This is a very long post, but I think the people that are looking for this type of information will find exactly what they’re looking for. When I was looking myself, the more info the better. Please read the disclaimer below.
Disclaimer: This is part 2 of MY Prozac diary. Not to be confused with Prozac Diary, the book. I feel like it’s a good thing to track and be aware of how I respond to the medication. It’s a very personal experience that I’ve decided to share. Please keep in mind that everyone is different and may have an entirely different experience!
I’m choosing to share because I enjoy reading other people’s experiences. Always remember that each person responds differently to any medication.
Missed Part 1? Read about my first two weeks on Prozac.
Diagnosis and prescriptions.
Clinical Diagnosis: Depression and Anxiety (worsened again after being off Lexapro for several weeks)
Prescription:
- 10 mg Prozac (fluoxetine) capsule taken once daily for the first 7 days.
- 20 mg Prozac after 7 days.
- 300 mg Wellbutrin XL (buproprion) tablet taken once daily in the am.
I have been taking 20mg Prozac and 300mg Wellbutrin for the past 3 weeks. The first week was only 10mg Prozac. Wellbutrin is prescribed to offset potential negative side effects of the Prozac (sexual side effects, lack of energy, etc.). I have been taking Wellbutrin and Prozac in the morning. I always took Lexapro at night.
Recent Going-Ons
A close uncle of my stepchildren died on May 1st, and we’re attending his funeral this week on Wednesday (the 15th). It was tragic and unexpected, and he was also my husband’s former brother-in-law. The whole situation has made my heart hurt so badly for them, and my anxiety is through the roof.
Just want to give full disclosure about things that may be affecting my Prozac experience.
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My Prozac Side Effects Diary Week 3
Day 15: 8th Wed
- 20 mg taken 7 am.
- No side effects noticed.
Day 16: 9th Thurs
- 20 mg taken.
- I noticed I was yawning a lot. I didn’t necessarily feel that tired, but I kept yawning and felt like I probably looked like a dinosaur all day. Rawrrrrrr.
Day 17: 10th Fri
- 20 mg taken.
- Noticed a lot of yawning again.
- Sleep is still fine.
- Had 2 drinks tonight (been a rough week!) and Prozac and alcohol don’t mix very well.
Day 18: 11th Sat
- 20 mg taken.
- Felt super hungover all day despite not drinking much alcohol at all.
- Celebrated Mother’s Day with my mom and my grandma who lives out of town. We had a BBQ and it was sooo good! I was glad I hadn’t eaten earlier in the day because I definitely made up for it.
Day 19: 12th Sun
- 20 mg taken.
- Mother’s Day. Holidays are usually a stress point for me. I had a wonderful day though. I’m so thankful for my little family.
Day 20: 13th Mon
- 20 mg taken.
- Anxiety is really high.
Day 21: 14th Tues
- 20 mg taken.
- The funeral is tomorrow so my anxiety is abnormally high today. I’m experiencing so many different emotions and my heart is hurting for my stepchildren and their mom’s family.
Week 3 is done.
No real news to report here. Just humming along.
My Prozac Side Effects Diary Week 4
Day 22: 15th Wed
- 20 mg am.
- Funeral day.
- Tired.
Day 23: 16th Thurs
- 20 mg am. I didn’t experience any noticeable side effects today.
- G’s band concert.
- Tired.
Days 24, 25, 26: Fri, Sat and Sun (May 17th, 18th, 19th)
- 20 mg am.
- Tired.
Day 27: 20th Mon
- 20 mg am.
- Tired.
Day 28: 21st Tues
- 20 mg am.
Week 4 is done.
Overall thoughts: Side effects have been very minimal for the most part. I can’t speak to the effects of it yet as nothing has changed, and I wouldn’t expect it to so soon.
Final Prozac Update
The anxiety just kept getting worse and worse. I was a nightmare as a passenger in a car. Even driving myself gave me super high anxiety. That was not normal. I stopped taking Fluoxetine. It seemed to create way more anxiety for me, and I do not need that in my life.
I would still encourage anyone to give it a try as it does take some time to figure out what your body responds to best. That’s the frustrating part about antidepressants. Prozac is just not for me.