Prozac

[Marie-Anne999]

Does anyone takes this or can help advise I.e does it help? Thank you so much need help as I am struggling and not sure if to take it.

[BonnieSue]

I have taken this drug 2 times in my life for about 10 years and then 8 years the 2nd time. It was a great drug to take. No side effects for me except for the usual for antidepressants---loss of sexual interest and hard to climax. Prozac is still considered by many to be the gold standard of antidepressants. It's weight neutral--doesn't make you gain or lose. But everyone is different and you may not like it as I did.

I also have an anxiety disorder and was on anti-anxiety medicine before the Prozac was started. Just telling you in case you have anxiety that the Prozac doesn't take care of. It's primarily an antidepressant that helps with some anxiety. Give it 4-6 weeks to get to it's best strength to help you. Take care.

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you so much for your help I don't feel so scared now of going for it, think that now after a couple of days arguing with myself that I need the help and I can't feel any worse than I already do. I am so anxious just lately frightened of my family being injured or killed when they go to work, when they are driving all crazy irrational stuff but ultimately leads to me seeing the funeral. I am trying distraction techniques but I broke down today and sobbed as its getting worse.

[Hidden]

Yes it can for depression, have you been scripted for this medication ??.

There are other types of medication that are given in preference to Prozac.

Why are you asking about this medication directly ?.

BOB

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bob been prescribed it but was nervous of it as my partner says I should just get on with my life and stop worrying about things but things have got worse for me and I feel a failure starting to take it as he says it won't make my life better just mask my feelings. Hope u know what I mean tnx u.

[BonnieSue in reply to Marie-Anne999]

As much as you care for your partner, this person may be wrong about being against medicine. You just may need medicine and giving it a fair try is worth it. Sometimes the 1st medicine you try isn't the answer, and you have to try another one. Just be prepared. It's very personal about which medicine works for you.

You definitely have anxiety. Prozac is a SSRI-Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor. It's theorized that an SSRI allows serotonin to be present at nerve synapses for longer than your nervous system presently allows them to be, so that they can bind to the chemicals that help to relieve depression and some anxiety. This is currently the most popular kind of antidepressant and it works for many people who are considered to have a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE DEPRESSION and not simply a sad mood or bad day.

A trial of 4-6 weeks is needed to see if this drug will help you with your depression and anxiety. You should start to feel it working before the 4-6 weeks, just not the full effects before then. I'll be thinking and praying for you for great results.

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to BonnieSue]

Thank you for helping me. He does not do medication, feelings and is cross that I have been off work for a few weeks as unless your leg is hanging off you should work! That does not help me as it makes me feel worse. Going to pick up courage from your help and see dr in th morning. God help me if the dr gives me anything as my husband will look like I have given him a lemon to suck on, he won't like it! But I can't live like this any more the anxiety is getting worse!

[BonnieSue in reply to Marie-Anne999]

I know what you mean. My husband usually couldn't understand that I was sick unless he saw blood. Men are funny sometimes. But many people don't understand that a brain is an organ and needs treatment like any other organ when it's sick. You may have to get help without his understanding. He may 'get it' later on down the road.

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to BonnieSue]

He is ex military and 'hard' but I'm not ex military or hard I'm me! Rahhhhhh! Tnx u don't feel so 'mad in the head now' appreciate your time.

[Hidden in reply to Marie-Anne999]

Hello Marie

Sometimes for a short period of time we all need to take medications to move us on to a more settled life.

Have words with your GP and He may be able to make out a treatment plan for you. Sad to say your boyfriend seems to not understand your needs and give support.

Very few people take medications for the rest of their lives, sometimes you may just take them for short period of time or many take them just once and that is it.

Your Husband needs to understand that He may need your support and understanding when He is not well. He may have been a Soldier, they get ill as well.

BOB

[Photogeek]

Hi Marie Ann your partner doesn't sound sympathetic, he needs to educate himself

About Depression, please don't listen to him saying you should get on with it etc.

I was on Prozac years ago and I found it helped me a lot, it will take a few weeks

For you to feel the real benefit. so try not to feel too anxious, when you begin to

Feel less anxious and less Depressed you might try looking at why your feeling

So anxious, there are usually reasons if we look carefully at our lives. Counselling

Or some talking therapy could help you too.

We are a supportive bunch here, and often people who haven't experienced Anxiety

Or Depression can say things like " snap out it etc" which all make us feel more

Alone and more anxious. Lol.

Look after yourself and hope you feel a bit better now.

Hannah

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Photogeek]

Thank you so much two people including you have helped me today/tonight. I am anxious as so much as happened over the last 6 months and I feel like it's all too much now. I have thought about how to end my life and have made a plan but then yesterday I thought what about my daughter, my son, my grand children ? When I thought this that's when the answer was they will be fine cos they don't need me no one does. So it was ok do it then or tell sum one. So I said to my husband if I could take one tablet and never wake up I would. He said that's because you have been at home and you have been worrying about too much stuff, and don't forget you have had a chest infection. So I told him about how I felt but don't know why I bothered as he said "you just need to get on with your life" stop worrying over everything and everyone and you will be ok, all you need is a walk. I have taken hours to get a shower and get dressed and it's taken its toll so why doesn't he listen! Tomorrow I will go to dr, I will ask him to help me and I am going to do my best not to be ashamed or embarrassed. Thank you so much.

[Photogeek in reply to Marie-Anne999]

How Marie-Ann I so glad that you are going to GP, I have a friend

Who was Depressed and like you her husband was a good husband

But very unsympathetic as regards her Depression, but her GP called

Him in and talked to him and that helped a bit. Anyway I'm so glad

That you have us too , we will be your cheerleaders and hold your

Hand, so dot be too hard on husband either, some people just don't get it.

Please let us know how you are and how the Dr. Goes, as you will

Be in my thoughts, and this comes from someone who has suffered

A lot with Depression , but now. Feel much better, and this Forum

Has helped me a lot, and then I like to give a hand out to others to

Show there is hope.

Warm hugs to you.

Hannah

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Photogeek]

Hannah thankyou xx I was thinking about leaving him as he is like a bull head first in to all but a caring man who will help anyone practically. It's just his feelings that he doesn't want to share with anyone but he will tell me when he needs to. He just doesn't want to accept that today I am going to Dr again. He said to me that Christmas was busy and it is all the pressure and drink that has done this and me having chest infection and that is it ohh and the weather has not helped me. Will let you know how I get on xx

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Photogeek]

Dr said stress and anxious says to take the Prozac and he gave me a week off work. Will go back and see him again next week, see how the week has been.

[Photogeek in reply to Marie-Anne999]

H Marie-Ann that's great, Look after yourself, but it will take at least 2 to 3 weeks to feel the benefit of the Prozac.

Hannah

[Lin1944]

Hi Marie Ann, your husband is well now but one day he may need you to be sympathetic to him. My husband has never suffered depression but he is very supportive to me and it makes a big difference. Please start taking anti depressents as once in your system you will feel so much better. Tell your Doctor all your symptoms, he will be very helpful as so many people suffer from depression. I am 71 with 4 lovely grandkids and no reason to get depression but I find it helps telling my friends and family. I also listen to Mindfulness tapes which are free on Utube.

Good luck and you will be surprised how much better you will feel after 4 to 6 weeks of taking medication. Love from Lin x

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Lin1944]

Thankyou you Lin. Just got to get back to being me I suppose. Anxious about Dr this morning as I am scared he will not be supportive but I know that is irrational as he has been understanding so far. If he gives me a sick note my boss won't be happy as I have already been off sick for a month with throat infection, high blood pressure and chest infection so that too is making me anxious. I think that the worst thing about all of this is having no one to talk to. No disrespect to anyone but how bad is it that only people who I have only taken courage in to talk to this week seem to understand. Feeling disappointed with whom I thought were there for me. Thankyou so much for being there and for helping me.

[Lin1944]

Hi Marie Ann, glad you have a nice Doctor and he will be very supportive, get another sick note and don't worry as some people off sick for months and don't worry. I suppose some people I tell must think " what has she got to be depressed about,she is always going on holidays etc" but there is so much in the papers n on T. v about depression that more are understanding. Ruby Wax said Depression is worse than cancer because with cancer you want to live and with depression you want to die.

Take care and start taking the tablets they really do work.love Lin xx

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Lin1944]

Dr said that I should take the tablets and gave me a week off sick. He said that it is stress and he could put me off work for longer but if he does they will refer me to see a occupational health people so I will give it a week.

[Lin1944]

Well Marie Ann please keep on tablets and have another week off work. It won't be too long before you feel a lot better when tablets have kicked in. My small grandkids help me feel a bit better when I am down so try and spend some time with them. Take care love from Lin xx

[Looby]

Hi Marie -Anne..I have been reading thru all your posts and the wonderful support and encouragement you are finding on here.

Clinical depression IS a life-threatening illness, and something that cannot be cured quickly....as most good GPs know.

Basically is is caused by a chemical imbalance that affects brain function and emotions. There are many life events that can be the underlying cause....many women .. endure this as part of the menopausal stage of their lives.

Some folks are better after a month or two on suitable(for them) medication....others sadly have to take medication for longer, even years, with no serious side effects, unlike drugs used in the past.

I agree with the others, that if you ask your husband to go with you to see the GP - and if he cares for you, he will - then this will help to allay both of your understandable fears.

Give the Prozac 4-6 weeks, cutting out fizzy drinks, alcohol and coffee if you can. Try to download some relaxation stuff to play when the "gremlins" try to pull you down, seek out cheerful company, and avoid miserable progs on Telly (too many these days!!! ....).

My Dad was a "military man" and it is almost as if they have their gentleness drilled out of them....he never understood his wife or daughters. I had crippling post natal depression after my first child and this lasted about 2 years. This is why women are more sympathetic perhaps....

As someone else said, the Docs have a range of options they can try to ease your suffering.

I take a low dose of Citalopram during the S.A.D months (no sunshine means no natural Vitamin D ....another factor in depression).

We are here to assure you....there IS light at the end of all this, just LIVE your life in the NOW...

Hope this helps,

Looby xxx

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Looby]

Looby

Thank you so much for the help, information and advice. Feeling glad I went to dr yesterday, glad I found this site and happy the people here understand me. I woke with the sore throat that I have had now for 5 weeks and have said to my husband that if this is no better by next week I am going to ask dr to refer me to get it looked at properly, he asked me why I didn't do that yesterday and I to,d him that it was because I spent the time telling the dr about how I really felt yesterday. I did have a significant change yesterday afternoon when I came home and lay down with a hot water bottle, my husband said "would you like the fire on?" How funny is that? Do you know it's crazy that I don't just have what I want on when I want it for fear of upsetting him and yet he is not a violent man and he is so kind he will do anything to help anyone. I know if I ask for a 'love' for a cuddle I can have one but I feel so low I don't want to ask as I feel after 100 years of marriage why should I have to! It's funny as I spoke about what I said to the dr my hubby said if u want a love all u have to do is ask u know what I was like when you met me and that's me! This morning I think "little ***t" so naughty head in sand does come to mind! So slowly, one step at a time taking in all the stuff everyone has advised going to go an hour at a time. I do feel guilty, I do feel ashamed as I am the one who is and don't like being on the grass verge of life as I am scared I am being judged, and that I am weak. One thing I remember last night when I said to hubby about feeling so tired and fed up was he said "well u need to remember to take the tonic, that's why you feel so tired you haven't taken it today". God love him. Thank you a hundred times over to u all for being there sending you love and peace for your day. Xx

[Looby in reply to Marie-Anne999]

Thankyou for your honesty......and pleased you "opened up" to your GP. See if you can persuade your hubby to go with you next time....tell him you NEED him there, otherwise you may forget something important. I am not being sexist when I observe (after over 60 years of living and working with men) that they are not so good at sensing the non verbal cues as most women are. For example, I need to explain when I am feeling unwell or upset to my hubby....he does not "see" this. When needing help, I always have to ask - he rarely offers it. Despite this, I know he loves me, in his own way...just as I am guessing yours does too.

They are also more likely to respect what a male professional says ( that could be a British thing!) Male consultants ( in this country) appear to talk to me with more concern when my husband is with me......has anyone else experienced that? I find it really irksome. That was not the case in Spain, where I finished up in hospital after a severe allergic reaction to a drug (Plaquinel) a couple of years ago.

Sorry to ramble on....having a tough day today and going to see our (male) Doc tonight WITH my other half, needless to say!

[Marie-Anne999 in reply to Looby]

Good luck for tonight, hope all goes well. My husband would come with me if I asked him but he doesn't like Drs and it would be like getting him to suck on ten lemons! Don't get me wrong he will drive me there and wait up the road in the car but he won't go in. Today I have stepped up the anti as I've put the heating on cos I'm freezing, and he's not moaned! Yipeeeeee doooo! Take care and tnx u xx

[shaws]

I would be wary of taking anti-depressants because depression is also a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism and by too low a dose of thyroid hormones and maybe the addition of T3 would be more helpful if you are hypothyroid. Also liothyronine is 'natural' to our bodies.

Extract:

Clinicians may not consider using the thyroid hormone liothyronine sodium (levorotary isomer of triiodothyronine [T3]) for augmentation of antidepressant drugs in depressed patients who are also receiving the precursor hormone levothyroxine (levorotary isomer of thyroxine [T4]) for thyroid disease. We now report on the successful use of T3 augmentation therapy in seven of nine depressed patients who were also receiving T4 for thyroid disease.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/173...

drugwatch.com/ssri/suicide/

[shaws in reply to shaws]

"I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions"