Should I take Prozac?

Question

I have been prescribed Prozac but I am worried about the side effects. I am depressed, I must admit that, but I don't want my judgement clouded or a bad reaction. I am at a crossroads in life and I have some big decisions to make soon, with me and my Son, I don't want to let the pills cloud it but I want to stop hating myself and having bad dreams, I do get help Ive been there for two years, it's just someone to talk to now really. I don't know if I will ever get over some of the **** I have seen in life but everybody has problems, all of us have issues to get through, I understand this so if I am coping should I shelf the pills and try to be strong? How much do we really know about Prozac? Will they become a crutch to lean on everytime I'm feeling bad? I'm scared of the implications...

Answer 1

Believe you me I have been on every meds out there and I tried alone and you are alone like you feel that way because nobody understands how you feel I do IVe been there and the only thing that kept me from feeling so low that I had to wear a rain coat so the ants don't pee on me was Prozac the only side effect I found is you don't have much of a s*x life  other than that I need them now I don't feel super or anything I feel like living which I hadn't for along time they really helped me and I know they will you try it and see no miracles or anything they just get you back to wanting to live Good luck honey Ive been there so do it for your son.

Answer 2

I think if your going through an extreme amount of stress or a big life changing event, then you need to listen to your prescriber (doctor) and take the Prozax.  Don't be afraid of what people are going to think.  Their are a lot of people on Anti-Anxiety/Depression pills and they help.  I'm not afraid to admit that I take them.  I'm on Lexapro and it works.  It helps stabilize the serotonin levels.  Don't think of it long-term.  Think of it as a boost to get you through the present and if it takes a year or so, so what.  Life is worth living for.  Live it positively and don't be afraid.  The good effects will outweigh the side effects any day.  Trust me

Answer 3

The most common side effects of Prozac's are: headaches, nervousness, insomnia, drowsiness, fatigue,or asthenia, axiety, tremor and dizziness or lightheadedness...Gastrointestinal complaints are: nausea, diarhea, dry mouth and anorexia...Theirs also excessive sweating, skin rash, libido decreased, abnormal dreams...

Personnaly, I had to be taken off of prozac because I was enraged and had violent thoughts!! Alot of people suffer from anxiety and insomnia, to a point where they must discontinue the treatement!! Prozac (and any medication of this type) takes 3 weeks to take full effect in your body...(It is not a pill you "pop in as needed"...you must take it daily!) If you are in a situation where you have some big decissions to make, It would be preferable to wait 3 weeks... to see how you react to the medication.

Some side effects "disapear" after a couple of weeks. They are only present when you introduce the new medication in your system. If they do not stop after 3 weeks, it is because you are having a bad reaction to the medication and should therefore be changed.

I too am a mother and I always manage to get someone to "suppervise" me when I'm put on new medication, cause I've had medication that have made me very suicidal or self harm myself (and I am not like that usually). Remember, medication takes 3 weeks to take full effect, so you might be fine for the first weeks and then you'll hit rock bottom on the 3 week. I don't want to frighten you but, I want you to be aware of what to expect....And the thing is, when we react badly to medication, we sometimes don't even notice it (it takes a outside view to help us.)

Hope I have helped clarify a couple of things,

Good luck;)

Answer 4

I have been on Prozac since I was 39 years old..I am now 49.  It is the BEST thing I ever did. Prozac does not "make" you feel anything...it helps to balance out the serotonin in your brain (much like insulin does for a diabetic) that you may be lacking.  I do not feel Prozac for me is a crutch anymore than my high BP meds are...it's something I need...never feel you are less than a person for needing some help..either by medicine or a Dr or therapist.  

My 2nd husband shot himself in my presence and died 11 days later, also in my presence..I have lived through loosing my Dad 3 1/2 years ago, my 18 year old step-son 2 years ago, the foreclosure of my home and bankrupcy (both this year) on top of medical problems and other things...and I thank God every day for the Dr who realized that I would benefit from a "boost" to my brain's serotonin...

Try it...if it's not for you, you;ll know..but there is NO SHAME in it..you will not get "addicted" to it..and it does not magically make you feel better...over time (a couple of weeks) you will just notice that you concentrate better and can handle things better...

Good luck....feel free to e-mail me if you need to...