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Can Prozac Cause Double Vision?
Question: Good morning! I was taking 40 mg of fluoxatine/Prozac for depression. I stopped taking it in mid-February. I am noticing that my vision has improved--I was seeing slightly double at times previously and had an appt with a neuro opthmalagist to get prism lenses. I'm wondering if this is an actual side effect from the Prozac that will continue to clear up and if I should wait to get my eyes examined. Another question I have, if I have IBS, but a side effect of prozac is GI issues, why is Prozac indicated (according to my doc) for IBS control. If I have Fibromyalgia, as suggested by a pain specialist I saw for a herniated disk how does this complicate my treatment, who should I continue seeing psychiatrist, pain specialist, both? and should they be coordinating?
Brief Answer:
Prozac helps to reduce anxiety and thus IBS symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from healthcaremagic.com
I can understand your concern. Coming straight to your doubts:-
- Double vision is a uncommon side effect with Prozac. You are seeing slightly double at times and this is probably not due to Prozac but due to some refractive error or eye issue. Better to consult an Ophthalmologist for opinion regarding this.
- Prozac causes GIT upset especially during first few weeks of therapy. Tolerance to nausea, diarrhoea etc symptoms develop after a week or two. If we consider psychopathology of IBS then altered bower habits are thought to be occurring due to underlying anxiety. GIT anxiety can be the reason. Taking Prozac results in reducing the anxiety and thus improvement of IBS symptoms.
- If you can upload the report of MRI then I can comment with confidence. If the herniated disc is fibrosed and is not causing compression of any nerve roots then the pain is most probably due to Flibromyalgia. But proper evaluation is needed to make diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. If the pain specialist has advised you to see a psychiatrist then please take opinion from a psychiatrist too. Yes they should co-ordinate for management.
Thanks. Take care
Prozac helps to reduce anxiety and thus IBS symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from healthcaremagic.com
I can understand your concern. Coming straight to your doubts:-
- Double vision is a uncommon side effect with Prozac. You are seeing slightly double at times and this is probably not due to Prozac but due to some refractive error or eye issue. Better to consult an Ophthalmologist for opinion regarding this.
- Prozac causes GIT upset especially during first few weeks of therapy. Tolerance to nausea, diarrhoea etc symptoms develop after a week or two. If we consider psychopathology of IBS then altered bower habits are thought to be occurring due to underlying anxiety. GIT anxiety can be the reason. Taking Prozac results in reducing the anxiety and thus improvement of IBS symptoms.
- If you can upload the report of MRI then I can comment with confidence. If the herniated disc is fibrosed and is not causing compression of any nerve roots then the pain is most probably due to Flibromyalgia. But proper evaluation is needed to make diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. If the pain specialist has advised you to see a psychiatrist then please take opinion from a psychiatrist too. Yes they should co-ordinate for management.
Thanks. Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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