Prozac side effects or depression?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi... I've been on prozac two weeks today. Increased my dose from 10mg to 20 mg per day per my doctor. I am feeling 50% better but still don't have a lot of interest in doing things. My appetite is slightly better after days of nausea, which is still there but not as intense.
I think I am being impatient, but I am still fatigued mid-day and I wake up from a deep sleep with headaches at the back of my head and toward my neck. My anxiety is a fraction of what it was. I had a moment today at a restaurant when I was eating but I was able to identify quickly what I was feeling and that it wasn't real and within minutes it went away.
I worry the dose isn't enough, but I'm told it might be and just needs more time. It's discouraging, especially when people ask if I want to consider another drug. Honestly, I don't even know how to answer that.... I feel better than when I started Prozac, it's been two weeks, everyone says it takes 4-8 weeks.... then people ask if I want to switch..... That is such a confusing situation for someone who is where I am right now. Do I hang in there or move on? Is what I am experiencing normal or not?
0 likes, 16 replies
Adldiane kevin01347
Posted
Hi Kevin I can see why you are confused. Prozac worked for me it was the first antidepressant that I ever tried but they usually take several weeks to take effect and you have to take into count that each individual is different. I think it's a very good sign that you are 50% better. What does your doctor say? Please keep us posted. We are hear for you. Diane
kevin01347 Adldiane
Posted
Hi Diane,
My doctor refilled my prescription and told me she wants to see me back in 3 weeks and for me to contact her if I feel any sudden shifts. She's the one who asked if I wanted to change medications, which is why I am so confused. She told me the side effects are normal and it takes time. I feel like I need to stay the course, it's just difficult. This morning I awoke to an anxiety attack -- thoughts of losing my job because of what I am going through (I'm on a leave of absence right now). After a few minutes, I collected my wits and listened to a meditation podcast that helped me calm and get back to sleep. I am having these moments of the negative thoughts that I seem to have under control for the most part, but they they blindside me like they did at the restaurant yesterday and this morning when I was waking. My mood is still very blah and flat with little motivation. I am easily annoyed by other people, especially people who have a lot of energy. I start week 3 of prozac today, but it's my second week on 20mg/day.
I guess I am just wondering how will I know if it's working? If it's strong enough? How will I know if I need to go up and will the side effects start over after every increase? I just don't know if what I am experiencing is normal and will get better or if I need to try something different.
Adldiane kevin01347
Posted
Hey Kevin Diane. One try to keep your butt and head in the same place. Meaning when you start worrying about what can happen in the future go "how am I this second?" The antidepressant is helping now. Right? So in the here and now you are better. Right. You are tolerating the side effects. Right now. Right? That's what I do and it helps my anxiety! Another thing that I do is keep a notebook beside me at all times and even if I wake up in a panic attic as soon as I can write I write without sensoring my thoughts what I am thinking. It gets them out of my head and on paper. That works amazingly for me. We are here we care please keep us posted day or night! We care! Diane
kevin01347 Adldiane
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Adldiane kevin01347
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Kevin don't forget we are here for you. Will you please keep us posted as we understand from personal experience and we care. I care. Diane.
kevin01347 Adldiane
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hypercat kevin01347
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Hi unless the side effects are unbearable or serious then I would stick with it for another few weeks just to let it get fully into your system. If after that time you feel they aren't helping enough I would go back to your doctor. x
kevin01347 hypercat
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thurmanmurman kevin01347
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Hi Kevin,
It sounds like the medication is working for you 🙂 2 weeks isnt long and its already making you feel mentally better despite side effects! So id say stick with it for another 2 to 3 weeks and if the side effects are still there or worse let your doctor know...
kevin01347 thurmanmurman
Posted
Thanks thurmanmurman...
Is it normal for the anxiety to get a little worse? The past couple of days have been horrendous. I wake up in the middle of the night or early morning with panic attacks... negative thoughts and irrational thinking are rampant. I seemed to be staying in the present more then in the last day I found out I need a surgery next week and of course that got my anxiety ramped up. I've been using CBT practices but it's so intense I struggle with it all.
thurmanmurman kevin01347
Posted
Hi kevin,
Rather than CBT, have you considered psychotherapy? It will probably be more helpful to you to understand how you came to be a negative/irrational thinker, because you dont have to be that way. I think antidepressants can make anxiety worse, I know sertraline does, but if its a side effect it should go away soon - although I do think the therapy would help with truly getting rid of those thought processes for good and giving you coping mechanisms. CBT practices can be very hard to stick to when you feel low or worse for wear.
If the anxiety is worse for a while more, try asking your doctor if theres an AD that is less anxiety inducing. Whats right for someone else may not be right for you!
Good luck with the surgery, Im sorry you have to go through it, but im sure youll be just fine! Thousands of people have surgery everyday and come out good 🙂
kevin01347 thurmanmurman
Posted
Thank you. Yes I'm in therapy and in fact my therapist is the person who recommend I use an SSRI. Anxiety and depression are all very new to me, while I've experienced small bouts over the years, this is the first time that it has crippled me to the point I needed a month of work.
I think the unknown about what's going on with my body is what makes me apprehensive. the headaches have been less severe the past day or two... nausea was awful today but I also had anxiety most of the day so I think that's contributing to the Prozac nausea.
I will talk specifically to my therapist about the negative thinking patterns. it is a problem I have struggled with for years and I think you make a good recommendation about understanding the source of that more.
Thanks for the help and sound advice.
thurmanmurman kevin01347
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Im really happy youve found some of what ive said helpful 🙂
I certainly have found that depression and anxiety on their own have made me feel sick to my stomach and unable to eat. I guess its because the same neurotransmitters that are in our brains are also in our gut...🤷🏼???
kevin01347
Posted
I want to thank you all for your support and insight. Just as each of you predicted, the side effects began waning two days ago (just over two weeks into taking meds) and I can tell the prozac is starting to work. I am feeling more like myself the past two days. It's weird how the anxiety is fading and I'm starting to feel interested in life again.
I'm working with my therapist on cognitive distortions so I can understand my anxiety more proactively moving forward now that my medication is creating some space for me to do so.
Gratefully!
Adldiane kevin01347
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