I know that doctors will give Sarafem (Prozac) to help with pms/pmdd symptoms. Well, I was just wondering if I should give it a try to help with these mood swings and other peri related symptoms. The weight factor is an issue for me because I already need to lose quite a bit of weight and don't need to put on even an ounce.

Anyone taking Sarafem/Prozac, and is it helping?

Yes. I was actually on Prozac given by my gyn. I am on Celexa now, which is only 4 bucks at walmart. and yes, you can gain weight. this is quite a hard for me. I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place. My life is "you know what" without the AD and I hate the weight gain. I have always been a thin person and now I have some extra weight on me that I dont appeciate.

Hang in there. You are not alone in this struggle.

I started on Prozac earlier this year and have found it to be quite helpful with the anxiety and mood swings - I don't get nearly as worked up over things like I used too. As far as weight gain, I've not noticed anything significant, but have noticed a decline in libido.

Here's hoping you find something that works for you.

gyz

Here's my experience...couldn't tolerate prozac for depression, tried it years ago after a traumatic event and all I did was cry, had to come off immediately. I have tried others - 3 years ago when anxiety and panic first hit (didn't realize it could be the start of peri) my dr. put me on zoloft...it helped but the weight gain was terrible. I eventually went off after I got "better" or at least I thought. General anxiety continued and I refused to take Zoloft again, tried Lexapro, all I did was cry for days. Bad reaction. Dr. then placed me on Wellbutrin. Helped with weight loss - no appetite, and worked with depression and general anxiety, then out of nowhere, anxiety peaked again, felt like I was coming out of my skin...awakened out of a sleep feeling very scared and not myself...husband had to help me. Immediately stopped Wellbutrin on my own. Now anxiety and panic attacks are back with a vengeance, dr. has again prescribed wellbutrin with xanax. I didn't get the wellbutrin filled (advice of pharmacist), after a really bad day today, went back to pcp and advised that wellbutrin wasn't filled - he was very angry with pharmacist for "butting in" since he didn't know my history. I think pharmacist was just trying to help - my pcp said he could report him...ugh! PCP would not write another script, insists that I try the wellbutrin again. I'm scared, at this point, I cannot tolerate any more panic attacks, I have 2 young kids at home that cannot witness that...what do I do...help? My mental state is at an all time low, I am desperate and I feel for you. Hope you have success.

Sheesh I'd love to shove a bunch of these drugs down the freakin doctors throats and see how they like them. I am having a terrible time with withdrawal syndrome after weaning off an AD I have been taking for 18 months. It's hard going on them and it's even harder sometimes coming off them if you have a sensitive system like mine.

Have you tried all the natural options for panic and anxiety etc and given them time to work as they do take a lot longer than conventional meds to have an effect?? I am currently drinking chamomile tea among other things and cleaning up my diet drastically to try and take the edge off my resurgance of anxiety and the resent hypoglycemia attacks I have been having since weaning off. Have you read the Dr Claire Weekes books??

Anxiety along with health anxiety has got to be the worst peri symptoms ever don't ya think??

Rox

I take Paxil, in the same family of ADs as Prozac. Yes it has caused weight gain, better fat and happy than skinny and miserable...sorta! I don't like feeling fat. I have no anxiety or panic anymore but I also take Estrogel and Prometrium. I have reduced the Paxil dosage in half. I also have no libido to speak of, but had that BEFORE the Paxil so not sure if it is a side effect of the drug or just menopause.

Having been a gigantic MESS before the meds, and functioning fairly well now....I say give it a try. I am a firm believer in "whatever it takes to be well". No two people are the same, so what works for one may not for another but never give up hope, never give up trying. Life is too short to suffer needlessly if help is available.

Hi MyFaith

Having tried many alternative remedies in the past few years I started taking Prozac a few weeks ago as a non hormonal alternative to HRT for night flushes and poor sleep. I just really needed to get some good quality sleep and some respite from waking up constantly.

I haven't had any weight gain, in fact if anything I've lost a couple of pounds so far.

robin

I have been taking Prozac for about 5 months now. I had to start taking it for depression, and I was hoping that it might help with the hot flashes somewhat, which are my main problem. I actually lost about 3-4 lbs. I think it's because I wasn't so depressed and just laying around any more. I have been much more active. I feel like I had hit rock bottom and the Prozac really saved me. I still have hot flashes and I still don't sleep well because of them, but my mental state is so much better, I feel like I can make it through this now.

Thanks ladies for your input. I tried Prozac briefly many, many years ago. When I say briefly I mean maybe a few days . For some reason SSRI class of antidepressants caused me to experience that derealization which of course then let to anxiety and then panic attacks.

I tried Wellbutrin for awhile and had the best benefit...I think. I do remember taking it at bed time because it caused me to become very sleepy. I do know that some doctors claim that it can increase anxiety, but that's not the cause in every individual. I know of two other women who became sleepy after taking Wellbutrin. I understand the apprehension in taking any medication especially if you are already experiencing anxiety, but I will discuss this option with my ob/gyn next month.

Thanks again ladies .

I tried it for a few months, it took away the anxiety but not all of the other symptoms. Found it useless, when I could take a 1/4 of a xanax for the anxiety and panic and feel good the rest of the days without a constant ad in my system. Yes I gained weight and lots of it.

Remember! it takes about 6 weeks for an AD to take full effect. So you have to be patient. You might not feel that great during that time. So be patient and communicate with your dr.
Wellbutrin set me over the edge. Cant take it. I was on Paxil for awhile and it works for me. I switched to the celexa because on an insurance lapse and just stayed on it.


Yes it has caused weight gain, better fat and happy than skinny and miserable...sorta! I don't like feeling fat.


I agree with floater. I dont like being "fatter" but I like being happy! I just looked at my body in the mirror as I was getting dressed this am. I miss my pre-peri body!

Oh yea, another thought. Just take the Xanex for now. At least to take the edge off the anxiety. A whole will put me to sleep. so try a a half or a quarter to begin with and work from there. Just like davinci said in the post before mine.
Remeber to take care of yourself and do whatever it takes to be a good Mommy to your kids!

(((hug! You are not alone!)))