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How long did it take for full effects of Prozac?

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Posted 9/25/2017 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on Prozac for 6 weeks now, but still struggle daily with my anxiety. I was on 10mg for 2 weeks, 20mg for 3 weeks, and now 40mg for 1 week. I am still taking .5 mg of Xanax daily. My doctor is also putting me on a "booster" to help me. I should also note I have very severe anxiety/panic and recently OCD issues.

I have heard Prozac can take 75-90 days to really take full effect. Anyone have any experience you can share?

NOTE: Positive experiences only, please. Health anxiety here! Thanks so much!
Posted 9/26/2017 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry Liz. I don't have personal advice to share...

...but keep checking back, as I know we have many members that have been, or are currently on this med.

S.C.
Posted 9/26/2017 9:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I am currently taking 60mg Prozac and have found it to be a good medication but it did take a while to kick in 8 weeks if I remember rightly.

My pdoc told me that Prozac works better on anxiety at the higher doses such as 40/60 mg.

I also have bad OCD and the target dose for that is 60mg of Prozac.

Stick with it and keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 9/26/2017 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for checking in SC!

Hibee - Thank you! I feel like my OCD has blown up in the past month, and I just have this constant feeling of discomfort. Hoping that passes soon, and I start feeling better. I appreciate your message!
Posted 9/26/2017 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hibee - I just noticed it says you take Olanzapine. That is the "booster" my psych wants me to take. I have heard good things. Do you find it helpful? I am suppose to take it at night. I haven't yet because new meds make me nervous. I would love your input!
Posted 9/27/2017 7:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Liz

Yes I take Olanzapine and have found it to be a really good medication I take 7.5mg at night and 5mg in the morning.

Olanzapine is known to cause a lot of weight gain but I have not experienced any but I do a lot of exercise and watch what I eat. It is really good for sleep as well so best to take at night until you find out how it affects you.

Hibee
Posted 9/27/2017 12:15 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Hibee! I am a fairly healthy eater and work out daily so even though that effect did worry me, I think I will be ok. I have not come across anyone on it so thank you so much for your feedback. Who knew getting the right combination of medicine would be so hard.

On a side note, did your OCD get worse before it got better when you started Prozac? Mine is so I am curious if this is normal.
Posted 9/27/2017 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes things got worse before they got better again and the Prozac took a long time to kick in I would say this is the best combination of meds I have been on.

Hope it works well for you keep us posted.

Hibee
Posted 9/27/2017 3:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Hibee! Sorry to ask so many questions. I don't have anyone who truly understands this battle, and I have been worried that I am getting worse. But I am going to hold on and hope this combination works. Thank you!!!
Posted 9/27/2017 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
No worries Liz if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

Hibee
Posted 9/28/2017 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! smile
Posted 10/2/2017 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Just popping by for a quick update. My doctor is lowering my Prozac from 40mg to 20mg due to the onset of side effects. He also told me to finally start the Zyprexa at 2.5mg. I haven't taken it yet due to some pill anxiety I have. Hopefully this all works and I start to get better. Thanks for reading!
Posted 10/3/2017 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
good show! Prozac is very strong acting at 40 mg its great you have dropped back to 20. hopefully you will find the right combo and balance of doses soon-get well soon.
Posted 10/3/2017 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
SuperDan: Did you go from 20 to 40 and have side effects?If so, what SE's? Is your depression being managed sufficiently now on only 20mg of Prozac?
Posted 10/3/2017 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Super20dan - I'm hoping I will feel better at 20mg. I did not start the Zyprexa after reading some not so great reviews.

KellyinCali - I started having all day jitters and anxiety at 40mg. I also have a strange jaw tightness/soreness that is a SE, according to my psychiatrist, and am so tired and on edge.

I am thinking it is time to switch doctors. I don't know that I trust my current one with my care anymore which is unnerving. Hoping to find a new one soon and will stay at Prozac 20mg until then.
Posted 10/3/2017 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
I got a skin rash and felt out of sorts and overstimulted at 40. my depression and anxiety were extremly well controlled at just 20 mg.
Posted 10/3/2017 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
Super20Dan - Maybe the edginess I feel is just overstimulation. Thank you for phrasing it that way! I also have a rash now on my stomach. I thought it was a stress rash but hopefully it goes away now that I have lowered my dose. I am glad to hear 20mg helps you. That is reassuring!
Posted 10/3/2017 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
I have read that Prozac is one of the more "activating" SSRI's. I am able to tolerate it at 60mg now but I am also taking Latuda (AP) as a booster at 20mg which has a sedating effect. How long have you been taking Prozac? I hope you can manage your depression at 20mg as Superdan does. I want to go "down" on my dosage but afraid I will get more depressed or will experience withdrawal and mistake it for depression and anxiety, thus, needing the increased dosage. No easy answers.
Posted 10/4/2017 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
This only week 8 for me on Prozac. I'm hoping the 20mg will manage my anxiety! So far, I have noticed minimal improvement but I'm trying to be patient. I have been told I need a booster as well. I'm just not sure which one to go with. Do you like the Latuda for anxiety?
Posted 10/4/2017 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Liz, I have found that since taking the Latuda, I rarely take my Diazepam. This means that my anxiety is reduced significantly. Latuda is not yet a generic but surely your P-doc has samples. It must be taken at night as it is sedating. I think it works on anxiety because Shizophrenia includes "intrusive thoughts." Anxiety often provokes "racing thoughts" so it seems to be helping me.
Posted 10/5/2017 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
guys-there is no withdrawal from Prozac. its one of the best things about it. Prozac is by far the easiest ssri to stop . you just stop taking it and you are done. and yes its very activating . best to go with the lowest dose that helps you.
Posted 10/5/2017 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Dan, I have read that Prozac has a long half life but I didn't expect any P-med to have "no withdrawals." Good to know! So, if I go down and feel "more depressed" it isn't likely just withdrawal, but rather an adjustment to less Serotonin.
Posted 10/5/2017 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Can you explain what "activating" means? Thanks! Always have been curious on that one.
Posted 10/6/2017 1:24 AM (GMT 0)
activating is another word for stimulating-which Prozac certainly is. Prozac has by far the longest half life on any ssri. many knowledgeable drs will switch their patients over to Prozac to come off some of the really hard anti depressants to quit-like Paxil . when I stopped Prozac -it was a breeze. nothing to it.
Posted 10/6/2017 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks super20dan. I have been on prozac now for 8 weeks. I honestly cannot tell if it's helping. I actually feel more on edge on a daily basis than I did before. However, that could just be in my mind. Trying to hold out and see if things start moving in the right direction.

Any idea of another solid SSRI for GAD/panic/and now OCD? I just want something to work! Thanks.
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