Prozac Fail, Viibryd Anyone? Feeling Hopeless

Tomorrow (06/07/16) marks 8 weeks on Prozac. Previously I was Lexapro 20mg when it gave out on me. I started mid April on 20mg of Prozac, beginning of May increased to 40mg, and almost 3 weeks ago went up again to 60mg. At first I had hope that Prozac would be the drug for me, I was having some good days, but now those good days are far and few between. Generalized Anxiety and PTSD were my main and really only struggles, now depression has come in just as bad as the anxiety.

Last week I had a THREE day long anxiety attack, followed by TWO good days, followed by THREE days of depression, and now I'm on day TWO of anxiety. clearly Prozac is not for me. I must also add I am on 1mg of Klonopin a night, but during this chaos was upped to 1.5mg 3x a day PRN. I never took it 3x a day, mostly twice a day. I also am in week 3 of an Intensive Outpatient Program at our local hospital. Half the appeal was we have access to a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in psychiatry that would take over our meds (she upped my Prozac both times), which was GREAT because my family doctor no longer wanted to be in charge of them. She added in Neurontin with the goal of in time it taking the place of Klonopin. She wanted to start me on it quick so day #1 300mg at bedtime, day #2 300mg 2x a day, and day #3 and after 300mg 3x a day. It was too much. She moved down to 100mg 3x a day. After 2 weeks I've yet to take that dose. I started slow at 100mg at bedtime, then few days later 100mg 2x a day. Last week when I had my 3 day long anxiety attack she added the .25mg of Xanax PRN. Last Wednesday it helped and stopped the attack, but I know .25mg is weak and wouldn't work so I took .5mg, I didn't need to take anymore until yesterday and that time it didn't help.

So here I am, 8 weeks of Prozac hell start up for absolutely nothing, clearly I've gotten worse. Last week I brought this up to the Nurse Practitioner and she gave me the option to up the Prozac to 80mg or switch. Well since I feel Ive gotten worse not better, I'm afraid to up the dose, so I very reluctantly and frustrated agreed to switch. She gave me a script for Viibyrd. I would titrate the Prozac while introducing the Viibyrd. Ive heard of a lot of antidepressants, but not this one. I was curious and did some research, I did NOT like what I read. This drug sounds terrible!! The start up side effects sound so unbearable, it was hard to find many that had a positive experience. I discussed this today with the Nurse Practitioner and she got very short with me. Like she was irritated I did my research and questioned the choice. I know she is the expert, but I have a right to do research and make an informed and comfortable decision. Her response....stay on the Prozac or start the Viibyrd. "Once I decide on a drug for a patient I stand by it and don't change my mind". What am I supposed to do?

Here is where I'm at....
-I feel frustrated, upset, and hopeless that the Prozac didn't work and exhausted of the thought of starting up on something different again.
-I feel hopeless that nothing will ever help me except Lexapro, which doesn't work anymore.
-I feel lost and thrown out there on my own because this Nurse Practitioner is all I have, my family doctor wont touch my meds and I don't start my psychiatrist until July 17th and she is giving me the option to stay this way or possibly worsen and stay on Prozac or switch to something I am uncomfortable with, well more terrified which heightens my anxiety.

Has anyone taken Viibyrd? What was your experience like? (good or bad I want to hear it)

If you were me what would you do? I'm so lost and need some advice, unfortunately I don't have anyone around me to give it, they don't understand the power of these drugs and the effects.

Thoughts on why the Xanax didn't help?

Anyone had depression come one and worsen along with anxiety on Prozac this far in?

I feel scared and alone. I'm not a danger to myself or others, but the way I feel is TERRIBLE....I've thought about a voluntarily admit to our psych ward just to get my meds under control, but the crazy of the craziest are there, its scary, and far from my comfort zone.

Confused, scared, suffering, and alone....

Kwlson dear thats so sad ,unfortunately I don't know much about meds..just want you to be strong and hang in there...use your coping skills for now...
Is there some on you can call just to get your mind off this enxiety..
Hugs and kisses..

Yes, the NP that works the Behavioral Institute Floor and is also affiliated with soon to be psychiatrist office prescribed and is pressuring the switch.

I just called up to the floor to speak with my counselor because I broke down in tears put me on hold, came back on the phone....she talked to the NP AGAIN, which I didn't want her to do, and she told her the same thing she told me.

Problem is my coping techniques are doing nothing at all against this, not even easing it a bit. I'm scared and feel completely broken. I can't stop crying. Group therapy isn't even helping anymore. Feel like I'm sinking on Prozac, which I thought would of happened awhile ago...I mean to feel this bad. Terrified of Viibyrd. Coping techniques aren't working. Anxiety meds aren't working. I'm struggling.

No, I'm not currently weaning off Prozac. When and if I start Viibyrd I will do a cross taper.

I just read about that testing, I'm going to ask Wednesday.

Yes, I've really tried focusing. None of my techniques can combat this :(

Hi kwilson,

After Lexapro quit working and before the Prozac kicked in did you have depression or was it mainly anxiety/panic attacks? Did your depression worsen on Prozac? There is such a thing as medication induced depression, all antidepressants come with this warning. I have no experience with Viibryd but if you want to try it to see if it will help then go that direction.

Do you feel better when you take Klonopin? Is it possible you could ask your NP if you could try Klonopin without any other medication added in to see how that works? If you do this please do not hesitate to use the max dose allowed.

I would like to share some of my story with your so you will know you are not alone.

I was diagnosed with PTSD in Dec. 2003 after an incident with a Dr. I was dealing with the trauma from that appointment and it opened the gates of hell of suppressed memories of the past. I had past and present traumas/memories colliding and could not cope or function. I knew I needed professional help and contacted a Psychiatrist. I was put on Lexapro and Klonopin. My depression in those early years became something that, after it was gone, scared the crap out of me. It was a depression beyond anything I had ever experienced before.

After a few years on Lexapro it quit working for me and I decided not to go on another antidepressant. My depression in those early years became something that, after it was gone, scared the crap out of me. It was a depression beyond anything I had ever experienced before.

What I did use was Klonopin. At one point I was using 1mg 3x a day. There were a hand full of time I used over the prescribed dosage but I let my Psychiatrist know. Klonopin was the only medication that allowed me to sort of function in those very difficult years. Sadness, hopelessness, crying, I understand all. It took me 10 years to get better. I did individual therapy, Klonopin, self help work book, and what I finally realized I needed was Spirituality.

I am sorry you are going through this and I know right now you don't see an end to your nightmare but it will get better.

K,

There is a member here that is on viibryd, but she comes and goes and may not see your post. You may be able to find some of her past post by doing a site search titled viibryd.

As for the Xanax, it might have not worked because your anxiety level is so high, you poor thing! A.5 dose is still pretty low when it comes to panic.

Momto,

Thank you!! I never knew you could do a site search! Checked it out and read countless post of either no one has tried it or if they have they have confirmed my fears and concerns!

F27,

I never thought of that, I don't know anything about "add on" medications. I know people do it, but I don't even know what meds are "add on". Thank you for that suggestion! Question though, if Prozac has made me worse will adding something really make this any better?

I have group tomorrow, I don't know if the NP will see me, but I definitely need a plan and hope she listens this time and is more open minded and considerate of my fear. I know she's the professional, but as a patient I have the right to do my research on medications. After all these are serious medications, it's my body, I'm the one who will suffer. It's her job to help me, not force me. Ever since cancer I've been very proactive about my health and body.

Honestly, I don't even want to go back to group because it seems pointless, I'm uncomfortable now, and help isn't there.

F27,

I may have spurts with depression once in a great while
My biggest problem is anxiety and PTSD. I think I've cried more in these last 8 weeks during Prozac than I have in my entire 34 years. Add my anxiety being very heightened....it's just been a rough and pretty unbearable 2 months.

I've also read that Prozac and Viibyrd are very similar, my NP said it would the equivalent of adding Wellbutrin. Another reason I'm a little concerned...if Prozac has me in this place and Viibyrd is similar....what's going to happen.

Post Edited (kwilson) : 6/7/2016 5:36:14 PM (GMT-6)

I've been doing a lot of reflecting on this 8 week Prozac journey and I realized something and maybe I'm just fishing here, but hear me out, advise and input is welcomed, just trying to figure out what I'm going to say or do tomorrow at group when I get my time with my NP....

I've been on Prozac for 8 weeks. Started at 20mg and stayed there for a month or so. Was increased to 40mg and two weeks later (or heck, maybe just one week later) was upped to 60mg. Is it a possibility that the 60mg is too much and that's why I've gone downhill. I would think that this increased depression, well actually depression all together, and heightened anxiety would of occurred sooner than 6 1/2-7 weeks in. Could it of been the increase to 60mg the culprit? Can too much have adverse effects? Would these negative side effects appear sooner than they did if Prozac wasn't for me or is that typical for it to take that long to rear its ugly head? I'm just so dead set against Viibryd and hate the thought of starting over I'm maybe reaching out of desperation for how I got here.

I'm about ready to put my hands up and go off everything!

Went from Lexapro to Prozac. Upped Prozac. Added Neurontin to replace Klonopin, but has not even discussed titrating the Klonopin, so I'm on both still. And now Xanax has been added for when needed. Feel like I'm being super drugged. Especially now that I'm taking the Neurontin as directed (I started slower than prescribed)....all I can do is sleep. Says 5-7 days to get acclimated, but with a 6 and 4 year old you can't sleep the day away.