Prozac and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Gre...
• February 15, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Had to switch to this after sertraline didn't work when I tried to go back on it. OCD blew up as soon as I stopped my previous SSRI, and I ended up sick. Always consult your doctor, and if you have severe OCD, it's an SSRI for life. Fluoxetine had the usual side effects: suicidal thoughts, anxiety, worsening of depression, and tiredness. Unfortunately, you just have to work through this with these meds. After a few weeks, I started to see some slow progress, and my obsessions decreased. I was still severely depressed, and I augmented this with risperidone. That too made me a bit crazy for a few days, but after a couple of weeks, I was able to return to work after 3 months off. These meds take time. 18 months on, I'm just on fluoxetine 60 mg and feel great!"

• Ano...
• October 19, 2020

For Panic Disorder "After having anxiety and depression for about 3 years and doing nothing about it, I finally saw a psychiatrist and was prescribed 20 mg of Prozac. The first two weeks I felt really off and was not a fan at all, but after about a month I was the happiest I have ever been. I am now six months in and feel pretty balanced. I still have my highs and lows, but altogether I am so much better than I was before Prozac. My brain fog is gone, I am no longer socially anxious, and never have snappy moods anymore. The cons are the insane dreams and drinking on it. My dreams feel so real and last all night, but thankfully I don’t wake up many times during the night. Drinking is pretty tough, I definitely cannot handle alcohol like I could before. Also, in the first few months, I lost 15 lbs (but I was on a really strict diet). I started the diet again a month ago and have not lost 1 pound, which is very frustrating. Altogether though, Prozac has changed my life for the better in many aspects."

• Mel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 30, 2015

For Depression "Let's see. When I first started this med was for depression and anxiety. Within a month, I felt good, after two months, great! I stopped taking it, thinking I could manage, and that made me worse after 3-6 months. I had to get back on it, plus Klonopin for the anxiety. Well, I did it again. I started running out and couldn't afford to go to the doctor, so I was taking it every other day... I think it made it less effective. I've been so depressed, tired, anxious, dizzy, etc. I was able to afford to go back a few weeks ago and get my refills... So I'm three weeks in... Still feeling down and out. But I know I've got to give it the full 6-8 weeks. Just never get off! It works well if taken right."

• Imn...
• March 15, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was put on Prozac 20mg for my anxiety and stress, but it made me get OCD. Worse anxiety. Hands started twitching. Couldn't hold my phone. Dr. upped my dose to 30mg (because of increased anxiety), and the muscle twitching and tremors got so bad I just stopped taking it. Did nothing for anxiety. Felt worse."

• Tam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I had a bad anxiety/panic attack in November 2019 that sent me to the ER by ambulance. My heart raced so bad I thought it was a heart attack. But my doctor put me on Prozac 20 mg HCL. Well, at first I battled anxiety for days while on Prozac, which had me take Ativan, which immediately helped. Well, I was having face, nose, and lip numbness and severe dizziness, so they upped my dose to 40 mg now. I feel like it kinda helps, but yet I'm getting numbness and dizziness again. Plus, I can't understand why they prescribe medicine for anxiety if it can cause anxiety? And does this medicine do this to anyone else??? Numb, nose, face, and vertigo... shaky? And my body is cold as ever to the touch. Any advice, please..."

• CPT...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 7, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "Never made me happy but made the little things not so unbearable. Used to obsess over small problems to the point of immobility. Better now but not a cure. I have been on it for about 4 years and it feels like it's getting less effective. It really helped the first few months to a year. Now I'm not sure, but I do notice if I miss a pill I am very angry and anxious the entire day."

• Pro...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2023

For Major Depressive Disorder "I had a great Prozac experience. Before taking it, I was severely depressed and very anxious, underweight, and had a lot of trouble sleeping, with suicidal ideation and very little will to live or do the things I usually like to do. I almost gave up on Prozac in the first few weeks, as it seemed to make my anxiety and insomnia worse and made me need to pee all the time. However, after 4.5 weeks of 20 mg, my nervous system started to calm down, and slowly I felt happy and well again, and I could sleep again - what a relief! The anxiety all but disappeared. I didn't experience any kind of numbing or negative effect on my sex drive. After 6 months, I decided to taper off, and I'm happy to say that I didn't really have any side effects, and after a month, I am still feeling happy and well, have a healthy weight, and sleep soundly. Everyone's experience is unique, but Prozac, along with the support of people around me and a healthy lifestyle, saved me. Don't give up."

• Aha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 6, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Fluoxetine: the 24th day. I feel a little change. I'm on day 25. I think it will take some more time for full effect, so I'm good. The first 23 days were very tough because I always woke up with anxiety attacks and suicidal thoughts, but on the 24th day, it's gone and I feel better. Don’t quit, it’s seriously working. This is the best decision I have made in my life. Fact: it takes time and gets worse before better, and takes time to be fully effective. Love for those sharing their experiences, these reviews helped so much. I'm so thankful to all."

• Nan...
• January 22, 2020

For Depression "Had to quit after just a few days. First couple of days felt calm. I yawned a lot. Day three I started to feel anxious and reclusive, and by day four, full-on dark thoughts and manic behavior. This is not for me. No way."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2018

For Panic Disorder "30-year-old guy (active, good job, college-educated). I’m here to tell you this medicine worked for me — FOR SURE. I take just 10 MG at night. I also take TIME RELEASE Xanax every evening before bed (0.5 MG). The combo of the two has reduced my anxiety, panic, racing thoughts by 85%-90%. One year ago, I was in the same place as you likely are. Looking for any solution and upset, thinking nothing could help my almost nightly panic attacks. Everyone is different with this sorta stuff. However, GIVE THIS A TRY if you are on the fence. You owe it to yourself. And don’t worry, with your doctor's permission, you can probably still enjoy a few drinks here and there. Personally, I still enjoy a few cups of coffee each day (probably shouldn’t), and I also enjoy a glass or two of wine a few nights weekly. Take your doctor’s advice."

• MDA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "I am a male in my early 20s. I suffer from major depression, anxiety, and occasional panic. I started Prozac 20 mg and am now in my 5th week of treatment. The first 2 weeks, I felt no relief and suffered from side effects such as fatigue, anxiety, and disrupted sleep patterns. At the beginning of the 3rd week, I began to feel a noticeable difference. My thoughts became less negative, I just felt less depressed/anxious than usual, and the side effects have almost gone away. Then, into my 3rd/4th week, I began to feel better and better each day. It seems much more gradual than other antidepressants. Now, into my 5th week, I do feel MUCH better. However, it is still early for me, and I have had one setback caused by excessive alcohol/marijuana use. Overall, stick with it!"

• Anonymous
• September 29, 2015

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking generic Prozac 20 mg for 17 days now, 10 mg for 10 days before that. I have been reading all of the comments and am starting to have hope! My anxiety has increased a lot since I started this, I take Ativan when needed, which is every day! Other than the daily panic attacks, I don't seem to have any side effects, which is great! I've been thinking that maybe this drug is not for me, but after reading other people's experiences, I will ride it out and hope that everything works out after I'm on it for 6-8 weeks. Hoping and praying it does cause I need my life back!"

• Amb...
• December 11, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I started taking Prozac 9 days ago. I had my first ever panic attack 2 days ago in which I thought I wasn't going to live. Since the panic attack, I haven’t been able to sleep, eat, or drink. I haven't stopped thinking about dying once. So for these 2 days, I have been throwing up, nervous feeling in my tummy, dizziness, feeling scared and panic, and it hasn’t stopped. It’s been here constantly. I’ve spoken to my doctor and my counselors, and they said to ride it out. But I’m not going to do that. I had a suicidal thought last night, which has never happened for me. I’ve had to move in with my mom for the next couple of days so I’m not alone because I’m that scared of dying. I hope that after the tablets leave my system, I’m back to my old ways. I just don’t know what to do or say to anyone anymore. Doctors have even had to give me diazepams so I can stay calm, and half the time, they only work for around 15-20 minutes, all of this is torture. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS."

• Anonymous
• February 3, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "Prozac (10 mg) worked great for my depressive symptoms. I had energy and was motivated. I had no issues with weight gain or my sex drive. It did, however, significantly increase my anxiety. I had scary obsessive, intrusive thoughts, along with bad episodes of panic that came out of nowhere. I was scared to drive, go over bridges-there was always this fear of 'what if?' Everything that I could be anxious about, I was. I had a very difficult time quieting my mind, and at times I thought I was going crazy. Very scary experience overall. For those suffering from depression, I'm sure this RX is a godsend, but much too 'speedy' for my body."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2022

For Depression "I was very hopeful for Prozac as it helped my friend. But this hope was quickly squashed in a few weeks. Here’s why: turned my insomnia into extreme insomnia—being wide awake at 3 am. Impossible to sleep. Months later, still have issues with sleep. Turned my anxiety into extreme anxiety. I didn’t have panic attacks. Now I did all the time. It made me very sensitive to light. Now, six months later, I see halos around light. Gave me tinnitus. This is a constant ringing in the ears, from the moment I wake to the moment I sleep. I still have this! Gave me very bad brain fog. I would go into the kitchen, have no clue why or what I needed. If these things sound good to you, take it. But if you value your eyes, ears, your sleep, and don’t want non-stop anxiety, I wouldn’t give this poison to my worst enemy!!"

• lir...
• January 5, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I started to take Prozac several months back to get off Effexor. It really made that transition smooth. I take 20 mg every other day. I find it helps with anxiety, but not enough to wean off Klonopin. I know I'm normally oversocial, and Prozac makes me antisocial. I don't mind because I'm only antisocial with people I don't need to be associated with. I believe my ability to orgasm has improved from Effexor to Prozac. I tend to sleep more than I should, but it's better than tossing and turning. My motivation is at an all-time low right now, I don't know if it's the Prozac or work. I gained weight initially, but it's coming off slowly and evening out. I would recommend Prozac, it's not as feeling/responsibility numbing as other meds."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2012

For Depression "If you're reading this, you're probably wondering the same thing I was... when will I get better? Feel normal again? Prozac has brought me my life back. I'm a 25-year-old who has struggled my whole life with clinical depression. You name it: anxiety, nervousness, paranoia. I take 20 mg a day paired with 15 mg of Adderall for my ADHD. I feel great, and I can actually function now."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2012

For Depression "If you're reading this, you're probably wondering the same thing I was... when will I get better? Feel normal again? Prozac has brought me my life back. I'm a 25-year-old who has struggled my whole life with clinical depression. You name it: anxiety, nervousness, paranoia. I take 20 mg a day paired with 15 mg of Adderall for my ADHD. I feel great, and I can actually function now."

• ril...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 6, 2016

For Depression "Prozac was the first antidepressant I was ever put on, and it never really helped me. I couldn't eat normally for several weeks, kept throwing up, and while waiting for the side effects to go away, my doctor gave me a higher dose, and my anxiety seemed to get even worse. About a month in, my suicidal thoughts got worse, and I just got reckless with my life because I felt like nothing mattered. After an intervention with my friends, I decided to just stop taking it cold turkey, and I really didn't experience that bad of withdrawal effects, I was just glad I wasn't taking it anymore. I would say it made me the most suicidal I'd been in a long time, and while it may work wonders for some people, it just did not work with me."

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 14, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "Prozac has changed my life for the better. Throughout my teen years, I really struggled with general anxiety, and it only got worse. I’ve been taking 30 mg for 4 months now. I can finally “be a normal person” and go out with my friends again, socialize effectively, etc. Prozac not only helped my anxiety, but it has helped me keep my home clean instead of getting overwhelmed by cleaning. I will say, starting this medication heightened my anxiety, I had trouble sleeping, appetite went away, but luckily those have all subsided."

• Diz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 14, 2016

For Depression "Been on Prozac before and worked well. Left it too long before seeking help this time, never felt this bad, extreme anxiety, depression, feelings of doom, and obsessive racing thoughts. First week in and making me worse, but this is to be expected, I guess. Docs upped them to 30 mg, so will see what happens. Cry all morning, wake early sweating and anxious, feel sick, lost a lot of weight. Want my life back."

• lul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2017

For Depression "I used Prozac in the past for 3-9 months twice and had no side effects apart from some headaches for a few weeks. Now I have been on it again for 3 weeks and this time I am suffering SEVERE side effects. Physical ones include heavy fogginess/head pressure, sleeplessness, muscle tension, blurred vision, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Mentally, I have also worsened. Anxiety is really high, especially in the mornings, feelings of hopelessness, an inability to cope with life, suicidal thoughts (that I never really had before), inability to focus/read, and feel motivated. Now at 3 weeks, I have some moments in the afternoon of feeling calmer, but it is rather unpleasant numbness. I hope it improves going forward, but it has been very tough."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2012

For Depression "I'm 16 and have been on Prozac for about 3 months, and I must say that it's a great antidepressant. There are very few side effects for me, including an upset stomach, feeling anxious, and a few others which kept improving over time. This medicine really helped me deal with my depression. Many symptoms, like inability to maintain concentration, panic attacks, losing control, brain fog, hopelessness, extreme negativism, and fear of death, improved within 2 weeks and kept improving onward. I'm still on it, and I just love it, and I think it can help anyone with depression. With the pace of time, Prozac really helped me stay positive about everything. Sometimes I feel like I have already overcome my depression. It's really helpful."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2015

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "First week was hell, more anxiety and panic attacks. Had to leave work early one day for the anxiety, also left a family event early. But now... starting second week and starting to feel like myself again! As long as things continue this way, will be happy on this drug! Without the first week's side effects would give it a 10."

• Kez...
• February 5, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I had a baby a few months back and have been experiencing a bit of post-natal depression with anxiety. My doctor prescribed these Prozac, and I started them 4 days ago. I just yawned a lot the first few days, and last night I had such bad anxiety and sweating and felt completely out of it. I feel worse taking these tablets. I don't know if I should carry on. Do you have to feel worse to feel better, or do these not agree with me?"