I changed from Prozac to Lexapro recently. I was on 20 mg of Prozac and cut it to 10 mg for 4 days. My doc said to take the equivalemt dose of Lexapro in place of the 10 mg of Prozac. i am on day 2 and feel horrible. Could it be withdrawl (hot, shaky, flu like)? Should i have stayed on 10 mg of Proz while introducing Lex???
Changing antidepressants in my opinion is awful.My doc had me use Prozac as a bridge to get off effexor. Then I stayed on the Prozac.I took myself off of it last year (too fast & without a doctors guidance) Felt like I didn’t need it anymore. BIG mistake for me. I was on Prozac for 12 years & felt great. Dr had me try Effexor, I didn’t want it so we used the Prozac as a bridge (taking both at the same time). I was always on 20 mgs Prozac & doc had me bridge with 10 mgs.
You have to do this stuff SLOWLY or yes-you will have awful side effects.
You will get over the hot, shaky, flu like feelings. I’ve had them & they are awful.It could be the Prozac withdrawal or the Lexapro start up.
Hope you are feeling better soon.
why did you change drugs, how long had you been on prozac, you are probably getting withdrawal from one and side effects from the new one.
I have been on fluoxetine for 9 weeks and I am not 100%better, but I wouldnt change now, these drugs take time, and that time is different for everyone, some people a few weeks and some it takes months, but maybe you had a good reason to change.
i was on it for 8 weeks and i felt as my symptoms were getting worse, not better.
thank you! If it is withdrawl how long do you think it will last?
Maybe a few weeks? Gradually you will feel better. I lost my appetite which was the worst for me.Gradually it all came back…It’s too slow of a process for us but eventually you WILL be better.
Keep in touch with us & let us know how you are getting along.
Hello Barbara
Yes I agree I also couldnt eat it was just awful, I lost 2.5 stone, and I couldnt sleep either, but I seem to be better from that after almost six weeks and hardly eating anything, the side effects were just awful.
I am just past 9 weeks feeling much better, but lost my confidence in going out, we use to enjoy going out for a meal, but I havent got that up and go back yet
sorry it went to fast.
How long did it take you before you felt completly better, its a long hard journey, its taken me 9 weeks and I feel I am not there yet.
I would not have changed from one drug to another, these drugs take time and are different for everyone, you have to give them time sometimes weeks sometimes months.
I just dont understand why Doctors jump from one drug to another, just increasing the dose I had all the side effects again and that was bad enough, I think they all do the same job at the end of the day, but it takes time and a lot of suffering.X
Oh thats a pity, because the drugs certainly make you feel worse before you feel better, I didnt feel any better until a week or so ago, I was having really bad blips, a good day and then several bad days, the mood would lift one day and then come back with a bang, but I wanted to stick it out, because recovery is different for everyone, some people just take a few weeks and others it can be months, but they do work in the end, its my second time on fluoxetine, the time before it was many years ago but when I got better I felt so happy, I think people are misinformed by the instructions in the box, it says to feel the full benefit it can take up to six weeks, Most people I have spoken to it takes much longer, some people six months.
I hope you start to feel better soon its horrible illness.
Let me know how you are doing, this site has helped me to get where I am.X
Shadow, glad you are feeling better. You will get that back-you will. I did. All of the weight I lost??? I gained it back & then some!
I would say it took me about 12 long weeks to really start feeling like myself again.
Oh thank you Barbara thats so kind.
I will give it a bit longer to feel like I did before, I am just past 9 weeks, just havent got my confidence back to go out, I feel I have lost a bit of interest in the outside world, I havent been far in 9 weeks maybe just a ride in the car with my Husband to post office, this time of year doesnt help much either.
To be honest I needed to shed some weight, so only very small portions now, I dont want to put it back on.
Its nice to talk with someone who has been through this, its a long journey.
Yes—LONG journey. We want things fast. I wanted to feel better right away. Too much to do. I couldn’t do anything. But that’s in the past now. And yes, this weather & time of year doesn’t help either.
I am in the US. Are you?
No I am in the UK England, but I have relatives in the US, in California and Las Vegas.
Yes I think its sole destroying when you have depression, I had the terrible low mood, and like a black cloud hanging over me, it was horrible, I am going to stay on a low dose for ever, I only came off the fluoxetine two years ago, I had been on them for years, but my Doctor wanted me to ween off them, it was the worst thing I ever done, I had some health issues and I struggled to deal with them, and it pushed me over the edge.
I would like to keep in touch, I am 77.X
the shaky flu like symptoms is deffinently what I felt
my husband always said to stay on it formy daughters sake and I did
then I thought I would slow get off to see if i could live with out it. Then I thought stay on for my husband sack
butI really need it for my self
to give me light from the depression
p.s.
at one time i tried Effexor
i dont remember why i didnt stay with it but doing some research it seems like it might be what I need
but I am going to wait tell;I see a new Dr. the end of this month to really get evaluated
Hello
I think its a good idea to stay on these drugs even if its a low dose once you feel better.
Effexor is a SNRI its a older type of drug for depression, SSRI are used more now, like fluoxetine, they have less side effects.
Yes I also felt shaky with one minute very hot and the next minute I was ok, I felt very hot in bed, I wasnt able to sleep and no appetite, and a dreadful low mood feeling, but I am getting there now, buts its been a slow journey.
When I am 100% I intend staying on the fluoxetine.
Are you better now?
My mother struggled with depression for the first time in her life at age 75. She had to try many different meds before finding the right one. She is actually on fluoxetine. Her psychiatrist actually gave her something to help her mood and motivation while waiting for the fluox to kick in. I will find out the name for you… Maybe you can look into it. It really helped her.
I took your advice and went back on 10 mg of fluoxetine. I woke up feeling better. I think you were right… Too soon to change drugs. I hope that all turns out well for you soon. It is so comforting to come on to this forum. Thank you for all of your input and stay in touch.
Hi Shadow! I am 61.If I have to stay on Fluoxetine & Alprazolam (xanax) the rest of my life, who cares!!!?? I have isssues with Anxiety & the xanax helps me with that. I will never change meds again.
And California & Las Vegas, Nevada are beautiful! But I’ve never been to either, maybe someday when I retire. Still working full time.
Sister–stay on them! If they help you, why get off of them? Even though that’s exactly what i did… thought I could be med free. Biggest mistake of my life because getting back on a second time was rough to say the least.
Be well…and keep in touch with us.