To prozac or not, that is the question.

[xpaperxcutx]

The past two weeks, I've been exhibiting some serious mood swings. They range from mild to slightly severe. I can get agitated for no apparent reasons, and I've locked myself in my bedroom refusing to go out. My mom is worried and has asked whether I had wanted to see the doctor, but I've up to this point, completely ignored her, or used her as my target of anger discharge. I've also been throwing up a lot ( a reference to my past bulimic tendencies).

 

I've been taking my old prozac medication ( without medical supervision) to help alleviate my binge/ purge tendencies, but I they're all about to expire. I don't know whether I should just ask my mother to take me to a psych or a therapist, since I was considered subclinically cured except for the occasional bouts of antisocial tendencies. I've gone for almost a full year without any doctor visitations, and the past previous months ( during remission), my mother had commented that I was doing really well.

 

Now, I'm not quite sure I'm doing well. What should I do?

 

PS. I don't have medical insurance at the moment, but I can still afford therapy visits, just not prescription costs.

[Els]

PC, SSRIs (which are what Prozac is) simply are not drugs that you take without complete medical supervision! Surely there must be a way for you to get medical advice.

 

I'm a pharmacist myself and there's no way I'll take antidepressants or any CNS-related medicine without a psychiatrist's or at least a doctor's supervision, even if I do self-medicate for most normal ailments.

[laRubiaBonita]

can a walk-in clinic help in this case? i would think they may need a psych consult to ensure that you do infact still need to take prozac, but it might be cheaper.

 

you still have pills correct? is it just the date on the bottle that will indicate the expiration? i have taken my expired prozac before(years later) and it was still effective.

[Devil Inside]

I agree that you really should only takes these meds under the supervision of a physician, even if it is your old prescription. I have seen too many of my clients try to do the same thing with disasterous results.

 

I say go with your instinct of having your mother take you to see someone. Rather you go in volvuntarily then letting it get to the point where you are taken in on a hold or something.

 

If you are concerned about the cost of medication there are programs that all the major drug companies have to offset or even waive the cost.

[xpaperxcutx]

can a walk-in clinic help in this case? i would think they may need a psych consult to ensure that you do infact still need to take prozac, but it might be cheaper.

 

you still have pills correct? is it just the date on the bottle that will indicate the expiration? i have taken my expired prozac before(years later) and it was still effective.

 

I'm not sure if walk- in clinics are available, I might have to check. I've been on and off prozac for the last two years that by now I'm completely unaware of its effect. I always take it as a psychological thing that taking pills help ease my anxiety ( I used to pop diet pills when I was younger) but then with prozac, after a week or so, I get this uncomfortable feeling like I was experiencing side effects, and I refuse to take them.

 

I have a bottle of expired prozac from 2007. do you think it's okay?

[Devil Inside]

I'm not sure if walk- in clinics are available, I might have to check. I've been on and off prozac for the last two years that by now I'm completely unaware of its effect. I always take it as a psychological thing that taking pills help ease my anxiety ( I used to pop diet pills when I was younger) but then with prozac, after a week or so, I get this uncomfortable feeling like I was experiencing side effects, and I refuse to take them.

 

I have a bottle of expired prozac from 2007. do you think it's okay?

 

The newer SSRI's are better suited to help with anxiety.

 

I think you may be doing more harm then good with those expired pills. Go talk to a professional.

[xpaperxcutx]

I agree that you really should only takes these meds under the supervision of a physician, even if it is your old prescription. I have seen too many of my clients try to do the same thing with disasterous results.

 

I say go with your instinct of having your mother take you to see someone. Rather you go in volvuntarily then letting it get to the point where you are taken in on a hold or something.

 

If you are concerned about the cost of medication there are programs that all the major drug companies have to offset or even waive the cost.

 

The thing is, I can't go to a hospital for an evaluation, they probably would not accept a patient without insurance. Also I've been hospitalized twice before in the past, so no, I would not put myself in such a. I could opt for a private therapist, but my mother told me she wasn't willing to shell out $100 a week.

 

 

It would be much simpler if I still had insurance ( which I used to have under my mother's insurance plan).

[Devil Inside]

The thing is, I can't go to a hospital for an evaluation, they probably would not accept a patient without insurance. Also I've been hospitalized twice before in the past, so no, I would not put myself in such a. I could opt for a private therapist, but my mother told me she wasn't willing to shell out $100 a week.

 

 

It would be much simpler if I still had insurance ( which I used to have under my mother's insurance plan).

 

Is there a commuity mental health clinic in your area? I would imagine there would have to be. They are often willing to give you a sliding scale fee that would be much easier for your mother and you to handle.

[laRubiaBonita]

Is there a commuity mental health clinic in your area? I would imagine there would have to be. They are often willing to give you a sliding scale fee that would be much easier for your mother and you to handle.

 

i agree.... call up your county's health department and see.

 

and you call try calling any mental health places and inquiring about dicounts for a non-insured individual.

 

also- i am not sure your of your age, but some places will even offer a "student discount" for people aged 18-23 or so... even if you are not a student.

[carhill]

OP, how long have you been taking the Prozac during the most recent period?

 

Here's a description of the services provided in my county by the county for qualified patients:

 

ADULT SYSTEM OF CARE

Case Management Teams provide comprehensive, culturally & linguistically appropriate outpatient and community-based specialty mental health services to transition age youth, adults age 18 and older, & older adults age 60 and older that meet medical necessity. Services include assessments, clinical and rehabilitative services, case management, peer support and medication services within a wellness and recovery model.

 

There are numerous clinics catering to the various case situations and demographics. If you have a similar program in your county or location, it might work for you.

 

My opinion is, if you have been taking Prozac for over a month in regular doses, you should contact a pharmacist or doctor before ceasing the medication. Good luck