Posted by JohnL on August 3, 2001, at 18:05:13
In reply to Re: Q for JohnL: So...why's Prozac so different?, posted by CLAIREZ on August 3, 2001, at 6:23:34
> John: I have a question as you seem familiar with Prozac - though a question re:PMS maybe you've read something informative. I take Wellbutrin and have tried multiple other meds (serzone, prozac, buspar) at other times but have found them not quite what I needed or with odd side effects relative usually to "control". However, I do suffer as many do from awful moods periodically; can I combine prozac as its prescribed as Serafem along with Wellbutrin? Isn't the concept of prescribing serafem for 2 weeks a month for PMS as sort of odd?
> Curious as to your opinions.
> Thanks.
> CLAIREZHi Clairez,
You ask some good questions. Tough questions.
But yes, you can take Prozac along with Wellbutrin. Some people might find that combination too stimulating, but for others it could be just what they need.Prescribing 2 weeks out of a month for PMS is in a way kind of odd, and in another way not. Here's why. First of all, it is odd because the entire medical community seems completely sold on the idea that these medications take at least 6 weeks to work. So how can those same authorities expect it to do anything in 2 weeks? Hmm? On the other hand, I have personally witnessed countless people experience positive responses to new meds in anywhere from 4 hours to 2 weeks, so it does happen. And furthermore, every clinical study has a certain percentage of patients that respond quickly. That to me is indicitive of the fact that whatever med they are on is a good molecular match for them--a better match than for others who didn't respond until 6 weeks. Or the med just happens by luck to be right on target for that person's brain chemistry. Clinical studies do not set out to check for these early responders, so the data is buried in fine print. It's not what they were looking for. But nevertheless, it happens.
Some will try to explain away rapid responses as side effects or whatever. But anyway, back on subject, Prozac has a very long half life. It takes one week for it to be half gone from your system after the last dose. It takes about 5 weeks to be completely gone. So with that in mind, if you only took it for two weeks out of a month, it is actually still in your system working during the two weeks that you aren't taking it.
Like I said, you ask some good and tough questions. Much easier to explain in person than in writing like this. I hope I did alright.
John
poster:JohnL
thread:72515
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73400.html