[a1chemist]

Hi. I was just diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder about two months ago, although I have probably been experiencing depression for the last two years. I just never had the courage to go in for diagnosis. Shortly after this recent diagnosis, my dad died and the event has had pretty negative effects on my academic performance. For more than a year, I have had a difficult time focusing and being motivated, but the death of my father just intensified it. I was pretty emotional (understandably) and lacked pretty much all motivation and focus to study.

I just started on Prozac four days ago. After first taking it, I felt exhausted. It felt like sleep fell upon me and I couldn't resist it. I had to go straight back to my room and take a nap and it was a bit difficult to make myself get up. But the next day, I felt pretty focused and awake, albeit I had a killer sore throat. The sore throat went away, but I now have other cold symptoms (dry mouth/throat, stuffy nose, fatigue). I'm thinking this is due to the medication.

Has anyone else had these kind of side effects? I'm also hungrier, although my appetite has increased in these last couple weeks (before the meds), and seemed to correlate with my intensified emotions. Hopefully I'll be able to control my hunger. I don't want to gain weight.

[Rohag]

Hi, A1chemist! I'm not new to meds but did want to comment that psychoactive drugs tend to have all sorts of individualized effects, which makes it difficult to compare one person's experience with another's.

It can take four to six to eight weeks for your meds to reach their full effect. They can have all sorts of side effects, some that go away after a short while and some that persist.

Fatigue, lack of focus, weight gain and/or weight loss (and a bunch of other things) can all be

• manifestations of depression, and
• drug side effects.

Try to keep track of what you're experiencing and report everything to your doctor. I wish you a good experience with meds!

a1chemist, have you read the literature that came with the medications?