HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Hello! New to the forum and new to Fluoxetine...

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/5/2016 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I have battled anxiety and depression since I was very young. I'm 26 now. In the past I was out on celexa. My husband and I wanted to have a family so I weened off but recently I got diagnosed with PMDD. I have been put on Prozac. It's been a good 5 years since my last antidepressant experience. I'm on day 4 now and have been taking it right before bed. I am very sensitive to any change in my body and I have forgotten how rough the first few weeks could be. I do not even believe I am in the full swing of things yet and I'm already having a rough time with increased anxiety and tightened chest feeling. Does anyone have tips to help with the side effects? Thank you in advance!!!
Posted 8/5/2016 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jmarias :) Welcome!

I also have dealt with anxiety and depression since a very young age and I am now (almost) 24. I was on a couple of different medications as a teenager, although I don't remember them, Lexapro apparently worked good for me back then, so now that is what I am on. I was on Prozac for a year before this one, though. (in 2014) I started at 10mg, I had a couple of side effects, bad headaches and insomnia for the first couple of weeks, but they went away. Prozac did help my anxiety tremendously. It is a good medicine! I am also sensitive to medication, so that is why they started me at that dose. What mg are you taking? I can tell you, on Lexapro, (today is day 11 for me) I had some minor chest pains, and a little bit of increased anxiety during the first few days, but I feel like it might be going away already (I'm hoping). Hang in there and post with us anytime! My email is on my page if you'd like to email me also! :) It's good to talk to others who are going through the same thing as you!

P.S.
I would have went back to Prozac, but for me personally, it did not help my depression as much as it did my anxiety.
Posted 8/5/2016 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello JM and welcome!

We are glad you've joined us, though sorry to hear of your anxiety challenges...:(

However, there is hope...and you are on your way to feeling your best again. Once you have gotten through your start up...the rough spots will just seem like a distant (if annoying!) step necessary in reaching your goal.

To ensure the most comfortable next few days/weeks, use of coping skills will be essential. Please see our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well for support. We understand, care and will be here to listen and encourage anytime!

Scaredy Cat
Posted 8/5/2016 7:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the info! I am just starting off with 10mg. I'm 4'11 and 108lbs so she wanted to start me off lowest as possible. The day before I got prescribed I actually went to the Er for a migraine though at the time I thought it was something more serious. I have yet to get rid of a lingering headache. She also put me on doxycycline for acne and that combined with Prozac is making me severely nauseous. I'm looking forward to a break in the clouds but right now it seems far away.
Posted 8/6/2016 9:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum.

I take Prozac and have found it to be a good medication but I take mine in the morning as I fine it a very activating antidepressant so if I took it at night I would not sleep.

It takes about 4 weeks to get used to it so stick with it and I hope it works well for you.

Hibee
Posted 8/9/2016 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
hi-another prozac vet here-do not take prozac at bedtime! as mentioned above its highly stimulating and will cause major insomnia. take first thing in morning and by bedtime its effects will have worn off and you should be able to sleep well enough. also stay on the lowest dose thats effective for you. its a very strong anti depressant. also when its time to stop taking prozac -its apeice of cake . there are no withdrawals
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply