I was on paxil for about three years when I felt it wasn't working anymore so I weaned off and tried to see if I could be without any medication and bam it came back worse than ever. For some odd reason I'm extremely nervous to start the prozac, as I never had any bad side effects with paxil. I have terrible anxiety and I just can't seem to push myself to start the prozac. I need some positive vibes!
I'm really nervous to start prozac 10mg. Any good advice before beginning this antidepressant?
Question posted by Alliecattt on 26 Aug 2014
Last updated on 25 April 2019
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8 Answers
WildcatVet
25 April 2019
Hi, Misti! I understand your fears, but you have to realize that much of what you're feeling is your anxiety talking. Medications are designed to control your symptoms and they do not screw your head up or cause mental breakdowns. It's true that you may experience some side effects initially that resolve within just a few days to a week or two. This occurs in 10% or less of patients.
You need to acquaint yourself with all the facts of the medication you're taking by reading factual information and not what people post on forums which tends to be the "horror" stories. The tens of thousands of patients who aren't having problems and are getting relief from their disorders are too busy enjoying their lives.
https://www.drugs.com/prozac.html
"Some side effects of fluoxetine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects."
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
"Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve.
Fluoxetine (Prozac) | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness"
Your doctor prescribed Prozac for you because it's one of the top medications for anxiety disorders and has fewer side effects than some others. It's been used for over 30 years with great success so try to be patient and positive, working with the medication instead of letting your anxiety fight it.
Best regards and I hope you are feeling better very quickly.
Misti1983
25 April 2019
Thank you! I am just living every day in extreme anxiety and panic right now and I was so confident that zoloft was going to work but it made things so much worse even after I had previously been on it for years! I am so scared that prozac is going to do the same thing. I am gonna start my 1st pill tonight at bedtime, I spoke to my cousin and she takes hers at night. I even took the zoloft at night bc it made me tired. I just don't want to go completely crazy at this point bc I am almost there. No one should live life scared and afraid like I do! It's exhausting! I battle thru every day! Thank you for your kind words! I am literally in tears bc I don't want to feel the way I do anymore! I can deal with side effects better than I can having manic anxiety and panic all day long!
WildcatVet
25 April 2019
Stay brave... you are!
Misti1983
25 April 2019
I am coming on here bc I too am so nervous about starting prozac 20mg and what time of day to take it. Never been on it. I was on Zoloft for years and just started back on it 3wks ago and found out that it's not working anymore. Makes my panic and anxiety worse. And what I don't understand is that I was fine. Until one day I had a bad panic attack which I haven't had in over 12yrs. Wound back up on zoloft and .5 xanax as needed. Never have taken xanax before either. In 3wks I have taken 6 xanax when I needed them. Now, my doc switched me to prozac but my anxiety and fear has stopped me from taking the 1st pill. I have a 5yr old daughter and my relationship is now on edge bc my man doesn't deal with ptsd, panic/anxiety attacks so he don't understand that I need him. The zoloft made my panic and anxiety so extreme! That even this morning when I took the xanax it didn't seem to help for long.
I am so scared bc I have always worked, and now I can't even leave my house. We are getting so far behind in bills bc I feel so incapacitated. I don't know what to do. I am so scared the prozac is going to hurt me and I am eventually going to wind up in the psych ward. And I will loose everything including my daughter! Please anyone help me!!
Buck2504
8 Oct 2016
I take 40mg of Prozac twice a day w/o any side effects. I had taken it a long time ago so I wasn't nervous about starting it. I do know what you are feeling though. I was that way when I started Adderall. I started at a lower dose than what the dr said. Like someone else said , 10mg is a tiny dose. I hope you get up the courage to try it. It really helps me.
Buck2504
computergirlnyc
8 Oct 2016
I was on Prozac for years and never had any side effects from the medication. I was tried on Paxil which I DID have very bad side effects from and had to discontinue after 2 days. I understand your concern because I felt the very same way after having had a bad start with Paxil and then Zoloft. Prozac worked for me and I was happy with it--no side effects. By the way, 10 mg. is a very very low dose to start. Average dose for Prozac is 20 mg twice a day. It usually is taken in the morning and with breakfast. It gets your day off to a good start. You will feel better, I promise you. P.S. Never go off a med without consulting a doctor first.
Eeeeker
27 Aug 2014
I might be completely off the mark, but did you maybe have bad side effects in the past with some other drug to make you so nervous? You shouldn't suffer like you are and it needs fixing for your long term health. All of these type meds have the potential for some small side effects. Major ones mean the drug is wrong and your MD will change it. It is best to set aside time when starting new med... like vacation or day off. Is there a reason you can't go back on the paxil?
Alliecattt
27 Aug 2014
No, paxil is the only antidepressant I've ever been on and it was smooth sailing when I started it. The only side effect I had was that I would wake up randomly during the night for a few weeks but that eventually subsided. However, my anxiety before starting the paxil wasn't as bad as it is now. I can barely leave my house and my relationship is suffering big time. I came off of the paxil because of sexual side effects and also because after being on it for three years I felt it wasn't doing it's job anymore and I wanted to try being without it. I guess I'm just nervous about my anxiety getting worse while starting the prozac. Thanks for your response!
Eeeeker
27 Aug 2014
I hear you and I wish you the best of luck. I don't like to leave my house either... Thank God for CBS sitcoms. I'll have my fingers crossed for you.
Bailey67
27 Aug 2014
Hi :)
cI've been on Psych. meds for over 30 yrs. - and the first one I took, was actually Prozac... I had no side effects! It really helped for yrs., until it stopped helping me... so off I went to others. I completely get where you are coming from on starting a new med. That's how I am as well. Right now, I'm in the process of weaning myself (Under Drs. supervision) from Celexa (that I've taken for the past 11 yrs.) To my surprise, I'm doing better than expected. I will then start on Pristiq... so i will again start my new med. journey! What I would recommend, is to start early during the week, so if you don't feel well, you can reach your Dr. and ask him/her, who can you contact on the weekend if needed. Remember, there is a reason why Prozac is still out there :)
Good luck.
j718
27 Aug 2014
Just to let you know I was in the same boat. Scared to death to take Prozac because I may have a reaction and go crazy. This is my second day of taking it and I'm alive and well.
So be brave and take the first pill. It's a huge step but it can be done.
So think of this as your journey to good mental health.
Alliecattt
28 Aug 2014
Thanks! What mg of prozac did you start at?
kaw06
27 Aug 2014
The very reason you are scared to take it is the reason you should take it! I take Prozac, along with a caboodle of other Meds and if I take all these, you can surely take one pill. How's that for a push?! Lol take your Meds, trust your doctor. I hope ths helps, good luck!
Alliecattt
27 Aug 2014
Thank you! All of this positivity is definitely helping! :)
kaismama
26 Aug 2014
There is no cure, so if you stop your meds you go right back to where you were.
So many people make that mistake.
Prozac will probably give you some side effects at first. If you can stick with it, you will probably have help from it. If the side effects become too much you don't have to take it. But you won't know until you take that first one.
Alliecattt
26 Aug 2014
That's my problem! I can't seem to push myself to take that first one! Lol it's horrible. I took the paxil no problem, so I don't know why I'm so nervous! My anxiety already makes me feel sick all the time so what's the difference if I get side effects ya know? I just need a big push! Thanks for the response !
moverho
13 Oct 2016
I too was very hesitant to switch from Paxil to Prozac after 9 years on Paxil. I'm gonna do it, though... and hope for the best. After all, I can always switch back if need be.
balbanese
26 Aug 2014
Not sure if you went off Paxil with the Dr's suggestion or guidance. For me personally, Prozac did not yield any side-effects, however, it did basically neutralize my personality, little desire to do anything. This is what some folks need, and it may behave differently for you as these meds do vary from person to person.
Discard the fear and give it a try, and give it a minimum of 7-10 days, as you won't really have any idea until then as to how it is working for you.
Alliecattt
26 Aug 2014
Yes, I went off the paxil under my doctors watch. The taper was fairly easy and I was doing okay for about a month off of it and then everything came back but worse than it ever was. My mind constantly races about my anxiety and makes me feel nauseas all the time. I just want some relief from this. I've also started to experience agoraphobia. I think I'm most nervous about the side effects when starting the prozac.
Alliecattt
26 Aug 2014
And by the way thank you for your response! :)
balbanese
26 Aug 2014
You are very welcome. Keep me posted!
Alliecattt
30 Aug 2014
I started the prozac last night. This morning I feel every groggy, and I have a headache with a little but of nausea but that may just be from the anxiety. Is this normal? Am I going to feel worse after the second pill?
Alliecattt
1 Sep 2014
So I'm on day four. I would say day three has been the worst so far. I'm very exhausted and I get jittery at times and I haven't had any caffeine ! It's weird but I'm hanging in there! Just can't wait to get through the first week!
balbanese
1 Sep 2014
Awesome, you're doing great! Even if it doesn't feel that way at times. Keep yourself busy so you don't just dwell on this, it's easy for us humans to focus on the wrong things; it's like "the watched pot never boils" thing.
I try to keep my responses as timely as I can.
Alliecattt
1 Sep 2014
Thank you for responding at all! :) this was a good idea to post on here because it made me feel better about taking the prozac! I just wish I could fast forward to next month so I can see how the full benefits will feel!
balbanese
1 Sep 2014
Good things come to those who wait, and to those who wait with expectancy!
Related topics
paxil, prozac, anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety and stress, oppositional defiant disorder, nervous, antidepressant, medication
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