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[Bluechick]

I would say weight loss for me with fluoxetine and tired all the time, they generally make me feel strange but i dont know how. I've only been on them for two weeks.

[Yeti]

Hi everybody......new here, just started taking Prozac ummm 5 or 6 days ago. The first few days I felt.....nothing, just a sense of optimism! But then.....wham-o. The last 3 days or so have not been too fun. Been feeling very jittery, anxious, and quite sleepy, while feeling "wired" all at once. So......is this gonna pass? It would be good to get a bit of feedback from you all.

[lizard]

Welcome, Yeti!
Yes, these start-up side-effects usually lessen over time. Try to hang in there, and let us know how you're doing...

[Rosie]

Hi, this is my first post. I have been taking Sarafem (Prozac 20mg) for 15 days now. My ObGyn prescribed it for me due to my pretty intense mood swings. It often felt like a light switch would go off on my emotions. One minute I was fine, the next, I had the major blues. My reactions to life's minor inconveniences was often a bit out of proportion. Also had swings where I got very anxious and it seemed that I could not turn my brain off, if that makes sense. It seemed like life was becoming one long list of things to get done, and I wasn't enjoying the things that I should be. Even fun stuff started to be something "to get done". Well, I think the meds are working, but since this is my first time out, I am still a bit wary. As for side-effects, I have had some phases of feeling very "swimmy-headed". The world is moving around me, and my head just takes a couple of extra seconds to catch up. I also have had a bit of a drop in my appetite, but that may also be due to my enjoying things without the need to munch the whole time. Finally, I am not sure if this was a side-effect or not. Two days after starting the meds, I started breaking out in small red bumps with little blisters all over my body (yes, even the tip of my nose). I went to the doctor, and he said that it looked like Chickenpox. I have never had Chickenpox (age 38) so it made sense. Problem was, the bumps didn't itch. They hurt a little, but mostly they were just ugly and annoying. So... they gave me a blood test and it turns out it was NOT Chickenpox. I have stopped getting the bumps/blisters and the old ones are healing, but I am still not sure if it was a mystery virus (as the doc thinks) or the meds. I am continuing the 20mg with no more bumps.

Thank you to everyone for this list. While I have not been formally diagnosed with depression, I have gleaned a lot of helpful and reassuring information from reading your posts.

[ados]

As for side-effects, I have had some phases of feeling very "swimmy-headed". The world is moving around me, and my head just takes a couple of extra seconds to catch up.

That sounds identical to the only real side effect I had when switching from paxil to prozac. For me, it stopped completely after a couple of weeks. Hopefully yours will end soon, too!

Karen

[littleblackduck]

Weight gain. I feel hungrier. And as you all know, gaining weight erodes self-esteem and makes you feel cruddy.

[Rosie]

Day 21 on Prozac 20mg...

How long does it take per day for the medicine to get in one's system. I read somewhere that the meds take full daily effect about 6-8 hours after taking the capsule. Seems like a long time to me. However, it also seems that it is about 6.5 hours after I take my morning capsule that I get "swimmy-headed" and a bit unfocussed. Anyone have any input? Thanks!

[ados]

Rosie,

Maybe someone else will be able to answer this question better. I am only guessing, but I would suspect that everyone is a bit different depending on how their bodies metabolize the med. I know that prozac has a longer half-life than other SSRIs. To tell you the truth, I'm not sure that it matters how long it takes each dose to begin working (except as far as side effects go) because the important function is the long-term building up of the seratonin in your brain chemistry.

But the fact that you notice some possible side effects after the time you do, may indicate that is when the med is really doing its job for your body. Generally, those side effects will decrease and probably go away completely about the time the seratonin levels have built up enough to work properly.

[oh_sod]

Hey guyz,
For the first couple of days I had really really mild twitiching in my legs but it left after like 3 days.
As for a lot of people complaining of loss of libido, I have actually found my libido has increased by a lot!! Lucky me I guess.
Lol.

Good luck!

[tularula]

I found all the SSRI's made me worse mentally and I developed chronic pain and muscle spasms and involuntary movements to the extent I thought I was terminally ill with Multiple Sclerosis.
Far for me to put anyone off as we all react differently, but I was unfortuanate to put it mildly. They didn't begin straight away-in fact, everyone said I looked well on Prozac and indeed, I felt well........until I had almost schizophrenic side effects and got high and thought I was powerful and heard stuff and was paranoid. Worst thing, I was told it was me and put on the drug again and again and again until not only had I lost the plot and had annoyed everyone with my activities, I ended up confined to my flat as I couldn't walk-only I had no support because no-one believed me or indeed wanted to help me because of my strange behaviour.
my symptoms have calmed down but I still get the occasional involuntary movement and I cannot get rid of the muscle spasms or chronic pain.
After getting banned/thrown off my surgery, a new doctor felt the spasms straight away and diagnosed fibromyalgia. I believe prozac caused me to not only **** myself and think it funny!, but gave me a form of dystonia and has also affected my immune system.
I do not believe in the taking of such drugs and never will and I am shocked there are so many people on them still as no-one-NO-ONE yet knows the long term effects on the brain-no matter how good you feel whilst on them.
This is a very sore subject for me and I hate to see so many people taking and relying on such things-I attempted suicide many times whilst on them and yet didn't feel so depressed-I just was on another planet and caused so much hurt and pain to everyone around me that I am not invited to any family events for fear of upsetting me.
The only thing that upsets me now is the fact that my life has gone down the drain through these drugs and I have horrendous deep scars (physical) from cutting myself-hacking myself and not remembering doing it.

[lizard]

I'm sorry your experience was so negative. But these meds have helped many people, myself included, and I would not discourage anyone who is suffering from depression from trying medication under a knowledgeable doctor's care.

[ados]

Tularula,

It is awful that you've had the extreme negative reactions to deal with. I've heard that (rarely) prozac (and many meds, I'm sure) can cause some terrible problems. That is why it is so important to work closely with the doctor. It sounds, though, like your doctor didn't handle your situation right. I'm sorry to hear that you are still suffering from the experience.

Like lizard says, though, I've heard many more people say they were helped tremendously by AD meds. I know they saved my life. As much as I dislike having to depend on a medication, I have found that I really do need an AD. I am lucky in that I generally have not had very bad side effects. But just like any type of medication, some (few, hopefully) people will have terrible adverse reactions and just cannot take certain meds.

I'm just thankful that ADs are available (and new therapies continue to be developed) for those of us who do need and benefit from them.

Karen

[Lanfiex]

when i took this drug the first 3 days was just constant head acks. and started to easy off on day 4 and 5. but then i noticed a pattern. every time i tried to think deeply about something it cause a head ack, espially those of negative thoughts. and as such started to make my stupid. I was willing to give up higher thoughts to be happy at this piont. and as such i let i take control and i be came constantly happy as long as i didnt think to hard about any thing. in a way people liked my more and i got on with people better. strange to think i was a nicer person when i wasnt thinking. about 2 months latter i was eventauly i was told about some ones freind dieing. now instead of being sad a little bit sad for the person i stayed perfectly happy. this set of thought about how it didnt matter what i did i would feel happy, despite the fact it hurt i concuded that i was going in sane on the pills and just came off them.

the drug werent for me


so my number on side effect which irriated me the most afterwards was the fact was that "deep thoughts hurt".

[Bianca]

The main side effects for me were loss of sex drive and constant movement when sleeping which disrupted my partner.

[over thinker]

I lost weight in the first 3 months then it slowly creeped up for some reason, however much i worked out i just gained.

[butterfly]

DEFINTELY WEIGHT GAIN!!!!!!!!!!! I hate it!!!!

[midnightpet]

Hello to all! I am glad to have found this forum, i greatly enjoy hearing feedback from real people using the product. When i can create a topic, i will explain my situation. =)

I was on 20mg once daily of Fluoxetine when i stopped taking it 4 days later after having the WORST god awlful panic attack i had ever had in my entire life. It started with a intense burning sensation in my legs that continued to travel through my body (it felt like i was on fire). My chest was very tight, my heart was beating so hard i thought it was going to pop out, and i almost passed out. The ambulance came, they checked my vitals and i was a-ok, just an extreme panic attack... after a short while i stopped shaking and that was that. I was too afraid to continue the medicine. It was so upsetting as i couldn't understand how something created to help would give me a WORSE experience than i had before taking it. I know now that what i had was a side effect that i would imagine a lot had in the beginning. Now i want to go on them again and now that i know through reading real people accounts what to expect so if it happens again i will not be afraid.

So, the only immediate side effect i felt was anxiety/panic that came out of nowhere! I was just watching tv eating a bowl of soup and BAM! The reason i was so afraid is in 2000 i had a coronary artery spasm from an "accidental" overdose of Epinephrine for a allergic reaction to Pine Nuts. Even though doctors said my heart was "fine", everything suggested otherwise. They had good reason to tell me i was "fine" since my spasm leading to my spending 2 days in the ICU was a doctor error. So, at first i thought i was having another spasm when i had that panic attack. I think that is the unfortunate thing about panic attacks, we only fuel them more with our minds.

Edited by midnightpet, 13 August 2006 - 09:53 AM.

[ados]

Welcome, MP!

I can see why you might have panic attacks, between food allergies and the epinephrine reaction. Wow! That must have been scary!

Good luck with restarting ADs. Many have found that (though it takes even longer for results) starting with a very small dose and increasing very slowly helps lessen any negative side effects. With your history, maybe you should talk to your doctor about that.

Keep sharing!

[midnightpet]

Thank you Ados for the warm welcome!!!!! I am so glad people like us have a place where we can come and let it all out. I am seeing such a great amount of support as i browse through posts and we all know how important support from REAL people can be. I am glad to be a new member and look forward to listening and sharing.

Yeah when you've felt the pain of a coronary artery spasm and then you feel a pain which mimics that pain it can be quite upsetting. I have been to doctors who all tell me i have no lasting effects from the event and show no signs of potential problems, but i know how i felt before and after this happened... i told them i continued to suffer from chest pain for months after it happened but still... "i am fine". When my grandfather died we were told he had a heart problem that must of gone undetected for YEARS which was interesting news. Still... i must attempt the meds again... i am in a long term relationship that is being HEAVILY effected from not driving to not going out in big crowds. Not to mention goals i put off again and again because of depression... ocd... and FEAR. So yeah... trying them again and i'll post again in this thread with same or different side effects. I'm just hoping i won't get the panic this time!

=)

Edited by midnightpet, 15 August 2006 - 08:37 AM.

[Petersfine]

I choose to fight this battle free of anti depressants....I think i'm just one of those people that they dont work for.....I've tried Zoloft, Celexa, Wellbutrin, Prozac and Imapramine and they all increased my anxieties ten fold....I was being treated more for anxiety then depression but I kinda think they go hand in hand because I feel my anxiety contributes heavily to my depression...Anyway...I hope the meds work out for you(((MP))) and I do know that some of the anti depressants have better calming qualities then others so I'd definitely keep that in mind...

[pink_princess]

im pretty used to side effects cus of the other meds i take for my other condition e.g steriods really not nice u get a big face!! its called 'moon face' ha ha anyway on fluoxetine had some very crazy side effects first i got rage about everything id have to throw things around suddenly and i became very assertive and would easily get into arguements whith anyone including strangers if they annoyed me!
then i started getting what i can only describe as a ball of anticipation in my chest that i wanted to get out but i didnt no how almost i needed an adrenaline rush, i felt almost as if i was invincible and wasnt scared of anything. im not proud of some of the things i did to try to get rid of it- this was when i started self harming because it was the only way i could get this weird feeling out of me. luckily i dont have either of those symptoms any more but mainly i have a problem with my sleep in that i sleep way to much! usually about 15 hours a night and ill have naps duing the day. sometimes i just fall asleep by accident anywhere!
also i like to know if anyones dreams have changed??? my are amazing they have become like films and they are so vivid in my mind during the day that i can remeber every single detail! also i'll will sometimes remember things and be really unsure as to whether it was a dream or not. one side effect that i think will be with me for ever now is the not being scared i kinda dont feel scared about death any more , which im sorry if this is gettin abit deep. lol thanx for reading!

[ados]

im pretty used to side effects cus of the other meds i take for my other condition e.g steriods really not nice u get a big face!! its called 'moon face' ha ha anyway on fluoxetine had some very crazy side effects first i got rage about everything id have to throw things around suddenly and i became very assertive and would easily get into arguements whith anyone including strangers if they annoyed me!
then i started getting what i can only describe as a ball of anticipation in my chest that i wanted to get out but i didnt no how almost i needed an adrenaline rush, i felt almost as if i was invincible and wasnt scared of anything. im not proud of some of the things i did to try to get rid of it- this was when i started self harming because it was the only way i could get this weird feeling out of me. luckily i dont have either of those symptoms any more but mainly i have a problem with my sleep in that i sleep way to much! usually about 15 hours a night and ill have naps duing the day. sometimes i just fall asleep by accident anywhere!
also i like to know if anyones dreams have changed??? my are amazing they have become like films and they are so vivid in my mind during the day that i can remeber every single detail! also i'll will sometimes remember things and be really unsure as to whether it was a dream or not. one side effect that i think will be with me for ever now is the not being scared i kinda dont feel scared about death any more , which im sorry if this is gettin abit deep. lol thanx for reading!

Welcome, Princess!

Most all of the side effects you describe are typical ones that others have experienced. Too bad that you seem to have more of them then most folks do! I don't know how long you've been on the med, but generally the worst of the side effects are fading away within a couple of months. If you continue to have severe sleeping trouble or dreams that are bad enough to make you unsure of what is reality, I'd definitely talk to the doctor about it.

Good luck, and let us know how you are doing.

[Lucid Dreamer]

Weight gain -- the meds messed up my metabolism to the point where I can't seem to get back to my pre-med weight, no matter what I do... That's depressing in and of itself. I am off meds right now and very leary to go back on anything because I fear more weight gain, which I think would send me over the edge into a complete "breakdown".

[shopgirl]

Terrible Suicidal feelings.

Prozac had me climbing the walls...Almost literally. I couldn't relax and it felt like my head was going to explode. If the doctor hadn't changed my meds I believe I could have jumped in front of an oncoming bus.

[lizard]

Whew, shopgirl! I'm glad you're doing better now! Not everyone does well on the same AD.
Lucid Dreamer, I also have serious issues with weight gain, but I chose to make the depression my top priority. Also, keep in mind that some ADs tend to cause less weight gain than others (Wellbutrin often causes weight loss).

[Bird2E]

Oh, the anxiety! Which is the main reason I am taking Prozac to begin with.

I am entering week three, just upped my dose from 10 mg. to 20 mg. I'm sure this is just the start-up stuff and will go away soon (I hope, hope, hope!). I have good days, bad days and even worse days. Some days (like today) start out good and go downhill. I really don't like to take a anxiety med because they all make me so groggy, but sometimes I guess being groggy is better than feeling like I'm going to explode. At least I find I can use that extra enegy to get some stuff done, even though it may take me twice as long because I can't seem to stay focused for very long. And I try to tell myself that pacing is good...... it's just short distance power walking.

Just call me tired but wired and looking to the future through anxiety-fogged glasses toward the day when the SE's settle down and I can truly LIVE again (I hope, hope, hope, hope!).

[dibrom]

The main effects that bothered me were dry mouth and aggression which stopped me from taking them

[Mousekateer]

Hello :)

Has anyone suffered from bad indigestion and heartburn on Fluox? I get really crazy heart burn, and it makes me worry "Oh, heart problems!!!" but it's not really (just on a spot I know where I have a permanent nerve pinch in my chest).

It mostly comes after eating reasonably fatty foods. I am trying to watch my diet, but after I have something like takeaways, a steak, a rich sauce, or buttery potatoes, it hits. Doesn't help the anxiety makes my heart go bumpity bump!

Chocolate *IS* a food group! ;)

[pokonose]

heya all, i had jaw clenching but didnt realise it was a side effect, does anyone no y?


pokonose xxx

[lizard]

All sorts of stomach/digestive problems can be a side-effect of Prozac. If it's bothersome, talk it over with your doc.
I don't hear of too many people being bothered by jaw clenching with Prozac, but everyone responds differently.
Sometimes there are simple solutions to these side-effects, many of which ease up as your body adjusts to the AD. Sometimes a change is needed. Again, I think it's always a good idea to let your doc know what's going on.

[Sinkra]

weight gain sucks

[Cowgirlwithproblems]

I had a few of these but the one that sticks out in my mind is lossing xxlb in the first week of taking it.

*edited by moderator. # of plounds deleted so that it soes not trigger our members with eating disorders.

Edited by Sheepwoman, 08 November 2006 - 11:41 AM.

[SnowWhiteQueen]

I've been taking 20mg of Prozac for about two weeks, I haven't really noticed a different in the way I've been feeling as such but I understand that it can take time for it to kick in. I've been getting muscle spasms in my calf muscles though and extreme aches in my legs/buttocks.

Edited by SnowWhiteQueen, 22 November 2006 - 10:14 PM.

[adude]

Welcome to my life. Yes, by subscribing to this (great) forum I feel I let a bunch of new friends (people who know what depression is) coming into my life. I really hope I will be able to be of some help for some of you as much as I know some of you will be helpful for me.

I am on Prozac for about 30 days now (20mg) and I started to see a few better days lately even though I keep being "sad" , hopeless. bored, anxious,....you all know what I mean. This thread is about side effects...well my most hated one is...time. I wish this med would work faster instead of months going through bad days followed by "normal" days. This is the second time I start prozac and I remember how it feels when the med kicks in. Not there yet. But I am patient. The first time I took prozac, I quit taking it cold turkey because...well I felt I didn't need it any longer (I know, its idiotic...). Of course I was wrong. Now, after more then 4 years of bad depression, I found the straingth to love myself again, enough to DO something for me (i.e. doc --->ADs). Thank you all for being there.

w

ps. Sorry if my english is too bad, it's not my first language

[Cathalain]

Just starting week 1 of Prozac. All I want to do is sleep... all day long.... I've had one panic attack on this stuff (have never had one before and I was scared out of my mind)... but mainly I've just noticed that I'm really tired, all the time. I also feel kind of slow and stupid... my thoughts are slow and I've been noticing that I'm not coming up with the "right" words sometimes while I speak.

Gah, I hope this gets better.

- cath.

Edited by Cathalain, 03 December 2006 - 04:13 PM.

[springtimeofhisvoodoo]

Just starting week 1 of Prozac. All I want to do is sleep... all day long.... I've had one panic attack on this stuff (have never had one before and I was scared out of my mind)... but mainly I've just noticed that I'm really tired, all the time. I also feel kind of slow and stupid... my thoughts are slow and I've been noticing that I'm not coming up with the "right" words sometimes while I speak.

Gah, I hope this gets better.

- cath.

Yeah, the sleepiness sucks with Prozac. I'm taking an adrenal supplement though, and it really seems to help. That and my dose is only 10 mg daily.

With Wellbutrin I had the panic attacks (from withdrawal) and definatley not coming up with the "right" word ALL the time. With Prozac I'm pretty normal that way. "normal" heh.

[fac414]

Day 14 of second time on prozac. Last time I took it, it definitely made me feel happier, but I was falling a sleep all the time. This time I am feeling very naeous, digestive type problems and feeling pretty weird. Tierd, but full of energy in a strange way! Vivd dreams, and tend to sleep light and wake early (but had that before prozac...so..). Also, I have decided to cut out coffee consumption, from my former roughly 4 mugs (8 cups a day) to 1 mug(2 cups) in the morning. I am finding that extremely difficult, and is probably contributing to the discomfort from taking the prozac. Sorry, for the mess of this paragraph, my mind is also pretty jumbled, which is certainly not helping my attempted exam cramming! Anyway, cheers!