Prozac

Hi .. I’m about to try Prozac for severe PV itching... has anyone been on it and does it cause significant weight gain???

[Loubprv Volunteer]

Prozac. Crikey, that’s a new one! I sympathise hugely with the aquagenic pruritis though. Poor you.Are you still showering and bathing? I gave up water 10 years ago and had a bidet installed.

[Hidden in reply to Loubprv]

No Loubprv ... I can’t shower like everyone else... my showers are in bits and pieces and I take beta-alanine; prescription antihistamine; Zyrtec and ranitidine all together before I take a little partial tiny shower because it “MAY” take the edge off but can’t say for sure it does take off the edge because I still go through the itching/pinching hell . I did that this morning and I was ok for part of the day but I’m itching now... not screaming itching but enough that it’s really annoying! Antidepressants ARE prescribed for this but I wanted it to be my last resort and I’m there now. So do you do anything at all for your itching???

[Loubprv Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Gosh you poor thing. It must be hell for you. I seemed to bang my itching ( itching? More like thrush under your skin, a blow torch on the top and a zillion insects biting all at the same time) by eliminating contact with water . The first consultant to solve this mystery should be knighted.

Louise x

[Hidden in reply to Loubprv]

Yes that is the feeling exactly ... I can’t take a regular shower ... my God they have to research this so that a specific drug could treat it !!!!

[cheeks1]

Yes but used for ET worked wonders and I actually lost weight if that helps x

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Hi cheeks1 ... love your response ... please tell me more!!!! I’ve tried everything for the itching, really everything. I call it a severe itching/pinching/burning and it’s really gotten in my way! Can’t shower like everyone else, 5 minutes after getting dressed is a screaming session! Anyway ET itching is the same as PV itching .. a lot of MPN sufferers can have it. So tell me... it’s worked for your itching?? And you actually lost weight? A significant amount? My hematologist did tell me that many have lost weight. I’ve put on 20 Ibs over the last 2 years because of the fatigue and the itching... so somewhat lack of activity. Exercising aggravates the itching and it goes nuts!!! So I really don’t need more weight on... I’m actually working on getting these 20 Ibs off again! So what can you tell me? 😃

[cheeks1 in reply to Hidden]

Hello - yes I doesn’t go completely, however made it so much more manageable. I couldn’t sleep, exercise and shower as the itching was unbearable such a weird sensation I cannot actually describe it but loads of pins pricking my body on the inside. It took a good couple of weeks to work but was worth it. And because it reduced my symptoms I felt a bit more normal again and get out more. I’m much more happier on it then I was without it xx

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

I know the sensation well... I call it an intense pinching/burning/itching... the kind that I say makes you want to run out in front of a Mack truck to make it stop! !! It makes me scream and cry it’s so bad. I can’t take regular showers ... so are you able to take a shower now? Getting dressed sets it off intensely for about 2 hours. I can’t exercise either because it sets it off. So with the Prozac your now able to jump into the shower????????? I miss that so much!

[cheeks1 in reply to Hidden]

Yes it has helped I can shower and it has helped a lot in day to day stuff as well always worth a try xx

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Cheeks1 I hope it works for me too.. if you don’t mind me asking, what other meds are you taking??

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Hi again cheeks1... sorry I’m going to bother you again ..... so today is 2 weeks since I started the Prozac for itching and it might still be a little early but I don’t have any relief yet. I’m on

10mg daily .... how many mg did you start at and should I give it more time?! I’m praying that this works for me.

[cheeks1 in reply to Hidden]

Hello no worries. I started at 10mg and think things started to improve around 4-5 weeks but not enough for me to be happy - so increased around 8 weeks to 20 mg as needed to speak to consultant for the increase.

I just remembered I am also on Ranitidine twice a day also with Prozac for the itching - sorry I keep forgetting things at the moment.

I have everything crossed it works for you too xx

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Ahh yes ok .... I read Prozac takes that long for the body to get used to it and then for it to fully start to be beneficial and it makes sense that the dosage may have to get increased. Also I know about ranitidine but alone it was doing nothing for the itching. I will mention it to my doctor about using it with Prozac for sure. Thankyou so much again!!!

I have to keep up the hope that it’ll work because I’ve tried everything else and it was a big step for me to try an antidepressant!!! Have a good and safe day!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Hi Cheeks1.... me again ...😳. My doctor just increased my Prozac from 10mg to 20mg for the pinching/itching.... because 10mg doesn’t seem to be working......did you have any problems when you went from 10mg to 20mg ???

[cheeks1 in reply to Hidden]

Hi not a problem I didn’t notice any difference with side effects with the increase xx

[Hidden in reply to cheeks1]

Thanks again !!👍🤞🏼

[hunter5582]

Prozac actually has weight loss as a listed side effect. online.epocrates.com/drugs/...

Stay aware that Prozac does have its own side effect profile, including altered platelet function like all SSRIs

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/148....

There is some evidence in the literature regarding the use of SSRIs and other anti-anxiety meds for pruritis. I sure hope it helps with the pruritis. .

practiceupdate.com/content/...

I am wondering if you have tried Jakafi (ruxolitinib). It is FDA approved for PV and supposed to be very effective for controlling pruritis.

No matter what, I hope you stop the itching.

[Hidden in reply to hunter5582]

Hi Thankyou hunter5582 ... jakifi is very expensive,..... I’m in Canada and it’s about $8,000.00 for one month’s supply and my insurance would only cover 20% . No way I could afford that!

[S031251 in reply to Hidden]

I’m very sorry to hear about your ‘itch’ as I had it until I was prescribed ruxolitinib. I am lucky to live in Scotland and pay nothing, I previously was prescribed anti depressants but had to stop cos of side effects and it didn’t help.You have my deepest sympathy- it’s a horrible sore unbearable condition. I do hope you find something to help,Anna x

[hunter5582 in reply to Hidden]

After all I have heard about how great the coverage for medications in Canada is I am shocked to hear that Jakafi would cost you that much out of pocket. Here in the States, my insurance would cover 70% of the cost (with a $100/month cap) until I reached my annual cap - then it would pay 100%.

There are some programs the manufacturer and others have to make the medication more affordable to patients. Have you looked into that?

incytecares.com/jakafi/copa...

drugs.com/price-guide/jakafi

prescriptionhope.com/jakafi...

I hope you can find a way to afford this option if you want to pursue it.

[Hidden in reply to hunter5582]

I know and in the U.K. it’s free! It just isn’t right! I believe it has something to do with it being made elsewhere... I think we do get it from the U.K. , not sure right off but I think that’s what I read somewhere. Something needs to be done. I will bring it up with my new hematologist next appointment see if he has any other info about it.

[hunter5582 in reply to Hidden]

That really makes no sense. However, healthcare systems do not always make sense. No different here in the USA. Hope you find a solution.

[Hidden in reply to hunter5582]

I agree! Thanks hunter5582!

[S031251]

Ps. Ruxolitinib causes weight gain.