am a lot less depressed and more productive than I was. The only downside is that I am still having some bad mood swings, but overall it has helped my depression a lot."

• Pen...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 27, 2020

"I have been taking Prozac now for 4 years. I started out on 20 mg. After a few months, the doctor upped it to 40 mg. A few days ago, the Prozac was upped to 60 mg. Since being on the 60 mg, I have been feeling slightly nauseated. I'm hoping it will subside soon. Not sure why I never had difficulties on the 40 or 20 mg. Did I gain weight? Yes, but it was pretty much my fault as I ate all the wrong foods and never moved around much. I changed to whole foods, ditched the sugars and carbs, and have lost 40 pounds from July until now. I see people say don't take Prozac. My thoughts are that their experiences are not my experiences. Before the Prozac and Sertraline, I had very bad mood swings and lashed out at people. I also have major depression as well as PTSD. The Prozac has been keeping me from lashing out at others. I would much rather keep myself calmer than to attack others."

• eis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 19, 2020

"While it did help my depression, it made me gain 30 lbs and made me a walking zombie. I was unable to feel emotion, just a numb feeling. My husband commented after I stopped taking it how much easier it was to talk to me. He said while I was on it I would look at him with a blank stare while he was talking and not really reply or just ignore him altogether. I was in my own little world on this stuff. Libido suffered immensely as well."

• Par...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 29, 2024

"I’m on 30 mg Prozac for severe anxiety and panic attacks, for PTSD and for MDD. This medication helps with almost all of my mental health symptoms and does a really good job of addressing my anxiety and panic attacks as well as PTSD flashbacks from sexual assault. It does make me feel a little tired and gave me some constipation at the start, but the benefits outweigh the side effects. I recommend."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 4, 2020

"Prozac is the best antidepressant I’ve been on. It worked really well for 6 months, and then it started to stop working (I wasn’t very consistent in taking my pills). I had very little side effects. The first month of being on it is very nice. It lets you feel happiness after not being able to. I’ve been off it since August and have not felt the need to start any meds again until recently. Prozac helped me be able to gain that sort of control. It’s okay to depend on medications for a while or for a lifetime, whatever works for you."

• MDA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

"I am a male in my early 20s. I suffer from major depression, anxiety, and occasional panic. I started Prozac 20 mg and am now in my 5th week of treatment. The first 2 weeks, I felt no relief and suffered from side effects such as fatigue, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns. At the beginning of the 3rd week, I began to feel a noticeable difference. My thoughts became less negative, I just felt less depressed/anxious than usual, and the side effects have almost gone away. Then, into my 3rd/4th week, I began to feel better and better each day. It seems much more gradual than other antidepressants. Now, into my 5th week, I do feel MUCH better. However, it is still early for me, and I have had one setback caused by excessive alcohol/marijuana use. Overall, stick with it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 23, 2017

"I've tried many different antidepressants over the years and never found one that worked for me. After each pregnancy, my mood got worse. I couldn't get out of bed and get anything done. I never wanted to do anything outside the house. I also would yell all the time due to irritability. Prozac has made me calmer. I don't jump right to yelling because someone was 'annoying me.' When you first start it, for about 3 weeks, you feel weird. Spacey, clumsy, and I couldn't sleep. I lost weight right away because I wasn't eating to fill a void. Don't stop because you feel loopy in the beginning! It has changed my life. My husband and I are getting along better! One negative is I twitch. My legs, arms, and hips will twitch when I stop moving. I take 60mg. Helps me before my period."

• Ros...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2019

"I have been on this medication since I was 13 years old. It has worked great, although the side effects after being on fluoxetine for so long are not so good. They are terrible, vivid, violent nightmares and heart palpitations. I can deal with the side effects because this medicine helps me function. I am currently at 40 mg."

• Awf...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 29, 2020

"My experience with Prozac, other people will have different experiences. At the start, you feel great, then after a month or so onwards, no improvement. It's only a mood stabilizer to stop 'bad thoughts,' no low moments, no high moments. Just walking through life like a zombie. Doubled my dose, and for a week, I felt productive, then my tolerance caught up. Quitting was the best decision I made. I feel happier, and my 'brain fog' is clearing. It's good for anxiety, though, as it numbs you completely. :D"

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

"I have been on Prozac (fluoxetine) since 2000. I started with 20 mg, then 40 mg, and now 60 mg. I am also taking Navalpro 300 mg, twice a day. Prozac is the only medication that has made me function as a 'normal' person after being correctly diagnosed as having major depression. When I first desperately looked for help, my anxiety was unbearable. Prozac killed two birds with one stone-depression and anxiety. I had a rollercoaster journey, being prescribed other antidepressants together with Prozac. I have come to accept that the benefits outweigh the side effects. However, weight gain I have not accepted and am trying my best to watch calories and move around more often."

• Bec...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 30, 2019

"I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder 2 months ago and have been taking Prozac ever since. I haven’t felt any different whatsoever, I still cannot find the motivation to get out of bed or even leave my house. It’s different for everyone, I suppose, but it hasn’t worked for me at all."

• Mad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 11, 2017

"I am twenty-six years old and have suffered from significant depression since I was a child. For years, I just dealt with it, always going from one crisis to another. I've had a handful of suicide attempts starting from my early teens to young adult years. I would especially have trouble during the two weeks leading up to my period. Crying episodes and just an overall feeling of depression. I was put on Prozac about three years ago, and it has made a world of difference. I'm happy again and able to function to my best ability, I'm focused and driven. Sometimes I forget to take it, and the depression comes back. But as long as I'm taking my daily dose as prescribed, I'm great!"

• Ros...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2023

"I have anxious depression, this came on suddenly earlier this year following a surgery. No one was sure why it hit me so badly. I was having very intense intrusive thoughts and feeling so low and hopeless. The first week, I took 10 mg and had mild nausea and a bad tummy. I then went up to 20 mg, and the nausea increased a lot, and I became very agitated and restless. My thoughts became worse for 3-4 days, and I didn’t feel safe to be on my own. I decided to power through, knowing that I needed to keep trying to feel better for my family. I am now on my 3rd week of taking the Prozac. I’m not better, but the side effects are easing off, and my thoughts have been a lot clearer the last 2-3 days. Yesterday, I even felt quite happy! I’m not sure what the future holds, and I can come back and report more, but for now, I’m pleased I’ve stuck on them and am hopeful they are already starting to help me."

• Kie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2024

"I got on Prozac after trying Lexapro. Prozac does wonders for my depression! I was no longer tired during the day, I was sleeping well at night. But I had one major side effect that completely put a wrench in my day-to-day life. I had the worst vertigo you can imagine! It was constant, all day and night, I couldn't move my head to look at someone without feeling like the world and my vision was spinning. I told my doctor, and she said it couldn't be Prozac giving me vertigo. I stood my ground with her and demanded to be taken off of it. After weaning off, I no longer felt that vertigo. Of course, my depressive symptoms all started to return. I would recommend Prozac if you're looking for something that keeps you mentally active during the day and uplifted. But be warned! Vertigo might not be a symptom for everyone, but it sure was for me. So don't let anyone tell you otherwise if you're feeling a side effect."

• Thu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

"27-year-old male. Had anxiety and depression since 12. The anxiety became more prevalent in my 20s. Things came to a head as stressors in my life did too. Doctors put me on 20 mg Prozac, and I swore that an hour later I felt sweats, light sensitivity, and so disoriented. Things got worse from there. Then I wouldn’t take it and feel great, like myself again, and then the doctors started telling me I’m bipolar. I had to trust my gut as I felt the Prozac was the variable taking my anxiety to the next level and making me feel like I was absolutely losing my mind. I stopped taking it and haven’t looked back. I have been feeling so much more like myself on no meds and talking to therapists. This drug did the opposite to what it was supposed to do to my psyche, and I’m so happy I didn’t allow them to put me on all the other meds they wanted to once they started calling me bipolar. This was my experience with this drug, and I’m an individual, so take everything with a grain of salt."

• ora...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2015

"I have been on Prozac since December 2014, and it has done quite a bit of good for me. I started taking it as an add-on to Wellbutrin SR to help with my increasing anxiety and extreme irritability. It made me very lethargic for the first couple of weeks, but that went away, and it has since been helping me manage my anger and anxiety. I now also take separate anti-anxiety medication, and I have found that the two work together very well. It is the only SSRI I have ever tried, and I know I got very lucky with this."

• ver...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 26, 2023

"After being on Prozac 20 mg for nine months, I have to share how amazing my experience has been. Along with therapy, it has changed my life for the better. Decreased anxiety, incredibly lighter mood and more stable emotions, restored motivation and reward from daily/social life, and, most importantly, dark thoughts are almost entirely gone. Female here, no impact on sex drive or function, significantly more manageable mood swings/tearfulness during PMS. I have to say that I was terrified of side effects at first, and it took me months to take the leap and start Prozac... my anxiety was a lot worse the first month, but I stuck it out because I knew living with untreated depression just wasn't an option, and I'm so glad I stayed on the medication... anxiety went back to baseline and then improved tremendously, and I've truly healed from the depression more than I ever could have imagined. It may take a few trials with different medications or treatments, but healing is possible!!"

• Sta...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2018

"Currently on Lovan/Prozac 40 mg per day, after trying Effexor, Cymbalta, then Zoloft. Took 20 mg per day for about 1 month, and as I had few side effects but felt it wasn't really helping with my depression, my dose was increased to 40 mg per day. Now I don't know what I'm feeling. I'm unbelievably unmotivated, I don't want to leave the house. In fact, I don't really want to do anything except sleep. I'm not crying all the time like I was, but I don't seem to be able to, so I'm not sure that's such a positive. I feel kind of numb, I guess. Not sure it's the right antidepressant for me... after trying several without any real relief, I'm not sure what is and would just like a break from the depression. I've dealt with it for so long, and I need some motivation to actually live life... back to the drawing board, I guess."

• afa...
• January 18, 2016

"I had a horrible experience with Prozac. I was actually very excited when my doctor decided it would be the next antidepressant medication I tried because it gets so much good publicity. Hell, there's even a memoir called 'Prozac Nation.' Upon beginning my daily regimen of Prozac, I had increased anxiety (to the point that I was having uncontrollable heart palpitations, dizzy spells, trouble breathing -- I couldn't eat, and got down to 100 lbs on accident) and my suicidal ideation increased to the point that I made a very serious suicide attempt. Thanks to quick intervention, speedy response from paramedics, and a life flight, I am alive today. Be careful, and be aware of side effects."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2017

"My doctor switched me from Cymbalta to Prozac after the Cymbalta didn't seem to be working for me any longer. I started out taking 10 mg per day, now I am taking 20 mg per day. I had been taking the Prozac at night before going to bed but noticed I was having a lot more trouble getting to sleep. After reading the dosing information, I realized that I needed to be taking this medication in the morning. So I will start that in the morning by holding off my dose tonight. For the time that I've been taking this medication, I have not had depressive episodes that I was unable to handle, and taking the depression test, it was not as high as it had been in the past. So for now, I will continue this med but just change to taking it in the morn."

• Jun...
• May 27, 2020

"I went on Prozac to treat depression, anxiety, and bulimia. It was the worst medication I’ve ever taken. I ended up in the psych ward after the mental breakdown this medication led me to. Other than the awful SSRI-induced mania and mood swings, I also suffered terrible side effects. Even after stopping this medication, the insomnia persisted for months. I don’t recommend."

• Fra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 22, 2019

"I've been on Prozac medication for going on a week for anxiety and depression. So far, the side effects are really kicking me. I’ve been going through nightmares these past couple of days, but like all meds, I know you have to experiment with yourself and go through it for a bit to finally understand. I used to take Effexor for depression, and it was the same the first few weeks until I finally felt some benefits. After a year break from meds, I decided to get back on meds since my depression was coming back. But this time, my doctor recommended Prozac. Due to experience, I knew the first few weeks I was going to suffer until my mind and body adjusted to the meds. It’s always like this for SSRIs, and it sucks. But everybody is different with each med. I will try to push my way to at least two weeks and see if I can manage. I’ll keep updating to see if I made it, if not, then I’ll discontinue this med. Hopefully, this gives great benefits soon."

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

"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."

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

"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."