Prozac and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• jus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2022

For Depression "I have depression, OCD, and anxiety. I am a 42-year-old man, married with kids, and have struggled with depression all my life. I've been on and off meds during different periods. During the last year, I took Zoloft 200 mg for several months, it helped with anxiety but made me sleep too much. My doctor switched me to Prozac 40 mg in the morning, which I've been on for about 6 months now. I felt a bit less tired and foggy. It definitely ended my panic attacks and anxiety, but I still feel sluggish and struggle to get things done in and out of the home. If you have panic attacks and anxiety with depression, this could help you. I appreciate the positive influence it has had on my state of mind, but I still feel like I'm tired and struggling to be productive at work."

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

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• veg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 26, 2015

For Depression "I started taking 10 mg Prozac last Tuesday, so it's been a week and a half, and the first few days I was tired, but I seem to be doing things here and there that I'd put off for a while and things I don't normally feel like doing. That is encouraging and makes me think it's working. I've had a lot of losses in my life in the last 10 years and also going through menopause, which is adding to my depression and general bad feeling. My husband also gambled away my inheritance from my mom and my kids' college money that his dad left for them. I just can't believe he did that, and it's something I struggle with every day since we're not super financially stable. I hope this medicine continues to work better every day. I've been told it takes 2-4 weeks."

• Smi...
• August 18, 2013

For Depression "I'm a 20-year-old female. I was prescribed Prozac 6 months ago. For the first few weeks, I felt great, everything seemed better. After 1 month, I became even more depressed, my period was very heavy and lasted weeks at a time. I had disturbing nightmares, developed restless legs syndrome, and started grinding my teeth. I was tired constantly and ended up in the hospital due to suicidal thoughts. I am now on citalopram, and things have never been better."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2021

For Depression "Day 2: headache, face sinus pressure, stuffy right nose, diarrhea. These symptoms each passed in about 7 hours. Day 3: runny nose, hot red puffy achy cheeks, racing heart (as in I felt like I had drank an espresso - not scary), headache back head/skull... these each only lasted 4 hours. Day 4: was yawning like crazy... like literally every 3 minutes. It was funny and annoying. Lasted 3 hours. Was super irritable then for about 3 hours. I feel depressed and tired still, but at the same time I got up and did housework and enjoyed it. I NEVER do this. Like I was organizing stuff and being all efficient. It's been YEARS since I was like that. It's too soon for this stuff to work, isn't it? It's not placebo effect because I did not think it would help me. I'm not grasping at straws. I had no expectation of a positive outcome, so it's bizarre... in a good way."

• Lil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2021

For Depression "Day 2: headache, face sinus pressure, stuffy right nose, diarrhea. These symptoms each passed in about 7 hours. Day 3: runny nose, hot red puffy achy cheeks, racing heart (as in I felt like I had drank an espresso - not scary), headache back head/skull... these each only lasted 4 hours. Day 4: was yawning like crazy... like literally every 3 minutes. It was funny and annoying. Lasted 3 hours. Was super irritable then for about 3 hours. I feel depressed and tired still, but at the same time I got up and did housework and enjoyed it. I NEVER do this. Like I was organizing stuff and being all efficient. It's been YEARS since I was like that. It's too soon for this stuff to work, isn't it? It's not placebo effect because I did not think it would help me. I'm not grasping at straws. I had no expectation of a positive outcome, so it's bizarre... in a good way."

• Ocd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Soooo... what a ride. Started on 10 mg and felt okay. I was getting a stiff neck at times, and my back would hurt a bit. But I kept on. Now I'm on 20 mg, probably for around 3 weeks, and this third week on 20 mg has been rough. It's like I sleep, but I don't feel rested. It's weird. I'm hoping it goes away because I don't want to start all over again with a new drug. I'll probably stay on for a week and write down how I feel, but if that 'side effect' doesn't go away, I'm done. It's helping the racing thoughts, but I can't feel tired all the time."

• emj...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 31, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I took Prozac several years ago, and it worked a little bit for a while. Often, though, it made me feel really lethargic, sleepy, and extremely apathetic to most things. It sort of did its job, but not well enough, as I have now switched to something that works better."

• Tak...
• February 26, 2012

For Depression "Prozac has taken my body aches away. Prevents me from obsessing over what someone else did or said. Helps with anxiety, depression, stress, and crying. A lot of the other medications caused an allergic reaction, or they made me lethargic and gain weight. Problems with short-term memory and retaining new information, but that could be my age of 60."

• Bod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on Lexapro, which made me suicidal, and started Prozac 20 mg. It was easy to wean off the Lexapro. After taking my pill in the morning, I immediately felt severe drowsiness, heavy eyelids, and tiredness. I started during my holiday and took a nap every afternoon. But once back to work, the tiredness was unbearable. Especially in the afternoon, I could hardly keep my eyes open and have never drank so much espresso and energy drinks. The espressos did not even bring me to shaking whatsoever nor relieved my drowsiness. After 2 weeks and 2 days, I quit, but side effects lasted for at least a week. I must say it lifted my depression."

• Bod...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 26, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on Lexapro, which made me suicidal, and started Prozac 20 mg. It was easy to wean off the Lexapro. After taking my pill in the morning, I immediately felt severe drowsiness, heavy eyelids, and tiredness. I started during my holiday and took a nap every afternoon. But once back to work, the tiredness was unbearable. Especially in the afternoon, I could hardly keep my eyes open and have never drank so much espresso and energy drinks. The espressos did not even bring me to shaking whatsoever nor relieved my drowsiness. After 2 weeks and 2 days, I quit, but side effects lasted for at least a week. I must say it lifted my depression."

• Ant...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Where do I start? I have been on meds since I was in 8th grade for bad anxiety. I started on Paxil, took it for 2 years, felt like rubbish, so the doctor put me on Ativan, took that for a year and then stopped. Kinda managed it for a while. Then bam, it came back. The doctor put me on Celexa and it worked amazing for about 14 years, then just stopped working all in about 2 months' time. I tried Effexor with Abilify, it was horrible, then Prozac didn’t help, gave it 3 weeks and stopped. Then went to Lexapro, that didn’t work, gave up after a month. Saw a new doctor that put me back on Celexa being that it worked for so long, but just never got better, still had anxiety and bad depression. Now I’m on Prozac 40 mg almost 2 weeks and gonna give it the full trial as I have heard good things and praying this will work. So far the bad dreams went away but still very, very tired. Also looking to come off the Buspar, hang in there 'cause living these issues is not easy and there is hope. God bless."

• zfl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2014

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "One week ago, I started Prozac, and side effects have been bad for me. Fatigue, headaches, body ache, forgetful, sleepy, nightmares, yawning. My doc told me to give it another week. Hopefully, everything will work out. I am tired of PMS."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "In 2014, I suddenly started having terrible panic attacks, and I believe this drug saved my life. My panic attacks were so bad I thought I’d have to check into a mental hospital, and I considered suicide. The doctor put me on 20 mg, and within just 5 days, the extreme anxiety subsided, and the panic attacks were reduced. After 2-3 weeks, panic attacks completely stopped. I am so grateful for this drug during that time period. I stopped taking it after about 2 years because I felt much better. Fast forward to now, I started to have bad anxiety again due to a lot of stress in my life. Back on 10 mg, and it helped within about 2 weeks. I was more calm, slept better, didn’t worry as much. However, I gained 15 pounds in 2 months, and it made me lethargic, tired, and foggy. I’m weaning off now. I can’t stand being overweight and tired all the time. This drug definitely helped my anxiety, but the weight gain and fatigue have been really bad this time around."

• Kri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 23, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "In 2014, I suddenly started having terrible panic attacks, and I believe this drug saved my life. My panic attacks were so bad I thought I’d have to check into a mental hospital, and I considered suicide. The doctor put me on 20 mg, and within just 5 days, the extreme anxiety subsided, and the panic attacks were reduced. After 2-3 weeks, panic attacks completely stopped. I am so grateful for this drug during that time period. I stopped taking it after about 2 years because I felt much better. Fast forward to now, I started to have bad anxiety again due to a lot of stress in my life. Back on 10 mg, and it helped within about 2 weeks. I was more calm, slept better, didn’t worry as much. However, I gained 15 pounds in 2 months, and it made me lethargic, tired, and foggy. I’m weaning off now. I can’t stand being overweight and tired all the time. This drug definitely helped my anxiety, but the weight gain and fatigue have been really bad this time around."

• Anonymous
• October 30, 2011

For Depression "This is my fourth day on Prozac. I have been extremely hyper/manic in the morning, but by nighttime I'm exhausted from all the bouncing around that it helps me sleep better. I talk a lot more and a lot faster. I talk to strangers on the street, say hi to people, which is very unlike me because I'm normally shy and reserved. I felt different the first day I took it. I wouldn't say I'm 'happy,' just not sad. I've tried to think about sad things that used to bother me, but I feel neutral now. Today particularly I started to feel a little down. They say with every high comes a low, so I'm assuming it's crash time with this medication. But I'm hoping it will even out in the next few weeks, which is when you're supposed to feel its full benefits."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2010

For Depression "For years, I struggled with depression unknowingly, since I could remember. Never thought to take any action, though, until a few tragic events happened. Then came the suicidal thoughts and such, so I went to a doctor and got this prescribed to me. Prozac 20mg, I can honestly say I have never felt so good in my life. Haven't had any suicidal thoughts or anxiety or very much depression. The only thing I can say negatively about this medicine is that it did decrease my sex drive and left me feeling quite tired and with a lack of energy. When I first started taking it, it lasted about 2 days. Ever since then, no such problems have occurred, except for the lack of sex drive. Thank you, Prozac, you honestly saved my life."

• Old...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2016

For Depression "I've been on 10 mg fluoxetine for just over one week - I did take it for a few days a little while ago, it made my IBS worse, so I stopped. My doctor persuaded me to give it another go. I know it's early days, but so far it's all bad! Before, I was tired, unmotivated, no concentration, barely able to wash or do the simplest things. Now - I'm like the walking dead! Even more tired, even less motivation, brain fog - you name it. And possibly more depressed! I also had terrible joint pains - I have arthritis anyway! The joint pains seem to be lessening, the others aren't - so far! I just hope it's a case of getting worse before it gets better, 'cause at the moment it's almost unbearable!"

• 7ny...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 7, 2017

For Depression "This medication made me yawn frequently. After two months, I didn't notice any improvement in my mood, but my jaw was killing me from yawning and clenching my teeth, which I don't normally do. My friends and family also pointed out that I seemed more irritable and more likely to snap or be short-tempered."

• Nel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I started on Prozac 6 days ago. I am constantly tired and have no get-up-and-go. Exercising feels like a chore. I am very foggy in the head as well. Anxiety has decreased a little, but sleep is very disturbed. Going to stick with it for another week, and hopefully these horrible side effects will go, and I will get my energy back."

• Tie...
• October 8, 2016

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "Absolutely changed my life for the better after my thoughts were racing around. I feel like I'm another person on it. I'm on 20 mg twice daily. Wish I would have gone to the psychiatrist before the stresses started. Side effects are tiredness and very real dreams, which I sometimes don't know if I dreamt them or if they happened in real life."

• War...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I was on Zoloft for 8 years, it changed my life. Eventually, it stopped working. I was put on Prozac and gave it several months to work. On just about 15 mg (I am extremely sensitive to medicine), I felt entirely drugged, tired all the time, etc. I ended up getting suicidal thoughts, intrusive, obsessive thoughts that I have never had before. I wondered if I was getting worse or if it was from the medicine. My doctor and my family believed it was from the medicine. I am now coming off of it slowly and having nightmares from it. I am hoping I feel back to normal, but I feel this medicine made me feel crazy."

• Oka...
• July 14, 2016

For Depression "Prozac was the worst for me. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I was using it for depression and anxiety, and when I first started taking it, I felt terrible. Stayed on it for another 4 months or so till my psychiatrist (who did absolutely nothing for me, spent a total of 15 minutes with me in 3 appointments) upped my dose to 20 mg. I started feeling really tired all the time, got headaches, felt sick, my head was ALWAYS foggy, couldn't remember much, drained me right out. So without my doctor's word, I stopped taking it, and I still feel depressed and anxious, but I feel much more alive and much better. Prozac didn't work for me at all."

• gib...
• December 6, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "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."