Prozac and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• DDa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 13, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I stopped my Prozac about 3 years ago on a doctor's advice as I have Bipolar 2. I have felt I was slipping back recently into anxiety and depression with poor appetite, poor sleep, etc. I restarted them yesterday and I have felt a different person today and enjoyed my lunch. I am also taking Sodium Valproate regularly as a mood stabilizer. Anybody else had such a quick response? I live in the UK."

• Dee...
• July 10, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I'm on day 25 taking this medication. I am taking the generic Prozac for anxiety and severe panic attacks. I started on 20mg. The side effects were horrible. I couldn't stop shaking, my heart was racing, I couldn't eat, sleep, it made my anxiety worse. I went to my doctor by the 10th day and he prescribed me klonopin. I only took klonopin once, it did help but I just didn't like the feeling. I wanted to stop taking fluoxetine because it made me feel worse but I kept taking it. By the third week I was able to eat again. It is now day 25 and I am starting to feel like myself again. My anxiety and panic attacks went from a 10 to a 3. I am planning on upping my dosage by day 30. I highly suggest trying out this medication. Don't be scared."

• pr7...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 1, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was put on Prozac (20mg) for severe OCD and anxiety 2 years ago and took it for a little bit over a year, and it helped tremendously. I was dumb and stopped taking it, and over the course of 5-6 months, my OCD and anxiety slowly got worse to the point where I had been when I first started taking the medicine. I just started back up on it about 3 weeks ago, and the first week on it was bad for me. I had lots of anxiety and suicidal thoughts. But here recently I'm starting to notice some improvement in my anxiety. Don't stop taking Prozac just because you feel better. I found out the hard way and it's not worth it."

• Bli...
• January 15, 2016

For Depression "I am beginning my fourth week on 20mg Fluoxetine taken each morning. I am recovering from a long-term abusive relationship with a Narcissist. I have a head injury that predisposes me to fatigue. I asked the doctor to help me with my energy levels. I did not admit it, but the underlying feeling I had was that 'everything was too much' and 'nothing matters anyway.' But nobody would have guessed how hopeless I had become, and had been for at least 10 years. Initially, I experienced all of the symptoms people warn about in the first few weeks. Insomnia and occasional extreme anxiety were the worst. Now I feel enthused about taking things one at a time and am enjoying the process. I have begun to sleep normally again. So far, so good."

• The...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "After trying several SSRIs and suffering horrible side effects, I was scared to try another. After doing a bit of research, I came across liquid Prozac and asked my Dr. about it. I have been on it for a week at 3mg and already feel better. I am slowly moving up to 5mg, but as of now, 3mg is working out just fine. My anxiety has lessened and I can focus and concentrate without my mind running wild."

• OCD...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 21, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I had been having anxiety and other symptoms such as weight loss. I was diagnosed with OCD and started on 10mg Prozac. I battled with side effects for the first month of increased anxiety, nausea, and sleeping problems. At about the 5-week mark, the negative side effects went away, and I started to feel some relief from the anxiety caused by the OCD. I was increased to 20mg, which seems to be enough for me. I have now been on it for over a year. I feel so much better. Like a weight is lifted off of my shoulders, and I no longer worry and obsess. I have gained some weight, but the anxiety had made me lose weight so I think I am able to eat now because I feel better. I don't sweat the small stuff in life anymore!"

• Dow...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2019

For Depression "6 weeks on 20 mg of Prozac and having sinus/stuffy nose, earache, headaches, agitation, and nervousness. Raised dose to 30 mg and every side effect worsened. 12 weeks now and still suffering side effects, but not so bad. Anybody had these issues and did they eventually go?"

• Cla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 7, 2020

For Depression "I'm somewhat new to Prozac. I've been on it for about 4 months, started at a 10 mg dose and it did nothing for me, went to 20 mg and it was exactly the same as 10 mg, did nothing. I was recently moved up to a 40 mg dose and it's made me severely depressed and it's brought back my anxiety but 10 times worse. I've recently started starving myself, which I'm thinking I'm starting to get some sort of eating disorder. I'm also getting very bad self-harm cravings (more than usual). I've acted on those cravings and I'm honestly thinking this is just mucking up my life more."

• Kan...
• July 26, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I am a 32-year-old male who has always suffered from social and generalized anxiety, which causes depression. I have been taking fluoxetine for nearly a decade. I have been taking 20 mg for the past 6 years or so but have been suffering very badly with social and general anxiety for the last couple of years, and despite this, I carried on only using 20 mg per day. I saw my doctor, and they recommended I take 20 mg every other day to see if I could come off the drug or, instead, felt worse and could up the dose. Sure enough, after only about a week of taking every other day, I felt worse than ever and had extreme anxiety. I have now been taking 40 mg per day for the last 4 weeks and have honestly never felt better. I have had many challenges and events that would usually make me have extreme anxiety and that nauseous, stressed feeling in my stomach that makes me angry and agitated, but I have had none of this at all."

• Dep...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Helped me so much with both my depression and OCD. I still get anxiety, but my life doesn't revolve around compulsions anymore. The first 10-14 days were hard, but so worth it. If you are struggling with depression and OCD, it's really worth giving Prozac a try!"

• Kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I was very scared of starting Prozac because of the reviews I read. I also had tried Lexapro and had major panic attacks that made me go off of it. I have been on Prozac for 4 weeks and am just starting to feel the benefits. I feel I can think more clearly and am not living life in constant stress or fear. I wish I had started it sooner. I feel so much better, almost like 'wow, this is what life for non-stressed people is like.' Side effects I experienced: 2 days out of the month I felt more anxious than normal and have had a little nausea but hardly any. It's been great."

• Tax...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 20, 2015

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on this medication for around 12 years, 60mg a day for OCD and depression. It got me out of a very, very deep hole, got me back to work, able to function, got me back as a normal person. Unfortunately, I used alcohol and recreational drugs as well, which made me riddled with anxiety and depression. I'm clean and sober 8 years now and am still on Prozac. I've recently had a low episode and I was self-medicating with my Prozac as and when I needed. Obviously, this wasn't the greatest idea, and this has led me back to being depressed again, but I'm back on 40mg of Prozac a day. I may feel like I have gone back to the beginning of it all, but I haven't. I've just had a little setback in my recovery. All in all, Prozac for me is a lifesaver."

• Anonymous
• July 15, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I previously took Celexa for GAD, but it stopped working. I switched to Paxil. Paxil is great for anxiety, but it gave me constant nausea that wouldn't go away. I switched to Prozac. The first 2 weeks on Prozac, it gave me more anxiety, nausea, and I was unable to eat a lot. After two weeks, my anxiety/panic was reduced, my appetite is good again, and sometimes I will get bouts of nausea. So far, Prozac at 40 is working pretty well. I also take Valium 5 mg as needed once or twice a week. Valium is amazing. When Prozac is not working well on certain days, Valium is used to smooth things out. Valium is a good prescription since it will stay in our system for a longer time. If you use it sparingly, you can use Valium for life. Prozac & Valium: Excellent together."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I am a 58-year-old female with depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. I tried a lot of different antidepressants during my bouts. Nothing really worked for the terrible panic attacks I was having. My doctor put me on 20 mg of Prozac. The side effects were bad for about 3 weeks, but by the fourth week, it really started to work well. I am still on it for 2 months now. It works. So don’t stop taking it because of the terrible startup side effects such as anxiety, low appetite, fatigue, yawning, terrible stomach issues, insomnia, and blurred vision, all cleared after 4 weeks. I feel good now, and I will continue to take it."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "This was prescribed for my 14-year-old's anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. It turned our lives upside down, my daughter was on it for three terrible weeks. It increased her anxiety and the severity of her panic attacks by a lot. The black box warning happened, my daughter was suicidal on several occasions. We did gene testing during this time (Genomind), and it showed she would have an adverse reaction to it. We took her off of it, and within two days, she felt much better. Genetic testing should be protocol for all doctors prescribing these meds, and please be cautious when giving your teenager antidepressants."

• awa...
• April 3, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I started Prozac 20mg on Friday 3/28/14. It's been 6 days. I feel weak, tired, anxious, depressed, and my appetite is out of control, I'm eating all the time. I am going to give this more time. Hopefully, it works for me like it has for all the others on here. I would give anything to not feel this way anymore. I've struggled with it my whole life."

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2020

For Depression "I’ve been on Prozac for 5 months. Started with 20 mg, 40 mg, and currently on 60 mg. I’ve had severe anxiety and a depressive episode during my pregnancy. I had my son in December. I thought I would feel better once I wasn’t pregnant anymore. I still feel anxious and depressed, but Prozac has caused me to feel numb. I can’t feel happiness or excitement. Still, I get mini panic attacks, and every day I feel like I am breathless. Physically, I get nauseous, dizzy, and at times I feel weak. I want to get off the medication to see if I can feel normal again. It’s been months that I have been living in this nightmare, not sure if it’s the medication or just me. I want my life back."

• big...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 10, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I started on Prozac in '05, and have been on it ever since. I'm not sure to say it was for major depressive disorder, but I was just waking up and seeing the world in a way with no feeling. I had depression when I was young and continued. Prozac has been up and down in the dose. But I currently take 80 mg, and I have to say it helps with feeling better. Wellbutrin was more stimulating but with much anxiety, other serotonin antidepressants somewhat worked, but Prozac is the one I keep using because it works. Prozac just simply helps my mood, I could be in the mood to talk. When it's not taken, or if I miss one or two days, I can tell-mentally sluggish, the depression of not feeling anything. Prozac makes me less apathetic, and I'm in a better mood. Some people have an opposite reaction and have a flat feeling. I have bad days, many... but it keeps me from falling into major depression."

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 12, 2015

For Depression "I started taking Prozac on Tuesday. I was very hesitant at first. I guess that was based on what I heard about dependency. I was severely depressed after an emotionally abusive relationship ended. I also terminated my pregnancy (my choice), and on top of that, I am the single mother of a smart, energetic 7-year-old. I guess everything was weighing heavily on me all at once. I had turned to marijuana. I have a stressful job on top of everything else. My issues involved worrying excessively, overthinking every little thing, crying spells, and sleeping on my days off. I stopped doing things I used to enjoy. Scary. I never had any suicidal thoughts. I'm a few days in. I felt jittery one day, but that's done. Definitely progressing. Miracle!!"

• Mor...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 23, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I suffer with anxiety and stress, with a side of depression. I was prescribed Prozac and Buspar for the anxiety and depression. It has been a literal game changer. Once you get through the first few weeks and the Prozac gets into your system, it's been amazing. I feel more motivated, more alert, less jumpy/panicky, etc. Remember, antidepressants aren't a one-size-fits-all deal. So what may work for one person may not work for you. But this was definitely a great fit for me."

• Mil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I am 28 years old. I started taking 10 mg Prozac (fluoxetine) again after not taking it for about 25 days. I did not experience major withdrawal side effects, this wasn’t voluntarily but rather my not being able to get the prescription. The first two weeks of side effects, including anxiety, depression, and OCD symptoms, seemed worse. I started feeling better on the third week, although I am on a 10 mg dose, it has been working wonders for me for the past 10 years. My agoraphobia is improving, although it’s still there when I drive. I am afraid of driving far, as I keep thinking I’ll get a panic attack or anxiety attack. I am hoping things get even better as time flies."

• gre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 19, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been off and on the Prozac for over a year now. Keep reading stuff on the internet about its side effects, then flush them down the drain. But then I get back on the medicine. I can say that I feel its effects after just one dose, it feels like a pretty strong drug, and I'm only on 10 mg. Don't drink too much caffeine on Prozac! I've had the worst anxiety attacks if I drink an energy drink after taking my dose of Prozac. It does help me get stuff done and stay motivated, and I guess it helps with general anxiety as well. It does kind of make me impulsive, though, but I'm learning to make better decisions while on the medicine. I think it helps overall, and I will continue to stay on it for the foreseeable future."

• ckr...
• September 10, 2014

For Depression "I have been on this medicine for 7 months. I first started on 20 mg, now increasing to 40 mg. I am taking it for depression and anxiety. It takes about a month before I see some effects. My mood was lifted and I feel calmer, but I can't stop yawning. In the beginning, I did feel increased anxiety before this subsided. I will continue to take this medicine and hope to get better."

• BmJ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I'm a 65-year-old retired woman under a lot of stress. I started on Prozac 10 mg a week ago. I called the doctor today and have been told to stop taking it. I have experienced constant headaches, nausea, shaking, jittery, heart racing, and dry mouth. I turned to this for help, but it's not the answer for me. While I'm waiting for the symptoms to pass, the nurse told me to drink lots of water."

• veg...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2017

For Bulimia "I had started Prozac while I was in my recovery for bulimia, and it worked incredibly to stop my binges and regulate my eating. I was beyond impressed. I stopped taking it after about a year and a half out of recovery and immediately started noticing I had serious anxiety issues and the depression came back. After about 6 months of being off of Prozac, I recently was put back on it at my regular 60 mg, and it still works. While I don't suffer from bulimia anymore (or have controlled those symptoms), Prozac has provided the stability I was begging my brain for. If you're someone who gets depressed in the winter months, has problems concentrating, and has tremors from anxiety, take this!"