I've been on it for 1 week and I'm having pretty major panic/anxiety attacks. They seem to go away as the day wears on. This morning was the worst...it started when I woke up at 630 and lasted until about 930 or so. I attributed it to being the first day back at work after a long (and rough) weekend, but i wonder if it's a side effect. I also had them during morning hours throughout the weekend.

Is there evidence that Prozac can induce these panic attacks? How long until they went away for you, if so? I called my doc to ask about it and he said I needed to schedule an appt to come in and change meds, but I've read so many good things about Prozac that I don't want to give up on it yet. Should I ask the doc to prescribe me Xanex on an as needed basis?


Thanks,
Eric

I've been on it for 10 days and had exactly the same problem. They are beginning to resolve for me. It's not fun, but everything I've read tells me that it will pass. I'd definitely keep your doctor informed and let him know you want to persevere with Zoloft until you've given it a chance to work. Hang in there!

God bless,

Peter

Hi,

I just replied to a similar post about prozac
and anxiety but incase you dont see it I wanted
to give you some hope. When I first started
prozac I had horrible anxiety and insomnia.
My pdoc gave me xanax which helped a lot
until the anxiety and insomnia subsided (that
took a few weeks). I know everyone responds
differently to meds but I am SO glad I stuck
with the prozac during the hard startup phase
bec I feel the best I ever have now on it. It's
been 3.5 years and I have no panic or depression
whatsoever (and my dep/anx was very severe
before the prozac). I know waiting is very
difficult but for me it really paid off.


best wishes,
starr

Hi Starr

Can you tell me how much you take, i just started at 10mgs i am like a manic. I also take Klonopin and Temazepam for sleep, had to up the sleep aid, insomnia! Only on 10mgs. I've take before all the way up to 60mgs few years ago. This time i want to stay low if possible as an add of to the klonopin. I've only been on 4days. I know it is stimulating which is why i like it, i was very down, unmotivated and irritable. Now i can't stop moving...which i like!

Thanks!
Mya

Hi Mya,

I am on the max dosage (80mg). It always
take the max dose for me bec I have such
a high metabolism. I dont like it but it works
so I do it.

best wishes,
starr

My Doc and I decided that my SEs were too severe and so now I'm going onto Zoloft...50mg for a week, then to 100mg. Hopefully, I'll handle it better.

Thanks Starr for the reply. Did you gain weight with that much??? I don't seem to gain weight on Prozac, all others i did.

And Eric - sorry about your time on Prozac, hopefully Zoloft will help. I know having a benzo like zanax or klonopin really helps during startup with the ssri's, especially in sleep dept.

Mya

Hi,

I have been on ads for close to 20 years and during
that time I have put on about 15 pounds which I
attribute to the meds. I dont like it but it is better
than being depressed.

best wishes,
starr

15pds is nuttin compared to depression. I know some of the mood stabilizers and atypicals really pack it on and i would be even more depressed. I've put on a good 15pds lately being depressed! Spring is here and i'm out now and busy moving around a lot so i'm hoping i won't have any issues. At this point i can't stand myself so if it works and i gain a few, so be it. Thanks for all your quick replies Starr, it's really appreciated, especially when anxious - it's nice to hear from others and their experience on the med.

take care
Mya

Hi everyone....I am new to this forum
I have been put on Prozac...for...depression, anxiety..and just in general ...stress..
I have been on it now for 3 weeks...I feel it is helping for the depression..and I sleep much better at night
I have very little appetitie..and i find some days...the anxiety and tension feels worse....
I was wondering if I should stick with the prozac as it is really helping with the depression...and eventually it will help with the anxiety and panic..
and information would be awesome....
I dont know whethere to change or not...just yet..
thank you

Hi ericb13,

I was on Prozac, and it kicked in fairly quickly, however the anxiety and tirdness did not change much (it cause me anxirty which I never had before) I switched back to Citalopram after 3 months of prozac and they are much more stable. Ok now.

Best of luck with your new med.

Jim Bow

I was put on fluoxetine 20mg a day four weeks ago for moderate depression and anxiety I think their starting to work although Im still waking up at 5.00am and suffering with mild insomnia. Im due to see the doctor next week I think she s going to up my dose to 40mg. Depression is strange I keep thinking I should pull myself together I have a great husband and kids but I just cant control my anxiety and mood swings I attempted suicide in my twenties probably related to problems in my childhood but wouldnt go down that road again. Ive noticed that I dont get angry over every little thing.

[quote name='freda123' date='Jun 26 2009, 05:05 AM' post='536860']
I was put on fluoxetine 20mg a day four weeks ago for moderate depression and anxiety I think their starting to work although Im still waking up at 5.00am and suffering with mild insomnia. Im due to see the doctor next week I think she s going to up my dose to 40mg. Depression is strange I keep thinking I should pull myself together I have a great husband and kids but I just cant control my anxiety and mood swings I attempted suicide in my twenties probably related to problems in my childhood but wouldnt go down that road again. Ive noticed that I dont get angry over every little thing
since taking the fluoxetine.

Hi all again
well just over four weeks now on Prozac..
I find..the depression is about gone...I dont find myself crying over every little thing..
I sleep so well at night...dont even wake up....but I do wake early in the morning...around 7...but thats OK
I am no longer employed..so I spend many days at home...bored..nothing to do..
I am in the process of moving in a couple of months...
and now...my Fibromyalgia and TMJ has flared up.....due to, lack of exercise I guess..and not doing anything...so of course that brings on anxieties..panic...but I seem to control the anxieties better...and tell myself that..lol
Was just wondering..if I should stay on the prozac for the full 8 weeks...and then i have a doc appt...and will the prozac eventually help with the fibro and tmj\Stress.....
I like prozac as it has helped my mood...just tired of these anxieties due to the flare up of the fibro and tmj
advise would be great..
thank you
Tracy

oh and i have TMJ due to a broken jaw years ago...which I am now paying for..with any little bit of stress...and i have dentures...and it feels good to take them out...when the jaw is bad..
I have flexeril..but I have heard it is not a good idea to take Flexeril well on ssri's....
so..I do take about half an ativan every four or 6 hours if I need to....it seems to relax the jaw and nexk muscles....ok..and this typing does not help...OUCH...lol

This post has been edited by kassiegal: Jul 5 2009, 01:52 PM

I was on prozac before my doctor put me on paxil. The prozac was causing extreme shifts in mood for me, one minute I would be lying on the floor and the next I would be sitting up rocking back and forth with my hands wrapped around my knees. Along with that came paranoia and anxiety. I also became easily enraged. Just thought I would share my prozac horror story with you.

Been on Prozac for a couple of weeks now. Prozac was selected for me because it's a more "activating" med and fatigue and motivation were major issues for me. Since starting I've been experiencing much more anxiety, particularly in the am when waking and contemplating the day. This is definitely out of character for me but I figure it may be part of the activating effect. Waiting to reach my full dose and stabilize before I make a judgement though.