Prozac and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• BSt...
• May 27, 2011

For Anxiety and Stress "This is my second day on Prozac to treat my post-traumatic stress disorder. I've had a little trouble sleeping, some dry mouth, and a definite drop in libido. But you know what? I will take these any day over screaming at my family like a lunatic and feeling completely out of control. These 2 days have been uneventful in that regard, and I give my thanks to Prozac."

• Get...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2019

For Depression "Started this medication on Thursday last week, it is now Tuesday. Have been feeling myself again, really happy, and actually laughing at little things that I hadn’t been weeks ago. Also suffer from anxiety and have felt that I have felt really calm over the past few days and haven’t been worried. Have been finding it a little hard to switch off at night, but the pharmacist said it could interfere with sleep, that will pass. Also, today (day 5) I have been feeling quite nauseous and that I don’t have much of an appetite when usually I eat a lot and always feel hungry. I can only put it down to the tablets. I was warned these could be some symptoms, so I will push through and hopefully, they stay working well for me and the sickness and sleeping improves."

• ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Prozac for a little over a year for depression and anxiety. I'm on 20 mg since I was 14. Personally, I think it was too much for my system when I first started taking it. I was like an ADHD child. Couldn't calm down, jumping around everywhere and could barely sleep at night. With me being a 100 lb, 14-year-old, my mother thought so too. Now that I'm 16, I think this medication isn't working for me anymore. I'm becoming more and more depressed, and my anxiety level is at its highest. I keep having panic attacks also. Prozac was amazing for me up until now, but I do believe that my body has gotten used to this medication. I'm talking to my doctor as soon as possible to maybe raise my dosage."

• Anonymous
• April 1, 2012

For Panic Disorder "I've been hesitant to try Prozac as I didn't want to be a zombie or overly sedated. But after 5 years of dealing with Panic Disorder/Generalized Anxiety and countless antidepressants not working, I decided to give it a try. The first month was pretty rough. I was always tired, my brain was foggy, and I continued to have anxiety. But I stuck with it and after increasing to 30 mg, I felt absolutely NORMAL. I could feel emotions and even a normal amount of anxiety without freaking out. It has also helped with social anxiety. DOWNSIDE - I find it almost impossible to get any deep sleep on this medicine, and no sleep medicine seems to work (I've tried them all)."

• Lay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2019

For Bulimia "I was very hesitant to start on this medication as I have been really active in a recovery program and do what I can to alleviate depression and anxiety through practicing mindfulness and reaching out for help within my social network. But I also suffer from a severe case of bulimia which has persisted for over a decade. First couple of days, side effects were a little intense, no appetite and trouble sleeping for a night or two. But I have to say that this medication is truly helpful for my obsessive preoccupations with weight and food, as well as social anxiety (definitely see why people who have general anxiety would NOT do well on this need, it makes me a bit more uppity) and mood stability. Side effects subsided, and I still work a program of recovery every day. I highly recommend therapy and healthy living practices in conjunction with this medication, it can work!"

• mus...
• March 26, 2013

For Depression "I was on Prozac for 6 weeks, and it made me gain weight and feel numb and apathetic about every aspect of my life. I stopped caring about my work performance, stopped wanting to see friends, had low energy yet trouble falling asleep, and had no sex drive whatsoever. The side effects were more depressing than my life was before."

• 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."

• ocd...
• July 14, 2017

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was reluctant to begin fluoxetine because I'd had a terrible experience when my GP started me on 50 mg of sertraline. Eventually, I ended up going private, and the psych prescribed me Prozac, starting on a really low dose of 10 mg for a week, then 20 mg for 4 weeks, and now 40 mg for the last month. It's been great. Really cut down my intrusive thoughts to basically nothing, concentration is better, I'm enjoying life again! This is also due to a good therapist, but the medication has definitely helped. The main side effect was sleepiness, but having suffered with insomnia on and off for years, it's been great not dreading bedtime anymore. In the first couple of weeks of a new dose, I'd have a bit of brain fog, but other than that, it's been great!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2022

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I am taking Prozac to treat OCD and the anxiety that results from it. A little background: I took 50 mg Sertraline (Zoloft) five years ago for anxiety. It was a difficult ramp-up period. I had dry heaves, drenching night sweats, and no appetite. After about a month, they subsided, and I went up to 75 mg. Zoloft did fix my anxiety, but it left me 'flat.' I wasn’t anxious or sad, but I also never had any joy. It turned me into Mr. Spock. Oddly though, and contrary to so many reviews, my libido went through the roof. I came off Zoloft after about a year and was fine for about 4 years. Now, I’ve been diagnosed with OCD that the prior doc didn’t recognize. Prozac this time. I was nervous for the side effects, but they’ve been minor. Very mild nausea and some insomnia. And, just like Zoloft, increased libido. My OCD and anxiety are lessening. Don’t let negative reviews dissuade you from trying Prozac. Everyone reacts differently."

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 3, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I finally gave in to using Prozac after years of anxiety, but most recently a good 6 months of panic attacks and super intense anxiety with no true reason. My poor kids, they’re young, so they get sick, and I would go into anxious mode as soon as they said something hurt. Head hurt? I was done for… couldn’t eat, couldn’t do anything. Checking in on them every 5 minutes. Then the health anxiety hit me personally, where I googled every different type of cancer for whatever odd thing I found or felt on my body. It took me a good 20 minutes to talk myself out of whatever it was I thought I had. My blood pressure was sky high, I wasn’t sleeping. I gave in… the first two weeks of use weren’t bad except for insomnia. Around week 3, anxiety doubled, but I stuck with it because I had read reviews, and they had stated that. Week 8 and I was back to a normal human. No more constant fear, chest pain, tummy issues. It’s amazing. No bad side effects other than jaw clenching."

• Low...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 8, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Maybe your dose started too high? I was started on 10 mg about a month ago. I had some minor side effects the first week (trouble falling asleep, some neck/shoulder tension, pins and needles in my lower left leg), all have gone away and I am sleeping well and feeling good. The improvement is subtle. I don’t have that continuous on-edge anxious feeling, nor the pit of my stomach feeling, and things sort of roll off my back, which is great. My quality of life has improved. I know this can take 2 months or more to feel full effects, and in that time, people increase dosage instead of practicing patience. Maybe try a lower dose and give it some time. I also take a B complex. Good luck."

• 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."

• Nig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2017

For Depression "I was first put on Wellbutrin at 300 mg, then 450 mg, but that kept me up and I really wasn't feeling much of a difference. The doctor added Prozac 20 mg. For the first 3 days, I could sleep. After that, it feels like I'm coming off a caffeine high as I get very tired, but I never experience a high in energy. I get hot flashes and sweat about 25-30 minutes after taking it, but then it goes away. I yawn all the time. Another thing I've noticed since I've been on it is decreased sexual mood, and ejaculation feels weird, just weird. I'm not emotionless, but sadness, depression, and anger seem to not be present. Decreased appetite and lost a little weight. No other side effects experienced."

• 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!!"

• MRN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Has its ups and downs like all medications. Causes some insomnia, more than normal but still bearable. Only been on it for a week and I’m noticing a slight difference in mood. First few days I was shaking, small tremors. Still pushing on because it’ll help in the long run. And on an added note: decreased sex drive is not happening for me. It’s almost an out-of-body experience! Might change soon, who knows. Stick with the meds with me, we’ll beat this illness together!"

• Lad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I have been on 20 mg of Prozac for about 3 months now. It has really worked for me. I don't have suicidal thoughts anymore and overall feel more functional. I was very anti-psychiatric drugs before taking them myself, but it has really worked in a way that nothing else has. I took 5-HTP, GABA, and tryptophan before the Prozac, and these all helped a lot, but I still felt extremely depressed around my menstrual cycle. Prozac has stopped that. Side effects are that I get hot more easily, sometimes have nausea, and trouble staying asleep through the whole night, but they are completely worth it to me."

• Anonymous
• November 27, 2010

For Anxiety and Stress "Prozac is not for everyone. I was prescribed 10 mg for my anxiety. I felt awesome for about two days on this medicine, then the insomnia, mood swings, and rage set in. It helped my anxiety, but the effects on my mood were absolutely intolerable. I started feeling dizzy and my eyes hurt like I was staring in the sun too long. I think it totally flooded my brain with serotonin and it was like system overload. This is way too strong of a medication for someone with moderate anxiety and not much depression. For someone who is severely depressed, it might help--it definitely boosts energy."

• Tom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 26, 2019

For Depression "Guys, if I could, I would give 0 stars. This drug gave me very dangerous neurological side effects similar to multiple sclerosis. I got twitching of my eyelid and in all my body, I got tremors and also shaking, big insomnia with an effect of weakness and fatigue. Also, I wake up every morning with numbness in my fingers. I stopped using it after 14 days. I found some articles that Prozac may be toxic to your cells in the brain. Horrible. That was my 4th drug for my depression in 3 months. I said enough and no more, these things are very dangerous for your body, even if presented everywhere as a lifesaver. I bought something natural, maca for energy, rhodiola, and ashwagandha, and these seriously work! No side effects!"

• 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."

• Kot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Prozac 10 mg because of my extreme anxiety/brain fog. My first few days on it, I felt good. A bit jittery and some insomnia, but still good, and then after those few days, I started getting insane panic attacks, and I've never had them before. I only took the meds for a week due to the increased anxiety and panic attacks. They say the first two weeks are the hardest, but I couldn't get past the first week. Maybe it'll work for you, but it didn't for me. It made my mind race and made me speak fast. I had insomnia, the shakes, and increased anxiety and panic attacks. Maybe if I would have stuck with it, it would have worked out for me, but getting through the beginning stages just wasn't possible for me."

• Gue...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2019

For Panic Disorder "Prozac made me crazy, 13 days on it, and landed in A&E with seizure-like panic attacks where I couldn’t move my arms or face. After 5 days off, I’m still in the highest anxiety crisis I’ve ever been in. I was prescribed it for panic attacks, but the panic attacks before were nothing as bad as when I started taking Prozac. I ended up with depersonalization mixed with severe panic attacks and insomnia. It gave me problems I never had before. My doctor had to put me on diazepam just to counteract the side effects! This drug may work for some people, but it can cause massive suffering for others, and with its long half-life, it’s not easy to come off."

• Teb...
• April 23, 2012

For Anxiety and Stress "7 months on this for anxiety and overall has been very effective. Significant insomnia, obvious decrease in libido. Back and forth on 10 mg, then 20 mg, and back to 10 mg. I think 20 mg is the best for me, though. Recommend it, but it does take a few weeks to level out and kick in for sure."

• Anx...
• January 2, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Prozac 20 mg daily for crippling anxiety. I had been really struggling to live in the present instead of the past or future for many years. I can confirm what many others here have stated with regards to the amount of time it takes for this medication to build up in your system and work. Week 1, my anxiety and insomnia worsened. By the end of week 2, these side effects are completely gone, and I have a feeling of calm and happiness I have not felt in a very long time. I will continue to use this medication indefinitely. If you do decide to take this medication, stick it out for at least a couple of weeks before you make a decision on if it's right for you!"

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 13, 2017

For Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor switched me from Cymbalta to Prozac after the Cymbalta didn't seem to be working for me any longer. I started out taking 10 mg per day, now I am taking 20 mg per day. I had been taking the Prozac at night before going to bed but noticed I was having a lot more trouble getting to sleep. After reading the dosing information, I realized that I needed to be taking this medication in the morning. So I will start that in the morning by holding off my dose tonight. For the time that I've been taking this medication, I have not had depressive episodes that I was unable to handle, and taking the depression test, it was not as high as it had been in the past. So for now, I will continue this med but just change to taking it in the morn."

• Ama...
• December 15, 2015

For Depression "About 2 years ago, I took 20 mg of Prozac for suspected depression for approx. 4 months. I experienced the slightest lift in my mood for about 3 days during the course of treatment. Otherwise, I experienced severe anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, random bouts of euphoria, and, worst of all, incredibly gruesome nightmares. I have no military experience, and I am not in a medical/emergency field. I have never been exposed to blood/gore through anything except basic cable and an occasional scary movie. But I just want to warn as many people as I can that this drug can cause the most brutal, disgusting nightmares a person can experience. I woke up sweating and crying, trying to scream hysterically. I stopped taking it and never looked back."