Prozac-increase or go off? - Depression Message Board

chrismom · 04-18-2007, 07:29 AM

I have been on and off AD's for about 5 years now. The latest has been Prozac for about a year now. I take the generic. I take 10mg on most days, some days I skip when I feel the side effects are too much. I've been feeling down lately, and my doc said to increase the dose to 20mg, but when I take 20mg, I feel kind of zombie and numb- like for a day or two. I feel slowed and lethargic in my thinking and fatigued kind of sedated feeling. At the same time, though my nervous tics increase. It's like it's stimulating and sedating at the same time.

Does anyone know, will this go away after increasing the dose? I tend to be med-sensitive and have always been on the lowest dose of these meds or half the lowest dose. I'm wondering if maybe I should go off, sometimes when I don't take it for a few days I feel my best. I'm thinking that because of the long half life it is still in my system, but the side effects kind of wane when I don't take it for a few days.

Anyone have any input? It would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Chris

kittywitty · 04-18-2007, 01:37 PM

Do you take capsules or tablets? If you take tablets, why not break them in half and see how that goes? I'm sensitive to meds as well and that's what I would do in your situation. If you take capsules, then maybe it's just too strong for you and it's time to try something else.

SansSouci · 04-18-2007, 03:04 PM

The feelings you describe I think are pretty common to people when they are just starting ADs. I am on day 6 of zoloft and I so know what you mean about feeling twitchy and spaced out at the same time. I think these feelings are the body getting used to the sudden surge in neurotransmitters, your brain chemistry reacting. It would make sense that this happens both when starting from zero (like me), or upping the dose (you). I don't know what I would do if I were you. If you don't feel like the 10 mg is doing anything, maybe discuss upping it to 20 with your dr...but you have to give the meds a chance to adjust and the side effects to go away before deciding...it's a leap of faith, in a sense.

Good luck

chrismom · 04-18-2007, 03:05 PM

Thanks KittyWitty. I actually have cut the tablets many times. My current prescription gave me capsules, but I can open them and dump some out, it's just so unscientific. I'm not sure what's going on. I take generic and ever since I filled this last prescription, I haven't felt good.

Thanks for your reply!

Chris

kittywitty · 04-21-2007, 10:11 PM

I really wouldn't recommend breaking the capsule open.

It could be very dangerous. Consult your doctor or pharmacist first.