Posted by medlib on May 20, 2000, at 2:42:43
In reply to Prozac - any experience/info you can share?, posted by Greg on May 19, 2000, at 22:02:39
Greg--
I'm quite sure I hold the longevity record on Prozac, at least here. My prescription for it was the first ever filled at my local pharmacy--I had been waiting impatiently for its release. (It was the first of the "newer" AD's, and I'd "done" all the old ones.) I was on Prozac from then until 7 months ago (with one 2 month hiatus when I was on Wellbutrin.) That is longer than at least one poster on this board has been alive!
I will *never* forget starting on Prozac; it was, quite literally, a light switch--from dark to light. It never made me happy or hopeful (or suicidal); it never gave me more energy--it simply made things POSSIBLE. It put a floor, a safety net under how far I could fall. I was still dysthmic (although unaware of the term), but minus the major depressions. Even when more SSRI's became available, then all the other new meds, I was never willing to give up my bird in the hand to try out others in the bush.
When Prozac began pooping out, finally, and I grew less and less functional, I tried adding Wellbutrin to it (because my brother was doing so well on W.). I thought I detected some small improvement (probably placebo effect), so I stopped Prozac altogether and went onto Wellbutrin. Gave up on W. after 2 mos. because I felt worse re depression (and irritability) and had significant hair loss. Back to Prozac, which didn't regain any of its old effectiveness the second time around. Finally went to a pdoc, who put me on Effexor XR (recently augmented by Ritalin)--which have yet to be as effective as the Prozac once was.
Hope you have success w. Prozac. Since it has such a looong half-life, you might try taking it in the evening, if initial fatigue is a problem. And, as Bob suggests, "adding back" some Wellbutrin may help with P. side effects.
Well wishes--medlib
poster:medlib
thread:34071
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000517/msgs/34095.html