Well, I went to a new psychologist yesterday and he spent 2 hours with me. It was really great because he took the time to really listen to me and talk about everything I was going through. He wants me to try Prozac and has contacted my doctor to call it in for me. But I am just so scared. The way he wants me to do it is really great because he wants me to open the pill and pour out the powder into apple juice than measure it out so that I am taking as small of an amount as I want in the beginning and gradually moving up as I become comfortable. I definitely think it is less intimdiating that way, but I am still so very scared. I am afraid of the possible side effects. More than anything I am afraid of it increasing my anxiety because my anxiety level is SOOO high right now. I am also very concerned about the clenching of the jaw thing because I have TMJ and suffer terrible side effects from that already and definitely can't handle that getting any worse, trust me! And I am afraid of dizziness because I already experience that some... Oh and insomnia because I already have SO much trouble sleeping now as it is I usually can't fall asleep until 3:00 in the morning most nights. Please help! I need reassurance...

This post has been edited by driven0308: Jul 23 2009, 07:01 PM

Most of the SE's you are referring to should go away after about 2 weeks. They don't ussually stay forever just while your body becomes use to it. If you can keep that in your mind it might help you through.

(((driven)))

Try not to think so much about the SE's and the what if's right now. Think about the benefits you could get if the med works out for you. Think about how many people her on DF have come and went, likely getting better due to meds and/or therapy. Think about all the stories you hear of people who are much better off now then they were when they first came to DF or started on meds.

It's easier said then done, I know. Especially when everything mental health wise says to take it day by day and live in the here and now. But I think for the short term instances when we are starting a new med, it's best to really realize that SE's are temporary and it could lead to something great if it works for us.

I was scared to take Zoloft too. I made the mistake of going on the internet and looking up all the horror stories. I quickly learned to stop doing that and bit the bullet, or the Zoloft if you want to get literal. Well, I didn't bite it, that would probably taste gross. Anyway, you know what I'm getting at.

If your doc thinks it's good, it probably will be. Take your time and go at your own pace. Once you get past the first few times, I bet you'll take it without worrying nearly as much as you are now. Sometimes we just have to make that leap of faith in order to get to the proverbial promise land.

Hi

Prozac as you probably already know has been around a number of years. A member of my family was prescribed it back in the 80's to help him loose weight. He worked out and with the med lost 50 lb over a years time and was able to keep it off. He really could have lost another 50 lb, but he kind of quit with the working out. But he had no side effect.

Another member of the family has been on prozac for the last 15 years with no SE.

Like the other have said, don't get into reading all the maybe side effects. Just be glad in finding something that will help you. Sound like you have a caring Dr.

GOD BLESS

I think if you really think you need the medicine than you should try it. But know that you may suffer any of the side effects that are listed on the medication label and that's part of this process. That being said, the side effects will go away eventually. You should also know that Prozac stays in your body for longer than any other medication, so it will take longer for those side effects to go away after you stop taking it.

I took Prozac two times before and had none of the side effects with the exception of a little increased anxiety. The Prozac helped me tremendously and I eventually got off of it. Well, this time around, I took Prozac and had terrible side effects. I don't know what was different, but I experienced severely increased anxiety, nausea, absolute loss of appetite, and fatigue. My experience was so different than the first two times I was on the medication and I don't really know why. It was about a month before I started to feel like myself again and that seemed like forever.

Most people don't have many side effects from Prozac. But, any of the side effects that are listed are possible and if you choose to take it, you take that risk. You have to weight the risks against any benefit the medication may have for you. You won't know until you try it, but only do what you are comfortable with because the side effects are very real and can be difficult.

I was put on Prozac & had a lot of side effects. I was weak, sick to my stomach, flu like symptoms, dry mouth, no appetite, very shaky, & very tired. I stopped taking it after 6 days. Today is day 25 off of Prozac & I am still trying to get back to normal again. My appetite is slowly coming back. It takes a very long time to get out of your system. Everyone is different. I have been on other meds & had absolutely no side effects. Good luck!

Ok, I wish I could do that, but the problem is that I haven't heard much of anything good about it. I tried to look up success stories last night and ended up finding horror stories instead! I have looked through this forum and most all I can find is people having problems with it! So, where can I find good stories about it changing people's lives and making them better? I really don't understand how my phsycologist told me he has seen a lot of success with this med and barely any problems with it and I go online and on here and I find just the opposite! I am so confused...

I think it might be hard to find good stories about meds. People who take meds and don't have SE's that bad andit helps their depression, don't serch out places like this. Why would they? I am sure that alot of people have done very well on it. I am an example of that. Every-one here on this site seems to think effexor is terrible with terrible SE"s and withdrawl. I never really had any problem either way with it. It is a god send to me. But your read the effoxor room and you won't find anybody saying what I just did about it. Last time I stopped taking it I had a headache that was more a pain in the butt then a real pain in the head. One of those headaches that aren't bad enough to take anything but enough to be bothersome.

So my point is you can't judge the meds because of what other people say, you are you not them and you may find going on them quite easy. All you can do is try, and if the SE's are bad we are here to listen. I also think alot of people read the SE's and already have it in their head that they well get them. I read the part about what can't be taken while on them and that's it. If I feel weird then I look up the side effects to see if it is normal. I find that way I don't freak myself out before I even take them.

Hey, why is it that other medications on this board have a pinned topic about the success and possitive stories of some, but there is nothing like that in the Prozac section?! Wow, that's scary! I don't understand!

http://www.depressionforums.org/forums/Pos...trin-t1881.html

This post has been edited by driven0308: Jul 24 2009, 02:55 PM

Probably no-one has started a thread for it. I still think you shouldn't worry bit if you can't stop then ask your doc for something different, but this time don't read about the SE's. They can be scarey and can work you up into having all of them. I really think you would be fine. Try them and come here everyday and list how you feel and if anything is out of the ordinary people that have taken it will let you know if you should be concerned.