Prozac and side effects

All anti-depressants run the risk of side effects. Some of the variants include impacted sex drive. One anti-depressant I took impacted me that way. It sucked. Some side effects do die down over time. Talking to your pharmacist about potential side effects would also be helpful. There are also other anti-depressants that have a much less potential impact on sex (Wellbutrin for example). If this risk is a concern for you then I’d encourage you to talk to your doctor about it ASAP. May also be helpful to ask why your doctor choose Prozac.

Sivvi

Thank you for your reply.  I did ask the why Prozac question.  The response to why Prozac was because of Prozac’s long record of usage and known track record (both good and bad).  I did not touch on the subject of libido/sexual disfunction with her due to my lack of knowledge about the drug and also due to the fact that it could be a “potential” side effect.  Accordingly, at this point I truly do not know how it will effect me.  At the end of the day, hopefully it effects me in a positive manner.  I

I guess one of the things I wanted to explore in this discussion was what the experience others had with the medication or any meds.  Hopefully sharing these experiences will help me at least have more knowledge about the “path I am walking down”

20 years ago my GP prescribed Paxil for some anxiety I had been experiencing. I took it for three days and felt terrible, disconnected almost zombie like. My anxiety was stress/work related and I found a way of managing it and have been fine ever since.  

Thank you for sharing this.  Oddly enough one of the ways that I side step medication to make me feel better is to cross dress.  Unfortunately, my life dictates that I only rarely get to dress.  Further, there is the additional negative emotional baggage that always comes with cross dressing.  Thus another portion of the depression spiral.  That said, like you Michelle, the main crux of the depression is work related.  Thank you for the advice and input on your experience with anti-depressant meds.

I take a collection of meds for bipolar 2 (primarily depression). Had ups and downs. Some pills sped me up (great feeling when your depressed but not healthy). Another was a new side effect every day. For about 2-3 years I’ve had a good rhythm with my doctor. Just slight variations here and there. Pills have had a positive impact on my life overall. They are just one part of my journey. I’ve found that pills can give me the extra boost I need to do healthy activities (walks, work, parent, etc...). I also enjoy mental health apps. My preference is Woebot.

Sivvi

IMHO, I think many doctors are too quick to prescribe certain medications.

Have you considered pastoral counseling or the services of a clinical psychologist, as an alternative to taking a drug? Have you considered seeking a second opinion?

About 25 years ago I  was put on Zoloft, similar to but less potent than Prozac. The purpose was to smooth out the ups and downs and depress the libido. At first it did as described but after a few months it no longer depressed the libido, which I was happy about. I was ready via therapy to resume normal sexual behavior. The medication continued to about the two year mark. Having no ups or downs actually made life boring but about this time my therapist took a different job and I got a new therapist with better credentials. She immediately cancelled the Zoloft and I quickly felt better. After three months she said I was fine and didn't need therapy.

My opinion is it can be helpful in the beginning but the doctors tend to drag it out too long. I would have saved a lot of money if I had been cut loose earlier instead of dragging it on needlessly.

❤

Beth

Hmmm... while I’m no doctor I’m sufficiently practiced in the usage of anti-depressive medication to give an appraisal.

I was first medicated in 1996 for Atypical depression and went on a regime of different meds that were trialing me... Zoloft, Remeron etc..
None were at all helpful and some were counter productive!

However, since then I have been constantly taking a Prozac alternative that is also a Serotonin replacement therapy! Bingo!

For the past 15 years this medication has helped me determine whether I’m depressed or not... even depressed people get depressed!
What a miracle drug!

I know I’ll be on this until I die but so what?

That God for Prozac! Polly

Tiffany.

I was finally diagnosed with depression just after Christmas. I eventually gave in and went to my doctor..I just couldn't understand what was wrong with me!!...grace depressed, never....

i had a really long consultation, and after much pleading, I was put on a course of mental remedies instead of drugs. Okay, it was diagnosed as mild depression, but I wanted to attempt to cure it by physical actions and thinking clearer and more optimistically....rather than drugs. I don't do drugs anytime, apart from the odd asprin or antacid!!!

I really have managed to turn this around, I'm just thinking happy...and keeping busy, even being in the pink fog forces the darkness back......and it's working for me....

I'm not saying it works for everyone, there are lots of girls in despair so much deeper than I am/ was...but no drugs!!!!

Guess I was really lucky....good luck to you xxx

and to end with....I need to make you smile....

Last Christmas, my dear old gran made her famous fruit cake, but without her glasses on!!!

She topped it with Temazepam instead of Marzipan.....gosh, that definitely was our quietest Christmas....

Smiles, grace ❤️

Ladies

Stepping in with my professional hat on,

This subject is something that is very medical related and any advice on this should be given by a qualified medical practitioner. Comments and advice on here is only from an individuals persecutive and should not be used to adjust medications or treatments with out discussing with your GP/Dr.

If you have any worries about specific medications or treatments, then please talk to your Dr, and if still not happy then ask for a referral and have a specialist review.

Mental health care is a very complex area and there are many variables in how what and why treatments are given.

So , bottom line is asking on here is ok for some ideas but you need to discuss with your Dr before making any changes.

Hope that helps

Dawn

x

I have been seeing a counselor.  I too think the prescription might be a quick reaction to our discussions.  That said, I would really like to curb these feelings of depression.  In my conversations with the doctor, I actively resisted taking meds.  After lots of cajoling, the doc convinced me to let her prescribe them for me.  I do trust the doc and have no reason to go against her expertise.  I am worried though.

I get this and it is good advice.  The reason I posted here is not to get medical advice.  This is a unique community and I wanted to get real world perspective from people who have and are walking the same path as me (at least in terms of the dressing thing and the joys and baggage that comes with it).  You are right, however, true medical advice should be only given by a professional.  Thanks for the reminder.

One thing to consider is that most of the meds on the market for that purpose take time to load in and settle out. A side effect that occurs when you start may not last long, but to get the effect of the medication, you have to be on it for a period of time. Three days or a week are not long enough. For some it takes a month. Follow the advice of medical professionals. My experience is as an observer, as my wife takes a great many, as did my mother. When I was depressed, I was in the service, and if I had gone to medical about depression, I would have lost my job and perhaps been processed out of the service. My job did not allow any of those meds. I found other ways out of the depression, not all of them healthy. But it was what it was.

Bridgette

Thank you for the advice.  Unhealthy outlets on curbing depression is what I fear the most.   In fact, that is one of the reasons I posted here.  There are many in our society that would say cross dressing is an unhealthy outlet.  I think the people who post here at CDH do not think that way.  That is why I value their (yours included) advice.