Prozac and Loss Of Appetite: What Users Say (Page 3)

• bug...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 6, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Prozac in April of 2016 for anxiety and depression. It took about a month to actually start working. I feel better going into public and don't freak out and go into the bathroom. I'm still depressed, but it's improved so much. It gave me side effects like loss of appetite. I lost 10 pounds my first month taking it, and I was always tired but had trouble falling asleep. Another negative is if I miss it a day, I have painful headaches and lash out on everyone and treat them terribly."

• Bos...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 8, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I suffer (suffered) from pain disorder, which turned into depression soon after since I was 16. Now 35. I was given many SSRIs back then. Name it, and I'm sure I tried it. I always made the common mistake of not giving it ample time to work. I was Rx'd Prozac last year, and this time I held it down. It works very, very well! Panic attacks are pretty much gone! Outlook on life is better. I'm on 40 mg now daily. Side effects when I first started were tolerable: upset stomach, no appetite, and it cut into my sleep a bit. These went away in about a week. You must give it about 3 to 4 weeks for noticeable effects. Well worth it."

• lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2017

For Depression "I used Prozac in the past for 3-9 months twice and had no side effects apart from some headaches for a few weeks. Now I have been on it again for 3 weeks and this time I am suffering SEVERE side effects. Physical ones include heavy fogginess/head pressure, sleeplessness, muscle tension, blurred vision, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Mentally, I have also worsened. Anxiety is really high, especially in the mornings, feelings of hopelessness, an inability to cope with life, suicidal thoughts (that I never really had before), inability to focus/read, and feel motivated. Now at 3 weeks, I have some moments in the afternoon of feeling calmer, but it is rather unpleasant numbness. I hope it improves going forward, but it has been very tough."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have taken Prozac 20 and 40 mg quite a few years ago with a really positive outcome, but at a point, it stopped working, so I went to Wellbutrin. Recently, I started to get panic again, and my doctor thought adding Prozac into my daily regimen would help because it worked so well in the past. The side effects were so difficult for 3 weeks: crying, unable to eat, anxiety every minute, lost about 10 pounds, which was a good side effect :). But they did subside. It seemed to be working, but now some days I am having anxiety again and tremors daily. Unfortunately, it isn't working this time around, and I will be switching off it, but I would definitely recommend it for people since it did once work wonderfully for my panic and GAD."

• Val...
• February 20, 2019

For Depression "Prozac levels have to build up in your body, so real effects don't show up for over 4 weeks. Of course, that doesn't mean it will agree with every body. The only relatively fast effect I had with this med was improvement in my ability to fall asleep, and the quality of the sleep I got also improved within 2 weeks. Early side effects were appetite loss, a slight increase in breakouts (face), excessive yawning, desire for alcohol decreased but increased interest in recreational marijuana, stomach upset, and headaches. Sounds like a lot, but every med has its acclimation period. This one is just particularly long. After about 2 months, it helped me recognize and face my depression, and manage my anxiety really well. But latent side effects for me were increased appetite, decreased libido, worsening brain fog, and stomach upset. Prozac did what it was supposed to do, and I would try it again, but for now, I'm testing the waters with other meds to lessen SEs."

• Mal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 20, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Diagnosed with major depression and anxiety. Been on Prozac for all of 6 days, and it's already changed me in a lot of ways. Some good, some bad, pretty jarring altogether. Morning after 1st use, had severely suicidal thoughts. Instant loss of appetite and libido. Been an overeater most of my life. However, today was the first day in 6 days that I put food in my mouth. Zero libido all of a sudden, which I thought was great at first. Want to stick with it but really afraid about my libido."

• a...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I wouldn't give Prozac anything greater than a 1. Mainly for the fact that I have been on this now for 1 month, 20 mg daily; increased my terrible moods followed by anxiety attacks. I have become an insomniac, my pulse has increased terribly, and my appetite is zero. Without the backup 'Xanax,' I would still be at square 1. I occasionally drink to get drunk, but have been recently informed that this drug mixed with alcohol has a severe risk of suicide. I was not depressed before I was referred to this medicine, but now I feel that it is becoming worse. Am I misdiagnosed?"

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I am currently on my second week of Prozac/Fluoxetine, and honestly, I can already start seeing the changes. The first 4 or 5 days were very emotionally draining, I had heightened anxiety and trouble staying asleep, along with the common side effects such as headaches, nausea, and lack of appetite. But now I feel like my body is getting used to it. The headaches are slowly disappearing, the nausea is subsiding, and the heightened anxiety isn’t such a problem anymore, and I can successfully say I haven’t had a panic attack since I started taking it. It’s hard in the beginning to stick to, trust me, I thought of quitting many times! But it’s worth powering through!"

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve always struggled with social anxiety, some generalized anxiety, and mild to moderate depression. Earlier this year, due to personal circumstances, my mental health took a nosedive. I have always been resistant to taking antidepressants, but I decided to try 10 mg of fluoxetine (I’m sensitive to medication, so I didn’t want to try more than that). I can honestly say most of my anxiety and depression have disappeared, my interest in my hobbies has come back, and my work life and relationship have significantly improved as well. The only negative side effect really is that my sex drive is pretty low, and it does occasionally cause loss of appetite for me. Overall, I’m very thankful for this medication and give it 9/10."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I struggle with severe anxiety and panic attacks, as well as depression. I was on Zoloft (sertraline) for about two years and found myself feeling pretty good, so I decided to stop taking it. After starting university, however, I found that my anxiety was getting to an unbearable state, and so I went to my doctor, and she prescribed me Prozac. At first, I had very, very adverse side effects. I had tremors and super bad anxiety. After a while, I noticed less frequency in my panic attacks, but unfortunately, my mood was absolutely brutal. I was constantly depressed, couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, thought really dark thoughts very often, felt agitated and irritated constantly. I literally felt like I wanted to die, like I literally had no choice because the pain was so unbearable. I am now off the medication, and I feel as though a bag of bricks has been lifted from my shoulders. I wouldn’t recommend this medication if you are prone to depressive thoughts or if you are young like me (I’m 19)."

• Ins...
• April 13, 2011

For Depression "I am a 38-year-old female with terrible insomnia for 6 years. I finally sought help to figure out what was causing it, since none of the medicines were working for me any longer. I was diagnosed with depression and prescribed 10 mg of Prozac. It has been of amazing help to me. I now take 20 mg, which is perfect. I have suffered no side effects and am VERY sensitive to medicines. The only thing I noticed was a very slight decrease in appetite. Prior to taking Prozac, I felt like I was in a fog, I had no desire to do anything, and that is hard with 2 young kids. I have decided to embrace the fact that I suffer from depression. I was also prescribed 25 mg of Seroquel for my insomnia. Life is better for me, thanks to Prozac. Insomnia is still a work in progress."

• Eno...
• September 26, 2015

For Depression "Horrible experience with Prozac! Started taking it on a Thursday, and by Saturday had a buzzing in my ears, a full feeling in my head, and couldn't sleep. On Sunday, I completely lost my appetite and became very jittery. I was barely able to work on Monday and called off Tuesday because of generalized anxiety, not sleeping or eating. I ended up taking three total days off of work due to side effects. I literally had to force myself to eat a single slice of toast for breakfast... and barely got it down! I finally went off of it on Wednesday and went back on Paxil. By Friday, I am feeling like my old self again. Plus, I had startling dreams. I won't ever take this drug again!"

• Eno...
• September 26, 2015

For Depression "Horrible experience with Prozac! Started taking it on a Thursday, and by Saturday had a buzzing in my ears, a full feeling in my head, and couldn't sleep. On Sunday, I completely lost my appetite and became very jittery. I was barely able to work on Monday and called off Tuesday because of generalized anxiety, not sleeping or eating. I ended up taking three total days off of work due to side effects. I literally had to force myself to eat a single slice of toast for breakfast... and barely got it down! I finally went off of it on Wednesday and went back on Paxil. By Friday, I am feeling like my old self again. Plus, I had startling dreams. I won't ever take this drug again!"

• 652...
• May 17, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "14 days on 20 mg. I am edgy and wobbly, no appetite, forced myself to eat, so I am eating less. Taking advantage of that because I am also diabetic and hard to go to sleep. I am sticking with the medicine. Have some relief from bad thoughts. Hope it gets better."

• JoJ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2022

For Depression "I was prescribed this first before I started my ADHD meds. I have been on SSRIs before. I don't really respond to them, good or bad. The only positive I noted during my time on this medication was less frequent/repetitive thoughts and more indifference to things. I was only 5 mg for 1 year. I couldn't take 10 mg because I am sensitive to medication, and even 5 mg gave me the side effects I will discuss below. Insomnia: I could not sleep. I had to be prescribed sleep medication while on Prozac. I used to be able to fall asleep fine, even if I was depressed, I would rather sleep than not. I would get maybe 6 hours and then wake up with energy, and I didn't like it. I always felt like my body was secretly tired if my mind would just let it be. Headaches, teeth grinding made worse, and in turn, neck pain, shoulder pain. Less appetite, no weight loss or gain. Vivid dreams, some violent in the beginning. Weird digestion. Felt on edge at times. My nose is no longer stuffy either, so allergies?"

• iam...
• April 20, 2010

For Depression "I have clinical depression, and Prozac is how I initially got introduced to the world of pharmaceuticals. I took two types of fluoxetine; one from the hospital (green) and the other from Target (white). While the ones given to me at the hospital worked well, the ones from Target did not work at all! The side effects for me were: no ability to feel any emotion, zombie-like, tired 24/7, no appetite (I lived off of one slice of pizza a day along with some cranberry juice, and it had to be forced down), decreased libido, giddiness, constant mind fog, a feeling of euphoria followed by fatigue, dry mouth. It worked better than Cymbalta, but since fluoxetine is generic, my doctor doesn't approve of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2022

For Depression "It’s been one week since I’ve started this medication, so I cannot say much yet since it’s not at its full potential; but even after the first day, I’ve already noticed improvements as far as motivation, less anxiety, and less irritability. So far, I’ve been feeling a bit sleepier, unable to eat much, and a bit of stomach discomfort and dizziness - which will hopefully go away soon. I was off SSRIs completely for a few months and found myself very passively suicidal and irritable. So far, Prozac has helped with that. Hoping to come back when it’s at its full potential."

• Sum...
• August 2, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "I took this medicine for 7 days, lost my appetite the 3rd day, worsened my insomnia, it did not help with anxiety. By the 7th day, I felt even worse, finally decided to come off it. This is my second day off Prozac, and I still cannot eat, sleep, still have bad anxiety and feeling sick to my stomach and cannot eat anything. I'm extremely nauseated, haven't eaten much in 4-5 days. I hope my appetite comes back soon! This med did not work for me, it made me feel horrible."

• Col...
• January 20, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I tried this medication for a week and had a horrible experience. I didn't sleep for two days and completely lost my appetite. I did not eat anything and lost three pounds. I was already skinny to begin with. So, if you want to be malnourished and sleep-deprived and feel like a crack addict, this is the medication for you. It does help with anxiety, however."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I bore the side effects of this medication, 20 mg for 6 1/2 weeks. Nausea, no appetite, no sleep, tired from morning till night, then I couldn’t sleep! It did nothing for my anxiety. I actually felt worse!!! I’m so glad I’m off of this terrible drug. Going to try something more natural, like the naturopathic route or laser for anxiety. Goodbye, Paxil! Don’t let the door hit ya in the 'you know what' on the way out!!!!!"

• Ali...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2019

For Depression "Worked wonders on my depression. Decreased my appetite. Feels great. But killed my sex drive. Australia is cheap, only $5 per box."

• chu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "Prozac, along with other SSRIs, does not mix well with my body. I have a loss of appetite, no sex drive, nauseating effects, and a 'mild mood' (loss of my true personality)."

• 19...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Awful! I never felt worse than when I was on this drug. I had constant nausea, no appetite, huge intense mood swings. 10/10 do NOT recommend this."