Hey, I'm 15 and yesterday went to CAHMS for my first appointment, I must admit it was pretty rubbish but anyway they've decided starting from Saturday I need to take a years course of Prozac for depression. has anyone else used this and what have they thought about it and the side effects?
Prozac is a brand name of fluoxetine which is an SSRI antidepressant. It can be used to treat major depression, as well as PMDD, OCD and bulimia. The main side effects are supposed to be nausea, anxiety and insomnia although in a small number of cases it can cause other things. There is an unproven link between fluoxetine and increased levels of suicide, but they will keep a close eye on you to ensure that this won't happen. Prozac may not actually help you, in which case they will try something else but it is the first thing they usually prescribe and pretty much the only thing they will prescribe to someone under 18.
I've only been taking it for a week so I can't really tell you how it's working for me as it can take up to two weeks or more for the effects to really kick in. I'm going to be totally honest with you, I did and still do feel sick particularly soon after taking it, it has decreased my appetite and I have also felt worse at many points during the week. My problems with food are much worse than before, although I will admit I think much of this is to do with the fact I have exams at the moment which will of course increase my stress levels anyway. Also the power of suggestion may have played a part as my GP told me it might make me feel sick and as I have a history with eating problems anyway it could all be in my head.
I would say give it a good chance, but make sure you stay in touch with whoever is supporting you and let them know any side effects you experience and how you are feeling so they can make sure it is doing you more good than harm.
Good luck, also though I'm pretty sure the information I have given you is correct, people who prescribe these medicines obviously know more than I do!!
"this is the room where you don't have to be brave"
i was on prozac for a while but it didn't do anything for me.
I hope it works for you!
xx
" my precious, precious child, I love you and I would never, never leave you during your times of trials and suffering. When you see only one set of footprints it was then that I carried you" you were carried out of are lifes into the next and when its my time to leave this life I know i will be carried into the next life with you.
I wish i had my world complete again.
'Can we protend that airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars, i could really use a wish right now' BoB
Thankyou for both those posts..sorry to ask but after it didnt work for you what antidepressant were you put on? or werent you?
The only thing im scared of is that it increases thoughts on self harm and suicide...and well lets just say recently ive been both of those and had quite distrurbing thoughts on them anyway...so ive lied to my parents and they think ive stopped self harm, but CAMHS obviously know different...so im just scared im gunna get caught or stuck in a trap with when these thoughts do come next week :/
It is very rare that it increases thoughts of suicide which is why they will keep a close eye on you when you first start taking it. Make sure you know how to get in touch with them to make an urgent appointment if you start to feel worse and discuss with your CAMHS your concerns about this, they will be able to reassure you further. It might be worth talking to your parents about your worries of side effects so they can also keep an eye on you to make sure you feel ok. Things will probably be fine, give it a chance and don't expect prozac to fail. If you expect it not to work then it probably won't make you feel much better x
"this is the room where you don't have to be brave"
I've been on it for a year and a half now, and to be honest it has actually made a huge difference, it took a while for it to settle down and work for me but I'm completely different. But saying that I was also prescribed Risperidone shortly after and have been on that nearly the same amount of time, but had to stop cold turkey on monday.
I was on prozac for a long time, it did nothing at 20mg, and so they upped it to 60mg and it made me really manic. I never had any side effects though.
I stopped taking anti-depressants after prozac, but when I went back to the doctors two years ago I was started on escitalopram. That didn't do much either.
I was on it for a while, came off it and tried Mirtazapine, and then went back on it. The first time I was on it I felt great for a week but then everything came crashing down again. Tjhe second time I was on it I felt great for a day. I had no side effects as far as I can remember. I hope it helps you. Take care.
I put it down on paper and then the ghost does not ache so much.
Don't try to calm the storm, calm yourself, the storm will pass.
I was put on Prozac when i was 12, it helped a huge deal for about 6 years, then i was switched to escitalopram/Lexapro.
Different medications work differently on different people, give it a burl, see if helps.
It is very rare that prozac increases the distrubing thoughts. The fact that there is a possibility means the pharmaceutical companys have to list it and cover their butts really. But don't be too concerned.
Take care
