Comments on: Bipolar Disorder Medication Spotlight: Prozac (Fluoxetine)

By: becky

becky — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 14:31:53 +0000

i think i may be Bi Polar, after years of mental health issues really starting as a teen but possibly before. I have put many of episodes down to PTSD over the years, I endured child abuse, abusive Mother until I was 32, serious sexual assualt, victim of armed robbery at work…In 2009 i went to GP and asked for help, he put me on Prozac, worst few weeks of my life, I had two interviews with disastrous results which lead to me being taken off of the agency lists – i went cold turkey – stomach cramps, sweats, palpitations, muscle spams, sickness, and my head was whirling, couldnt stop it or bring it back in focus…. saw another GP and was put on Lofepramine 70mg twice daily….. That worked quite well foe a while — lately i have been having highs again — looking back on it now,,,,very high — I normally stabalise my own mind by not allowing ideas to formulate, question everrything I do, but I let things run wild….now i am hitting the low so apying the price—- I am a support worker in the community, so for me it is really difficult to seek Psychiatric help as I am often an advocate and I know that professionals are not always that professional…. So Can my GP agree with a self diagnosis…..

By: Marcus

Marcus — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:26:36 +0000

It would all be easier and cheaper for everyone of the drug industry would pushing expensive antidepressants and atypical antispychotics for depression and bipolar disorder and just allow people to take natural alkaloids from the earth that god made such as codeine and morphine for a more pronounced affect on the illness. After all these were the first line treatments of depression 50 years ago. Years and years of synthetic drugs taken day after day cannot do anyone good.

By: Anna

Anna — Fri, 06 May 2011 02:30:09 +0000

I was told I have bipolarII about 3 months ago im on 100 mg of Lamictal my depression has not gotton any better can I add a anti-depressent to this any ideas on what would work best with the Lamictal??

By: Nicole

Nicole — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:31:47 +0000

“Increased risk of mania” – On November 7, 2010 my grandmother commit suicide after being on a high dose of prozac for a long period of time. She was BiPolar and had been hospitalized for suicidal attempts 3 times prior to the final tragedy. She had been diagnosed as BiPolar for several years by a couple of different doctors. Her latest doctor refused the diagnosis of BiPolar and therefor ignored the high risk potential of prescribing Prozac and increasing the dose significantly with each bout of depression. This sent her into rapid cycling and more and more suicide attempts. During the day she was high and late at night she was low. The shifts in extreme mood changes happened daily. She felt that nobody understood except for me. She was right. My grandfather is a farmer who doesn’t know how to work a computer, one of her daughters a raging and non functioning alcoholic, and another daughter dead from suicide. For years I was her “midnight counsel” from 1,000 miles away. In her last month she was alive I noticed drastic changes and attempted to contact her doctor about my concerns but he would not take my calls unless I was planning on reporting an incident. There were incidents I could’ve reported but I was the ONLY person left in her life that she trusted. This trust had enabled me to save her life more than once in the past so it was not something I would risk losing ever. When the doctor refused to even listen to me, I tried so hard to explain to my grandmother that he was not the correct doctor for her, he did not have the correct diagnosis, and that she was not on the appropriate medication. I went to the extreme of finding another doctor for her with great references and ratings, a difficult task from 1,000 miles away. Alas, it was too late. Days later and becoming increasingly more and more manic and rapid cycling so fast that nobody knew what to expect from minute to minute she calls me at about 9pm. Locked herself in the basement with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other. She was not crying nor was she completely depressed. She expressed herself as “simply tired and ready”. 3 hours later, playing on her mania, I convince her she should go skydiving instead of kill herself. Does that sound rational to you? Well, in the increased manic state she was swaying in and out of due to the high doses of prozac this sounds very rational. 7 days later she has what seems to be the best day ever. She gets her hair and nails done, goes out driving with her drunk daughter to take pictures of barns, plans to make a calendar, and is unknowingly to those around her completely and classically euphoric. She then makes a simple supper and serves it to herself, her husband, and daughter. In the middle of supper she excuses herself to use the restroom, then with a smile on her face she walks into her bedroom, pulls out a gun, and shot herself. She was still wearing fresh wounds on her wrists from her suicide attempt nearly 2 weeks prior to this.

Conclusion- PROZAC CAN BE FATAL TO BIPOLAR PATIENTS AND IS NOT WORTH THE RISK!

By: Madeline

Madeline — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:06:59 +0000

I have Bipolar II and have taken Prozac for about 2 years now. It has been wonderful for me. My manic episodes have always been mild and infrequent and I haven’t seen much change since taking the Prozac. My depressions are balanced out to the point where I never find myself struggling to cope. Really, I just feel normal. I feel like a normal, healthy, functioning person. It has been a life saver.

By: Joel

Joel — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:03:00 +0000

I have recently been diagnosed with Bipolar disorder. My pDoc is not sure whether to classify it as I or II. At any rate, over the last twenty years I’ve been on over 20 antidepressants, 5 benzodiazepines and countless supplements – in various combinations. I always noticed that I like Prozac every time I would come back to it, but I never knew why. I’ve been taking Lamictal and Risperdal for about a month now. Currently at 3mg Risperdal and 150mg Lamictal. I must admit I am changed, with less manic symptoms. However, without coffee all day long I’m tired all the time. I’m thinking Prozac might be a good addition to my current regimen, so I will discuss this with my pDoc at the end of this month. If anyone else has specific experience with Lamictal, Risperdal and Prozac, I would love to see your comments and experience posted on this board. Thanks to the author and all commentors for some great info!

By: Jodi

Jodi — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:11:48 +0000

I took prozac when I was first diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and I tried to kill myself. Since then I have been on 17 to 20 differant medications,I recently was diagnosed with PTSD as well as the bipolar disorder,I am getting really sick and tired of being told to just be patient and the medication will work. Guess what it doesnt. I have three children to take care of I dont have time to wait anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months for a medication to work. My illnesses have ruined my life and nobody will listen. I need some help and now,can anyone suggest a fast ascting medication?

By: angel

angel — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:42:22 +0000

I have just started treating my bipolar and already been on 6 different medications!All my life i was diagnosed with depression and panic attactes I was on proziac for about 2 yrs and zanixe,valume,effexor and ..alot more medication none of the Dr.s I was seeing never diganoised me Bipolar un til last year I was switching meds. when had to me to a different state and start to relize we couldn’t afford the Dr.s in this state so I quite taking the bipolar drug GEODON that was not the good thing to do it caused a lot of husulations,insonomia,severe mood swings it was not pretty so don’t ever do that find a free clinic and get the medician you need!I am now on lithiem and proziac now and who knows what it might be next week but i do know this one day i will be on something that works for chemicaly!Its not fun hearing voices that no one eles can or just get realy moody and snappy and go off in public crowds and scare people!Being know as the crazy lady i got more depressed and drawn for everone…Thats my story alittle lone but wanted you to learn from my experances and maybe help someone eles that is thinking of doing what i did All I got to say is “DON’T” you will be sorry you quiet cold turkey!Good LUCK ALL OF YOU READING THIS!!!

By: Debby

Debby — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 19:40:43 +0000

I started taking Lamictal 5 weeks ago. I noticed a small change about 2 weeks into it. I suffer from Bipolar II and PTSD due to several trauma’s. I went off medications 7 years ago and attempted to deal with it with diet, exercise and herbs, due to not being insured. Did not work well. I have taken many, many different combinations in the past and went manic the first time I was given anti-depressants.Since I was not first started on a mood stabilizer. My doctor now has put me on lamictal and will add a small dose of prozac. I also have severe PMS and prozac helped with this also. It also helped me quit smoking, drinking and anxiety. I was on prozac previously for 2 years and can’t wait to get back on it.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 05:38:45 +0000

I have Bipolar II. I’ve been taking Lamictal for about 1 month. It has REALLY helped decrease the frequency of my hypomanic episodes. I’ve also been taking fluoxetine for 5 years. I believe the fluoxetine has worsened my manic episodes the past few years. I’m currently working with my doctor to get weaned off fluoxetine. For me, taking fluoxetine and being Bipolar is dangerous.