Prozac experiences

[Rose]

My doctor just prescribed me Prozac for anxiety and depression. It's a very low dose right now, and I will go back in two weeks to have it adjusted.

I've taken it before, a higher dose, to prevent migraines and I can't remember if I had any side effects. I don't think so.

I am concerned about weight gain and was just wondering what side effects others have had that used it. Thanks!

[tbell]

I took Prozac (don't remember the dosage, but don't think it was very high) about 8 years ago for depression. After taking it, I noticed my depression was gone but so was every other emotion! I felt very numb. As far as weight gain, I immediately (within a month) gained about 15 lbs and put on another 15 lbs before I went off of the Prozac.

My eating habits didn't change (in fact, due to the depression I was hardly eating) but I did go from walking to class every day to staying in bed, so I guess it could be partly attributed to that. But I feel that the Prozac messed up my metabolism and honestly, it's never been the same.

I eventually went on Zoloft and my feelings came back without the depression (and it helped me quit smoking for a while!)

[islandgirlsj]

I have been taking Prozac now for about 8 years.
The only side effects I ever had were in the very beginning when it made me terribly tired. I *believe* it took my body about 3 weeks for it to get used to the medicine, and then I was fine.

I personally love prozac. I have never felt anything but completley normal, just not depressed. However, everyone has different reactions to anti-depressants. You should be prepared to give youself at least time to adjust to it, before deciding it is right, or not for you.

Weight gain? Not an ounce. In fact I think I lost a little weight. It actually helped curb my appetite.

I wish you luck with it, and that you soon feel better. ;)

[kristin9903]

I was on Prozac for a few weeks almost 6 years ago. It made me terribly moody. I'm usually a pretty laid back person, and I would just get so angry when I was taking it.

I'm now on Effexor to help with an eating disorder. It's in the same class of drugs as Prozac. I've lost roughly 15 pounds (that's a good thing!). Like a previous poster, I am having some fatigue issues, but the benefits totally outweigh that.

Good luck and feel better! :)

[keska]

Like kristin9903, I had very bad moods swings on Prozac. However, that's not really surprising as I'm bipolar and it is not actually recommended that bipolar people take it. Luckily, someone diagnosed me correctly and I found something that works better for me. I don't remember any weight gain, though, if that helps reassure you.

[maxandmolly]

I have been on and off of it for about ten years. Everytime I think I am fine enough to off it, the black hole comes out to get me. I've gained weight, and I'd love to blame it on the prozac, but I'm pretty sure it was the sodas and ice cream. I do sometimes feel a bit distant from my emotions - like, I don't cry when I 'feel' like I should feel like crying, but for me it's a small price to pay for being functional on a day to day basis.

[Rose]

Thanks everyone for your input. I lost some weight and have kept it off, and am actively maintaining my weight so it is a big concern for me.

[Atlanta_eBride]

I took it for a while and don't remember any weight gain. But like maxandmolly, I too wanted to cry sometimes and it's like it wouldn't let me - very strange feeling.

[ShelbyMay]

I took it for a while and don't remember any weight gain. But like maxandmolly, I too wanted to cry sometimes and it's like it wouldn't let me - very strange feeling.


I had this same problem when I was on Zoloft. I also couldn't get angry even when I *knew* it was justified.

[Aletheia]

The things I hate about PZ are that it effects my sex drive (bye bye libido, you may have been distant while i was depressed but now you are on vacation in paris without me) and that everytime i've needed to switch my dosage it makes my tongue tingle. My doctor thinks I'm making it up.

For the longest time that I was taking it I gained some weight, but I would attribute that to the super glue in my mattress and my arby's and twizzlers diet. C'est la vie when you eat like that.

It looks like there's a lot of experience out there, but I'll offer anyway-- if you have other questions or need to package up some of your feelings in tiny word-packages and send them to someone, you're always welcome to track me down. Good luck.