Fluoxetine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2012

Fluoxetine for Depression "What a life saver! And I mean that in the very literal sense. I've now been taking 20mg of Prozac for about 18 days. The first week was hell. I couldn't sleep, I felt more depressed, anxious, and panicky than before. Nauseous and disorientated. But I stuck with it. Only now that I'm starting to feel better do I start to realize how incredibly unwell and out of control I've been for so long. I'm now starting to feel like I have my brain back and am in possession of rational thoughts again!"

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2020

Fluoxetine for Depression "This is great! I have been depressed since my divorce and have tried other antidepressants. This really works. Prozac even gives me energy in the morning! The only problem is that it gives me anxiety, so maybe it’s good to get you out of the depression, or maybe I need a lower dose."

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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!"

• Anx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "About four months ago my anxiety became very bad, which eventually led to me becoming depressed. I spent my days in bed, crying and anxious. I had to take time off work, and my social life became non-existent. I was eventually put on Fluoxetine at 20mg and then eventually put on 40mg. The side effects I had were extreme tiredness, strange dreams, and an increase in anxiety, which went away after about four weeks. So if you're having side effects, hang in there as it can take anywhere from 4-8 weeks for this medication to work. My side effects went away, and three months after taking this medication, I'm a completely different person. I'm motivated, my anxiety has eased so much, and my depression has gone. It has given me my life back!"

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

Fluoxetine 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."

• bus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2019

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was having the worst irritability with my PMS, especially on the 7th or 10th day before my period started. Felt like I was being a terrible monad wife, just felt so angry and grouchy. Thank God my doc helped me by giving me Prozac for the symptoms. My irritability disappeared, and when she followed up with me, I said, 'I can't believe how nice I am!', which is kind of depressing in itself, but it illustrates how terrible I felt before. No more grouchiness with my poor kids. I have been able to lower my dosage to 10 mg, starting 10 days before my period. Feel so great, like a dark cloud has been lifted and I do not dread PMS anymore. I am writing this to encourage other women out there to try this if you are having 'crazy days' before your period! By the way, I did feel some nervousness as a side effect when I first started taking it... was at 20 mg per day, but that has all but gone away. Oh yeah, and it has also helped with my premenstrual headaches."

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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!!"

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2020

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I got fluoxetine prescribed to me for PMDD. My doctor told me I could just take 10 mg a few days before I get my period instead of taking it every day. This was the first time in months (maybe years) that I didn't cry, feel depressed, overthink, feel anxious, nor feel irritable. My only side effect was feeling a little bit jittery the first time I took it, but no big deal. It took me a very long time to get the courage to try an antidepressant for my PMDD, but I'm so glad I did."

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

Fluoxetine 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."