Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 5)

• Ree...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2021

Fluoxetine "Started Prozac for PMDD and panic disorder. Stopped after two weeks of bad side effects. Usually felt the medication side effects kick in about 1 hour after taking it. Felt weighed down, slow breathing, fuzzy-headed, heavy eyes—sedated. It was awful. Triggered three panic attacks on day 13. Side effects occur randomly throughout the day. Feeling drowsy to the point where I’d need to sink down and close my eyes for a minute during conversation. Felt like narcolepsy. Out and then awake in two minutes. Drowsiness, diarrhea, increased anxiety, emotionally detached during the first week. Pros: I felt good around 5 pm and slept fine. Felt good in the morning up until an hour after taking my prescribed dose. Cons: Side effects randomly appearing throughout the day. Severe drowsiness, zoned out, panic attacks, flat moods."

• DGD...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2022

"It will work. You’re going to be okay. I’ve been on 20 mg for 5 weeks and will post again in a few months, but the change is incredible. I was debilitated and terrified with panic disorder and worrying about every feeling in my body. I did Ayurvedic lifestyle changes and yoga, and they got me 80% back to myself, but then I started this medication and finally the nervous hum is gone. And that’s only 5 weeks in. Been back to my normal activities and sleeping great. Yes, the side effects did make anxiety worse for me, but I just journaled every day and ride it out and slowly noticed little bits of progress, and now I feel almost 100% like my old self. I have started CBT for more sustainable future practices, but this medication was medicine to me. So, so helpful. I know you’re struggling, I know it might even feel unbearable, but this will work, just give it time. Definitely 4 weeks at least. Also, for my tension headache friends - solved those too - no ibuprofen!"

• Fan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 5, 2020

"If you truly want this to work, you have to tough it out. And remember, everyone reacts differently, this might not be the one for you. Try it and see what happens. The first month sucks! Actually, just the first week, then the side effects change and happen less often. After a couple of months, you'll be happy to feel 'normal.'"

• LOL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2019

Fluoxetine "I have Major Depression and Panic Disorder. It seems like every antidepressant and benzo I have tried just does not work. My Dr. has now just prescribed me Fluoxetine (Prozac) 10 mg, to go along with my Klonopin 1 mg that I had been taking for 6 years (I eventually developed a tolerance to my Klonopin, so it stopped working properly). After being on Prozac for nearly 4 months now, I have gone through horrible side effects of nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, and head exploding syndrome. I am in a constant fog. I get confused very easily and 'space out' all the time. The only beneficial thing I have gotten out of taking Prozac is that I have somewhat better control over my emotions."

• Kar...
• April 5, 2019

"I was first on fluoxetine for panic disorder, but I had to discontinue because I had bruxism (jaw pain and teeth clenching), and since then I have been on Lexapro (escitalopram), Vortioxetine (Trintellix), Remeron (mirtazapine), and nothing has helped. Last week, I decided to give fluoxetine (Prozac) another chance, and I've never felt better. I love fluoxetine for giving my life. I also take it with Lamictal (lamotrigine) because I'm also bipolar, and so far things are so good."

• Bis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 23, 2016

"Diagnosed depressed, started 20 mg fluoxetine. After 1 year, tried to come off. Met with anxiety and deep depression. Doc told me it was old symptoms returning and to get back on the meds. Over the next 2 years, tried twice more to come off the tablets and was met with the same symptoms but more intense. Finally decided to withdraw from the medication, removing 1 tablet a week. After approximately 6 weeks, I had crippling depression and suicidal thoughts, these would last for about 2 weeks before I felt okay. This continued for 10 months until I had completely weaned off the meds. Now I am left with panic disorder. The doctor had stated there are no withdrawal symptoms, which research is now showing there are, which include depression and severe anxiety."

• Nuk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 17, 2018

"When I first started taking it, I felt that nothing had happened because the first weeks had already passed, but without me realizing that I felt like myself again. I've been taking it now for around 4 months, and even though I have bad days (as everyone does once in a while), it has helped me a lot on those bad days."

• LAa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2019

Fluoxetine "I started taking 10 mg of Prozac on April 24, 2019. It has been the worst experience of my life! The first few weeks, I felt wonderful, but then my upper lip started getting red bumps, sores on my lips, a weird taste, and sensitivity to spicy food. My lips are still somewhat swollen. Lips horribly chapped, mouth dry. Anxiety attacks like I’ve never had before and now depressed. I need off of this rubbish now. Waiting till Thursday to see my doctor."

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2017

"I was diagnosed 5 years ago with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder with mild agoraphobia. For the first few months, I had no idea what was going on with me except that I knew I would get completely flustered, anxious, and scared when I went out to do everyday things. I began worrying all the time about silly things and couldn't seem to shut my mind off enough to sleep and relax. My doctor diagnosed me, and for a while, I tried seeing just a therapist, but eventually, my panic attacks came back stronger, and I decided on medication. I have tried three other medications, all of which were not successful. I am 8 days in on Prozac, and the side effects have been pretty bad, but I have hope. Today was much calmer for me."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 19, 2021

Fluoxetine "I've been on Prozac for about a year now for anxiety/panic disorder. Switching from 30 mg to 40 mg. Currently on 30 mg, it's been working great for me. Only side effects are weight gain, but then again I don't know if it's from that. I do sometimes have a little anxiety here and there, but nothing like before, which was every day. I'd recommend it for someone dealing with anxiety, etc."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2023

"I suffer from severe anxiety and panic attacks to the point where I shake inside. It's horrible, and it's so debilitating. I've been on fluoxetine 20 mgs for nearly 6 weeks, and to be honest, I don't feel any better yet. I won't give up on it, as I've read that 6 weeks is still early days, but how much longer will it be before I begin to feel less anxious? The panic attacks happen daily at the moment, and I'm too scared to go anywhere alone."

• N30...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 8, 2017

"This is for the person who is nervous to start this medication. DON'T BE. I was nervous, and six months later I am feeling so much better than before. I currently take 10 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac) and also 0.5 mg time-release Xanax XR at bedtime. I believe both have kept me on a great track from having panic attacks. I was honestly in a not-so-good place with my panic disorder. I had tried other medicine and did not see much of a help. My psychiatrist listened to my feelings and told me to give this a shot. The first month or so, I didn't really feel too much of a difference. Felt pretty okay. I added the Xanax XR. The two in combination keep me very stabilized and feeling pretty good each day. Give this medicine a shot and stick to it!"

• Kot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

Fluoxetine "I started Prozac for pain disorder, and the first two days were fine. After those two days, my memory got foggy, and I had insomnia and more anxiety attacks than I usually do, and horrible headaches. It also made me really jittery, so within a week, I stopped taking it. I'm currently still going through the side effects since I only stopped taking it three days ago. Hopefully, this anxiety goes back to being tolerable like it was before I got the meds."

• tsz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

"This medication saved my life. I am currently in my last semester of college and working at the same time, and the stress of everything (finding a job, graduating on time, etc.) finally caught up to me. I had my first full-blown panic attack 4 months ago. I felt like I was dying, and it was a downward spiral from there. I was prescribed Xanax, but it seemed like a band-aid solution as my attacks became more frequent. My PC started me on 20 mg of fluoxetine. It definitely got worse before it got better. My advice to anyone starting- BE PATIENT. This didn't start working for me completely until a few weeks ago. My side effects were a headache for the first week, but went away. Had some heightened anxiety at first and still struggle with insomnia, but I am transitioning to taking my meds in the morning, so hopefully that helps. Would highly recommend."

• Ipp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2019

"I was prescribed this 10 days ago for anxiety, panic, and phobias. I had taken it 20 years ago, and it worked great, but now it's been awful for anxiety! My anxiety and depression are through the roof! I had no depth before I started this, there's no way I can give it another 2 weeks to work through these side effects. They are brutal, and I can barely hold down my job. It's not worth the outcome on this drug for me anyway. I may get back on my Cymbalta, as I took it for 17 years, and it stopped working fully, but I was at least able to cope and function at 30 mg of Cymbalta beforehand. The Prozac is only 10 mg, I can't imagine if I was on 20 mg what my anxiety would be like!"

• Jlc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 21, 2023

"I've been on 10mg for 3 months now. I was/am suffering from panic disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. For the last 9 months, I've been battling these disorders secretly and finally admitted I needed help. My doctor tried sertraline, but that did not agree with me and made my symptoms heightened and worse, so I went with fluoxetine, and this was a game changer. The first week, I was quite withdrawn, spaced out, had a loss of appetite, and felt very tired. In the second week, I still had the same symptoms, but by the third week, the majority of the symptoms had relieved themselves, I just kept getting the odd headaches. Week by week, I was learning to take control again, feeling more myself. I still have good days and some bad days, but not to the point where I can't leave the house. I've recently been given permission to up my medication to 20mg, so here's to many more positive weeks. I was such an overthinker about side effects as well, don't worry, after 3-4 weeks, you will feel better, don't give in."

• JCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2021

"I firstly tried sertraline, but it was a nightmare. I could handle the skin flashes and peak anxiety, but then I tried fluoxetine, and oh man, my life changed. I started with 20 mg and felt better, but with 40 mg, I really see the changes all around. My only side effect is occasional nausea and headaches now and then, but maybe it's because my family suffers from this all the time."

• Ian...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 14, 2017

"I have been on Prozac for about 4 months. I started on 10 mg and was moved up to 20 mg when I was still reporting anxiety. I have had panic and heavy anxiety attacks for over 15 years and finally decided I was done suffering. At first, I was very nervous about starting the medication, but once it kicked in about 3 weeks into taking the 10 mg, I was convinced that I needed to take this medication. I obviously have some disorder that ramps up my body and creates physical sensations that are not 'normal.' Since being on 20 mg, I am feeling a ton better, and I cannot pinpoint any drawback thus far. Sexually, I have no issues so far, and aside from a momentary spaced-out feeling, I feel great."

• Ind...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2017

"For those of you worrying about taking fluoxetine, I hope this will help. I've been having crippling panic attacks for the last 3 months, and I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder by my GP, then a consultant psychiatrist. I've tried CBT during this time, which helped explain about what my body was doing, releasing large amounts of adrenaline, fight or flight responses, etc., but it didn't really help. I also managed to convince myself that fluoxetine, which I was prescribed early on, could make things worse. Following some suicidal thoughts, I decided what the hell, it can't be any worse, and I took my first 20mg tablet 10 days ago, and it has helped so much already. Only minor side effects so far: headaches and a little dizziness."

• bkk...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 25, 2019

"Fluoxetine completely solved my panic disorder. It began working around a month in, and I was on it for 9 years. However, I began to experience sexual side effects after 9 years and have thus gone off of it. Panic disorder has not returned, but the sexual side effects have persisted months after stopping fluoxetine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2017

"This medication has changed my life completely in a positive way. The new me now vs. the me that I was before, the differences are crazy. It took the medication a while to adjust to my body, vice versa, but the waiting was worth it."

• Fra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2021

"I have been on it for 8 months because of my panic disorder. It has really helped me. The first two weeks, I had some little side effects, like nausea, sleeplessness, and headache, but I am really happy because I no longer have panic attacks or disorder anymore. I started with 20 mg and now 40 mg. I take it in the morning. I use some other helpful things, like chamomile tea and once a lavender pill too. So far, it has really helped me with my panic attacks. The main side effect I have had till now is weight gain."

• LMC...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2021

"Been taking fluoxetine for 4 days now and can already feel it working. I’m still anxious, but I have noticed I've been more relaxed. I was suffering from really bad panic attacks, working myself up so much I’d nearly pass out! Had symptoms of having a stroke, funny feeling in my face, etc. Dreading waking in the morning because I knew what the day would be like! I was in them before and worked brilliantly! My symptoms haven’t completely gone, but I’m able to take my mind off it, whereas before I would just keep getting worse. Going on public transport would start it off, as I was scared that it would happen while I was on the bus or train, then, of course, that would start my panic attacks off."

• Fea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2019

"The first week starting Prozac was wonderful. I felt no anxiety, and the feelings of emptiness were gone. Now, if only it stuck that way. Fast forward to today, and I'm on day 10 and had to go to the hospital because I was vomiting and had the shakes. Thought I was dying. With this said, and the loss of appetite and nausea I had, I had to stop it. Being sick triggers me, and I can't afford to lose my job."

• Low...
• January 10, 2019

"I took fluoxetine for over 10 years, starting with 20 mg. The initial side effects were not that bad for me, but I did have a constant need to yawn for a week or two. After a month or so, I did feel like I was more relaxed, nothing huge, but the worry was definitely less, so I stuck with it. If you are just starting fluoxetine, make sure to take it with a lot of water, if it starts to dissolve in your throat, it will give you heartburn. About 8 years in, my anxiety had increased, so my GP raised me to 40 mg, which was horrible, and my anxiety went nuts. I stuck with it for a few weeks hoping it would get better, but it didn't, so I went down to 30, then back to 20, and stayed there for a couple more years with little effectiveness. I finally quit fluoxetine about a year ago with no withdrawal, and I felt great until recently, so I am going to try another med."