[elaineclare92]

i originally joined this forum in hopes of helping other people. now i very much need the help of others i don't know what to do

i was prescribed prozac about two years ago and about a month ago i stopped taking it because i was going through a rough break up and i felt like the prozac was making me feeling the sad emotions more (weird, i know that it makes me "feel more") i also take vyvanse for ADHD and when i take that i have no emotions, and i felt like the prozac cancelled out the "no emotions" part of vyvanse so i started taking the vyvanse alone.

anyways last night it started really getting to me. my ex-boyfriend obviously wants nothing to do with me, i can't muster up any motivation to do well in school, i just can't bring myself to care. (i'm a junior in college) and i feel worthless, like i am not amounting to anything i won't ever.

my ex chased me for months before i finally gave in and we started dating, and after 2 years together he ends it. because of my problems with depression it was too much for him. since we broke up my problems have only gotten worse and he's aware of that, and is probably relieved that he doesn't have to deal with me anymore. i feel disgusting that i drove him off with my problems, it makes me feel like no one will ever love me. i'm not an extraordinary student, i don't have any outstanding talent, the one person who once thought the world of me now won't even speak to me.

all these emotions came flooding in last night, and then this morning i found out that a friend of mine passed away. he wasn't a BEST friend, but he was a classmate and friend nonetheless, and it was like putting a cherry on top of me having this horrible flood of depression.

if you read all of this, thank you. i just have some questions now

--do you think i should start taking the prozac again? if i do, would it be smart to up my dosage? (i was only taking 20mg before and i feel that my depression may require more)

--any other advice to help me through this? anything would be appreciated

[Travelinglady]

I don't recommend that patients go off their meds without talking to their doctors first. If you see things are getting worse without it, and they seem to be, then I suggest you try it again.

I also recommend you talk to your therapist/doctor about what's happening to you right now. On top of everything else, you don't need your feelings toward your former boyfriend to mess up your future.

And you do have a future, even with your depression. It can be treated and you can get back to normal. Just work with your professionals and keep trying until you can get back on your feet.

Feel free to post in the depression forum, too, and let's see what any of them might have to say.

[avlady]

I also say to do what the doctors say before stopping a med maybe you need. I'm sorry to hear your friend died, so this is especially the time to listen to the doc.

[confused blue]

Hi...I'm new here and just read your post. I can't say I know how you feel but I CAN say I can empathize to a certain degree. In as much that I understand the feelings of uselessness and basic self loathing for lack of a better phrase. I understand how incredibly difficult it is to feel so down. I was on Prozac years ago and went off of it because it made me feel emotionally flat lined. I'm not for or against medication. I truly believe some people need that extra bit of 'help' that, for whatever reason, they are unable to give themselves on their own. I am so sorry that you are feeling what you're feeling. I have no great words of wisdom for you but just wanted to let you know that there are others out there (including myself) who 'hear' you.

[Leed]

Hi ~ Don't EVER stop taking any medication COLD-TURKEY!! It can be very dangerous to do and it COULD have caused seizures. Now your depression is alot worse.

You need to talk to your doctor about the fact that you stopped taking it AND you need to go back on it, perhaps with a higher dosage. Obviously it wasn't working very well, so you must need a higher dose. Do NOT DO THIS ON YOUR OWN. You must talk with your doctor first, because you'll run out early if you don't.

Also, if you have a therapist, have a good chat with him too. Your thoughts of worthlessness need to be addressed. You certainly are NOT worthless, my friend! And your bf was an absolute JERK for leaving you when you needed him for support. If I was with someone who left me at a time like that, I would certainly be glad to be rid of him! Can you believe how it would be like if the tide were turned? He'd be crying like a baby -- curled up in bed in the fetal position. But YOU are much stronger than that --- you're reaching out to us for support, and that's great!!

So talk to your doc, and keep postiing. We'll be here. God bless & take care. Hugs, Lee

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by elaineclare92

i can't muster up any motivation to do well in school, i just can't bring myself to care. (i'm a junior in college) and i feel worthless, like i am not amounting to anything i won't ever.

i'm not an extraordinary student, i don't have any outstanding talent
if you read all of this, thank you. i just have some questions now

--do you think i should start taking the prozac again? if i do, would it be smart to up my dosage? (i was only taking 20mg before and i feel that my depression may require more)

--any other advice to help me through this? anything would be appreciated

1) no motivation and not being able to bring yourself to care are both signs of depression

feeling worthless, ditto

so, my friend, you ARE depressed

2) Prozac 20 mg is indeed a fairly low dose. The lowest is 10 mg. I have seen people on this board take 60 mg. Obviously, the higher the dose, the higher the risk and severity of the side effects, so it is a judgment call and you will need to experiment with different dosages, supervised by your clinician, as advised by posters above me. If you up the dosage, make sure you take Prozac as soon as you wake up, because Prozac can cause insomnia (the higher the dosage, the higher the risk of insomnia), and taking it early in the morning mitigates that risk. If you somehow forget the morning dose, do not take Prozac later in the day - skip the day.

3) most students are not extraordinary

4) most people do not have an outstanding talent

5) you do need to try cardio exercise, sun exposure, yoga, and other non-pharmacological ways to help alleviate your depression.

6) Once not depressed, you will be able to enjoy life like the majority of folks (who are not extraordinary in any aspect).

Good luck!