Hi 'all! Myself and another member here have just started taking Prozac and we're feeling quite 'strung out'... nervous, heightened anxiety. Could anyone whose had experience with Prozac comment re: whether or not the anxiety levels out after awhile; how long that took to happen; if the heightened anxiety from it did in fact go away or was a side effect that was intolerable and prompted a switch in meds... etc etc. Any and all input is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much, hope you're all as well as can be, A.B.H.
Prozac & heightened anxiety/nervousness?
Question posted by AnnieBHappy on 22 Jan 2013
Last updated on 28 March 2019
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
27 Answers Page 2
toriguy
28 June 2017
I'm on week 2 and my anxiety has been worse than its ever been in my life . I feel like I'm about to jump out of my skin .. but I've read several threads and the common answer is that it will even out after a while . I sure hope so . Good luck
support66
10 Oct 2017
Hi toriguy
Can you tell me if you still take the prozac and how are you feeling now? Did the side effects ease?
TKMarsh711
14 June 2017
Hi. I took Prozac for 24 days and woke up with terrible anxiety every morning. Finally I went to a psychiatrist. He took me off Prozac and put me on Lexapro (which I've taken in the past). The morning anxiety went away right away. I still had some anxiety. He gave me Klonipin also. It's been six weeks today since I've been on the Lexapro. I feel good no morning anxiety at all. Sometimes just a touch during the day.
Taataa123
14 June 2017
HI, I was put on Prozac 4 weeks ago and just changed over to lexapro! My experience with prosaic was horrible heart pounding, racing thoughts, insomnia and horrible anxiety which why I started taking it in the first place. Maybe I should have waited longer but I was too uncomfortable.
TKMarsh711
24 April 2017
I know this is an old post, but I've been on Prozac feeling good for two weeks, now I have had anxiety the last two days. Did it ever straighten out? How long? I don't know if I can stand this!
mmmmmm19
24 May 2017
How do you feel now? I've been on it for two weeks and feel super jittery!!
TKMarsh711
24 May 2017
I went to my psych and he took me off the Prozac and put me on lexapro and gabapentin. It's 3 weeks tomorrow, which is how long it supposedly takes to get the 24 days worth of Prozac out of my system. I've been feeling great except yesterday and today I had a little anxiety when I woke up. Idk how long it'll take the lexapro to get in my system good.
SunshineNo1
6 April 2017
Just started Prozac 20 MG this AM and feel flushed plus my previous anxiety is heightened. The reason for this med is because of PGAD, which is a side effect of trazadone or caused by hormone replacement therapy in mature women like me. Thank you for your comments which have reminded me patience must be practiced to get help from this med. When my husband died, was given Zoloft, which caused severe restless leg syndrome. All meds can cause reactions, but we must be aware of our bodies and our reactions. Do not be afraid to speak up for help. If anyone else has PGAD, please comment. Thanks!
TKMarsh711
24 April 2017
Hi, I started Prozac 20 mg. two weeks ago, switched from Lexapro. I've felt great for those two weeks, until yesterday and today I've got bad anxiety. I'm just wondering, it wouldn't work great for two weeks, then cause anxiety would it? I'm thinking it needs to be increased. My Lexapro was 20 mg. I'm so confused I don't know what to do
mavisdavis
11 Sep 2015
IT TAKES ABOUT 6 WEEKS FOR PROZAC TO GET IN YOUR HEAD. (system)
mavisdavis
11 Sep 2015
Just found out today. Prozac takes about 6 weeks to get in your system. I weened my self off venlafaxine too soon. I have a lot of anxiety. Was prescribed klonopon to help me deal with it
SunshineTinkerbell
29 April 2014
Hi AnnieB
I joined just so I could speak to you I hope u reply, I've been on prozac 9 days 20mg n am weak n weird n blurry vision when reading n anxious I wanted to know as u have the same problem if u stuck with it n the side effects went I only took 10mg last night b/c can't handle the systems I can such a terrible day yesterday wanted to smash my head against a wall
SunshineTinkerbell
29 April 2014
9 days 20mg n 1 day 10mg
Sunflower012
24 Jan 2013
How old are you sweetie? I was put on Prozac when I was 20 and went completely manic. Completely! I was screaming and crying and pacing - it was awful! My dumb doc insisted I stay on it and would eventually get used to it. It had just come out on the market (1990 I think) and I felt like a guinea pig. I can laugh at this now, but it all peaked with me on all fours, rocking while bashing my head into a wall and the only reason I stopped was my mother smacking my butt with a rolled up newspaper! It seriously wasn't abusive - I had just scared the crap out of her! She took me to a different doc right after and once off the stuff, the mania almost immediately ended. She's a saint. I am now on Zoloft and have been at least 15 years and it saved me. My bro and dad are on it too and are doing well. There are too many drugs out there to just stay miserable on one. Every single person is unique when it comes to psych meds. Or any meds really.
AnnieBHappy
24 Jan 2013
Hi Sunflower! Great to hear the Zoloft works; and for 15 years at that! Are there any negative side effects that you've experienced? Obviously, the benefits must outweigh them as it's working for you, but I'm just curious re: any perceived drawbacks/side effects/challenges. Is it too forward to ask what other meds you're taking that are helping/not helping? Figure I'll give the Prozac a while, thinking maybe I should just go back on the Cipralex... was taking it for 7 years; (maybe my body is just used to having that) wasn't feeling as good as I'd like to, also weight gain..but all that could have been because I was pushing too hard trying to live 'normally', working full time etc... and when I'm tired I reach for food/sweets etc... So may not have all been the Cipralex. May have been that I do have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome after all and I should have just stayed on disability. I didn't want to be ill anymore.
Had been ill for over 20 years. I wanted it to be primarily psychiatric as then I figured with proper meds, CBT, getting back to work, trying to live as 'normally' as I could, I'd feel well. Now I'm jobless and left the security of my disability benefits. Down to one income; my spouse's... he says not to worry, we'll get by, but things are darned tight I tell ya. Well, that's probably waaaay too much info! Hoping I feel a sense of strength today. It's the weakness that's all encompassing. It would be better if I had the strength to even get something done around here. So far, a little better than yesterday as I actually put in a load on laundry! That's promising! Thanks for your input, A.B.H.
Sunflower012
25 Jan 2013
Hi - I'm sure there are bad side effects with the Zoloft since there always seem to be with any drug. Probably makes me tired, but I'm on so much other stuff it's hard to know what causes what. I've given up trying to figure it out myself and finally have a doc I can trust. I'm on - here we go - Seroquel, Lamictal, Neurontin, Nuvigil, Cymbalta - I think that's all. I have schizoaffective disorder so it takes a lot to stabilize me. I'm doing ok I guess, but I am on disability. I've had ECT before as well and it really seemed to help, although the memory side effects can be frustrating.
Tee6759
23 Jan 2013
the very first antidepressant that I was on what is Prozac. I experience the same side effects that you have described. After that, I remained on Prozac for about 10 years. Unfortunately, I built up a tolerance to the drug and it had to be changed. I really liked what it did for my depression. At the time, I didnt have the anxiety until later on.
If you still feel uncomfortable, contact your doctor. Let them know how you are feeling. Sometimes, its trial and error to figure out what works best for you. I wish you luck in finding what will be the right combo.
In peace,
Tee
AnnieBHappy
23 Jan 2013
Thanks Tee! Wow! It worked for 10 years for you! That rocks! Would you say it worked well enough that you felt fully functional or? Did you just go off of it then or switch to something else and if so, how did that work for you? Thanks for your input, A.B.H.
AnnieBHappy
23 Jan 2013
Hi Tee, just read your profile, so my asking if the Prozac made you feel 'fully functional' may have been a tad premature and naive. After reading the number of challenges you have, I guess I'd reword that question and ask if the Prozac was sufficient enough to help you manage the challenges that you face/how helpful was it in creating a greater sense of being functional? A.B.H
Cybil123
15 Jan 2017
Prozac was the first antidepressant I took 30 years ago. It worked wonders for about 8 years. But it suddenly stopped working and nothing has worked as well since. I am now starting it again with a plan to add Wellbutrin, but on a 10 mg dose for only 5 days, I am experiencing a lot of anxiety -- which is not a symptom I normally have. Hoping it goes away soon! Anyone else have this experience?
Delila
23 Jan 2013
Hi, it is quite common for patients to suffer this side effect initially. It should lift after 4 weeks. If it continues however, speak to your doctor about whether this is the right medication for you? I used to take if very successfully several years ago, so give it a little time and hopefully the feelings of anxiety will subside.
AnnieBHappy
23 Jan 2013
Thanks Delila! Was hoping that was the case (am wanting this one to work so badly!) Do you recall what dosage you were taking? Wondering if you stopped taking it because it worked and your depression lifted or because it stopped working? Just curious..Thanks again, A.B.H.
Delila
23 Jan 2013
Hi, i was prescribed 20mg. I was taking them for many years, i started in my late teens. I stopped eventually because my depression lifted. I hope you have the same success i had : )
AnnieBHappy
23 Jan 2013
Thanks Delila! How are you doing these days? Are you at home or are you able to work/volunteer in anyway outside of the home... my fear is that I've relasped and due to this am going to return to being a shut-in again and I had a tad too many years of that. Even if I could just work a few hours outside of my house a week would be nice at some point. At this point, the way I feel, can't even fathom it; (just hanging in) but am trying to remain hopeful that I'll recover to a point that I'll be able to recreate some semblance of life that would bring me a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Thanks again for your input Delila, Annie.B.H.
Delila
23 Jan 2013
Hi, i think that making yourself leave the house a couple of times a day, for a short walk, or to go to the shop, library, or have a coffee at a cafe, will help you greatly. It is so easy to shut yourself away from the world, and it doesn't take long before you are almost totally confined. I came home last Friday afternoon, and didn't leave the house until the following Monday afternoon, & found it much harder to go out. I'm lucky to have family living close by and i also have support workers that help me go out (that was the only reason i went out Monday). I'm still not working, but have started to run a group within my housing association to help others with mental health issues. It makes me proud to get through each weekly meeting and increases my motivation & confidence. Spending time here helps also, talking to other people, like you, helps me to feel part of a community. Do you spend much time here?
AnnieBHappy
23 Jan 2013
Hi Delila! I was feeling pretty alone and read your post and took your advice right away! Went to a nearby friend who knows my situation and knows how extremely low my energy is. Laid on her couch in her sunroom while she did some music lesson prepping. I am so lucky to have her so close by... she said I could come by whenever I need and sit in the sunroom, no pressure to have the energy to do anything but be there. So, I got through another day today, and that feels good. I'm at an all time low, so know it will take time to regain a sense of strength and energy. I have to be patient. When you're in the depths of it, the minutes seem like hours. My spouse will be home soon, so won't be alone for long (not liking being alone these days) I try to keep in touch on this site; sometimes too darned tired to, but whenever I do, the prompt responses I've received have given me so much strength to keep going. Feel pretty flu-like.
Not sure if this is the Chronic Fatigue relapse or my body adjusting to the Prozac/side effect of Prozac? Thanks for your advice... will do my best to keep from staying alone in the house too much! Sounds like you have a great support network going and also providing support as well with your group! That's wonderful!!! A.B.H.
Delila
24 Jan 2013
That's great, i'm glad you have such a good friend, and the sun room sounds brilliant! I'm living in inches of snow right now! Freezing cold, but very pretty.
Good for you, getting out of the house. I have my group today so am getting prepared for it. I really hope the Prozac work for you. How long have you been taking them now?
AnnieBHappy
24 Jan 2013
Hi Delila! Been taking the Prozac for about 10 days. It'll take time to take effect, although I do already notice some changes. When I'm at my worst, (I know I'm not supposed to be able to 'feel' my brain) I feel as though I have no prefrontal cortex activity (part of brain in forehead feels dead) Then, when I take an SSRI, it seems to feel as though it's come back to life. Apparently, I've been told, I'm not supposed to be able to 'feel' that in my brain; but, subjectively, that's the physical sensation I get. I just hope this incredible weakness improves. That's my worst symptom. The weakness is incredible. Thanks for the posts! I look forward to them! A.B.H.
Delila
25 Jan 2013
Well you're nearly half way through the induction period now, so stick with it, and hopefully it'll be worth it, i'm sure it will. I've not heard before about the sensations, or rather lack of sensation you are experiencing in your head. I'm trying to imagine how it must feel. As long as your doctor isn't worried about it, hopefully it will pass. I hope you have a good day today : )
AnnieBHappy
27 Jan 2013
Thanks for you input Delila! Appreciate it! Annie.B.H.
Inactive
22 Jan 2013
Hello Annie,
Years ago when I had horrid depression and anxiety, my Dr said he would like to try me on prozac, however, he said, because my anxiety was out of control he wouldn't do it due to many people experienced high anxiety with prozac. Once I got my anxiety under control with the antidepressant Pamelor, my doc then switched me to prozac and at that time it did help. Let your Dr. know how you are feeling and he/she may change your medication that better suits you. With antidepressants at times it's trial and error to find what works for you. I hope you and your friend are feeling better real soon ... pamee
AnnieBHappy
22 Jan 2013
Thanks for your feedback Pamee... A.B.H.
AnnieBHappy
22 Jan 2013
Hey Pamee; are you still taking Prozac? Has it been beneficial enough to have continued taking it or did it eventually lose it's effect and you had switch to something else? A.B.H.
Inactive
23 Jan 2013
Hello, I am no longer taking prozac. I did take the prozac along with other a/d for many years, but built up tolerance so I was put on other antidepressants.. Give it a few weeks to see how you're feeling, and if you are still dealing with high anxiety talk with your Dr. A lot of people find prozac to be a good A/D for them.. best of luck with it.
Related topics
prozac, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, nervous
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- Prozac uses and safety info
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- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
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