Hi: Yes, I too have gained 5 lbs. since taking the SSRI. I felt the same way as you have described, not hungry at first, and then the appetite increased. I try not to eat desserts, or too much bread. For me, it is the carbs which make me gain, so I stick to proteins and veggies, mostly chicken, fish, some beef and veggies. It's hard not to have any bread, so I try and limit it to maybe a sandwich at lunch but not with white bread, I use rye, pumpernikel, whole wheat. I find I will need to exercise more too - go for longer walks. Needless to say I have enjoyed holiday specialities but I know I will have to walk more. I was prepared for it. lol
I have just started taking 5mg prozac and am working up to 10, i have read this and i have to say it make me a little nervous as i already put on 30pounds when i gave up smoking and am still trying to lose that, i read that it slows down your metablolism, but i also read that vitamin B12 boosts it so i want to check with my doctor if i can take it as well, i think maybe try and have 5 or six smaller light meals in a day rather than three bigger ones, i dont know if its a side effect but i hope not, i will keep an eye out for others posts
I hope everyone is taking some time out for themselves during the holiday season. For those who have the time to read this post I was wondering if you would be able to share some insight. I am currently on 10mg of Prozac (for about a month now). Initally, I had a decrease in appetite, but now I feel that I need to eat on a regular basis and I feel hungry quite a bit. If I don't eat, I feel week. Has any one had similar experiences? I am posting this because I am frustrated. I am starting to feel the benefits of the medication, but I really don't like this side effect (if it is a side effect!). Does it go way with time?
My current psychiatrist has taken the time for us to be a team. I don't know if all doctors do this, but he has me come in or call every month or sooner if necessary regarding the effects of the meds he has me on. It has takenus many tries to finally come up with what works for me. As Davit said, now that I'm on the right dosage, I don't feel medicated, I feel like the me I was knew and wanted back. My first MD prescribed such a heavy dose I felt stoned all the time, and knew this was not right (turns out he's a pill pusher. When I told this new MD the high single dose he had me on, he told me I could have had seizures. Now, I can work on my issues without a med making feel like I'm labeled as a person with mental disorders. It doesn't have to show. Every drug has its side effects, we listen to the commercials about a certain drug and then you can hear the voice quickly running thru all of them after boasting about the drug. I'm a former nurse who believed in a holistic approach, and then I worked with alzheimers and HIV/aids children, and those pharmaceutical meds saved their lives.
I was frustrated with myself as well for listening to the pharmasist. After some good disucssions with my therapist and doctor they clarrified how dosing with SSRI's work. Higher dosages does not mean more effectiveness. For example, they have seen patients who are 300lbs who can only tolerate the smallest dosage while some one at 120 lbs needs the highest dosage possible to be effective. It's about body chemisty. Everyone is different. I am glad I had this discussion as I was feeling pretty insecure. It was a tough decision to even take the medication (it was on my list of "exposures") but I am glad that I tried it. I like your "less is more" analogy. It makes sence. I think that the theraputic effects have to outweigh the side effects in order to be effective. If 10mg is working for me, then that is what is working.
I get so frustrated some times because it seems that so many people feel more is better or faster is better or bigger is better. It is your body and your life, you should with a little help and some juggling figure out what is best for you. For me when I have it right, I feel normal, I do not feel like I am on medication. It is like spices and makeup. When you have it right it is just noticeable. And you know how different that can be for everyone.
Thank you for posting. I spoke to my doctor and therapist and she told me the same advice that both of you had included in your posts. I thought that I had to be on 20mg (thanks to a pharmasist who told me he had never seen anyone at 10 mgs of prozac, and thought it wouldn't be effective at that dosage...) to feel some effect however, everyone's body responds differently to the medication. I know that I am sensitive to SSRI's as I feel the effect of the medication quite quickly. We agreed that I would stay at 10mg for a while and the side effects have gotten a bit better. At least know I can sleep at night! Really, it is quick a tricky balance to get it right for you.
Thank you for taking the time to post your experiences I don't feel so alone. I really appreciate it!
I am very sensitive to SSRIs what would be a small dose for most people sends me into that anxiety realm that some people get. Even Tricyclic's have to be the smallest dose. For some of us "less is more". Only your therapist or doctor can tell you if your dose is right. Everyone is different. Balanced properly they do a great job. Patience they do take a while.
I think it's important to keep your doctor posted and find the dosage that's right for you. I was still experiencing a spike in my anxiety at 20 mg after 8 days, so I called my doctor and we agreed I would go back to 15 mg, where I was feeling a lot better and not experiencing any side effects. It's hard to know right away what to do, since some of the side effects go away after a few days or a week or two, and others may not if you're on a dosage that's too high for you. That's the role the doctor plays, to help you figure that out!
I've also talked to my counselor about this. She explained that a lot of SSRIs decrease anxiety, but if you're on a dosage that too high, they can induce anxiety. It's all about finding the right balance for you (everyone is different), and unfortunately that can mean some trial and error, but try to stick with it and know that when you find the right dosage you'll start feeling much better!
I am also having similar issues. I am on 10mg of Prozac (I was on 12.5 and my doctor reduced the dosage) and I am experiencing insomina and anxiety mostly at around 3:30am for about a couple of days now. I am starting to feel the benefits of the medication (it's been about 3 weeks now) however, I am hoping this will pass as it is really frustrating. Anyone else had similar experiences?
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