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New to HealingWell - Day 3 of Prozac

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Posted 7/17/2014 6:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm Meg. I've suffered anxiety and panic attacks for as long as I can remember. Since becoming a mother 2.5 years ago, its gradually gotten worse. A falling out with my alcoholic father has triggered a lot of repressed memories that I've done very well at dealing with... or so I thought. Now, I'm having multiple attacks per day for the last 2 weeks.
I've been written out of work for the week and put back on SSRI Prozac. I've been using Xanax for 2 months now (Tolerance build up to Klonopin after 10 years of use) just for my generalized anxiety, which seemed to be just fine... until Dad brought me back to being a scared, frightened child.

The side effects of Prozac are the hardest to deal with. I get hot in my neck face & ears, sweaty, sick on my stomach. I had a 2 hour job interview and it was the 1mg Xanax that helped me make it through.

I'm hoping to find some help here, be able to vent and help others who experience the same disorders.
I do have a great support system and my husband couldn't be any more helpful and patient than he already is.

I just hate to unload on him all the time when he doesn't truly know what I'm feeling.
Thanks for listening..
Posted 7/17/2014 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meg,

I know how hard those childhood memories can affect us and I know how those memories can bring us back to being a scared frightened child, it's a horrible feeling and definitely causes anxiety and you are not alone I deal with those memories on a regular basis. I'm sorry that falling out with your father brought back those memories.

I'm sorry the prozac side affects bother you and I'm glad the xanax is helpful to you. Since you're only on day 3 of the prozac the side affect may go away once it gets into your system a little more. I'm hoping they ease up on you it's a little hard but we have to give new meds a try and kind of wait through the side affects if they don't go away after time then you can always let your doctor know the side affects are too hard to deal with and then you can discuss your options.


I'm so glad to hear that you have great support system that's a really wonderful thing to have and I'm glad you found a place where you can vent and reach out to others, it's good to be able to talk to others who can relate.

I'm sending hugs your way in case you need them.

Post Edited (HeartfeltOne) : 7/17/2014 1:24:54 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/17/2014 7:29 PM (GMT 0)
Meg, I am curious about the Klonopin part. Was it easy to switch from klonopin to xanax without any withdrawals? How did you know you had reached tolerance? I am curious because I am taking a low dose of klonopin (5 years now) and I am pretty sure I've reached a tolerance for it. I don't want to go up in dosage but wouldn't mind switching to something else. As far as prozac goes, it's the most activating SSRI. Stick with it for a month, if it's still causing all that, you may want to try lexapro or something else.
Posted 7/17/2014 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Meg,

Welcome to HealingWell. You're absolutely right,--- this is a great Forum with terrific members who will offer you much support and share ideas and thoughts with you. It's become one of my primary "go to" resources. (Well, for pretty much a whole lot of things, not just anxiety!)

You do need to give your body time to adapt to the Prozac. Everyone does respond differently. I've been on and off of it since the 1990's (mostly on), and each time I started up, the bevvy of s/e's were frustrating.

(I've been on others, but for me, Prozac has turned out to be the absolute best medication....I just needed to give it time to kick in!)

Keep us posted.









M.
Posted 7/17/2014 11:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!
I know that everyone is different, but I am doing well since being put on Prozac. However, if you continue to have significant problems after a couple of weeks or severe ones for a shorter amount of time, definitely go back to your doctor and see what should be done. Remember that there are other ADs that can be tried and there is likely one right for you! :)
jl
Posted 7/18/2014 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
I was on celexa two days and the effects were SO bad, I stopped it.

Now I am on day 7 of prozac and the symptoms basically went away after 5 days. They were not as bad as the celexa, if this helps. A tiny bit of upset tummy this morning, but hardly anything.

I know everyone has different reactions.

I have no idea how much "better" I will feel, I hope it helps lots. That part takes weeks, up to 6 I am told. (ugh). This is for my anxiety but I've had depression my whole life. Sure hope it helps both issues.

I'd rather do xanax, but Docs won't give it to me for longer than a couple months :(

Hope this bit of my experience info helps. :)
Posted 7/20/2014 1:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi MegHop!

Just wanted to add my welcome, and encourage you to talk with us anytime! Yes!! I am sure that you will be able to both give and receive support here...that's what it's all about.:)

Check out our Resources here:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=9&m=104206

There may be some fresh coping skills and ideas to help get you through your Rx start up.

Talk to you soon,

Scaredy Cat

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