Fluoxetine and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Loo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 16, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Only going into week four, however... I have left my house more in the past ten days than I have in the past several months. Starting to clean the house, to the amazement of my family, lol. Also amazing how much better the children and husband respond when I'm not biting their heads off every time they approach. First week... just plain felt weird, kind of emotionless or with increased anxiety. Second week almost the same, almost decided to quit taking it. After two weeks of obsessing and reading probably every review in existence online of fluoxetine, I decided I was going to stick it out for a minimum of six weeks. Boy... am I glad I did. I haven't functioned this well for about fifteen years."

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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2024

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I can't begin to tell you how much Prozac changed my life for the better. I have done so many things I dreamed of doing but was held back because of my crippling OCD/anxiety. It was destroying my life. I started on 10mg of fluoxetine for 6 weeks and felt a little better at the 5-week mark. I then went up to 20mg and have stayed at this dose for 3 months. I literally feel so much better - my personality hasn't changed, I feel more myself than ever, just without the horrible anxiety and intrusive thoughts that I used to have constantly. First 3 weeks I was super anxious, sweating more than usual, had no appetite (can't complain), and just felt out of it. I feel great at this dose without many side effects. You have to stick with it - it's so worth it even though it takes long, just trust. I tried a few meds before this and couldn't handle getting on them. Things will get better. I can't believe I'm writing this! Stay strong, you will beat this. I also have previously done ERP alongside the meds."

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• che...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 16, 2025

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been taking fluoxetine for around 5 years on and off. This past year my mental health was at an all-time low, battling alcohol addiction and not being consistent with the medication. Now on a dose of 40mg, must take daily. This truly is important to be taken each day as I have found this is so important, and you will find a shift in mood if you miss days. I wouldn't say I'm cured, but life doesn't seem so bad, and I do not drink alcohol anymore, I feel much more balanced. Side effects not any really, but when starting the medication it gave me bad anxiety, but now that has gone away."

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

Fluoxetine 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!"

• Gre...
• February 15, 2016

Fluoxetine 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!"

• Cla...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2018

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I wasn’t sure if I had PMDD or whether it was anxiety and depression being made worse by my hormones each month. I made a chart/diary going back four months and showed my doc. It was clear that most months my symptoms were happening a week leading up to my period and a few days during ovulation. My doctor wanted me to take 10-20 mg, but I’d read a study which said taking just 2 mg had a good effect on PMDD. My doctor agreed it was a good idea to try this first, and it has actually worked! It worked immediately, which is another sign it’s PMDD. This month I didn’t even see my period coming. Usually, I get very anxious and depressed, but this month has been amazing. I take the liquid form, so 2 mg = 0.5 ml. Apparently, it helps regulate the Allo Pregnenolone steroid, which comes from progesterone. I really hope things stay this good, and my husband is VERY relieved too! I'm now wondering whether to take it every morning or just the week before."

• Ano...
• October 19, 2020

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Bal...
• January 29, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "I am a senior manager in health care, and was debilitated by anxiety, panic, ruminating, procrastinating, low mood, etc. I started fluoxetine and planned to increase from 5 mg up to the required initial dose of 20 mg. I insisted on liquid suspension to allow me to adjust my own dose gradually. Using a syringe, I can accurately administer just 5 mg. After 6 weeks, I've found 5 mg is absolutely enough dose to remove the anxieties I had been trying to live and work with. I've also incorporated meditation, yoga, stopped alcohol, included walking in nature, and decluttered a few friends! I feel it important to build up a self-help sustaining toolbox as well as chemicals. It has been a revelation. I'm so much more balanced, and that has improved all aspects of my life. There is evidence base that for some people, 5 mg can be an adequate dose due to the long half-life of this particular SSRI."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Have been on fluoxetine for a year and a half now for anxiety and stress. The first month was awful. I had every side effect symptom in the book and almost got off of it several times throughout those 30 days. Pushed through, and I am now so happy! I've taken 10 mg ever since. I will try to wean off within the next few months as I am feeling great. Don't give up, it takes time, it will happen, you will feel better. Keep pushing!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 3, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Have been on fluoxetine for a year and a half now for anxiety and stress. The first month was awful. I had every side effect symptom in the book and almost got off of it several times throughout those 30 days. Pushed through, and I am now so happy! I've taken 10 mg ever since. I will try to wean off within the next few months as I am feeling great. Don't give up, it takes time, it will happen, you will feel better. Keep pushing!"

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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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

Fluoxetine 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."

• Mis...
• July 26, 2017

For Hot Flashes "I totally agree with using this drug. I am going through menopause and have had blood taken to make sure I am. After talking to the doctor, she upped my dose from 20 to 40 mg, as every third week I was very anxious and totally forgetting things, not sleeping, overthinking, and just feeling down and less confident-a horrible feeling. I had sweats, but not too bad, as I was already on fluoxetine, but once a month, things got worse. It's saved me and my relationship and leveled things out for me. Don't leave it, us women shouldn't suffer from menopause... go ask for help."

• Pro...
• October 10, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I don’t even like taking a paracetamol (acetaminophen), so I had to be desperate to go on these. I woke up one day with the most disabling anxiety, my world didn’t feel like reality anymore, and I felt like I was stuck in a real-life nightmare. I couldn’t talk to anyone, couldn’t go to work, everything felt distorted and like I'd gone completely insane. I started on sertraline and didn’t make it past the first few days. It got so bad after that, I couldn’t see a way out of that dark hole, and I felt I couldn’t possibly live like that another day. I then went back and got propranolol and fluoxetine. The first 5 days were horrific, everything felt so much worse, but I literally had nothing to lose at this point, so I persevered. I am so glad I did, as a month in and up to 20mg a week ago, I felt normal for the first time in about 3 months. I promised I would write a review if I got out of the other end of this. It will get better."

• Lov...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "So I’ve been on fluoxetine 10 mg for 13 days now. Week 2 has been my worst anxiety/panic days. I wake up feeling so bad: anxiety, no appetite, headache in the evening, and some diarrhea. It’s so scary, I’m so close to stopping the med, but what gives me hope is seeing the reviews here... so I’ll keep pushing and come back for another review. Fingers crossed for a better tomorrow..."

• Mar...
• January 26, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "After a month of debilitating anxiety that was interrupting my daily life severely, I got back on Prozac with a side of Lorazepam to help during attacks. The first week was awful, worsening anxiety, little sleep, waking up to panic attacks. I called my therapist and told her I couldn’t go on like this, but I knew my kids needed me. She let me know the side effects (which I must have not experienced when I was younger or forgotten about), so I hung on for a couple more days and went for a very hard run, and all of a sudden, it felt like a massive weight lifted off me. I figured I was just getting some endorphins and knew my anxiety would come back in a couple of hours, but it never did. I’m on day 3 of being 97% anxiety-free. I say 97 because I can still feel it creep mostly in the morning, but it just kinda passes now. It’s very liberating, and I can enjoy my family and children again. Very effective if you can make it through the initial storm. Hang in there, you can do it."

• Nan...
• January 22, 2020

Fluoxetine 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."