Anyone Else affected by Prozac in this way ?

[UndertheOcean]

two weeks , all the deep soul devouring depression and suicidal ideation still there , the only difference is you've totally lost your ability to cry , the sadness is driving you to the edge and not one tear comes out , not one.

Crying was at least a form of release.

Anybody else affected thus ?

[Droopy]

1. I have no experience with Prozac, but

I do know that anti-depressants usually take 4-6 weeks before they start working properly. Hang in there and if the drug doesn't start working by then consult your psychiatrist. There are other anti-depressants out there that might work better for you if Prozac doesn't pan out. I take Wellbutrin, and while I still have my moments occasionally, it generally works for me. My dad takes Lexapro and he says he feels normal for the first time in years.

Take it like it's prescribed and if it doesn't eventually work for you keep in mind that it's not your fault and you are not untreatable. Something out there will work for you. It's just a matter of finding it and finding the right dosage.

[qb]

2. I couldn't cry for years.

I was on Prozac in my 20's, but I don't know if that had anything to do with it. I don't remember when I stopped crying. I was raised to be ashamed of emotions like anger and sadness, so that undoubtedly contributed to my problem.

It sounds trite, but I was finally able to induce tears by curling up in bed and cranking some really sad music. Contrary to what some people say, I think sad music helps. When I was suicidal, sad music didn't make my depression worse... it made me feel like I had a kind of connection with the artist... like there was someone out there who understood what I was going through.

Try to be patient... it can take a long time for the medication to start working. And promise yourself you will call for help immediately if your suicidal thoughts get worse.

Take care.

[TZ]

3. It also could have to do with your disease, not the drugs

I went through a period not too long ago, where I could not cry, even though I was very sad. And I am not on any anti-depression meds.
You also may need to be on a different med. Thats the sad part of treatment for mental health.Its so much a guessing game on the meds...

[UndertheOcean]

4. I never felt like this bad starting the drugs.

The drugs seem to have made everything worse.

[TZ]

5. If you truly feel the meds are making you worse

I strongly suggest you talk to your doc, ASAP...I believe you, it may be a matter of stopping the Prozac and starting a different med. Howeever don't stop taking your meds without consulting with the doc..that could be worse....

[undergroundpanther]

6. I was affected that way

I'd be depressed as hell no crying just like a monotone of emotions it made me look better to outside observers,
Than one day while I walked to the store , on the trip home ,I tried to run in front of a big truck, the urge to do that was sharp,sudden and impulsive, I ran into traffic the truck managed to stop like a foot away, and in the confusion realizing what I did, I just ran,ran away to the tunnel thing that people used to get from one part of town to the other, they never caught me,but after that I stopped taking the prozac and the tears came back but I didn't find myself impulsively running into traffic,I was in a residential program at that time. So I had to "cheek" the prozac, Soon after stopping like a week or so,I noticed I was crying again.Can't have any emotions,so they upped the prozac dose.Up and Up until they reached the ceiling limit. And gave up.

They never knew I wasn't taking it.

It seems some drugs like prozac are made to make OTHER people feel comfortable,and it isn't to benefit your mental health at all really .It just masks symptoms and fakes improvement.So parents and staff,family,etc. don't have to be burdened with seeing you are depressed,and the drug can help them easier tell themselves to not care because you look like you are doing ok to them.The observers can't get into your head.And psychiatry can tell itself another depressive has improved without addressing any of the deeper issues making you depressed. This is one thing I hate about the bio-psych model.

look at this article I link to,below..This illustrates what I'm talking about by masking symptoms of distress rather than stopping the root causes, which takes changes, Drugs to cure PSTD instead of the military admitting breaking a personality apart to rebuild it,flawed as in the abuse that is the norm in boot camp and desensitizing them to killing other humans harms the psyche they'd rather drug out memories and their moral center and conscience.Bio psych at it's most sickening.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/science/mind/s817005.htm

[TZ]

7. No anti-depressants are designed

to change the actual biochemistry of the brain (l-dopa, serotonin inhibitors) which for many people ARE the root causes of depression and other mental illnesses. The problem is that they don't work for everyone because everyone has different brain chemistry.
BTW, PTSD is a totally different type of mental issue outside of the chemical imbalances that cause many mental illnesses.
I can cite scientific study after study that shows the scientific basis for things like prozac, wellbutrin, ect.
Not only have I read the scientific articles, but my Uncle (bipolar) had his life literally saved by prozac. And wellbutrin helped me
immensely.
Here is a little on the biology of mental disorders:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070806164505.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070822132156.htm
And if it makes you feel better here is a study about some non-drug related therapies being looked at..
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071123200405.htm

BTB--If you wish to not medicate, that is your issue. However, as a scientist and someone who has suffered from depression, I find your post urging this person NOT to take their medicine, irresponsible at best if not out right dangerous.
That's the last word I will say on this topic since it seems you have some preconceived notions that actual scientific data will not penetrate.

[DemExpat]

8. My experience with Prozac was very negative as well.

Since the OP is asking for experiences, not studies of its use.....


I do have several friends taking anti-depressants who are very satisfied with the support it gives them.

Funny how you mention how taking anti-D's helps others handle your negative feelings and states more than it helps YOU!
I had the exact same thoughts after my failed psycho-pharmaceutical try-outs. My husband was quite enthusiastic how my "intensity" was much less with Prozac, while I felt like a numbed out, deadened version of my self. The whole spectrum of my feeling world was numbed down, including sexual feelings, while it did nothing to ease my depression while even worsening my panic attacks. But yes, I was more docile and easier to live with....:eyes:

After 2 1/2 months I chucked it.

DemEx

[DemExpat]

9. Please see your doctor right away.

I know it takes 4-6 weeks for these meds to work, but for some people like me it can make things worse. If you really feel it is not going well with this medication talk to your doctor, and I would suggest immediately.

:hug:

DemEx