Fluoxetine and Depression: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 13, 2024

For Depression "I have been a long-term sufferer of depression, and I found Fluoxetine helped me greatly. When you first start taking this antidepressant, it will make you feel a little worse. This is because it increases dopamine, and your body will stop producing dopamine because the drug provides this for you. However, your body does not know that the medication needs to accumulate before it can work, which is why you may feel a little more depressed. It takes about three weeks for this medication to work, and you will wake up one day and start to feel the benefits. I had to up the dose via my doctor's consent after 8 weeks because it stopped working, which meant the dose was not high enough. You will know if you are on the right dosage as it will continue to work and make you feel happy when you wake instead of that feeling of dread in the ‘pit’ of your stomach. This drug, however, does not go well with alcohol because alcohol produces more dopamine and will affect the balance within your body."

• Tom...
• March 8, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Had pretty severe anxiety since I was a teenager, mid-30s now, male. My anxiety manifests as OCD thought, obtrusive thought, ruminating, etc. Generally feeling anxious or worried more than half the time. I thought about taking Prozac for about 6 months before I finally gave it a try, I'm on day 9. Side effects have been OK, didn't feel anything much the first few days. By day 5, I had a bit of a stomach ache one evening, but nothing major, no nausea or anything. Occasionally feel hot in my shoulders. Get a 'busy' feeling in my head by the afternoon, like I've been watching too much TV or something. I feel a bit sedated, like vague at times and unfocused. The last few days I've been very low on energy, sleeping 9-10 hours a night, very unmotivated. Day 8 was quite tough, I found myself ruminating all day on some ridiculous worries. Felt very depressed, which is unusual, I'm usually just anxious. Too early to say if it's making me feel any better, so far, I just feel sedated."

• Woo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 4, 2021

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been on this drug for about three years. It initially helped me feel less anxious. I feel like it slowed down my racing, obsessive thoughts. It also helped me with some depression that I was dealing with at the time. But after a few years of being on it, I realized it was making me emotionally numb and cognitively slowed down. My memory got a lot worse, and it felt like the years were just whizzing on by. I had trouble remembering names and faces as well. Any time I would try to decrease my dose or stop taking it, I would get intense, debilitating anxiety. This is the first day I am off it fully. I am going to try taking St. John's Wort after about a week once the anxiety comes back into full swing. If the St. John's Wort doesn't work, I'll have to try something else. But I am never (and I repeat, never) going back to Prozac. I don't want to discourage anyone from trying Prozac. Ultimately, this drug can save lives. But one must understand the potential side effects!"

• sta...
• July 16, 2009

Fluoxetine for Depression "I was on 30 mg of Prozac daily for stress, anxiety, and depression after having an eating disorder for 6 years and felt after 1 year I hit a plateau and weaned myself off of it. When I missed a dose, I definitely felt the anxiety creep back and depression set in, but got sick of feeling numb with no emotions and unable to cry even when I wanted to. I, however, after being off of it for a year, tried it again because I know I didn't gain weight on it, which was my biggest fear. I am afraid to try another medicine and frankly don't feel like going through the weeks you have to wait to see if they work. I know I liked Prozac overall when I was on it and just hope the plateau I felt is gone."

• Nig...
• May 11, 2017

For Bulimia "I've struggled with nighttime binge eating for years, where I only eat at night and all at once. I started Prozac 5 days ago, and it's decreased my desire to keep eating, which is great/amazing actually, but without food filling the 'void,' I was left feeling more depressed. We'll see if it improves, feeling hopeful with the change in appetite though!"

• Mee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2020

For Depression "Stopped fluoxetine meds, thinking I don’t need it anymore. It’s been 4 months, and I’m severely depressed. I feel so empty and very angry, crying and very emotional. Hope to feel better again. I can’t live in this dark cloud."

• sal...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 16, 2017

Fluoxetine for Depression "After about 3 weeks on Prozac, or as I like to call it CRAPZAC. I was more depressed than ever before. Before CRAPZAC, I had only considered suicide a few times, but after my 4th week, I actually attempted it. Thankfully, my sister found me and brought me to the hospital, where they asked if I had been on any medication and ordered me to stop taking it. And I was trapped at the hospital in the psych ward for 9 days, having 2 sessions with the counselor every day, strapped down to my bed for the first few days, and not allowed to use the bathroom for 2 days. This stuff made my life into a living hell. After being released, I have now started seeing a therapist and now I've been practicing yoga and meditation, with no meds, and I feel great."

• Mer...
• June 21, 2017

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

• Ann...
• July 7, 2015

For Depression "I wanted to share my experience - the first week or so of this generic Prozac was a living hell. I didn't feel like myself at all - physically and mentally. This is where a lot of people give up on this medication - don't. About a month went by, and I am SO grateful, I 100% know that this medication saved my life. I am writing a review because I am now broke and couldn't take my medicine today... ONE day off this medicine made me immediately feel like my old, depressed, and suicidal self again. I am addicted to fluoxetine, but I'm okay with that. It's been months since I started - almost a year. This may not be the best thing for my body, I haven't done much research... but I don't know what I would do, mentally, without it."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2015

Fluoxetine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "A renowned medication to help PMDD, but it barely helped me. Helped with my anxiety and depression quite well (despite a lack of emotion), but I always got hormonal monthly, which was confusing. It actually made some symptoms worse. I'm on Lexapro now, so hopefully that helps!"

• sop...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 1, 2016

Fluoxetine for Depression "My doctor started me on 20 mg once daily. After a few months with no improvement, he raised it to 40 mg. After about 2 weeks at this dose, the depression subsided some, and also my anxiety, as I found myself reaching for my Xanax less and less. However, after about 5-6 months, the depression and anxiety came back, and my doctor told me raising the dose would do no good. So, that being said, if you need an antidepressant to get you through a rough patch in your life (divorce, holidays, death of a loved one), this seemed to work very well. Just after about 6 months, I was right back where I started. Another benefit is it's generic (Fluoxetine), in many stores, it is only $4 for a month's supply. I've seen some antidepressants cost well over $100 for a month."

• Mal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2022

Fluoxetine for Depression "Honestly, I was taking 80 mg of Prozac for years, felt so much better, then decided to wean off and stop after years of taking. Biggest mistake ever. If you're reading this, please ask your doctor before deciding you're okay and want to try life without medication. Since Prozac has a very long half-life, about 5 to 6 days, it took almost one year for my depression to turn into major depression. My life was in a crisis, and I couldn't stand everything and couldn't deal with life on life's terms. A shrink told me I was very depressed, which shocked me."

• LL_...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 28, 2016

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I posted in June 2014 after being on this Rx for about 7 months. It has now been 2 years. I am still on 10 mg for the first week after ovulating and 20 until my period starts. I have forgotten how 'bad' it used to be! I have had months (rare) when I've messed up the timing on my meds and it messed with my head a bit. I try real hard to time at the same time each day. I've also noticed that around days 3 and 4 (after my period started and being off the Rx) that it appears the remaining meds in my system have worn off and I have a day of being 'sad'. The kind of sad you'd get when PMS seemed normal and you were just sad, but not depressed and anxious and out of body. But after that, I feel normal again."

• Mol...
• January 26, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was on fluoxetine for 9 days. I had to come off, I could not cope with the side effects. It made me feel horrible. I just lost interest in everything, wanted to stay in bed all the time. I lost my appetite, and I still have not got my appetite back yet. Never again."

• Gre...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 10, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on fluoxetine for about a year, only 10 mg (I'm a petite woman, and sensitive to medication, so this dosage worked well for me). I struggle with anxiety/social anxiety, depression, and mild OCD. Fluoxetine has helped all of these, and I feel very “normal” overall. I have experienced some mild side effects: night sweats, decreased libido, and some emotional blunting (not being able to cry really). For me, these side effects are mild and strongly outweigh the everyday effects of anxiety, depression, and OCD. It does take a few weeks to feel the effects once you start fluoxetine, so I would encourage everyone to give it at least 1-2 months before deciding if it’s right for you."

• Vbo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2021

For Depression "I felt like a zombie on this medication. I lost interest in things I used to do. My mood was down, and I felt like I didn't care about anything. I was also having suicidal thoughts. I'd be cautious about taking this medication."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2019

For Depression "From taking this day 1, my personality changed, my mood worsened, I had insomnia and breathless attacks. Doctors gave me beta blockers, which just made the depression worse. Managed to take 4 days' worth before I had to stop. Took 3 days to get out of my system once I stopped, it was a horror show. My husband had to take time off work. My behavior on these pills has had serious ramifications at work."

• V-R...
• June 28, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I have suffered from anxiety for about 20 yrs. My doctor switched me to Prozac, and I have to say I've always been anxious, but now I'm anxious AND depressed! What's the deal? It's been almost 3 mos, and I'm taking it religiously. Are there any long-time users that can shed some light? Does it get better? I've had over 4 panic attacks since I've started this medication."

• Amy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2019

For Depression "Just beginning week 2 of fluoxetine now, on the 20 mg capsules, at the moment taking them a few hours before bed. Although I wake up with energy, I feel emotionally flat, which now gives me anxiety in social scenarios. I am really praying the effects of these will change quickly."

• Mol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "Well, where do I start? I went from sertraline to fluoxetine, as I went through an episode of depression and felt that my body may have become immune to sertraline after being on it for 5 years. I started on 20 mg. My anxiety went through the roof. But my depression improved slightly after a few months. However, I became emotionally numb. (I am normally a very sensitive, caring person.) I found it even hard to cry or have empathy in my relationship. My depression increased, so I was put on 40 mg, and although my mood lifted, my anxiety increased and I suffered panic attacks. Since withdrawing, I find I have a lot of social phobia. However, it is so good to be really able to feel emotions again that have been trapped for a year and a half."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 17, 2022

For Panic Disorder "I started having panic attacks (PAs) early last year, and I wasn't the same afterwards. I became so scared of future episodes, regardless of where I was. Symptoms: depersonalization, derealization, detachment, tingling/numbness in my arms and legs, upset stomach, high heart rate and blood pressure, pale complexion, sensation of being choked. I actively refused to take medication due to horror stories I would read up day and night, psyching myself into not taking them. Months went by, my PAs started occurring at work, while driving, at the grocery store, and I became agoraphobic for two months. A month into Prozac, the PAs stopped, and I was able to gain control of my mind/physical symptoms. A month into it, I got a new job. Prior, I had lost my long-time job, money/savings, and am now rebuilding from scratch. Please, take this as a sign to start this medication/continue taking your meds (even if it's/they're not Prozac), they're there to help you. This, too, will pass, and you will move forward beyond this :)"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 30, 2012

For Depression "IMPORTANT WARNING: Stopping this medication without weaning over months (not weeks) could lead to severe side effects. In my case, it was initial flu-like symptoms for a few weeks, followed by severe depression (constant crying, misery, etc.). I eventually had to go back on fluoxetine (Prozac). Try to treat depression naturally first, and if you do take medication, WEAN OFF slowly over many months."

• Pen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2019

For Depression "I began taking Prozac about 2-3 months ago, and I haven't felt any better. I began on a 10 mg dosage after severe depression, it didn't help, so I began taking 20 mg. This hasn't helped either. I still have episodes of crying, a sense of hopelessness, and I honestly feel alone. This drug hasn't helped with anything."

• Dae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed fluoxetine for anxiety, panic disorder, and mild depression. The first week was really rough, I was so sad, weak, and had tachycardia. My anxiety also spiked, and I wasn't able to relax a bit. By the second week, I started eating a bit more and felt a bit less nauseated, but I still felt dizzy, and my sleep was all messed up. Week 3 was better, I felt less anxious but still struggled, and then on week 4, I woke up and felt different. I was more emotionally stable, cried way less, and started feeling present (which was something I haven't experienced in a long time). I'm one month in, and I'm hoping to see more improvements soon. If you are struggling and you are scared, don't be! You got this!! If I made it, anyone can."

• ew9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2018

For Depression "This is by far the worst depression medication I have been on. 20 mg is not so bad, but 40 mg or more and you have no desire or energy to do anything! Like some of the other reviews said, you feel like a zombie, like you are in mud or something, and you can barely move. Do not try this drug, there are way better ones out there that won't make you feel like this one does, with no energy, tired, and no motivation to do anything."