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Normal for prozac to do this?

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Posted 3/19/2015 1:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi!

I have a very random question that is related to prozac.

A few weeks ago, I was prescribed Prozac by my pdoc for anxiety and frequent panic attacks. She prescribed me 20mgs daily but since I am sensitive to medication, I was cutting the 20 in half to 10mg and taking a 10 each night before bed. The first 2 weeks on the 10 went alright but after 2 weeks I decided to take the full 20 one night. The next morning I woke up and my legs were twitchy as well as my arms. After 2 more days on the 20, I went back down to the 10's and the twitching is still there but not nearly as strong.

I was just wondering if the twitching is a side effect of upping the prozac dosage since it occurred the morning after taking the 20mg.

I told my pdoc about this side effect but she was not very helpful and made my anxiety worse. She said she "doubts its the prozac" and wants me to come in for further testing even though I have read a few articles about people becoming twitchy from Prozac...

Any information would be a huge help!!!

Thank you :)
Posted 3/19/2015 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
R.S.

To my understanding muscle twitches are an s/e of SSRIs...

We just had another member posting on this either today or yesterday...did you see it? It was a different med...but in the same family.

Do you plan on staying with the plan of splitting you 20 mg? That might be your best course for now.

I hope that you will be getting relief from this annoying symptom soon. I am sure you will be hearing from others as well...keep checking back and update us when you can.

S.C.
Posted 3/19/2015 11:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Yes Prozac can cause muscle twitches as a side effect but these should stop once your body has got used to the new medication.

I am taking Prozac and have found it to be a really good medication I take 60mg but I take mine in the morning as Prozac is very activating so if you are taking it at night it may cause sleep problems. I would stick with it if you can and if things don't improve go back and speak with your pdoc.

Hibee
Posted 3/19/2015 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am also trying to get used to Prozac. I started at 10mg and Dr. has bumped me up slowly and wants me to be at 60mg at this point. (I have severe OCD). I seemed to do okay until I hit 40mg, then I began with severely rapid and pounding heartbeats. Crazy. So he told me to keep taking it, but added Inderal (beta-blocker), but it didn't relief the pounding.

I am now slowly titrating back to 30mg and honestly want to get off it totally. It did NOTHING AT ALL for my OCD, even at the 60mg, and he said he may have to take me up to 80mg. I can't imagine having that horrid rapid heartbeat....it's scary as heck. (And no, I DO NOT have those kind of fears about meds, I truly have the rapid beat...I had other people feel it, and it's the real deal -- I work in a hospital so people know about that stuff there!) So frustrated.
Posted 3/19/2015 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
LHA,

I definitely understand your frustration. The prozac is definitely making my anxiety a lot worse and I am also having the pounding heart (I think it's most likely from my increased anxiety). I was on Prozac for 2 years and I went off because I felt better but I'm upset because it isn't working for me this time after working so well last time. My pdoc wants me to come in today to evaluate the twitching that I have been having. I believe it's from the prozac increase but she doesn't believe so, ugh...just another thing to be nervous about.

I am also going to speak to her about possibly going on lexapro, I heard it does wonders for anxiety and the side effects aren't as bad
Posted 3/19/2015 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
RS.,

Sorry you are going through this! :(

I hope that your appointment goes well today, and that you get the answers and game plan that you need to start feeling better.

Try not to be nervous, you are going to get help and guidance to ultimately help you to meet your recovery goals!

Let us know how it goes, okay?

S.C.

Posted 3/19/2015 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
RedSox,

Yes, my anxiety is thru the roof with it, too. We'll have to keep in touch. I'm on my way out of town until Saturday, but hope you check back in.

You aren't alone!
Posted 3/19/2015 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
SC,
I'm just scared that she's going to refer me to a neurologist even though I know nothing is wrong with my brain because the twitching legitimately started the day after doubling the prozac. I also noticed the twitching is worse when I am nervous or anxious/panicky.

LHA,
We will absolutely keep in touch!! I'm glad I have someone to relate to with the prozac :) definitely makes me feel a lot better!!! Have a nice, worry-free time out of town!!
Posted 3/19/2015 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Also,

On a completely random note, how come this website does not have chat rooms?! There are definitely individuals on here that I would love to reach out to because sometimes their posts describe my life and my struggles. I think it would be an amazing tool to have!!
Posted 3/19/2015 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
We DO have chatrooms, if you look at the top tabs one is titled chat rooms, sadly though no one really uses them.
Posted 3/19/2015 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Oh wow, I'm oblivious!! Thank you, Angel Lisa :)

As for the appointment, it actually went really well!! My pdoc definitely thinks the twitching is anxiety related since it began so suddenly and it popped up during a stressful period of my life. We decided to discontinue the prozac since it was doing more harm than good. Instead she prescribed me Ativan as needed as well as g of lexapro. Feeling very positive :)

has anyone here had any experience with lexapro?
Posted 3/19/2015 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
I personally haven't taken Lexapro, however I think overall the majority of the people on the forums have tried it or are taking it, so sure someone will come along shortly with their story about it. Glad your appt when well.
Posted 3/20/2015 2:54 AM (GMT 0)
i agree that prozac needs to be taken am and not at nite. its quite stimulating. its also a strong drug and you should take the lowest dose that works for you . this will also minimize side effects. 20mg was just right for me but my dr insisted i take 40mg . it was just too strong. prozac is also the easiest to stop due to its very long half life.
Posted 3/20/2015 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
It was me who posted about twitching recently! I think you replied on my thread. Mine started shortly after I upped my dose of Lexapro. It's been nearly 4 weeks now and the twitches seem to be slowing down, but they sound just like you describe. I'm not positive the Lexapro is causing them, but the timing matches up...

Otherwise I find Lexapro to be working great for my anxiety. Much lower incidence of panic attacks. The start-up effects weren't bad for me. A little dizziness and nausea, but nothing incapacitating. Hope you have good luck with it!
Posted 3/20/2015 11:27 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

I am pleased your meeting with your pdoc went well and he has prescribed you something new. I have been on Lexapro and it was the best antidepressant I have been on I had hardly any side effects and it worked well on my anxiety so I hope it works well for you.

Hibee
Posted 3/20/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
RS,

I too am glad to hear of your good appointment. Sounds like you and your doctor have a good new plan!

I wish you the best in your switch...and encourage you to use your coping skills (see the Resources if you need material!) during your transition.;)

Keep us posted on our progress...we will keep you in support!

S.C.
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