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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Smeek on April 8, 2009, at 14:14:17
Been on Prozac for 12 years. Maybe it's the economy, or maybe it's the meds pooping out, but the anxiety has come back big time. Is it reasonable to assume that 12 years is too long to be on this drug? Does it usually "poop out" before that? I am heading to my doctor in two days to discuss options, but I would love to know what you think I should ask him or tell him.
S.
Posted by myco on April 8, 2009, at 15:45:31
In reply to Poop-out time frame, posted by Smeek on April 8, 2009, at 14:14:17
This is individual really. Also depends on how your define "poop out". Is the med doing anything else for you? If it is and this is merely breakthrough anxiety... which can be triggered different ways like situation issues like you mentioned, then simply adding something for breakthrough anxiety may be in order. Consider a benzo like xanax for those times in which you feel over the edge with anxiety. Also consider a dosage adjustment. Slight raise in dose. Since this med has worked for you for so long it is a good idea to try to "patch it up" - augment with something or adjust dosage - before you consider abandoning it. Alot of people never find a med that works well enough to remain on for that length of time....consider that a good sign that the med is a good choice for you and make a good effort to help it out a little.
myco
---------> Been on Prozac for 12 years. Maybe it's the economy, or maybe it's the meds pooping out, but the anxiety has come back big time. Is it reasonable to assume that 12 years is too long to be on this drug? Does it usually "poop out" before that? I am heading to my doctor in two days to discuss options, but I would love to know what you think I should ask him or tell him.
>
> S.
Posted by bleauberry on April 8, 2009, at 16:39:58
In reply to Poop-out time frame, posted by Smeek on April 8, 2009, at 14:14:17
From what I have seen anecdotally with mere casual observance over the years, here and at other forums, is that prozac might have one of the longest poopout delays of its family, followed by zoloft and paxil. I have heard of people on zoloft for 10 years, prozac for 10 years, but you even did better than that. Of course, these meds do poopout within months for some people. So ya never know.
Here is a suggestion before making any drastic changes...
If you are on generic fluoxetine, switch to brand name Prozac by Lilly. More expensive, yes. Better drug, according to my doctor, much better. He has patients who deteriorate after time on fluoxetine who restore full effectiveness when they switch to brand.
Your body is so accustomed to the prozac molecule, and your entire body is functioning with that molecule being part of the everyday machinery. It will not be easy, and likely traumatic, to try to undo 12 years of dependence on that molecule. That's why I suggest, switch to brand first.
If you are on brand, then the next thing to do might be to compliment prozac with another med, rather than removing it. On a list of things to consider would be Nortriptyline or Zyprexa or Ritalin. All very different, but all very capable of turbocharging prozac's effectiveness.
Keep in mind, maybe nothing about prozac's effectiveness has changed. Twelve years. Your body is not the same as it was back then. Your nervous system is different than it was. If there is some hidden disease you'll never know about, it has progressed to a different stage.
I'm rambling. Switch to brand name Prozac. Consider adding something else to it that compliments it in terms of anxiety.
> Been on Prozac for 12 years. Maybe it's the economy, or maybe it's the meds pooping out, but the anxiety has come back big time. Is it reasonable to assume that 12 years is too long to be on this drug? Does it usually "poop out" before that? I am heading to my doctor in two days to discuss options, but I would love to know what you think I should ask him or tell him.
>
> S.
Posted by Phillipa on April 8, 2009, at 21:20:33
In reply to Re: Poop-out time frame, posted by bleauberry on April 8, 2009, at 16:39:58
That's very good that prozac worked all this time was this your first episode of depression? If so maybe you can get off ad's? Love Phillipa
Posted by seldomseen on April 9, 2009, at 5:18:32
In reply to Poop-out time frame, posted by Smeek on April 8, 2009, at 14:14:17
I am also on long term Prozac treatment (9 years) two years ago I added klonopin and it did a world of good. What dose of prozac are you on?
Another alternative is to discuss raising, or *lowering* your dose of prozac for a period of time with your pdoc. I've had much success with that strategy and depression relief.
The anxiety was a completely new symptom for me. One which prozac did not help that much.
Seldom.
This is the end of the thread.
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