Started Prozac today!!

So I’m starting Prozac today. I was on when I was 15 ( which was 25 yrs ago) so I don’t recall any side effects. I’m very very nervous as horrible anxiety/what if thinking are awful for me. I’ve tried everything else in the SSRI catagory and from my genetic test this was in the green. I just keep my self from reading so much negativity about Prozac that I’m freaking myself out. I’m petrified it will cause me more anxiety and I can’t handle much more of that. Advice/encouragement please.

Oh and also I’m stuck obsessing that I will get Schizophrenia or psychosis again even after my therapist and pdoc say that I’m past the age of of when people normally develop it and never showed any signs as a young child or teen! Uggggh

M.,

I am sorry to hear that your worries are ramped up at the moment. It is normal to have some apprehension when starting a new Rx, so you are not alone in this challenge. However, due to the fact that you do not remember any issues when you were previously taking it...and the fact that your genesight type test indicated it as being a good match for you...I think you can be safely optimistic about your Prozac start up!

Also, remember that for every negative report that you read...there are many more neutral and positive ones that never get written. It is human nature to recount a negative experience, but those that were helped or satisfied are off living their lives, not so much writing reviews. ;) IOW, try to stay away from those types of postst, and stay positive that this will work for YOU.

Worries such as fear of losing one's mind are extremely common, and just a manifestation of your heightened anxiety at this time.

After a couple of weeks of adjustment and coming up to level...you will be feeling much better!

Use your coping skills and keep us updated, so we can keep you in support!

S.C.

Today is day 6. I’m been doing ok, no major side effects except the last two days increased anxiety and racey thoughts. But I’m trying to not get discouraged. I’ve been giving up on medication too early and the last year been switching too quickly because I get panicked. I should stick it out right, as six days is way too soon for it to start working yet??

Hi Mel,

I just started Prozac 11 days ago and yes at 6 days it’s most likely 2 early for the full effect to be happening. I’ve been having headaches, but besides that I haven’t had any other side effects. Sometimes anxiety will increase when first taking these meds. Hang in there. My anxiety has been up and down the last 2 months after doing really well for a while.

Mel,

In order to fall asleep I meditate for 15 minutes before I lay down and then once I get into bed I start a "self hypnosis" where:

1) Breathe in through my nose slowly, hold for three seconds, then out through my mouth slowly. I repeat this 10 times
2) Next I repeat the above step but on the breathe out I whisper a word to myself that I find comfort in.
3) Finally I repeat the first step but on the breathe out I countdown from 20, so, breathe in, breath out 20, breathe in, breathe out 19, etc
4) Repeat steps 1 - 3 until you fall asleep

Once I had gotten the pattern down, I was usually asleep by the time I had gotten to 12 or 11. When I first started it took me a couple times through. Give it a try tonight.

I had trouble adjusting to Prozac at first also. my advice -take it as soon as you get up and be as active as you can tru out the day. by bedtime you will be more worn out and mabey can sleep better.

I'm sorry Mel...overthinking is the worst, I know! :/

Keep using your Positive Mantras and the Therapy Worksheets to keep your thoughts in a good place.

Do your best to be patient with yourself and the process, and to have hope that all will be much better soon.

Hugs and high fives...you are doing great!

S.C.

Hi Mel,

I’ve also now have had panic attacks the last two nights, they were not mini, I actually missed work today. It’s going to be a tough road but we will conquer it.