help, in need info on prozac

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
help, in need info on prozac
12
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 4:11pm

ok everyone, most of you know how scared i am to take the meds, weel my new doc doesnt want me to take the zoloft, she wants me to take prozac instead, she thinks i will do better on this one then with the zoloft. That is fine and dandy however i dont know anything abot prozac, and would prefer not to search the web, and i also made them throw away the side effect sheet. So i need people who are actually taking it to help me out here. She gave me 10mg to start for one monht then after that we will see and go from there. WHY ARE THE DOES DIFFERENT THEN ANY OTHER ONE? 10MG DOESNT SOUND LIKE MUCH, IS IT STRONGER THEN MOST? PLEASE HELP

NICOLE

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 11-22-2006 - 6:27pm

Hi, Nicole! Prozac was one of the new family of antidepressants developed & has a great track record for depression & anxiety. I took it for a few years & it did help my panic attacks. The dr. started me out on 20 mg. then increased it slowly, until I took 20 mg. twice a day @ 8 AM & 12 noon. It needs to be taken early in the day because it *can* cause sleeplessness. *Some* people notice a weight loss. I stayed the same weight. I never had any sleepiness or anxiety with it.


You can't compare the dosages of drugs. That would be like comparing apples to oranges. Each one is a different chemical compound & the dosage is determined by the weight of the drug or the concentration of the active ingredient. That is all very technical stuff & I would need a chemistry degree to figure it out. 10 mg. is an ok dose to start out. Some people never take more than 20mg. Your dr. knows you best & what med will work the best for you. Have you started the prozac? I hope it works well for you. Keep us posted. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 10:25am
Hi Nicole, I have no experience with prozac whatsoever, sorry :(

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 2:54pm

no i never did try the zoloft, and the reason i think for the switch is because the insurance switched, i have kaiser now. I think i am okwith prozac, i have not heard of any bad things about it (knock on wood) and the people i have talked to said it worked in a couple of days so i am looking forward to that when i do take it.
Even though i took that xanax i am still scared of it all, so i dont really know what to do about all of this. i really wish there was a place i could check myself in somewhere so i can be monitored while i take it, so i know im safe for just a couple of days until i get the hang of it type thing, does that make sence to any one else besides me? i told my theripist that i feel like im going crazy, and she said techanily your mind is because it is saying wow way too much stuff going on here take a chill pill, and i wish i could do just that. i am suffering so badly but i still have no courage totake this pill, why?? i just want to be better and be myself again. theses past couple of days have pushed me over the edge, im almost there to where i might just have tot take them to function again.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 3:18pm

(((Nicole))) I am being very honest with you. I have a terrible

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 11-24-2006 - 4:19pm

(((Nicole))) I remember well, feeling as you do.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2004
Sat, 11-25-2006 - 2:06am

It is amazing how similar so many of our fears are.

        
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Sat, 11-25-2006 - 4:12pm

amy,

it is amazing how are fears come like that, i hate it and i have to remind myself every day that i am ok. I have taken a half a xanax and i know im not gonna die but i still cant take a half by myself. i am on prozac and i have never taken it before, i know that it wont kill me and you cant take half of one, but i still cant take it. It makes no sence to be at all but I am at a loss of what to do with myself, hearing all the words helps but it hasnt helped enough.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 12:26am

Jan,

when you were hospitalized what was it like? and how does it work, i dont want to be nosey but my DH and i have talked and i think that it would be the best thing for me knoing that i will be watched and taken care of safley. it makes no sence to me but i think it would be best. I have had this pain in my head for the past couple of days and it wont go away, three cat scans later and i want another one because of this pain, that i know is just a stupid headache or a muscle tension. this has gotten the best of me and i want to take control of it, but i want to be in a hospital. Do they make oyu take the meds? any info would help.

thanks
nicole

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 1:09am

You need to talk to your dr. about this, Nicole. You would need to be referred to a hospital with an inpatient program. Generally, you would want to look for one that accepted your insurance. You might have to wait for a bed to open. Nowadays, your stay will be much shorter than in the past. Your care will be acute(intense) & immediate. The goal is to get you home, ASAP.


Of course they would encourage you to take the meds. It wouldn't be to your advantage to refuse them. OTOH, they wouldn't force you to take them.


Most inpatient units are called behavioral health or psychiatric units. They assign you a treatment team that includes the dr., nurses, a social worker, one or more therapists or a psychologist. They evaluate you by asking questions & forming a plan of care. You & sometimes family members are invited to add suggestions. You are expected to attend the programs they offer such as group therapy or informational meetings on your meds. You will talk individually with your doctor everyday, as well as the nurse assigned to you & your therapist. In your free time, you can watch tv or do anything you like to do such as reading or even your laundry. You wear street clothes everyday, just like you would @ home. Meals are brought from the dietary department. You probably will be expected to keep your bed made, shower everyday exactly as in your day to day activities. The social worker will see you to make sure you have everything set for discharge. They will make certain you have an appointment set up for follow up care with your dr. or therapist.


Don't be surprised if your belongings are searched on admission. That is for everyone's safety, including your own. Generally sharp objects, matches

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2006
Mon, 11-27-2006 - 12:42pm

thanks for the reply, i am talking to someone today and we will go from there. i meet with someone tomorrow and they will evaluate me, it sounds like i wont be able to be admitted to inpatient due to the fact that i am not sucidal or i can still function a little bit. but we will see, some times they make exceptions for people who have kids and tht kind of stuff they said. but thank you very much for the reply, i will let everyone know when i find out

nicole

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