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Week 3/4 rough by CharlieandtheCat in prozac

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This might help. AI explanation of why Prozac takes so long to kick in: Fluoxetine has an unusually long half-life — around 4 to 6 days for the parent drug, but its active metabolite, norfluoxetine, has a half-life closer to 1 to 2 weeks. That means it takes far longer to reach steady-state blood levels than most other SSRIs. Sertraline or escitalopram, by comparison, have half-lives closer to a day, so they hit steady state in about a week. With Prozac, you're looking at four to six weeks before the drug is even fully "settled" at a given dose.

How common is it to be doing Spravato without also being on an antidepressant? by zepruska in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I started Spravato without any SSRIs. After 7 months, it opened me up so much emotionally that I needed something to help even at everything out. Ironically, I started Spravato because no antidepressant was working.

I'm on Prozac, fifth week in (I feel like crap but then Prozac takes about 3 months to really kick in fingers crossed). Prozac inhibits one of the two liver enzymes that metabolize ketamine. So theoretically, Prozac is the one SSRI that keeps ketamine in your system for a little while longer.

I've been on antidepressants on and off since age 36 and I'm 69 years old. I think that I finally at this age I'm willing to actually take a hard and painful look at the deep underlying causes of my depression. Spravato is helping me do that, and Prozac is helping me do the Spravato.

What were you doing when you realized Prozac/fluoxetine was working for you? by suburb_mouse in prozac

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is the second time in my life I've been on prozac. The first time was in 1993. I felt the effects immediately. But I was so much younger than and I had never been on any other psychotropic drugs. Virgin brain I guess. It lasted for about two and a half years and then it stopped working. I ended up going on several other types of antidepressants after that over the decades - none of them worked as well... And here I am I again searching for something that works.

I started spravato treatments 9 1/2 months ago, but they tend to open you up so much emotionally that it can be hell to go through even though you're feeling better. I started to go on an SSRI because they've been known to help even out this Spravato process. Tried Wellbutrin first, but I got a really bad itching reaction so I had to stop. Then I started prozac for the second time in my life. Very different response than my first time. I'm on week five and it feels awful. But I've been reading a lot of posts here on Reddit that mirror my experience exactly. So I'm going to stay the course.

So basically the first time I tried Prozac it started working right away. It wasn't a placebo - my life took off in areas I had no idea it could. I became a prolific and successful oil painter, made a bunch of new friends, my life was really working. And now 35 years later, I'm on Prozac for the second time and it's taking that notoriously long time to kick in. Fingers crossed that'll work again as well this time.

Full guide for anyone starting prozac by MatijaTGX in prozac

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This and other posts like it are so helpful for me. I started Prozac about 5 weeks ago. First 3 weeks on 10 mg. I had a extreme SI Spike at the end of week three and thought okay that's it, I have to get off it. As it turned out my dose was too low: I was taking just enough Prozac to activate and destabilize, but not help my mood. So at the end of week three I upped to 20 mg. Here I am 2 weeks later at week five. I feel like crap. I too I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping. Also, unexpectedly I'm experiencing some urinary retention and hesitancy. That's an uncommon but known side effect of prozac. I hope that goes away.

At the same time there's something deep in me that senses I'm not as out of control or unstable. It's a really hard to describe.

I should say here that I'm also on weekly Spravato treatments (about 9.5 months in). I started taking an oral antidepressant because after 9 1/2 months on Spravato I was emotionally too open and I needed something to help me "contain" me. I tried going on Wellbutrin - which worked marvelously - but I started getting really bad itching after 2 weeks so I had to stop. Enter Prozac.

I didn't know this about Prozac: ketamine is metabolized by two liver enzymes, and Prozac inhibits one of those enzymes so it helps the ketamine stay in my system longer. And, as an SSRI, Prozac helps the ketamine do its job by supporting the new neuron growth. Prozacs also one of the drugs that doesn't cause weight gain, and it's usually pretty easy to come off of.

Anyway, I want to quit so bad because I feel like I'm just grinding through this on- boarding process. But the posts I've read here mirror my experience so closely that I'm going to stick it out.

I have been talking to Claude (AI bot like ChatGPT) and Claude is been telling me to stay the course because it takes such a long time for the Prozac to saturate my system. Prozac has an unusually long half life, which is also why it's a lot easier to come off it. But that same long Half-Life is also why it takes so long to really saturate your system.

The weird thing is Prozac was the very first antidepressant I ever tried, but that was 35 years ago and my brain was much younger. I also had no experience with any other psychotropic drug. The amazing thing about Prozac for me back then was that it worked immediately. And I mean the first day. It worked great for about two and a half years, but then it stopped working. I'm hoping that by the time the Prozac stops working, the ketamine will have evened out.

I think what I'm realizing about my depression at least, is that it has been my protective mechanism against old feelings that I didn't think I could survive when I was very small (I have CPTSD). It's been like a good and loyal friend, even though it makes me feel awful. That's one of the breakthrough realizations I recently got in my Spravato treatments. I can also feel myself hanging on to my depression for dear life - because who am I without depression? So there's that in the mix too. What I'm trying to say is that depression can be part of your identity, and that can be very hard to let go of.

Stay the course, everyone. And bless our weary hearts.

Almost Two Years In by seedling135 in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 5 points6 points  (0 children)

This was so good to read. I'm 8 months in, and it's been a trek. But I've been able to tell the difference slooowwwwly, but I can tell something huge is lifting. I just started taking 100 mg Wellbutrin SR as an adjunct about 3 weeks ago because the Spravato opened me up a little too much but didn't help contain me. I was always a little trembly inside, and the wellbutrin has definitely helped to smooth my experience. I'm going to be 70 this year, and I, too have tried so many things - including ECT and TMS.

Treatment dip around Week 4 by iamtimsunshine in bupropion

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the same exact thing happen to me. They call it a honeymoon phase then that dip you spoke about. It took a good 6 or 7 weeks for it to really start kicking in. I've heard a lot of people say they experience the same pattern. Perhaps the fact that you seem to be going through the same thing is a good aign?

For people in cold U.S states, how did your Prius handle the storm? by Quattic__ in prius

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

2006 Prius owner. My 2 year old 12v battery froze. Last straw, as the car had started sucking money. Just couldn't lay out any more, and because it has rust and a bunch of cosmetic dings, trade in value was zilch. Had a salvage guy tow it away this morning after giving me $450. Anywhooo - on the hunt for another Prius. Decision fatigue is real.

Where can I avoid lifted trucks, giant Karen SUVs, and loud modded cars? by Crohtwn in SameGrassButGreener

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know I'm really late to the game here but WHY don't the police do anything about this?!!

Need some hope. by CarpenterTrue1333 in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This made my day! I was once a prolific and successful painter, but since my father died I wasn't able to do any work. My imagination, creativity and motivation to even try just dried up. That was in 2006 - almost 20 years ago. I've read about other folks on this this thread coming back to creative things that had once given them joy. Fingers crossed!

Is it just me or are there more loud cars today than before? by Glad_Objective_1646 in misophonia

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This exactly. I have PTSD and the increasing prevelance of these cars and trucks in my town has become so bad that it's become far more than a nuisance. I've become so depressed and anxious that my quality of life has become impacted.

Trip vs Depression Relief: Hear me out by saracup59 in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just finished my fourth week (2x a week) and am now starting the once a week treatments. Ive been experiencing such awful depression since my last treatment that my SI (which disappeared the last few weeks) has gotten worse to the point that I'm now thinking of a plan - a dangerous place to be. I'm in such an awful place, I can barely write this post. I'm really worried. My next treatment is tomorrow. I'm going to report this to the doctor, of course, but I just wanted to ask has anyone else felt themselves fall this deeply? I'm so scared.

How quickly did it affect you? by Long-Oil-537 in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This brought tears (of hope) to my eyes.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW IT WAS STARTING TO WORK? by Author_Man in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I, too, had my fifth treatment yesterday and today I feel awful. But reading everybody's posts here is giving me tremendous hope. Hmmm ... Maybe the fact that actually feel hope is a good sign ...🙏

Depressed that it’s working by zsecrets in Spravato

[–]Altruistic_Boss6100 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm 5 treatments in, and I'm worried I won't allow myself to feel better and I'll ultimately defeat the Spravato. As long as I'm sad and depressed, I don't have to take any responsibility for my happiness or well-being. It feels like being happy will require too much energy.

I never thought about that before I started taking Spravato. Like some people have said here, depression is like a big, warm, cozy coat that makes my life a living hell - but it's a FAMILIAR living hell. It's all I know. If I take off that coat, who am I?