Is fluoxetine cheating?

onmyown70

I have been in such bad place with bingeing. My doctor has suggested putting me on fluoxetine again.

The thing is when I used to run, get out and about and keep busy I didn't feel this way. Yet my husband has a hugely stressful job and comes in late, stressed and wants a meal. I'm with my little one and sometimes more little ones. I should be proactive and find ways to get out and about but I don't. Each day I struggle with just wanting to eat. My day revolves around food (but it seems to with other mothers too -kids are always eating!).

I am not as resilient as I once was and it is probably tiredness and I have received some great advice regarding binge eating. What I can't do at the moment is be in the house all morning (which I have to be for a few weeks) with food, and a lack of sleep. I have no willpower and all I want to do is eat.

Years ago I took fluoxetine - but it had side effects- but it stopped my binge eating, or certainly helped me to feel more positive.

I'm just wondering if any bingers, or anyone else has been on it, for the longterm. I feel such a fraud going back on to it.

You've all been great and I have received, as I mentioned, so much support. Reaching out again...x

lizchic82

When my little one was younger, and I was going through a bout of depression again, I went straight back on fluoxetine - never before had I actively 'wanted' to, but this time, I knew I needed to, just to be able to continue every day being the person I needed to be. I was tired, listless, no energy (even though I was exercising) and just felt drained and down, and wanted food to help boost me, all the time. So I went back on it, and I regained masses of control. Energy went up, reliance on food went down, I felt like I was taking control and after 6 months I felt able to continue without it. Have a chat with your doc about it. Good luck x

Stella_Mayfair

I am a binge eater though have never heard of floxotene. My dr just tells me to work off the extra food... I am on meds for depression and anxiety which increase the sloth like feelings/increases appetite but I fight it.

Chief_Rocka

For those of us that adhere to a strict no fluoxetine regimen, yes, this would be cheating.

odusgolp

I have no idea what this even is.

cmcollins001

My philosophy has always been, if you can avoid fluoxetine...then avoid fluoxetine.

Barbellarella_

If your doctor places you on a medication, its really not our business to be judging that desicion.

usmcmp

There's nothing wrong with medication if you really need it, but eventually you are going to have to learn to handle the issue on your own without medication. I think therapy is probably appropriate for your situation.

BinaryPulsar

Usually a doctor will put you on it temporarily (like for a year). It creates a change that continues after you go off of it. It could help you while you are learning coping skills. Most doctors prescribe for an important reason. But, I agree that the side effects are no good. But, can be worth it, if you have long-term benefits.

shutyourpieholeandsquat

Fluoxetine is prozac

odusgolp

Fluoxetine is prozac

Oh, I was assuming a weight loss pill of sorts, but that's not what we're talking about. In which case, you do what you need to do for your mental health. That's between you and your doctor.

As a weight loss tool, I personally would be adamantly opposed to taking it.

Yurippe

There's nothing wrong with medication if you really need it, but eventually you are going to have to learn to handle the issue on your own without medication. I think therapy is probably appropriate for your situation.

Hmmm... Is there a mental health concern here as well? If so TAKE IT and never be ashamed of that. I doubt cancer patients are ashamed of chemo.

Taking an anti-depressant for weight loss? I've never heard of that, but I'm not a doctor.

usmcmp

There's nothing wrong with medication if you really need it, but eventually you are going to have to learn to handle the issue on your own without medication. I think therapy is probably appropriate for your situation.

Hmmm... Is there a mental health concern here as well? If so TAKE IT and never be ashamed of that. I doubt cancer patients are ashamed of chemo.

Taking an anti-depressant for weight loss? I've never heard of that, but I'm not a doctor.

She didn't specifically mention depression, but it sounds like she is dealing with a lot. On top of that if a doctor is giving someone a medication for binge eating there are definitely issues that she needs to deal with. She stated that her binge eating is stress related. Binge eating falls under eating disorders and people can benefit from seeking therapy.

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/binge-eating-disorder

AliceDark

OP, it's not cheating. It sounds like you're under a ton of stress, so if your doctor thinks it will help, you should trust her/him. Some kind of talk therapy could help too -- it's not an either/or thing. Things like medication and therapy complement each other, so you might want to talk to your doctor about a range of treatment options.

Yurippe

I post the below more for people clicking on the link looking for a magic weight loss pill. I 100% support Prozac for it's originally intended purposes. I've taken it. Weight loss is listed as an infrequent side effect, and the frequent side effect list is troubling. The weight loss itself might come from some of the common side effects like loss of appetite and diarrhea.

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-6997-Prozac+Oral.aspx?drugid=6997&drugname=Prozac+Oral&pagenumber=6

Does Prozac oral have side effects?

The following side effects are associated with Prozac oral:

Common side effects of Prozac oral:


Throat Irritation Less Severe
Sinus Irritation and Congestion Less Severe
Dry Mouth Less Severe
Indigestion Less Severe
Drowsiness Less Severe
Dizzy Less Severe
Chronic Trouble Sleeping Less Severe
Excessive Sweating Less Severe
Involuntary Quivering Less Severe
Rash Less Severe
Loss of Appetite Less Severe
Head Pain Less Severe
Yawning Less Severe
Feel Like Throwing Up Less Severe
Diarrhea Less Severe
Nervous Less Severe
Feeling Weak Less Severe
Anxious Less Severe


Infrequent side effects of Prozac oral:


Hives Severe
Chills Severe
Trouble Breathing Severe
Feeling Restless Less Severe
Hyperactive Behavior Less Severe
Problems with Eyesight Less Severe
Abnormal Dreams Less Severe
Ringing in the Ears Less Severe
Abnormal Heart Rhythm Less Severe
Widening of Blood Vessels Less Severe
Incomplete or Infrequent Bowel Movements Less Severe
Inability to have an Erection Less Severe
Itching Less Severe
Hair Loss Less Severe
Joint Pain Less Severe
Fever Less Severe
Flu-Like Symptoms Less Severe
Taste Problems Less Severe
Weight Loss Less Severe
Excessive Thirst Less Severe
Fast Heartbeat Less Severe
Heart Throbbing or Pounding Less Severe
Cough Less Severe
Chest Pain Less Severe
Gas Less Severe
Frequent Urination Less Severe
Stomach Cramps Less Severe
Confused Less Severe
Sexual Problems Less Severe
Altered Interest in Having Sexual Intercourse Less Severe
Problem with Ejaculation Less Severe


Rare side effects of Prozac oral:


Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Severe
Serotonin Syndrome - Adverse Drug Interaction Severe
Very Rapid Heartbeat - Torsades de Pointes Severe
Prolonged Q-T Interval on EKG Severe
A Spasm of the Larynx Severe
Bronchospasm Severe
Stomach or Intestinal Ulcer Severe
Hepatitis caused by Drugs Severe
Bleeding of the Stomach or Intestines Severe
Inflammation of Skin caused by an Allergy Severe
Erythema Multiforme Severe
Seizures Severe
Swollen Lymph Nodes Severe
Throwing Up Severe
Abnormal Liver Function Tests Severe
Life Threatening Allergic Reaction Severe
Giant Hives Severe
Reaction due to an Allergy Severe
Allergic Reaction causing Serum Sickness Severe
Low Amount of Sodium in the Blood Severe
Increased Risk of Bleeding Severe
Behaving with Excessive Cheerfulness and Activity Severe
Mild Degree of Mania Severe
Having Thoughts of Suicide Severe
Grinding of the Teeth Less Severe
Abnormally Low Blood Pressure Less Severe
Abnormal Bleeding from the Uterus Less Severe
Sun-Sensitive Skin Less Severe
Loss of Memory Less Severe
Uncoordinated Less Severe
Difficult or Painful Urination Less Severe
Low Blood Sugar Less Severe
Mood Changes Less Severe
Loss of One's Own Sense of Reality or Identity Less Severe

Merrychrissmith

Nope, if used as intended by the physician.

onmyown70

Hi all,

Ah I seemed to have caused controversy. I presumed people new what fluoxetine was so thank you previous poster who clarified that!

I am not looking for weightless as such, but I did find y binge eating stopped a long time ago when I took it, and we thought that was because my moods improved.

I do think there is a depression link with eating, when I'm down I want to eat all the time, and just carbs (not even cake or yummy stuff, like chocolate).

I am noticing my moods are worse in the morning and get better (as does my eating) as the day goes on.

Running used to help, but I can't run any more :-(

Prozac isn't a secret weightless pill, just to clarify but I have to say it really helped with my bingeing once before and I was hoping it would help.

I can't afford therapy unfortunately

onmyown70

PS I don't mind judgement btw, I judge myself hence the title "is fluoxetine cheating".

Ehat I would say from my limited experience I don't think eating is always oh these cakes are yum I'll just eat 5 more = hedonism. Binge eating is about feeling out of control and jet wanting more. I always find I'm not in a happy place when doing it.

Of course it should be simple, if you don't want to binge eat (I have always been slim and binge ate for years and years, my earliest memory was being about 5 years old binge eating and because I was always very slim no one battered an eyelid when I told them about it) don't do it. It can cause me great upset yet I still do it, I have now gained weight and of course that's an issue, I have gained weight rapidly recently.

BtW folks it completely gets any libido I have got... it has it's side effects. I suppose I wanted to hear from those taking it.

I don't want to take it, and then come off it and be right back to square one, or worse!

onmyown70

When my little one was younger, and I was going through a bout of depression again, I went straight back on fluoxetine - never before had I actively 'wanted' to, but this time, I knew I needed to, just to be able to continue every day being the person I needed to be. I was tired, listless, no energy (even though I was exercising) and just felt drained and down, and wanted food to help boost me, all the time. So I went back on it, and I regained masses of control. Energy went up, reliance on food went down, I felt like I was taking control and after 6 months I felt able to continue without it. Have a chat with your doc about it. Good luck x

This provides me with hop, thank you for replying. Did you find it hard to come off? how old was your little one when you went on it- mines now three so I can't blame PND.

I can't work out if I am just not resilient or I have low serotonin (my aunt and grandmother had PMT and depression when they were younger) . I don't know if other people have better coping mechanisms than me. Some days I think the whole world is against me- and I have to logically tell myself they're not, and I have a quick temper (but maybe I'm just not that nice!!) and of course on these days I crave food... carbs. As i said it's not chocolate brownie I crave, it's bread, cereal, porridge (even!). Of course I would eat biscuits too given half the chance but it's like I have sensed I have a low mood and either my psychological or physiological I crave the carbs to feel that "hmmm"

paperpudding

If your mental health is such that you need to take a prescribed anti depressant - Take it!

Of course it is not cheating - would we say a diabetic was cheating because they took insulin? Of course not.
Mental health is no different - if you need medication,short or long term, you need medication.

Please dont self medicate or self non-medicate. :flowerforyou:

lizchic82

When my little one was younger, and I was going through a bout of depression again, I went straight back on fluoxetine - never before had I actively 'wanted' to, but this time, I knew I needed to, just to be able to continue every day being the person I needed to be. I was tired, listless, no energy (even though I was exercising) and just felt drained and down, and wanted food to help boost me, all the time. So I went back on it, and I regained masses of control. Energy went up, reliance on food went down, I felt like I was taking control and after 6 months I felt able to continue without it. Have a chat with your doc about it. Good luck x

This provides me with hop, thank you for replying. Did you find it hard to come off? how old was your little one when you went on it- mines now three so I can't blame PND.

I can't work out if I am just not resilient or I have low serotonin (my aunt and grandmother had PMT and depression when they were younger) . I don't know if other people have better coping mechanisms than me. Some days I think the whole world is against me- and I have to logically tell myself they're not, and I have a quick temper (but maybe I'm just not that nice!!) and of course on these days I crave food... carbs. As i said it's not chocolate brownie I crave, it's bread, cereal, porridge (even!). Of course I would eat biscuits too given half the chance but it's like I have sensed I have a low mood and either my psychological or physiological I crave the carbs to feel that "hmmm"

Everything you are saying sounds so familiar. Its sounds like you are mildly depressed, but I am not a doctor. Would heavily advise you seeing one asap and telling them your concerns. Also, do they not refer you for some kind of talking therapy, or are there any groups around your area which could help support? Mums/eating groups, overeaters anonymous etc?

In a hollywood movie, someone would take you aside, give you some therapy, whilst changing your diet to green juices and clean wholesome foods for a few weeks, and you would miraculously feel better. You actually would. The trouble is; its very very difficult to do this whilst you're already feeling so crap, so dependent on food and carbs, and have a full life that is already quite stressful. Maybe buy a meditation/relaxtion cd off amazon, and liste to it every night as you go to bed... you will start sleeping better, so less tried, less craving, more control over your decisions etc etc... try it... can't hurt. While you're in theis constant sugar/carb cycle though nothing will change. I hope you see your doc, buy a cd, start trying to add in some more protein fibres and fats, so they fill you up before you can eat that loaf of bread, and if nothing else is helping, that you get some support xx You are not a horrible / bad person or a failure... you're human, going through a tough patch xx

Maitria

Fluoxetine can be an amazing game changer. I take a high dose, and it's helped me so much with anxiety that I actually don't care how it's working. I don't care if it's cheating. I don't see it as such, as it is certainly not a "happy pill." I know I will take it (or some other similar med) for the rest of my life, and the difference in the way I feel makes that a relief. My only regrets are not trying it sooner, and then going to doctors who didn't understand my particular anxiety disorder well enough. Once I got one who did, and put me on the right medicine at the right dose, life has been so different.

theCaityCat

Mental health is as important as physical health. Taking medication for mental health is not cheating. Don't feel guilty about needing and accepting help. If a happy side effect is a reduction in binge eating? All the better. Good luck.

I_need_moar_musclez

If you've been prescribed fluoxetine then take it. Remember that it has been prescribed to help your mind, so it certainly isn't cheating in any way.

I found that I initially became hungrier on them and long term (been on 40mg a day since March 2013) they've given me the libido of a trappist monk. Good job I've been single the whole time!

onmyown70

When my little one was younger, and I was going through a bout of depression again, I went straight back on fluoxetine - never before had I actively 'wanted' to, but this time, I knew I needed to, just to be able to continue every day being the person I needed to be. I was tired, listless, no energy (even though I was exercising) and just felt drained and down, and wanted food to help boost me, all the time. So I went back on it, and I regained masses of control. Energy went up, reliance on food went down, I felt like I was taking control and after 6 months I felt able to continue without it. Have a chat with your doc about it. Good luck x

This provides me with hop, thank you for replying. Did you find it hard to come off? how old was your little one when you went on it- mines now three so I can't blame PND.

I can't work out if I am just not resilient or I have low serotonin (my aunt and grandmother had PMT and depression when they were younger) . I don't know if other people have better coping mechanisms than me. Some days I think the whole world is against me- and I have to logically tell myself they're not, and I have a quick temper (but maybe I'm just not that nice!!) and of course on these days I crave food... carbs. As i said it's not chocolate brownie I crave, it's bread, cereal, porridge (even!). Of course I would eat biscuits too given half the chance but it's like I have sensed I have a low mood and either my psychological or physiological I crave the carbs to feel that "hmmm"

Everything you are saying sounds so familiar. Its sounds like you are mildly depressed, but I am not a doctor. Would heavily advise you seeing one asap and telling them your concerns. Also, do they not refer you for some kind of talking therapy, or are there any groups around your area which could help support? Mums/eating groups, overeaters anonymous etc?

In a hollywood movie, someone would take you aside, give you some therapy, whilst changing your diet to green juices and clean wholesome foods for a few weeks, and you would miraculously feel better. You actually would. The trouble is; its very very difficult to do this whilst you're already feeling so crap, so dependent on food and carbs, and have a full life that is already quite stressful. Maybe buy a meditation/relaxtion cd off amazon, and liste to it every night as you go to bed... you will start sleeping better, so less tried, less craving, more control over your decisions etc etc... try it... can't hurt. While you're in theis constant sugar/carb cycle though nothing will change. I hope you see your doc, buy a cd, start trying to add in some more protein fibres and fats, so they fill you up before you can eat that loaf of bread, and if nothing else is helping, that you get some support xx You are not a horrible / bad person or a failure... you're human, going through a tough patch xx

I think you're right- I think I'm mildly depressed, and I think that's my "way". I have been severely depressed a long time ago, and then I had no will to eat, that was different. So I suppose what I'm asking is do I take fluoxetine for mild depression, I really think it will be a life long thing... I have always been like this.

In afraid of fluoxetine, in that my libido plummets (sorry to be graphic! But the I have no drive anyway!). I think the problem is I don't get much enjoyment in anything other than food... But I don't know if that's because good gives me a "fix" as a drug would so nothing would compare. I would love to do the Hollywood green juice and therapy thing, the green juice I could probably down after my five loaves of bread lol. It's so silly I wake every day and feel and do the same thing. The odd day I feel ok (today is one) and I have no idea why today isn't a down day.

I try and cocoon myself as I'm scared of my low moods. Then everyone gets low moods don't they? I just obviously don't deal with them well and at the time everything seems hopeless, and then I eat and it makes me feel better.

If there was a non drug cure for mild depression I would love to know what it is!

Thank you to other supporters, you're encouragement helps.

Previous poster (apologies I can't scroll down to get your name) but I'm so glad fluoxetine is helping you. I think I have to be realistic too, if I went on it (I have been on it before and everything plummeted when I came off it again) it would be a long term thing x

onmyown70

If you've been prescribed fluoxetine then take it. Remember that it has been prescribed to help your mind, so it certainly isn't cheating in any way.

I found that I initially became hungrier on them and long term (been on 40mg a day since March 2013) they've given me the libido of a trappist monk. Good job I've been single the whole time!

Ah the libido thing, sorry to hear you get that too. That's the reason I stopped taking it. I'm a bit worried my husband will divorce me if my libido gets any lower!

onmyown70

Ps sorry to talk about myself again. It's not like my depression is serious - now and them it will dip very low but they are just a few days in the month. I can cheer myself up for a few seconds by running (can't do this any more), or insanely by entering a competition- I have ok idea why I think the adrenalin wakes me up.

I think I just feel super lazy all the time. Just a "i would rather eat and go back to bed". So I can't work out if I am just majorly lazy.

Oh Cripes I do sound a mad woman don't i. Oh well honesty and all that...

leahraskie

Antidepressants are used for treating most eating disorders, anxiety, panic disorders, personality disorders. They just get your neurotransmitters working properly again, which also might solve your feeling lazy because they are stimulants.

I wouldn't consider it cheating or weak to use an antidepressant to help yourself. PS, SSRI's suck for symptoms, but it looks like that's the only class specifically used for binge eating.

lucent78

It is not cheating and it sounds like with the extra stress in your life at the moment you could use the support. At least until you can get running, etc. back into you life. I was on Prozac for years for my low-grade depression. I switched because of the libido-killing side effect. I do second the opinion of looking into therapy. Working through the issues behind the bingeing and creating new coping mechanisms are (imo) the only real long-term solution - with or without the prozac. I struggle with money and have found a service in my area that offers a sliding scale for counseling services, group therapy that costs much less than private sessions, and programs where you can meet with students/interns in the end of their counseling training for cheap or free. Good Luck.

Stella_Mayfair

Fluoxetine is prozac

Than hell no it isn't cheating. I am on antidepressants and anxiety meds etc, But they make me hungrier. Plus it is for your mental health (sadly pills over therapy.) Here we have no good therapy I can afford, and I have to take the meds I am on for the rest of my God given life sadly. I wish I was on nothing, if I knew what I know now about the FDA/pharmaceutical companies when I was first introduced to Paxil, life might of been way better.

I didn't get suicidal thought until I was put on meds and the dr assumed this was due to not enough Paxil/Trazodone etc. I was bullied horrifically in grade school-never once thought of suicide or self destructive behaviour. Now after months of those meds I was a regular at the ER, 11 years later no hope of getting off them.. But that is part of my sob story-maybe it works for you.

I\d recommend Generation RX to anyone before they go for meds over therapy/healthy food/workouts

Stella_Mayfair

If you've been prescribed fluoxetine then take it. Remember that it has been prescribed to help your mind, so it certainly isn't cheating in any way.

I found that I initially became hungrier on them and long term (been on 40mg a day since March 2013) they've given me the libido of a trappist monk. Good job I've been single the whole time!

Ah the libido thing, sorry to hear you get that too. That's the reason I stopped taking it. I'm a bit worried my husband will divorce me if my libido gets any lower!

**** that is correct!!! Well if he does, he is not your love hun. I am single and when I look at what I put up with in males, I am sickened. More self destructive behaviour. I don't need a male to help me be miserable. Neither do you. You need to help yourself or you will end up binging all your life and never see what a great person you really are. Hugz.