I have been on fluoxitine for 7 years maybe more, could I benefit by changing them.

[bourbons]

I suffer and don.t see a change since taking fluoxitine. I havw been prescribed 40 mg but that just numbs me and gives me even more of the feeling that I just exist rather than living me life.

[Gambit62]

7 years is quite a long time to be taking fluoxitine.

The only way you can know if it is working at all is to have another us at the same time that isn't taking it - so it may be working it's just that it isn't working enough.

It is a really bad idea to try to come off it cold turkey - as that really can make things a lot worse - so please go back to your doctor and talk things through.

I can't remember what the maximum length of time recommended for fluoxitine is - think it is 10 years - but there are lots of other meds out there that you could try and might work better - though the real thing is that meds seem to work best in conjunction with other things - such as getting regular exercise, and talking therapies ... and some people find meditation helps.

[GoodMentalHealth]

I was diagnosed with anxiety and was prescribed fluoxitine. After taking 40mg for a month uninterruptedly, I decided to be seen by a specialist in depression. It was the best decision I took. My GP was helpful to bring to light I was suffering from something, but the investment of seeing the specialist (a Professor from psychiatric medical school) allowed me to meet the only person who really helped me to learn about my real condition, effects and treatment. In my case, they heard my story and told me to stop immediately with fluoxitine and prescribed me modern medication to extend the effects of seratonine in my blood and curiously they also prescribed me a tablet to reduce the effects of dopamine (which causes anguish). Two different medication, very modern formulas, almost zero side effect, and despite taking a higher dose than the one given of fluoxitine, I am absolutely fine. I am a greater believer that a specialist can give you the correct medication and can help you much more than therapy or other sorts of treatments. If your condition is mental-physical, modern medicine can help you a lot and the minor side effects of modern medication allow you to have control over your life again. it helped me a lot, so I strongly suggest seeking even privately a consultant who specialized in what you think you suffer from, talk to them openly about your whole life habits and family health history, they will help you. Try to go to a medical school as I did. All the best.

[hookedandhelpless]

I have been on Prozac for 15 years. God alone knows what my life would be without them.

If you want to stop taking them I suggest you do it over a very long period. For instance miss one every 2 weeks for a few months and so on and so on. You do forget who you really are with prolonged use of this SSRI. Good luck.