prozac, for the first time in my life

so my new p-doc, being assured that depakote+lithium+geodon protects me from flipping, prescribed prozac, thinking that I would get some enthusiasm for life. the thing it, my lack of enthusiasm is caused by the end to a 15-year-old relationship, and I doubt that prozac or anything else can me happy. but I will give it a try. if it is to be effective, when should I see a change?

The SSRIs usually take anywhere from 1-4 weeks to start working, and as much as 12 weeks to reach their full effect.

When I was on Paxil many moons ago, I noticed a change about 2 1/2 weeks in. I remember waking up one morning and instantly realizing I was better. And I continued to get better, and stayed better, for a long time. It stopped working after a couple of years, but I upped my dose and got better again for a while. Trouble is, I didn't have a clue that I was bipolar then, and when the Paxil pooped out, I tried Prozac. It didn't do anything for me. THEN I tried Wellbutrin, which threw me into my first mixed episode and basically effed me up for good.

Now I'm on a BP cocktail of Lamictal, Celexa, and Ativan, which work together pretty well. I was a bit manic on Celexa by itself, but the Lamictal has gone a long way toward restoring me to sanity. Best of luck to you, H-B; I know you've really been through a lot lately and hope this is the right combination for you.

They say 4 to 6 weeks. I only took Prozac without a mood stabilizer and I swear I was off my rocker within 2 days and stayed on it for like 6 months crazy throughout. Other antidepressants effected me as quickly either on a mood stabilizer or not but, the Wellbutrin I take now had me nutty as all for several weeks and then BAM happy! Not that it helps but, like all psych meds give it a few weeks before deciding anything.

Well my p-doc thinks it is helping: I started thinking hopeful thoughts about my future, less apathy, I pay attention to how I look.

Congrats on the prozac, Hamster! That is the one drug I wish I could take most, as I had my best years while on it. It took me about a month to reach full benefit, so expect the good effects to continue another few weeks.
Then you should level off and be at a stable state. Hopefully as we all know nothing is guaranteed on any med.

The only SSRI that ever did anything for me was Paxil. It didn't exactly make me happy though. Just turned me into a zombie without feelings. Which in retrospect was exactly what I needed at the time, heh. I noticed effects pretty quickly with it -- within a couple weeks.

So it has been enough weeks to say that it is working, god bless my p-doc. When I pour it out of the container, I am in awe - such a modest looking capsule, such amazing results. What about pooping out? Do all SSRI poop out eventually or is a matter of bad luck?

If anything weird happens call your pdoc right away!!!! It sent me into one of the most scariest mania's I've had in a while.

I think everything poops out eventually. That's the other reason for med changes. But I hear people stay on the AD's for years before they poopout...

Try some things that help boost serotonin (the feel-well neurotransmitter) that are
available over-the-counter. 5htp Tryptophan is one. (Don't use just regular tryptophan, because it can't cross the blood-brain barrier, and you'd just be wasting your money by purchasing that.0

Increase your Vitamin C. It helps to manufacture serotonin for the brain. (Probably in the digestive system as well, because the greatest number of neurotransmitter sites for serotonin are in the digestive system--90%).

Even an aspirin helps, according to my psychiatrist. Of course, you need to
check with your psychiatrist before you try anything to help yourself in regard to feeling better.

Just passing along the things I've been told over the years. I hope you feel good soon and continue to feel well for many years.

Genetic

Congrats on the prozac working for you! That's wonderful!

Thank you, Generic, that is so sweet of you to say!

I eat tons of fruits and vegetables, so my Vitamin C level is probably OK, but I will ask my doctor about aspirin and 5htp Tryptophan.

So I think it and lowering Lithium and Depakote ultimately made me hypomanic and I blurted out something that FINALLY made my ex want to cut me off. Which is a shame. So now, I am not suicidal. I will face another day tomorrow. I will go to work and will fight this fight. I will survive.

So what gives? If not for Prozac, I might have kept my mouth shut and not triggered my ex (I really intruded onto his privacy and said something inappropriate without thought, right after an appt with a p-doc, ironically!). Thanks to Prozac, I will survive not being in contact with my ex. I will miss him but I will survive. I would not want to overdose on my drugs, no, for sure not.

What gives? Is this drug a godsend or a curse? Does anyone have an answer?

No answer, but plenty of s coming your way!!!