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Prozac versus sertraline

Posted , 2 users are following.

Lama22
Lama22

i have been taking prozac long term. It's sort of become a way of life, though I would dearly love to stop.

However I have recently had a massive crisis to deal with and I saw my GP following a bit of a meltdown. She said that increasing Prozac doesn't always have that much effect and she gave me a prescription for sertraline, saying she felt it helped with anxiety more. I am certainly very anxious and panic at the slightest thing at the moment.

she has also referred me to see a counsellor, and said I didn't have to use the prescription for sertraline if I didn't feel it necessary. I am definitely struggling. I would be grateful if anyone has experienced changing from Prozac to sertraline, and did it help or make matters worse? I can't bare the thought of feeling worse than I do now. I am going for long walks and trying to get a grip but if I can help myself feel better with a pill, I would.

thank you so much.

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • lookingonwards
    lookingonwards Lama22

    Posted

    You may do better with seeing a Psych to help you thru the crisis. I find when something is more situational depression etc I do best with talking to someone and learning some ways to cope. What dose of Prozac are you on now and how long have you been on it?
    • Lama22
      Lama22 lookingonwards

      Posted

      Hi

      I've been on 20g Prozac for 12 years. You are right, this is situational depression. Up until recently life was good, I was happy and quite honestly would have liked to have tried to manage without Prozac. But a recent diagnosis of a serious illness for a close family member has sent my anxiety levels rocketing. I'm strong in that I know I will hide this well from the family, and support them unconditionally.

    • lookingonwards
      lookingonwards Lama22

      Posted

      Ok.. I had the same sort of thing and found a Psych more useful to talk to about things. Increasing your medication or changing may just stiffle the issue but not give you a way to cope. That being said if Prozac is still working for you after 12 years and this is just a crappy blip in life then look at sticking with it... but if like me I was on Celexa for 16 years and it pooped out and just stopped working with no situational reasoning then time for a switch.
    • Lama22
      Lama22 lookingonwards

      Posted

      That's interesting. I had not realised that anti depressants could stop being affective after long term use. It could be that I'm not coping now because of that, and maybe I do need a change. Gosh it's so complicated!

      Think I need to have a conversation with my GP or the counsellor when I see him. That's really useful. Thank you

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