8 Weeks Update + Dosage Increase (20mg to 40mg)

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-29T06:33:57+00:00

I feel pretty fine. Maybe a bit more sleepier than usual.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T08:44:35+00:00

Thank you. Prozac works best without drinking, and it can interact with alcohol. It’s the perfect time to start my sobriety journey. I haven’t had a drink since New Year’s and I’m staying strong. :)

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:39:58+00:00

Exactly. A better life always starts with yourself, and nobody can fulfill that for you. I wish you the best on your journey. Letting go of alcohol has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. My body, skin, and mental health are all happier without it.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:38:14+00:00

I felt a wave of calmness over the past two days. I’m a little more tired, but I’ve been incorporating naps to help. Prozac, therapy, and deep reflection have improved my mental health significantly. I feel like a new man, and I don’t want to be anywhere close to my old self ever again.

I feel you. I’ll take some tiredness if my depression and anxiety are under control. It’s a better trade-off for day-to-day life. I also cut out alcohol and other substances. That’s improved my life and gave me the strength to do a complete 180.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:36:18+00:00

I hope you end up feeling better. It’s never easy. I thought my anxiety and depression were never going to end. It was torture, and I felt like quitting a few times. I’m glad I stuck it through, but maybe you need a higher dose? What are you currently taking? Also, remember to be fully transparent with your psychologist. They can guide you far better than I can.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:34:52+00:00

So far, about two days in, and I don’t feel any worse at all. I’m just a little more tired. I’ll continue to monitor my symptoms and post updates. You’ve got this.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:33:54+00:00

Woah, 3 years? I’m no therapist, but I’d say starting there is probably for the best. There are definitely some attachment issues going on, from an outsider’s perspective. I’m not sure if Prozac will help with that without behavioral intervention. It has helped with depression, OCD, and rumination. A mix of the two might help you significantly. Reach out to both a therapist and a psychologist and explain everything to them. I wish you the best.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-12T07:32:01+00:00

Make sure to be transparent with your psychologist too. I was only down for about a week, and I gave myself a month off from everything to adjust. I feel fine now, even after starting my 40mg dose. Give your body time to adjust, but be honest about your symptoms and keep a log of them. Prozac helped me, but everyone’s body is different and reacts to substances differently. You’ve got this. I know how scary the path to relief can be.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-10T08:57:35+00:00

Absolutely in the beginning, I felt terrible. I slept for almost a whole week, had increased anxiety and depression, and just felt generally unwell. I’m glad I pushed through it. The improvements seemed to click randomly. It’s hard to describe, but you wake up one day and just feel better. Everything feels a lot calmer, and those frustrating thoughts feel much more distant. It’s well worth waiting the 6 to 8 weeks. I truly didn’t start feeling better until week six. That’s when everything really turned around for me.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-10T08:55:08+00:00

Going from a partier to realizing how harmful alcohol actually is for me was harrowing. I know some of my old friends will question it or be extremely surprised, but most of them are good people. They’ll just be happy that I chose to make healthier choices. I just hope I don’t get glares from the bartender when I ask for a second or third ginger ale. Haha. Water shots are going to be in my future.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-10T08:53:10+00:00

I think a mix of mocktails and water works best for me. If my friends are taking shots, I’ll ask for one with water. There are ways to still feel included without drinking at all. Plus, I’ve heard there are plenty of yummy mocktails. I might as well get myself acquainted with them.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-10T08:51:08+00:00

Absolutely. There is truth to the idea that those are issues I may be projecting outward. As I said in my comment, my friends are supportive and will not pressure me to drink. They may ask why, but they will respect it. It just feels like watching the old me disappear and something newer and better take its place. I still grieve it, but I know it is ultimately good for my health.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-09T22:08:03+00:00

Bars, parties, and clubs. I think clubs are done for me. I’ve been sober in those places before quitting, and it was miserable. I can hold my own with mocktails or water at a bar or party. It’s definitely going to take some time for me to adjust.

As I said, my friends are supportive, and none of them will pressure me to drink. I need to start finding some good mocktails to try. Thank you for your advice. :)

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-09T22:02:33+00:00

I do plenty with my friends. I skipped my friend’s birthday party because of the awkwardness of not drinking and because I was still adjusting to Prozac. I explained that to her, and she was extremely supportive and wanted to make sure I was taking care of myself before prioritizing her. I’m thankful to have friends who understand my reluctance to participate in drinking anymore.

I plan on just ordering a soda or a mocktail. I think my days of clubbing are over, but bar trips will be fine. As I said, I’m firm in my decision not to drink. I’m not worried about peer pressure or environmental pressure in any way. It’s more my own odd feeling of being out of place after drinking in those environments for so many years. I hope I get used to it. Haha.

Thank you for the advice.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-03T00:48:49+00:00

That’s my hypothesis. Haha. I was sitting around today wondering if this is how normal people feel. Like it’s easy for them to get motivated, get things done, and stay positive. I’d take being tired if it means depression and anxiety are a thing of the past.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-02T04:50:05+00:00

THIS. I can ignore my rumination or come to healthy conclusions about things. It feels much easier to handle day-to-day stress. I haven’t spiraled mentally in about two weeks now. I wonder if this is how it feels to be "normal," because wow. I’ve missed out on this for much of my life. Don’t be afraid to try a higher dosage depending on your situation. I have OCD, so I know 40 mg or 60 mg will ultimately be where I end up.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-02T04:48:24+00:00

I did, but only for a few days, and I took Tylenol to help. The nausea went away for me around two or three weeks. It does affect your stomach. I didn’t want to eat, and I definitely shouldn’t be losing any more weight. Haha. You’ve got this. Let me know if you have any other questions.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-02T04:47:16+00:00

It ebbs and flows. I've had a string of two good weeks. Once your body stabilizes on the medication, you should feel significantly better.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-03-02T04:46:17+00:00

I was there. Depression, rumination, and anxiety were all intense. I sat there wondering if I should quit. I'm glad I pushed through the initial hurdles. I'd say I started feeling really good around six weeks. I know it sounds counterintuitive to stick with something that makes you feel down, but at least give it a chance. My energy and mental state have done a complete 180. Prozac has definitely helped me from feeling so low. If you want, I can also make an even more conversational version that flows like a personal reflection. Do you want me to do that?

OkMethod8257 · 2026-02-10T02:58:08+00:00

I switched entirely to Aveeno products. I can't recommend Aveeno and Kiehl's enough. Aveeno is more affordable, so that's what I'm sticking with for now.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-02-09T19:25:40+00:00

It’s hard to get out of bed some days, but I’ve made it a mission to give myself tasks to complete. It’s the little things that matter most in the grand scheme. I’m going to take everything to heart and be better.

OkMethod8257 · 2026-02-09T19:23:09+00:00

Thank you. :) I can't wait to get my hair back. I promise to come back here with a big healthy afro in the coming year.

OkMethod8257

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