after reading posts from so many, i am seeing the negatives, but not hearing the positives! so i am wondering if any of u have been on other antidepressants and how u would compare their effectiveness to prozac!??--i myself have been on many, and found paxil cr to be the most effect for me for years--but after going off of it for yrs, then back on, it had no effect! the rest of them were nightmares! so i am putting hope into prozac----if u all remember, years ago, prozac was the drug of choice by any and all and called the HAPPY PILL--but seems to me most all of u r having problems with side effects and effectiveness, so i am getting a little disheartened---------by the way, i am posting this at 5 a.m. as not being able to sleep is a HORRID problem for me!
I was ill for 15 years and was on other antidepressants - tri-cyclics. As soon as I was put into SSRI's I recovered, and have now been well for about 26 years.
I take Citalopram, just another type of SSRI like Prozac, and they have been my saviour.
A lot of negative posts you may read are often from people who haven't taken the medication properly or have been too big a rush to get better and then have given up too soon. These meds work if you give them lots and lots of time. Yes they're tough, but once through the side effects you just have to wait, and wait ...... and when you're fed up with waiting, you have to push on and wait some more. Can take 3-4 months or longer, though some feel the benefit earlier.
Keep persevering. You'll get there.
Typo - not well for 26 years lol ...... 16 years!! 😄
Kate is absolutely right! It was she who kept me going through the tough phase - she promised me joy at the end of the tunnel and that is exactly what I got and get. Hey ho! to this beautiful sunny weather - I'm so happy to be alive.
The side effects should wear off in a few weeks - several, to be honest - and then slowly, gradually, happiness and joy enter your life again.
This is my first time ever on anti-depressants and I have no intention of ever coming off Flu. Life is good and easy and joyous. I've been on them/it for a little over a year.
Keep going, Rosie, push trough the darkest times and into the light again. You really are worth it!
Hi!
I've only been on Prozac for two weeks so I can't really tell you about the full benefits, but I have experienced no side effects except a headache the first two days. Started with 10mg the first week then up to 20. Hope this helps!
interesting--made me realise that when i did well on ad/s i was ALSO in therapy wiht a counselor------i did so well was able to stop meds and just my counseling to keep me on course! counselor was better than the meds! but then he retired and never found another who could compare---but i think i will try for a new one
May I just add that many people take anti depressants for many years, myself included, and maintain their wellness. I've taken these for over 16 years and take a small amount now and am able to stay on a happy even keel. SSRI's hang onto your serotonin before its reabsorbed into the brain helping to maintain the happy feeling. It all depends on your type of depression, and for many, including myself, have low levels of serotonin. Over the years taking this medication I have always maintained feeling well, and following my long, long 15 years of being extremely ill I'm a good example of these meds working after severe depression. For me, they've certainly been my true fix.
Only for some people, very few, does the medication maybe not work, and again, it all depends on your type of depression.
Lets give Rosie success stories and encouragement
hiya Rosie, yeah the negatives do come to the fore in the early days, and I am sure it is actually a positive thing to discuss them on here, compare notes, give reassurances when needed. I include myself in this because I was on 1 40mg dose a year or so ago, went through rough times but eventually got to a wonderful place in my head, in my life. Sadly due to medical intevention I was abruptly stopped from taking them so plummeted to the depths once again luckiy for me 4 weeks or so ago I was once again put on 40mgs and so the battle commences. I do type my negative thoughts on here, yes, but in a few weeks when Im over the worst I will be typing the positive thoughts and feeling too. Please dont be disheartened, patience and time and Fluoxetine, will gently nudge you into your c
comfort zone and the rest, as they say, will be history. Bless ya
oooops, I really wasn't on 140mgs, where did that come from?
yes, i agree, most of the posts r those starting out and their struggles--must be those who r adjusted and doing well, no longer feel the need to get on the site and post!
I think all foums are mainly populated by newbies. The old hands don't feel a need to post, as ypou say, Rosie - but some of us come back now and then and respond with encouragement. Some newbies, such as yourself, attract a reponse and some don't. For me. the attraction is people who are working at it, not just posting woe is me stories.
By the by, I've been sleeping like a top for ages - good, solid, undisturbed sleep. I'm sure this helps the joy return. I have to manage my sleep - six and a half hours is enough these days. Go to bed when I'm tired and awake to an alarm clock - go to bed early if I need more sleep.
Hi Kate,
Haha! I thought we're not supposed to be drinking on these SSRIs...?!!
Anne x
Bless you Carl, yeah, I'm a fan of Kate's too - amazing gal!
I'm wondering if I could pick your brains on Flu? I've been on them for 16 weeks now and there's a couple of side effects that don't seem to be diminishing yet: blurred vision and dry mouth, and mmmm... plus I could fart for Britain! Any ideas here? Otherwise, yeah, I am definitely starting to feel like the old me - I am actually laughing again after so many years. Don't miss booze either!
Anne x
The medication leaflet advises not to drink, but I've taken them for over 16 years so don't think I could have lasted that long lol 😄
Its best not to drink of course, especially in the early days, but if anyone does I expect its just common sense to gauge how a sip or a little tipple might be.
😄🍷
Awww bless you both xxxxxxx ☺️
wow--what do u attribute the good sleep coming from? this insomnia becoming quite a problem-i have no trouble at all falling asleep-but awaken after 4 hrs and cannot get back to sleep-mind starts working in overdrive!and may i ask how old u are?
oh, this is too funny on drinking and prozac! i wanted to ask, but figured all would say NO WAY!--i enjoy going out at least once a week and am going out tonite--i know i will have cocktails-i only did half a dose today in preparation-lol--so i am interested to see what will happen and how i will feel mixing alcohol and prozac!--will let u know!
hm, interesting--i would rather be able to drink and put up with the 'gas' !! LOLOL
It's not advisable no, but it's up to the individual I suppose. Most medications recommend not drinking, and SSRI's are no different. Taking only half your dose today probably won't make any difference as the meds build up in your body over a long time, so missing half a dose won't make much difference and if anything might make you feel nauseous.
Cocktails sound fun ...... just take it real easy though. Have a great evening!
K 😊
Interesting, thanks Kate. I suppose it's still early days for me, relatively speaking (16 wks). I watched my Jamaican ex smoking a spliff the other day - once I would happily have joined him, but not now! I still have moments when I feel spliffed out, despite sensible diet and no alcohol. It's so different - choosing to 'chill' versus having it imposed on you.
Hic! x