Long term after affects of Prozac

[dsurf]

I am hoping someone might have some insight into my problem and may be able to offer some advice on which direction to seek help.  I was placed on an SSRI when I was seventeen, I was on a very high dose for two years, I believe 80 mg for a while, but 60mg for sure, alot of my peers noticed changes in me and my personality and expressed concern, but it was two years before my sister persuaded me that I didn't need it and it was having adverse effects on me.  Since that time when I was almost twenty, seven years ago, I have had severe declines in my ability to function, some very strange personality occurences came and went, my memory and IQ dropped steadily over the years to a point where I couldn't have a conversation with someone, and I became aware of my problems and self concious of them as well, my talents were gone, and my ability to do anything I used to wasn't there, and to this day I can't do two things at once, including think and write, I constantly have to go back and fill in gaps where large chunks of sentences were left out, and my memory is fractured, there was a family vacation week that several months later when it was being discussed I had no recollection of, people didn't believe me.  My best understanding is that alomst a year after I came off the drug there was a point with a sharp drop off in some thinking abilities, from there things declined steadily over the years, I also experience vast differneces from day to day or week to week, I also have had muscle twitches and light, almost unnoticeable hand trembling ever since. Simply, I am concerned about permanent brain damage from this drug, I am aware that there are few doctors who will acknowledge this possibility, but my hope is to find some one who might have some experience with this matter and may be able to offer me guidance as I am currently not living life, as I have not been for the past seven years.  I appreciate any and all help.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

What you need is a very good extensive workup from a well qualified psychiatrist who will take all of this, and more, into account and give you a correct diagnosis.  You are young and have a lot of life ahead...do this for yourself.

[usc4meandu]

******URGENT*******

I have been searching and communicating in online chat forums of all sorts on this subject.  I read so many desperate postings about people who have suffered and continue to suffer because of their meds.  

There are SERIOUS side effects that people need to be aware BEFORE they get on these meds.  That does not include being given an explanation in their medication box that consists of a 4-font.   And one should not need a PhD to read this information. (I was getting my Ph.D. in a social science the first time I was prescribed these things.  When I asked my doctor some technical scientific information about the meds, he didn’t know and had to look it up.  I marveled at his lack of instant knowledge about this.  But I should have been even more suspicious when he had a hard time reading the results that the company of the medication had published).

Also, there seems to be a common theme in that people complain that their doctor's overlooked this or that.  For example, why would a doctor prescribe a depression meds to a recovering alcoholic, especially without doing blood work or an ultra sound, when such prescriptions can further irritate or cause liver damage, some of which is irreversible?  Then, there can be a high probability of alcohol relapse if the drugs make symptoms worse!!!

I do not mean to belittle these drugs.  They must work for some because I have read quite a few success stories. But, FAR TOO MANY people are suffering, especially when they try to stop taking antidepressant meds.  My *** if are not habit forming.  Otherwise, why the withdrawals?!?!?

Join me in the fight to make people, and organizations, aware of your story.  I am putting together our stories for others like us and for those people who need to read them (like doctors, psychiatrists, etc.)

I am not here for profit. I am not here to make money. I can keep you name anonymous, or you can make up a handle (madashell, depressedinphoenix, helpmeinca, etc.)  I just feel so angry that I think it is time our voices and complications are shared and heard!  And, if I need to work around the clock to be the ambassador of our struggles then so be it!!!

***@****

[slandis75]

Don't give up hope with the antidepressants.  Some doctors will misdiagnose you or give you too much too fast - leaving you in a state of oblivion, where you don't feel too much, more like you're a walking robot without any emotions.  That is a clear sign that you may have been put on too high of a dose.  Now that you're off of the medication is also problematic.  Getting off antidepressants should always be done with the help of a trained doctor so that they can assess the situation at least weekly, to make sure you do not become too unable to function or to monitor your mood for anything weird occurring and adjusting the medication accordingly.  It should be something that is controlled, not something you do because you don't want to be on it anymore - that's how people can end up hurting themselves.  Once you're on an antidepressant, just realize that it's going to take time to come off of it and do it the safe way - under a doctor's supervision.  If you can, see a psychiatrist now who can take a look at your situation and see what he/she recommends.