Due to feeling tired, low, irritable, and sharp tempered, even paranoid at times and thinking everything was a negative. I visited my doctor, who informed me that I was suffering from mind depression. He has prescribed me Fluoxetine tablets. I have to take one per day. I have a few questions which I hope you guys may be able to enlighten me on, they are:-
1) How long do you normal take this medication for mild depression? 2) Is it addictive 3) If I stop now after a couple of weeks will I become depressed again. 4) If I stop taking the medication after the 4 weeks will I become depressed again? I an concerned that if I take the medication I will become reliant on it, but also if I stop taking it now after a couple of weeks that I will become depressed again. I would like to hear you thoughts
Posts: 1 | From: England | Registered: Aug 2006
| Logged: 82.38.157.36 |
posted
Hi grant, I noticed you haven't received a reply so thought I would share what I understand. I too have been prescribed Fluoxetine and will start taking them tomorrow. My Dr said I suffered from Mild depression also and I am to take one 20mg tablet per day. 1. It was explained to me that it is normal/recommended to take the tablets for 6-9 months from the time you start feeling better. Some sites I visited said the same thing. 2/3/4 I have been told that they are not addictive however, you apparently get 'used' to feeling better so the feelings you have can mimic addiction. Its for this reason that its recommended that you have a structured withdrawal instead of just stopping or you may experience side-effects. I think that you probably will become slightly dependant on it, certainly if it improves your mood etc. But I believe its important that you consider whats the better option? Life as it or a possible better alternative? My understanding is that the medication is not going to 'cure' you but it will enable you to cope and feel better. So its very possible that you will feel depressed if you stop taking them after a short period of time like 4/8 weeks. It may take a couple of weeks for you to start feeling better anyway. It maybe worth looking into talking therapies etc. so that you address the causes etc. so that when you do stop taking the medication, depression won't return. Of course, I am no doctor and so its best that you discuss your concerns with him/her. Anyway, I hope this has helped. I wish you luck!
Posts: 1 | From: London, UK | Registered: Sep 2006
| Logged: 82.43.77.236 |
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