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joolsukuk
03-05-06, 13:50
hi ive just been started on 20mgs prozac and wonered if anyone else is on them i was on seroxat b4 and ha dno probs but doc diddnt want me to g back on them due to the bad press its had but they were great for me ..anyway please if you have been ar are on prozac let me know how it was ive been on them 6 days and feel a bit rough

nomorepanic
03-05-06, 13:52
Try this post ...
Links to posts about Common Problems (http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7784)

Nicola

Pete12
07-05-06, 21:18
Jools, how are you now? I'm on day 5 of 20mg Prozac, barely sleeping or eating and generally uncertain. I've heard it can take a week or two to feel the benefit - and hope the side-effects go too!

I was on seroxat a few years back, switching to Lustral. don't remember the side-effects being quite as bad.

arethaire
07-05-06, 21:51
Hi Jools
I too took seroxat at first for about 6 months but I gained a lot of weight & I asked my Doctor to change them. He then gave me Prozac, which I have been taking now for about 2.5 years. I still didn't loose the weight & other than the weight gain I have had no problems with either.

What sort of side effects are you experiencing? (& you too Pete)

Cath x

joolsukuk
08-05-06, 00:28
hi all im now on day 11 of prozac feel sick alot and butterflies in tummy!!!! ( wish i could catch them in a net and stamp on them lol ) not had problem sleeping but have lost me appetite and losing weight and im not big anyway so beggining to worry about that now..i have diazapam but not sure if can take with prozac ..i diddnt have a problem with seroxat worked grat but due to bad press think doc diddnt want me back on it.. CATH has prozac helped you ???

jools xx

Pete12
08-05-06, 10:02
hi Jools, Cath, the loss of appetite doesn't bother me too much as kind of wanted to lose weight anyway :D Not sleeping does bother me, basically makes things worse, as does the uncertainty. Also have chills, dry mouth, yawning, and a kind of pulsing right around my jaw. Oh, and anorgasmia.

Good news is that most of these side-effects aren't quite as severe now as they were, i got some sleep last night and ate a whole bowl of bran-flakes this morning! Jools, someone recommended smoothies, easier to consume and full of goodness, to get you through to when your appetite returns. Mine is returning very gradually. My doctor said prozac was 'speedier' than seroxat, so the diet pill effect.

Also finally starting to get some benefit this morning. Drinking coffee gets me pretty high for 15 minutes - i'll have to switch to decaf. I've heard it's best not to drink alcohol either?

joolsukuk
08-05-06, 14:53
HI PETE I HAVE THE CHILLS AND THE YAWNING AND DRY MOUTH ...ARE YOU TAKING YOU MEDS EARLY IN THE MORNING I WAS TOLD THAT WILL STOP IT FROM DISTUBING YOUR SLEEP....MY WORSE THING IS FEELING SICK AND EVEN IF I AM HUNGRY I FEEL TO SICK TO EAT ..IM GLAD YOUR GETTING YOUR APPETITE BACK AND THAT THINGS ARE SETTLING DOWN FOR YOU HOW LONG YOU BEEN ON THEM NOW? DO YOU HAVE DIAZAPAM OR ANYTHING TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF?

jools xx

Pete12
08-05-06, 16:53
Hi Jools, i'm taking it in the morning, this is day 6. I have beta-blockers on standby, used one at bedtime on day 1 or 2, but not since. Am actually feeling a little hungry now, it's positive in itself when side-effects wear off - which they WILL, so hang on in there and go with it!

Off to get some camomille tea, hoping to sleep longer tonight!

Pete12
09-05-06, 09:34
Hi all, had a bit of a mood dip yesterday evening and didn't sleep much last night after all. I suppose I can live with sleeplessness, but it adds to the spaced-out and anxious feelings...

joolsukuk
09-05-06, 10:18
hi pete
i know what you mean when you dont get enough sleep it def adds to the anxeity how are you this morning? try having a nap if you can....by the way im not feeling any better on the prozac and in on day 13 is that normal? ive read it can take 2-3 weeks im back to the docs in two weeks, ..hope your feeling better petexx

jools xx

Pete12
09-05-06, 10:57
Don't feel at all sleepy during the day. Feeling up and down this morning, uncertain. How are you jools? Apparently it can take 2-4 weeks to feel the benefit of prozac, also your doctor might switch you to a different SSRI or a different dose. I feel the benefit off and on already, but everyone reacts differently. Maybe the side-effects are a good thing, shows I respond to it!

joolsukuk
09-05-06, 11:04
hi i never thought of it that way so maybe your right feeling side effects means its getting in my system thats actually cheered me up a bit!!im sorry your havimg probs with sleeping what about asking doc for diazapam just for a day or so to get some rest? i think i will see how i feel on the porz for a week or bit longer dont want to have to start all over on another ssri and feel the same arghhhh!! thanks for your replies pete take care xx

jools xx

joolsukuk
09-05-06, 13:41
just to add some thing i feel like my jaw is twitching im not relaxing it hard to explain but could that be a side effect??????

jools xx

arethaire
09-05-06, 14:27
Hi again :)

Could you both tell me why your taking prozac?
I'm taking them for panic/anxiety after a breakdown in 2003. I take 20 mg every morning.
Although I have been on them a long time, I can't ever remember having any side effects, (except the weight GAIN) & both Prozac & prior to that Seroxat really helped me.
I did try weaning myself off them a while a go, but I started to feel the anxiety/panic again.
Anyway just before Christmas I had another breakdown (whilst still taking prozac) & I did take a few Diazapam at that time to get over it. So yes it is ok to take Diazapam at the same time as Prozac.

I hope you are both feeling much better today ....

Cath x

joolsukuk
09-05-06, 14:41
hello cath
im on it for anxiety i have had severe panic attacks in the past but have anxiety now and becoming agrophobic ..i was on seroxat and really helped then was off meds for a year ..so im on for anxiety not depression xx

jools xx

Pete12
09-05-06, 16:00
hi cath, I'm on it for a depression which is rooted in social and existential anxiety (there's a grand one!). It is like a physical fog in my head, which has lifted for short periods of time over the past week and then returned. I've a 3 month waiting list for counselling, 18 months [V]for therapy, I can manage if I can just get rid of this fog and focus, i've nothing to complain about in the real world, I have a lovely family. I've had the same feeling once or twice before in the distant past (though for a reason then), in those days the doctor gave you tranquilisers for a short period of time.

jools, i've had jaw twitching, definitely a side-effect. which, as we've noted, is at least an effect!!

BTW, I'm a bit of a coffee addict. Caffeine of course can be a trigger for anxiety etc, i'm laying off it with the prozac (probably have withdrawal symptoms) but when I do have the odd coffee now it really boosts my mood! I'm tempted to drink coffee as normal - any thoughts? Will probably try a little alcohol tomorrow. I got a 20 minute doze earlier, went to bed with a Leonard Cohen cd (!) fell asleep half way thru woke up feeling a lot better for a few minutes then a bit better.

Best to you both, it means a lot to talk. Do you have people around you you can talk to?

joolsukuk
09-05-06, 21:13
hi
glad you had a nap...im a tea addict drink it all day long and do have a drink at the weekend just 3/4 beers yes i have people to talk to fab partner very understanding two kids 12 and 15 have grown up with me and my panics neighbour has panics too so we lean on each other for support she was on citalopram but has been off for 3 months but says she needs to go back on anyway she will prob join here soon lol
sleep well tonight xxxx

jools xx

raverbaby
09-05-06, 22:47
i was on prozac until 3 weeks ago, origanaaly went on for depression and panic attacks but it made my anxiety so much worse. the doc gave me valium to help but prozac still wasnt helpin. im now on soroxt and its working great, tho its killed my sex drive and made me quite agrassive lol!!

prozac made my jaw ache like mad!!

Southern_Belle
10-05-06, 03:20
Hi,

I also tried prozac for anxiety and it too increased my anxiety levels. My worst side effect was a buzzing feeling in my head and a spaced out feeling. I now take paxil, I believe you call it paroxatine. It helps loads for my anxiety. I do think it is one of the most difficult ssri's to come off of though.

Bel

joolsukuk
10-05-06, 11:20
hi all,
i think its begining to work now, (thank goodness) on day 14... i was on seroxat/paroxetine and i loved it really helped mebut as you say it was hard to come off took along time by going down 1ml every two weeks when i tried to go any faster did have horrid side effects! good luck on it i really did do well when i was on it xxx

jools xx

Pete12
10-05-06, 11:46
good to hear, jools. do you still have the side-effects (chills etc)? I got 5 straight hours sleep with help of a sleeping pill last night, will try a beer tonite (the socialising is more of a challenge than the beer).

Bel, i've been having the increased anxiety - i'm assuming (hoping) it's a side-effect, which will settle or disappear soon. I once took paxil (seroxat in UK) for anxiety but switched to lustral (Zoloft?) due to side-effects.

joolsukuk
10-05-06, 12:17
hi pete
the last two days been feeling really up! hoping this means prozac kicking in (at last) and im eating better too, no chills, but have become a bit aware of my tongue sounds odd i know feels like its big and twitchy lol (i sound mental) lol not worried about it just annoying.....im so glad you had a good sleep it makes a difference, have a great evening and a beer for me xx

jools xx

Southern_Belle
12-05-06, 16:13
Jools,

Not to be too nosey but why did you go off paxil if it was working for you? Glad to hear the prozac is starting to work better for you.

Pete, I hear that Zoloft is a switch down from Paxil. Less sedating side effects. My anxiety is so bad though I need the most sedating ssri which my doctor says is Paxil that is why I'm on it and it has worked for me. Though like I said I'm on lowest dose. I do think they prescribe it more in USA than in the UK though, especially since extended release recently came out. Pete, also hope you anxiety decreases soon.

Bel

Pete12
12-05-06, 16:48
Well, after 9 days of anxious insomnia I'm ditching Prozac. Doctor says it'll be out of my system in a few days (anyone know if this is true?? I've only been on it 9 days...), I can use beta-blockers if necessary and then either start on 10mg citalopram or do without. Right now I just want to get a decent sleep. Have a preliminary CBT appointment on monday morning (private of course, nhs waiting is a year or so).

Well, at least Prozac helped me lose 10 pounds!

joolsukuk
13-05-06, 00:52
hi bel
iwas weaned off seroxat as i was so well and functioning normal(if there is such a thing) was clear for over a year then pa came back with avengence! he didnt want me back on the same meds as there has been alot of bad press aboutit here in the uk( i wouldnt have minded going back on it) also was hard to come off loads of side effects dont let that put you off just come off really slow it will be fine xxx

hi pete
so sorry it didnt work for you was it just thelack of sleep that did it? i believe it does come out of you system very quick especially if you not been on long so you should be fine ..good luck on the new meds hope they work like a dream for you xxxx let me know how it goes

jools xx

joolsukuk
13-05-06, 00:54
by the way still got funny feeling in tongue what is that about !!!!! getting on my nerves now

jools xx

Pete12
13-05-06, 15:50
hi Jools, yes the lack of sleep was driving me crazy. Last night I woke up quite a few times but was able to doze back - before I'd wake around 1, and it was like bright buzzing lights were permanently on in my head! I feel a lot better for the sleep, less anxious and sometimes high, probably with the last seratonin effect of the prozac. Can't decide whether to start on the cipralex or try to do without...but want to fix the sleep first.

joolsukuk
13-05-06, 16:05
hi pete..im so glad your getting some sleep try going without meds for a while then and see how it goes you might find you will cope i really hope so..do let me know how you go best of luck hope you get loads of zzzzzzs xxx

jools xx

joolsukuk
17-05-06, 13:27
just a quick update..on day 21 now and feeling much much better no panic for a while been qite calm so lookslike its well and truely doing the job now lol..

jools xx

joolsukuk
22-05-06, 12:21
hi ..
update again last one i hope on proza... on day 27 now and no real panic attacks altough i have been practising when one feels like its coming i say out loud "come on then do it get it over with" and its working the feeling passes it like , becaouse im accepting it insted of fighting it it cant take over!..so dont know if it meds or my attitude thats working or pob both ! good luck all xxxxxxx

jools xx