Feeling Stuck

[SchuylerW]

I have been on Fluoxetine (Prozac) for about four months for my anxiety and depression. I started at 10 mg and have worked my way up to 40 mg. I have experienced some benefits, but I think my overall mood is about the same as it was before I started taking the medication. Luckily, I have only experienced a few side effects (e.g. headaches, reduced libido, difficulty reaching orgasm, insomnia). At this point, I feel stuck. My psychiatrist and I both recently decided that it made sense for me to keep trying Fluoxetine and see if I notice any more improvements. However, I've started to realize that I'm really not much happier/less anxious. The spells of anxiety and crying episodes are just less frequent and milder. I still haven't been able to get out of bed and do what I want to do. My reduced sex drive has also started to become bothersome in my relationship. I think it's time to taper off of this medication, but my biggest concern is that I'm traveling for a month over the summer and I would like to be stable by the time I leave. If I begin tapering off now, I will be able to get off of Fluoxetine for my trip, but I will not have time to begin another medication. My greatest fear is completely losing it overseas. Please share any advice and similar experiences. This has been my first experience with psychiatric drugs, so I'm unsure of what route to choose.

TL;DR: I don't know if I should continue to take Fluoxetine (Prozac) or begin tapering off. Going overseas over the summer, so I must be stable and comfortable(ish) by then.

[gerg]

The effect these meds have on moods is very subtle. It sounds like you are feeling things and that is good, start to worry when you feel nothing. I am not a doctor, but I think you should stay the course.