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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by utopizen on May 5, 2004, at 23:02:32
Okay, it's in a weekly pill form, that sounds both desperate and scary technolology wise...
but anyway, since so many people are on oldies I've even been given, like Remeron and Trazodone (I've never been able to endure the somnolence) should I take Prozac seriously as a possibility?
I'm most likely going to try Straterra, since I have ADD+depression+social anxiety.
But weekly dosing... mmmmm...... kinda attractive, even if it must have way more interactions, etc... kinda like Paxil does, right?
Posted by harryp on May 6, 2004, at 19:30:22
In reply to Does anyone think of Prozac anymore?, posted by utopizen on May 5, 2004, at 23:02:32
I think Prozac is overall the most best SSRI available. It seems to have fewer of the SSRI side-effects and is more broadly effective (based on personal experience, rumors, and discussions with users) than the "imitations".
Naturally, doctors prescribe the newer drugs, not because they are better, but because the drug reps TOLD them the new drugs were better while giving them tons of free stuff!
I would get the generic daily fluoxetine. Cheap and time-tested.
Posted by Joy on May 7, 2004, at 7:50:26
In reply to I think Prozac is still the best SSRI, posted by harryp on May 6, 2004, at 19:30:22
I agree with harryp. The generic prozac is fine. I've been useing it for about 8 months. The side effects are very minimal. I have two relatives who take it also. It's a good medication for many people.
Joy
Posted by nmk on May 7, 2004, at 13:43:52
In reply to Re: I think Prozac is still the best SSRI, posted by Joy on May 7, 2004, at 7:50:26
> I agree with harryp. The generic prozac is fine. I've been useing it for about 8 months. The side effects are very minimal. I have two relatives who take it also. It's a good medication for many people.
> JoyHi Joy,
I started 20 mg of prozac almost two weeks ago and I can't sleep, even with 5 mg of zyprexa aboard. Did you experience insomnia initially and if so, did it go away after awhile? It is working great for the depression but I am wondering if I need to lower the dose or ride it out until the insomnia is gone.
Thanks,
Nicole
Posted by harryp on May 7, 2004, at 18:01:36
In reply to Re: I think Prozac is still the best SSRI » Joy, posted by nmk on May 7, 2004, at 13:43:52
I'd try Trazodone--it seem to be very good for AD-insomnia, and doesn't have the dependency/tolerance problem that chronic benzo use can have. It can be used with benzos, though (25mg Trazodone + 1 mg lorazapam is what I use for insomnia).
If you are just taking the Zyprexa for the insomnia, I'd use something else (trazodone or benzos would be better). I don't think anyone should take an AP regularly unless they really need it (i.e. really bad anxiety, paranoia, or psychotic symptoms).
Posted by Joy on May 8, 2004, at 12:26:44
In reply to Re: I think Prozac is still the best SSRI » Joy, posted by nmk on May 7, 2004, at 13:43:52
I don't like Zyprexa for sleep. I agree with harryp again; Trazadone up to 50 mgs is fine and a benzo or just a benzo like Xanax [alazopram], Ativan [lorazapam]. I take generic Xanax .5 at night..........no problem ever. Take Prozac in a.m. and benzo and or Traz before bedtime..should help.
Joy
Posted by monu on May 8, 2004, at 18:46:56
In reply to Re: I think Prozac is still the best SSRI nmk, posted by Joy on May 8, 2004, at 12:26:44
I agree that prozac is a great drug-at least it has been for me. I've tried some others, and always end up back on prozac. I used to have insomnia really bad on it when I took it before, but now it makes me tired all the time to where I have to take it at night. Has this happened to anyone else?
-Monu
Posted by nmk on May 10, 2004, at 8:43:59
In reply to Re: I think Prozac is still the best SSRI nmk, posted by monu on May 8, 2004, at 18:46:56
Thanks everyone for your responses, I really appreciate it. I have tried Trazodone in the past to no avail. I have such high anxiety that I really need something to knock me out. When I was taking zoloft, even a small dose of zyprexa (2.5mg) would knock me out but now that I am on the prozac, even 5 mg of zyprexa won't touch the insomnia.
Do you think lowering the prozac dosage to 10 mg might help? Is this a therapeutic dose? I don't want to go back on the zoloft since it didn't do much for the depression, although I could at least sleep.
Thanks again,
Nicole
Posted by harryp on May 10, 2004, at 11:07:41
In reply to Thanks everyone, posted by nmk on May 10, 2004, at 8:43:59
Prozac's known for causing anxiety in a lot of people. I suggest replacing the Prozac with a TCA like Nortriptyline taken at night.
If that doesn't work, for SERIOUS anxiety/depression help, few things can beat Nardil.
Posted by harryp on May 10, 2004, at 11:13:31
In reply to Thanks everyone, posted by nmk on May 10, 2004, at 8:43:59
Since you Prozac helped your depression, Clomipramine or Amitriptyline (more TCA's) might be good initial choices. They are very sedating for many, so they might be ideal for taking at night. Clomipramine sometimes has milder SE's than Amitriptyline, although you never know until you try them.
Some people love the TCA's and can't stand the SSRI's--you just have to experiment.
Nardil (MAOI) does appear to be in class by itself for nailing anxiety and depression in one fell swoop.
Posted by Sebastian on May 14, 2004, at 22:06:31
In reply to Thanks everyone, posted by nmk on May 10, 2004, at 8:43:59
I took 10 mg zyprexa with _ amount of prozac. I hated it. I don't think prozac is the one to take. I found celexa realy good. I still take the zyprexa. I tried the prozac thing too many times. I would always stop taking it, didn't think it helped at all. So I gave up on AD's for a while, because the doctor was not prescribing anything else. Till more recently, 2 years ago.
I suggest stoping prozac, and changing to something else. Up the zyprexa, or did you do that already to acomidate the prozac?
Celexa!!
Ivan
Posted by nmk on May 17, 2004, at 11:25:55
In reply to Re: Warning!!! » nmk, posted by Sebastian on May 14, 2004, at 22:06:31
> I took 10 mg zyprexa with _ amount of prozac. I hated it. I don't think prozac is the one to take. I found celexa realy good. I still take the zyprexa. I tried the prozac thing too many times. I would always stop taking it, didn't think it helped at all. So I gave up on AD's for a while, because the doctor was not prescribing anything else. Till more recently, 2 years ago.
>
> I suggest stoping prozac, and changing to something else. Up the zyprexa, or did you do that already to acomidate the prozac?
>
> Celexa!!
>
> IvanHi Ivan,
Actually, I decreased the prozac to around 5-10 mg. It is hard to tell because I am opening the capusule and dumping about half out. I didn't want to do this without my pdoc's advice but he did not show for my appt. last week and the hypomania was too much for me. I feel so much better....more calm and less hypomania. I see my pdoc in two days and will talk to him about discontinuing the prozac all together or keeping at a very low dose. I am still having some insomnia so I think if I ditched the prozac, this would improve, although I still think an AD is needed. I have tried Lexapro, which is similar to celexa, but was so quesy I had to discontinue. Effexor was the worst and zoloft pooped out on me after 9 years.
What side effects did you get from the prozac and what dosage were you on? Are you BPII?
Thanks for your help.
Nicole
Posted by Sebastian on May 17, 2004, at 12:02:44
In reply to Re: Warning!!! » Sebastian, posted by nmk on May 17, 2004, at 11:25:55
From what I hear, celexa and lexapro are very different. lexapro is more of a stimulant, while celexa is more likely to make you tired. If you stll can't sleep try increasing zyprexa, they have a 7.5 mg pill. I don't remember the side-effects from prozac, just the way it made me feel, hard to explain. I have scitzo-affective dissorder. Sort of half way between bi-polar and schitzoprenia, or manic deppressive with psychotic features.
Posted by kelly7707 on June 13, 2004, at 22:00:38
In reply to Re: Warning!!! » Sebastian, posted by nmk on May 17, 2004, at 11:25:55
Hi everyone,
It's been a while since I have written...I'd really love some feedback on your experiences with Prozac...I started on 10mg and was eventually bumped up to 20mg after a total breakdown. I have major depression with generalized anxiety disorder. I've been on it at 20mg now for about a month and in total on over two months on Prozac and this just isn't helping me at all. The past two days have been okay, but last week I was convinced I was losing my mind...I have tried Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, and Wellbutrin and I THINK Celexa was the best for me...the ONLY reason I have tried so many of them was in hope I'd find something that didn't have the sexual side effects. I have hit a point now though, that my health is most important and that the sex drive and sex life is just going to have to wait. I am still struggling with my worst bout of depression right now and have an appointment with my psychaitrist on Tuesday to switch my meds back to Celexa(it really worked well in the past, as I mentioned above)...
So my question is, what is your experience with Prozac...did you have any really bad reactions to it? Like, I have been married for ALMOST a year and I have had myself convinced for two months that I am with the wrong person...and he is soooooo good to me...yes, our relationship isn't perfect just like all other relationships, but not to the point where I should be thinking I shouldn't be with him...I have had this inner conflict in me for about 2 months of total confusion as to where and why I am having these thoughts...
I'd love any responses...
Kelly7707
Posted by Maxime on June 14, 2004, at 8:10:09
In reply to What is your experience with Prozac??, posted by kelly7707 on June 13, 2004, at 22:00:38
Hi I had success with prozac at 80 mg. I always need a higher dosage of meds because I seem to metabolism them rather quickly. If you don't see improvement after reaching 60 mg, then it's probably not the med for you or it need to be augemented with something.
Have you ever augmented an antidepressant with Cytomel? It's a thyroid med that is often used to augment anti-depressants.
On that note, have you had your thyroid tested? You should make sure you are not suffereing from hypothyroidism.
MAxime
> Hi everyone,
> It's been a while since I have written...I'd really love some feedback on your experiences with Prozac...I started on 10mg and was eventually bumped up to 20mg after a total breakdown. I have major depression with generalized anxiety disorder. I've been on it at 20mg now for about a month and in total on over two months on Prozac and this just isn't helping me at all. The past two days have been okay, but last week I was convinced I was losing my mind...I have tried Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, and Wellbutrin and I THINK Celexa was the best for me...the ONLY reason I have tried so many of them was in hope I'd find something that didn't have the sexual side effects. I have hit a point now though, that my health is most important and that the sex drive and sex life is just going to have to wait. I am still struggling with my worst bout of depression right now and have an appointment with my psychaitrist on Tuesday to switch my meds back to Celexa(it really worked well in the past, as I mentioned above)...
> So my question is, what is your experience with Prozac...did you have any really bad reactions to it? Like, I have been married for ALMOST a year and I have had myself convinced for two months that I am with the wrong person...and he is soooooo good to me...yes, our relationship isn't perfect just like all other relationships, but not to the point where I should be thinking I shouldn't be with him...I have had this inner conflict in me for about 2 months of total confusion as to where and why I am having these thoughts...
> I'd love any responses...
> Kelly7707
Posted by Caper on June 15, 2004, at 0:20:06
In reply to Re: What is your experience with Prozac??, posted by Maxime on June 14, 2004, at 8:10:09
Hi Kelly,
First, I have to agree with Maxime- if your thyroid function hasn't been tested, or hasn't been tested recently, it is definitely something that should be done. Hypothyroidism isn't just something that happens to the elderly, like some people mistakenly think. I was in my mid twenties when mine was diagnosed. It is not by any means a cure-all for most of us, but having my thyroid hormone dosage at the right level definitely helps my mood problems very much. Plus it is important for your over-all physical health.
On to the Prozac thing: my experience was very positive for a long time. Started out at 20mg right away with no more than 2 or 3 days of mild side effects (stomach upset). I noticed its initial effects after about a week. It was very subtle at first though. For example: there were things that used to just absolutely enrage me at work that suddenly had me enraged for about a second or two, but then I literally and figuratively just shrugged my shoulders and thought "whatever, not worth getting upset over, I can just let it go." It was great not to feel so hostile all the time.
After that, when it really kicked in, it did help quite a bit and I had some really productive years. Unfortunately, it eventually lost its effectiveness. So I had wellbutrin added to it, and that combo probably helped the most anything ever had. But then I got a new doctor who took me off wellbutrin because of my past history of anorexia/bulimia (because that increases the risk of seizures).
So there's my story re: Prozac. It helped at first but then just didn't seem to work anymore. Although my Mom takes it, has been doing so for years, and she's still doing great on it.
I'm surprised you were started at 10mg Prozac instead of the standard 20mg when the side effects are, compared to many other meds, relatively mild. You could give the 20mg dose another week or two to see if you're just one of those who needs the full 4-6 weeks to benefit from Prozac. But....
my advice would be: if Celexa worked best in the past, go back to it OR go to it's newest version: Lexapro. Lexapro (from what I've been told) is like a refined version of Celexa....they took out the part of Celexa that wasn't doing anything anyway, so Lexapro is really just Celexa but without the isomer that was pretty much inert anyway. There are lots of posts here that deal with Lexapro and lots of people seem to have been really helped by it.
My own personal experience with Lexapro wasn't a succes. It just didn't seem to do anything for me-- but by the time I started taking it, (last December) I was an alcoholic and had been for about a year, so that could have been why. (And to be honest with myself, I'm pretty sure nothing will work the way it should until I kick the alcoholism.)
Other points: 1) Are you sure you are unipolar depressive and not bipolar (either Bipolar I or II). Because if you are you may need some type of mood stabilizer in addition to antidressants. 2) Are you receiving any therapy besides meds? Are you seeing someone with whom you can talk things over?
My opinion on the marriage thing is just that- an opinion, of course- but for what it's worth....fairly early in their marriage, one of my parents suffered an extreme bout of depression and during this episode actually filed for divorce. But the depression eventually subsided, there was no divorce and today, approximately 30 years later, not only are they still married but they are still _very_ much in love. This may or may not apply to you, but in case it does I just wanted to share the story so you know that you're not alone. Depression can make you think some things you never thought you'd think, so it very well could be the depression or its combination with Prozac that's making you have these doubts which are disturbing you. Just a possibility.
I hope something somewhere in this message helps a little.
Best wishes,
Caper
> Hi I had success with prozac at 80 mg. I always need a higher dosage of meds because I seem to metabolism them rather quickly. If you don't see improvement after reaching 60 mg, then it's probably not the med for you or it need to be augemented with something.
>
> Have you ever augmented an antidepressant with Cytomel? It's a thyroid med that is often used to augment anti-depressants.
>
> On that note, have you had your thyroid tested? You should make sure you are not suffereing from hypothyroidism.
>
> MAxime
>
>
> > Hi everyone,
> > It's been a while since I have written...I'd really love some feedback on your experiences with Prozac...I started on 10mg and was eventually bumped up to 20mg after a total breakdown. I have major depression with generalized anxiety disorder. I've been on it at 20mg now for about a month and in total on over two months on Prozac and this just isn't helping me at all. The past two days have been okay, but last week I was convinced I was losing my mind...I have tried Celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, and Wellbutrin and I THINK Celexa was the best for me...the ONLY reason I have tried so many of them was in hope I'd find something that didn't have the sexual side effects. I have hit a point now though, that my health is most important and that the sex drive and sex life is just going to have to wait. I am still struggling with my worst bout of depression right now and have an appointment with my psychaitrist on Tuesday to switch my meds back to Celexa(it really worked well in the past, as I mentioned above)...
> > So my question is, what is your experience with Prozac...did you have any really bad reactions to it? Like, I have been married for ALMOST a year and I have had myself convinced for two months that I am with the wrong person...and he is soooooo good to me...yes, our relationship isn't perfect just like all other relationships, but not to the point where I should be thinking I shouldn't be with him...I have had this inner conflict in me for about 2 months of total confusion as to where and why I am having these thoughts...
> > I'd love any responses...
> > Kelly7707
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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