Prozac Start Up - Need Support

I'll just get right down to it. I started Prozac 11 days ago after withdrawing from Effexor. The start up side effects I'm having are:
- heightened general anxiety
- A general feeling of depression and despair
- Not enjoying anything
- Lack of focus
- nervous stomach
- Lots of anxiety when I wake up
- no appetite

I will say that my symptoms seem to get better around dinner time and through the evening. That's my best time of day. On the up side I don't have the all day nausea anymore.

I just need some encouragement and positive stories that this will pass and it will get better. I want to feel like myself again. I want to feel happy again. I really need the support right now. Thanks everyone!

Thanks Karen. I realize it takes time. It's just so hard feeling like this and waiting. I'm trying to practice mindfulness in the morning to get myself going.

Just looking to hear some positive experiences.

I so appreciate the support of this forum!

Have you tried breathing exercises? You breathe in through the nose and out through the mouth. It is called often "smelling the roses" and "blowing out the candles". Breathe in for about 3 counts and out for 5. Keep the out breath longer than the in. And do so with pursed lips. Do this over and over. Practice it every day. It will help relieve the anxiety. Anxiety can lead to all kind of physical ailments let alone the mental. Is there any way you can go for a short walk in the morning after you get up? That helps a lot too.

I hope you feel better soon Erin...

Hugs, Karen...

ErinO, I am 25 days on 20 mg of Prozac and have felt exactly as you stated. The days seem SO long and I wake up earlier than usual and wonder how I'll make the whole day pass. It is worse in the mornings. I do have to say that I am cautiously optimistic as I have had two days in the past 5 that I felt almost "normal" and that each day I think I am a little less "icky" feeling than the day before. It's a very gradual recovery. I definitely feel way worse than I felt when I started the meds.

Tryingtohavehope, I saw you in the Anxiety forum too and much of what you said is similar to me as well. It really helps me seeing posts from people going through the same thing. Not that it makes my day easier, but I don't feel so alone. Headaches are terrible. I suffer from chronic daily headaches anyway and this makes it worse. I take Topamax for my headaches and for a while it worked. Interestingly, it took several weeks for me to get used to as well. I just feel horrible starting new meds.

One of the new ways I pass time each day is coming onto healing well and looking around. I find something good on each visit and it is a help.

Thank you all for posting.

HL, I agree - coming on here and reading or commenting definitely helps me feel better. I feel better knowing that I am not alone and that it will get better. Let's you, me and TTHH keeping checking in here with our progress.

Today is day 14 on Prozac and I woke much the same as since I started Prozac, except I was dry heaving like crazy! I thought the nausea part had passed, but I guess not. I'm not sure what that's about. Also, I have to say that the late afternoons/early evenings are a good time of day for me. I feel almost normal and actually enjoy things. But I still wake each day with high anxiety, sick stomach and depression - for no reason. I'm wondering if the late day "good" feelings are a good sign or just an anomaly???

So glad you feel better!!! That is always awesome!!!

Hugs, Karen...

Oh yes, they will. The side effects will gradually go away. That is good, sounds like it is going to help you.

Hugs, Karen...