Prozac and Men ?

The Docs wants me to get serotonin boost. Cause of all the stress and other stuff. I say "you think I'm depressed? Doc says "no but I don't want you sliding for the edge and getting a boost right now is a good thing".

Looks like it could have a coupla nice benefits.

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/0645.html

Don't forget to look at side effects too when choosing which medication to take.

side effects concern me

Have you looked into other ways to get a serotonin boost first, Husker?

Just something to consider; before taking Prozac.

husker, i'm rather familiar with serotonin boosters--reuptake inhibitors to be technical--but never heard of taking one preventively. you might want to get a second opinion, and then if you go ahead, just go with a tiny dose, say 1/2 the minimum for people who are actually depressed.

I've never heard of it either, but that doesn't mean it's a bad idea. Frankly, that sounds like a better use for the drug than taking it for years while avoiding any real behavior modification.

could be a better use, as long as he's going to stop taking it after a few weeks or months.

I was sort of given 1 choice then fired out a bunch of questions and alternatives and prozac was the next alternative with the least side affects and one of the side effects is part of the desired outcome - that make any sense?

Husker, there are herbal and homeopathic alternatives to Prozac. The main advantage is lack of side-effects and you don't generally need to be weaned off of them. With your medical history I would NOT suggest grabbing something over-the-counter but, do you have a reputable holistic center near you?

homeopathic treatment shouldn't have side effects, but the one herbal i'm familiar with, St. John's Wort, can have side effects depending on dose.

Right, yitwail, I wasn't thinking of St. John's Wort. In fact, the holistic psychiatrist who treater my daughter for depression said he avoids prescribing it because of the liver complications. That's why I don't suggest Husker try something OTC. There are a number of choices, but given Husker's chronic infections, he shouldn't self-medicate.

Husker, the place we go has a fabulous reputation, they take our insurance plan, and did a tremendous job helping my daughter. I don't know what's available in your location, but it might be worth checking into.

I'd like to know that information somehow.

There is no clean drug, "holistic" or otherwise. Anything capable of acting at one site in the body can and will act at others. Taking anything involves a certain amount of risk. Believing anybody does, too. (Goes for doctors, herbalists, and everybody else...)

here's a little more insight on this topic link

you're considering taking it to lose weight? if you'll pardon a pun, that seems like a desperate measure since quite a few people gain weight on it, rather than lose weight.

Just out of curiosity -- how long does your doctor envision you taking the SSRI?

until I can get enough weight off

Ah. That would be longer than I was thinking. I thought it was just to transition you from your recent hospitalization to home again.

Hmmm....