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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 20, 2006, at 19:25:39
After a couple of years of feeling fairly crappy (I reckon atypical depression maybe with social anxiety covers the problems I've had) I feel like I'm doing pretty well on 20mg of fluoxetine. It kicked in after two weeks and after 7 weeks things still seem to be working (I don't feel "fantastic" but I don't feel depressed - just sorta normal which compared to how I have felt on and off for a couple of years is great).
The thing is, the last time I saw my doctor (an NHS GP in England), which was the first time I saw him after he put me on fluoxetine, he said, "it seems to be working so I'll prescibe you another months worth of pills but next time I see you I'll be looking to taper you of it". This would mean me coming off it after just 2 months when it seems to be doing the trick. Could this be right? I'd have said 6 to 12 months would be more like it. At the moment I'm planning to try to persuade my doctor to keep me on it by saying I'm scared of going back to the way I was before it (which I am). So yeh, anyone have any comments on this at all? May it be a good idea to taper off already?
Many thanks everyone.
Posted by Racer on October 20, 2006, at 21:00:03
In reply to Prozac. I like it! but..., posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 20, 2006, at 19:25:39
Nope, not a good idea. The accepted wisdom is to stay on it six to nine months after reaching remission for a first episode, longer for a subsequent depressive episode.
I'd suggest asking him why? You can say that you read on the internet that it's better to stay on it a bit longer, but that can sometimes backfire -- there are still doctors who don't want you to know anything more than what they tell you to do. (Of course, those generally won't answer many questions, either...) I know things are different over there, so I won't ask if you can see another doctor ;-)
Good luck, and stick around to tell us what happens.
Oh, that's what I forgot! DOH!
Welcome to Babble!
Posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 21, 2006, at 8:19:21
In reply to Re: Prozac. I like it! but..., posted by Racer on October 20, 2006, at 21:00:03
Thanks for the reply Racer. Yeh, I reckon I'll try to get him to keep me on it for six months in as subtle way as I can. (But hopefully not so subtle so that he has no idea I'd rather stay on it!)
Thanks Again, I'll keep ya posted.
Posted by Phillipa on October 21, 2006, at 10:48:12
In reply to Re: Prozac. I like it! but..., posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 21, 2006, at 8:19:21
Yes they say a relapse is common if you don't stay on the med long enough. And two months in my opinion if its working for you is not enough. Love Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on October 21, 2006, at 15:13:09
In reply to Prozac. I like it! but..., posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 20, 2006, at 19:25:39
Hi
I think it sounds like a case of your GP not being up-to-date on mental health problems. All guidelines recommend that treatment be continued for at least 4-6 months after recovery, often longer. People who have suffered from chronic or recurrent depression are usually advised to continue medication for longer that this.
Generic fluoxetine 20mg capsules are extremely widely prescribed in the UK and are considered my most doctors to be a first line treatment for moderate/severe depression. NHS guidelines recommend fluoxetine for depression as a first choice SSRI. Long term use is very common and I don't think you will have a problem getting a doctor (but perhaps not your current one) to give you more medication. Perhaps you could see a different doctor at the same practice.
Ed
Posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 23, 2006, at 14:44:16
In reply to Re: Prozac. I like it! but... » Berty McNotBerty, posted by ed_uk on October 21, 2006, at 15:13:09
Thanks a lot Phillipa and Ed, I feel a lot more "armed" for when I next see my Doc (if ya know what I mean).
Posted by ed_uk on October 24, 2006, at 16:01:07
In reply to Thanks, posted by Berty McNotBerty on October 23, 2006, at 14:44:16
You're welcome :)
Ed
This is the end of the thread.
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