Fluoxetine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2018

Fluoxetine "I have been on 20 mg of Prozac for about 3 months now. It has really worked for me. I don't have suicidal thoughts anymore and overall feel more functional. I was very anti-psychiatric drugs before taking them myself, but it has really worked in a way that nothing else has. I took 5-HTP, GABA, and tryptophan before the Prozac, and these all helped a lot, but I still felt extremely depressed around my menstrual cycle. Prozac has stopped that. Side effects are that I get hot more easily, sometimes have nausea, and trouble staying asleep through the whole night, but they are completely worth it to me."

• Mis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 21, 2021

Fluoxetine "Been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) for 4 years, tried countless meds and therapies. Then my psychiatrist diagnosed dysthymia alongside EUPD, so I just thought I was for the knacker yard as nothing helped. My partner, bless him, started making a log of my moods and found that during ovulation and the period arriving, my symptoms of EUPD and depression were off the chart each month. After being exasperated at one of my appointments, I was willing to try yet another medicine. Along came Prozac 20 mg alongside Microgynon (contraceptive pill). It’s completely changed my life. I’m calmer, happier, and generally feel cured. This came after years of trying different meds and concoctions. Please keep faith, guys, you will eventually find your “happy pill”"

• jul...
• March 1, 2012

Fluoxetine "At age 30, my OB/GYN prescribed Sarafem for PMDD. Made a huge difference. Went through life-changing events, a death, divorce, and was at the bottom and had quit taking the medicine. Symptoms got worse at age 50. Changed OB/GYNs (had no issues with my first OB/GYN, but just wanted a female doctor), and she read me the riot act. Pre-menopause, and last year confirmed menopause. It absolutely makes a huge difference in my life. I laugh every day. Don't stop taking it if you have no side effects. I don't fly off the handle, still get moody occasionally, but nothing more than a little venting with a friend can't cure."

• Sab...
• February 25, 2019

"I was having horrible PMS, starting with hot flashes, some anxiety, all because of being perimenopausal. Doctor put me on 20 mg. Now side effects include headache, which I had EVERY DAY FOR FIRST TWO WEEKS. If you stay with it, they do go away after two weeks, I promise. Now my PMS is basically gone, hot flashes much, much better, and no anxiety. Plus I don’t eat a lot now and lost some weight. Plus I’m not irritated by every little thing anymore. Only downside is you really don't want to do anything. I don't want to clean (which of course is necessary). You are really just very content to watch a movie or just chill."

• Dor...
• April 9, 2021

Fluoxetine "I have been prescribed Prozac 20 mg for PMDD. Guys, coming off this med is worse than any PMDD, depression, anxiety, and mood swings. Coming off means (PMDD + Depression + Anxiety Symptoms) x 1000 - I promise you. Just like you now, I ignored others' comments. However, most of the positive comments about Prozac are given by people who are on Prozac - but wait for the day they try to come off this med. The reason people stay on this med is because they cannot come off. I found a good doctor, told her my story; she did a blood test immediately; she found my iron, D3 levels, and B12 close to none. That's what Prozac does to you - it depletes you of all your vitamins in your body, and so when you tell your doctor, they increase your dose instead of trying to correct your lack of vitamins, which in turn leads to depression."

• ljj...
• November 26, 2014

"Was prescribed fluoxetine and have been taking it for about 6 months. Was prescribed this for my perimenopause moodiness. Everyone was getting on my nerves, I just wanted to scream every time one of my co-workers asked me a simple question. This has been life-changing for me, things don't bother me like they did before. I wish I would have told my gyn about my moodiness with PMS, it would have been nice to take this for that."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2020

"I was so hesitant to try this. I really didn't want to. But the PMS symptoms were making me start to feel unstable. I work out, I try to keep a schedule, try to eat well. I finally reached out to my doctor and tried this. Within 2 days, the symptoms subsided. I actually felt happy after a few days, on my period!!! Like I don't even remember the last time that happened. If it makes you more awake, you can take it in the morning or sleepy, take it at night. It's given me back those 2-3 weeks of exhaustive, draining, and everything in between that I didn't even realize was related to my PMDD. Try this, you have nothing to lose. You only take it for a few days, 7-10. I feel like I actually got to breathe, my husband forgot it was that time of the month. Do this for you. You deserve it."

• mad...
• September 18, 2013

"I have been taking 20 mg of Prozac for about five years for my premenstrual dysphoric disorder. It has changed my life, and I will never quit taking it. Before, I was quick to fly off the handle. Ironically, I dreaded weekends because my family stressed me out so much. I'm embarrassed to admit I was not a very pleasant employee/coworker. I noticed a difference after about a month of taking it when I realized that I'm a different person - for the better. When I first started taking it, I was waking up at about 4 am every morning, but that has gone away. I still don't always sleep very well, but my understanding is that happens to everyone when they get older!"

• Phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2017

"I have been taking 10 mg daily for just over 3 weeks now. My doctor said it usually takes 4-6 weeks to work, but I swear I started feeling better after only two doses! At first, it made me feel lazy, but that is going away now. I usually have a bit of anxiety and depression all month long, but I am legitimately emotionally unstable and mentally insane right before and during my period. In the past three weeks since being on this medicine, I have had a few small bouts of depression, but I haven't felt any 'deep emotional pain' like I usually do. My feelings of intense desperation and loneliness are gone! I did get angry at my mother a few days ago, but I was able to calm down much faster than I normally would. I hope this continues to help!"

• Hil...
• December 6, 2009

Fluoxetine "I started taking Sarafem for my severe PMS about 2 months ago and am shocked at how well it has worked for me! I take it for about 7 days before my cycle - the same week that normally I would be paralyzed with anxiety and absurd thoughts due to my PMS. The Sarafem worked the first day. What is also odd is the rest of the month was even better, even though I wasn't taking anything. The 15 mg was a little too much for me -- I was way too happy --- but splitting it in half is perfect."

• mac...
• May 1, 2011

"I am in my late 40s. Had bad mood dips for my whole life 3-5 days before my cycle. Bad enough to think about divorce and feel that life was utterly black and hopeless every month, then swinging back to everything being fine a few days later. I finally got up the guts to talk to a gyn about it. Fluoxetine has changed my whole family life. I finally feel able to reasonably handle the normal rhythm of things. If anyone wonders if their mood swings are bad enough to take something to help, I advise you to talk to your provider and give Prozac a try. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain."

• CSC...
• October 11, 2018

"I have overeating, irritability, depression/anxiety, argumentative, crying spells, and suicidal idealizations. It is a horrible feeling to constantly fight and ruin my relationships, work (coworkers/supervisors), friends, and self-destructive. I knew that I have a problem and always wanted to be medicated. I finally got my hands on Prozac 20mg. The first pill, I already felt the difference! I was irritable and hungry, which are the first signs of my PMDD. The 20mg was too strong when I took it the first day, I had a slight headache. Now I take 10mg daily for the next 2 weeks. It is the most fantastic medication. It is only day 4, and I have to tell you that I have never been this happy and optimistic for many years! It really is a lifesaver. I also suffer from anxiety and OCD. But my main concern is PMDD since it also affects the people I am around. There is a solution!"

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 25, 2016

"The best thing that has happened to me in a long time. I'm only on my second month, but my PMDD symptoms have already reduced, and the anxiety that I had throughout the rest of the month is pretty much gone! I feel like myself again and can't believe how much brighter everything seems. Did get flu symptoms at the beginning, dry mouth, and awful nightmares, but after a couple of weeks, they all disappeared. I'm on 20 mg."

• Col...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 12, 2013

Fluoxetine "I absolutely loved Prozac. It helped me immensely! I noticed an extremely positive change in my mood and behavior after my body adjusted to the medication. Friends and family were surprised to hear that I was even on medication because of how relaxed and happy my disposition became. I'm happy I gave it a chance. I built my way up to 60 mg a day for almost a year. However, my body has become used to it over time, and I'm having to change medications."

• Bun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2021

"For PMDD, medical advice is to take this drug for only 14 days before your period, not all the time. I totally recommend this strategy for PMDD! After suffering severe depression and anxiety for 10 - 14 days before my period for years, I was amazed at how well this dosage strategy works - hardly any doctors have heard of it, but when they looked it up, agreed to prescribe it. It really changed my life as now I only experience minor irritation rather than crushing mood swings. Also, I've had zero side effects and none at all when stopping taking it on the first day of the cycle. I've had SSRIs before, and I know how bad it is coming off them, but this is completely different. Talk to your doctor about taking this two weeks on/two weeks off for PMDD."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 15, 2013

"I have been on this medication for 3 months now. Mainly taking it to reduce PMS symptoms, and it is working. The first few weeks, I felt really tired, not hungry, and just all over weird. After the first month, those side effects subsided. I have not gained any weight and do not have those 'moments of rage' I would get before my period. I don't plan on being on it forever, but I will take it as long as I see fit."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 29, 2016

"I have my life back now! PMDD used to make me suffer with so many symptoms and anxiety, it felt like I was in a haze for many days of the month, and it was like clockwork each month. Now I barely notice any symptoms. It took a couple of months to see the full effect. No side effects as of yet. On 10 mg daily."

• Hol...
• July 12, 2017

"For the past several months, I've had horrible PMS symptoms that last for two weeks out of every month. Anxiety, depression, fatigue, mood swings, crying fits, migraines. I would throw things across the room and scream at my fiancé. My doctor prescribed me 10 mg/day of fluoxetine. I've tried many different antidepressants in the past with no luck, so I had low hopes that this would help. I'm so glad I tried this! I've been on this for five weeks, and the only side effects are it takes me longer to have an orgasm, and my blood pressure is slightly lower. I had no PMS symptoms this month other than being slightly more tired. I feel like my stable, happy self again with no more horrible PMDD."

• Tot...
• March 4, 2019

Fluoxetine "I'm 27 and I suffer severe PMDD, rage, mood swings, irritability, depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. I decided one day, when I was PMSing severely; punching things, crying, and breaking things, it was time to try meds. Long story short, I gave Prozac a shot. It was great for a few months. I stopped crying, I was calm, anxiety has been to a minimum. Well, it's been about 4 months and I'm now weaning off my meds because of the side effects. I can deal with excessive yawning, but now I am breaking out on my inner elbow, the back of my legs, my ears and neck, my chest feels heavy. One day I had horrible pain in my chest and throat like I was having a heart attack. I have no allergies, I don't smoke, I eat healthy, I sleep well, etc. The meds stopped working, I suffered PMDD this month as if I wasn't even on medication. I am going to look into herbs and natural remedies."

• Rey...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 25, 2018

"I was given 20 mg to take, and my anxiety was so bad I was scared to take it. Eventually, my doctor gave me 10 mg. I took it for PMDD and anxiety, and I was also depressed. I was signed off work, and the first 2 weeks were awful, I was so spaced out and had absolutely no sex drive. I had no appetite, and my first period I was so angry! Fast forward to week 7, and I was driving with no panic attacks, back at work, socializing, and had no depression! I am now on week 11, and I still need to work on some stuff, but the difference is unbelievable. I hardly noticed my last period! I was meant to take it on day 14 of my cycle for 2 weeks, but I agreed to take 10 mg daily as it was helping my anxiety. I recommend that people don't give up on this tablet, it's definitely worth the rough ride! By no means am I 110% yet, but the difference is huge. So far, I have lost 5 lbs, and it hasn't gone back on, so hopefully, it stays that way. I can also drink alcohol with no issues."

• Kat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 30, 2020

Fluoxetine "I was diagnosed with PMDD by my OBGYN. I began taking Prozac 10 mg cyclically. I would take it on day 14 of my cycle and then stop once I got my period. We did it this way because I only experience symptoms the week before my period. This medication changed my life! I no longer have the depression symptoms. However, after two months of taking it, I began experiencing heart palpitations. My doctor switched me to Zoloft 50 mg, where I experienced the same symptoms about 8 days into taking the medication daily. So, SSRIs just might not work for my body, but I definitely recommend Prozac to anyone!"

• Cho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2017

"For the last 4 years, my PMT has lasted 2 weeks of the month. Common symptoms: fatigue, anxiety, no motivation, depression, and anger/rage. Screaming at my little boy. (This wasn't the sort of mom I was going to be!). Took a while to persuade my doctor to let me try this. I take 20 mgs from day 15 of my cycle for 14 days, and I feel like a different person. Mostly the rage has gone. I feel like me again. It takes about 2 doses to kick in, so I usually start taking it on day 13. Only side effect was indigestion, so I don't take it before bed. Wish I'd known about it years ago."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2010

Fluoxetine "I've been taking fluoxetine (Sarafem) for PMDD for about 8 years now. I just recently was upped from 10 to 20 mg after symptoms of PMDD started to come back. That jump in dosage was enough to get me back on track and feeling better. I recommend this drug for sufferers of PMDD."

• Chr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2019

"After 3 ER visits in 3 months, I learned I had a severe reaction to a BC pill, the hormonal imbalance essentially giving me PMDD. Before this, I was afraid of SSRIs (I had a bad reaction to Zoloft the month before), but I can say that fluoxetine has given me my life back. It took about 6 weeks (and my post-pill amenorrhea ending with a heavy period), but the anxiety, depression, and dark thoughts slowly ebbed and then left altogether; I am only slightly anxious maybe 2 times a day, and that is slowly but surely decreasing. This was done with a healthy diet, exercise, and supplements to help regulate my hormones. (The pill had caused a 35 lb weight gain, acne, extreme body odor.) I am now on week 7 of fluoxetine, and the difference is incomparable to where I was before I started. It takes time to build up in your system, but stick with it, and it will gradually get better! Taking care of yourself will also help give the fluoxetine the best chance to work most effectively!"

• Sas...
• July 1, 2016

"Started out taking 20 mg of Prozac for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and premenopause. The first two weeks I had mild side effects, after week 3, I feel really good. I have not had a hot flash in 6 months. I was very skeptical about Prozac working for menopause, but as my doctor stated, give it some time before expecting results, and he was absolutely correct. Who knew?"