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This prozac is making me worse

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Posted 8/28/2015 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on prozac for a lil over 2 weeks and I have gotten worse with anxiety depression and complete panic and uneasiness/dizziness. I take ativans to stay calm during this hard time but sometimes the anxiety and effect of the pills is so strong it doesn't help. I'm going back to my psychiatrist next week and originally she wanted to put me on a higher dose but I'm afraid now. I constantly wake up with this shaky anxious feeling and headache. I know it takes time but someone please offer advice and help. I'm in desperation go feel better.
Posted 8/28/2015 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
TTHH,

I am sorry this start up has been so rough.:(

Have you been able to practice your coping skills during this time...and if so, do you have any relief?

Morning anxiety is common...and I used to actually start my breathing and progressive muscle relaxation skills as soon as I woke up...before getting out of bed!

Around two to three weeks can be a turn around point...so try to hang in there until your appointment. You can choose to stay at your current dose until you are ready to increase...just make your wishes known when you go in.

Please keep us posted, so we can keep you in support!

With encouragement,

S.C.
Posted 8/28/2015 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
TTHH,
I'm in the same boat as you. I weaned off Effexor and my doctor put me on Prozac and after withdrawal hell I am not dealing with the side effects of Prozac. From all that I've read it does get better. I wake up the same way, except no headache, but a nervous stomach.

Let's try and keep each other going. I'm on day 11 of Prozac and I have hope that it will work!
Posted 8/28/2015 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on day 17 of the prozac and it isn't going well. I feel tramatized by life lately and not in my own skin. Almost like I'm so dissociated. But I was upset anxious and depressed on and off before the prozac but it has gotten so much worse. I am praying I feel better and more like myself. It's so hard being alone feeling like this but I can't go run to my parents since I have attachment issues. Ughhh. I hope life gets better than this
Posted 8/28/2015 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
TTHH,

We have links and self help suggestions in our Resources for D/P D/R...

...would you like me to post them for you?

S.C.
Posted 8/29/2015 12:13 AM (GMT 0)
I'm on day 23 of taking 20mg of generic Prozac and I am here because I'm having a terrible time adjusting to the med. I took 40mg of Prozac for years and do not remember it being difficult when I first started but this time I am really suffering. My anxiety level is sky high, I am tense, I can hardly eat, food smells make me feel sick. I felt flu-like for over a week and that is gone but the daily nausea is with me all the time. I am not myself. I have apologized to my husband and close family because I am so withdrawn and I just feel so physically & emotionally terrible that I just want to keep to myself. I keep reading that I should stick it out and I'll feel better soon but I don't know if I can deal with this much longer. I am going to go to the doctor Monday to see what can be done. There is great comfort in reading these threads and feeling I am not alone in this struggle. BTW, I sometimes wonder the ages and gender of people who post...just as a reference to myself. I am a 46 year old woman who has mild depression--that is why I take the Prozac. I have never experienced anxiety like this before, though. Never. Ugh.
Posted 8/29/2015 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi HL and welcome!

I am really sorry to read about your rough start up.:( It sounds however, like you had been a champ so far! Try to tough it out until your appointment on Monday and see what you doctor can offer in terms of guidance.

Are you currently using any other treatment methods...therapy and/or self help?

We have a great Resource section here (see link below) that if filled with great anxiety relief suggestions and helpful material.

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

You might also consider checking out our Depression Forum, if you've not done so already.

Wishing you well in your progress!

Post anytime! We understand, care and support is key!

S.C.

Posted 8/29/2015 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
Heather... you are not alone. I am suffering so much as well. I have had anxiety and other issues before the prozac but I feel sick both mentally and physically sick. Today I needed my parents to pick me up from my apartment bc I cannot be alone right now... kinda a problem since being alone is an issue for me but right now I need my parents. I have never felt as bad as I have the last month. I have severe attachment and relationship issues and never apparently developed a sense of self.I never realize my issues until im in a relationship. Now I'm in a relationship with someone who's great.. but the anxiety and issues took over and between that and the prozac I feel like I want to die sometimes. I would never hurt myself in any way. I am just desperate to be happy and move forward and it feels helpless right now. I'm female and in my early 30s btw.
Posted 8/29/2015 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Tryingtohavehope, I haven't met you yet, so Welcome to Healing Well. I hope you are getting the support you need here. :)

Start up side effects are very common, nearly everyone has them, but as SC said above usually by week 3 they subside, so stick with it a little longer if you can. Although I don't know the dose you started on, it could be that you were started to high.

If you are not feeling better by Monday when you see the doctor, just tell them how you are feeling and see what they recommend.

We are here for you for support and encouragement so keep posting. :)
Posted 8/29/2015 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome heatherleegal, I'm happy you found us, this is an awesome place full of caring people that understand how you are feeling.

You said you are on week 3 of taking prozac, usually by now the side effects have subsided or at least partially, if you aren't feeling any better then I recommend talking to your doctor. Even though you took Prozac before doesn't mean it will work again, everyone is affected differently as they age.

Please stick around and let us support and encourage you, please post anytime you need too regardless if it is to ask for support or simply just to vent about your day or something going on it your life. We are here for you and want to walk this journey with you. :)
Posted 8/29/2015 10:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you to both Moderators. I have checked out some of your resources and surprisingly (to me) just reading things like, "Anxiety is normal" or "You did this yesterday and you can do it today" really have helped me break this down into bite-sized chunks.

I am exercising regularly, which is new for me. That is helping. I am not in therapy but actively provide myself with a lot of self-help & I research often and use relaxation methods I learn about online...deep breathing, etc. I talk to my husband about this so he understands. He has been really wonderful. I gave him a link to a forum where people were commenting about their experiences and since so many of them mirrored my own, I felt they did a good job of relaying many of my symptoms. He read through the comments and we've talked about how I'm feeling. It helps me knowing he is on the same page.

Thanks to everyone who commented an encouraging word. Hang in there yourselves.
Posted 8/30/2015 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
H.L.

Great job on finding coping skills to aid in your recovery!!

Keep up the good work...and post anytime.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/31/2015 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi HL

Sorry to hear you are having a tough time at the moment.

Starting a new medication and increasing the dose can be a difficult time and it seems to be the norm for things to get worse before they start to get better. It can take anywhere between 6-8 weeks before the full benefits can be seen so stick with it if you can. If things get worse I would go and see your doctor and see what they suggest.

My pdoc told me that Prozac works better at higher doses I take 60mg and have found it to be helpful but I also take it in combination with other meds.

Keep us posted.

Hibee

PS look into Mindfulness Meditation.
Posted 8/31/2015 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all! Just thought I would check in on our little Prozac s/e group. I'm on day 14 and my mornings are still really tough. I wake up with that nervous stomach and today I was dry heaving a ton! I thought that s/e was done, but I guess not. Sunday was tough for me - Woke up from a bad dream in a full blown panic attack. That has never happened to me before.

For the positives - I start to feel better earlier and earlier in the day. It's almost 1pm and I think I feel ok. It's so hard for me to judge, but I don't feel too much anxiety and I have a decent amount of energy and motivation. Still don't feel quite like myself, but I hope I will soon.

How's everyone else doing?
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