Question posted by Stephaniek123 on 17 Jan 2017
Last updated on 17 October 2021 by Dicky61
Hello!
I have been on fluoxetine for less than a week but I am feeling so awful. I went on medicines cause of my anxiety and the side effects make me feel worse than I did before --I would rather have daily panic attack than feel tired all day and night and waking up at night at up at 4am for good- unable to go back to sleep. I'm headachy and feel like I'm walking in a fog - not a high dose - only 20mg but I'm so worried these side effects won't go away! Thanks
Please give the medication a chance give it 6 week's it should start working after 6 week's it worked for me i am a 60 year old male.
Unfortunately with SSRI drugs like Prozac, the first 2 to 3 weeks are the worst in terms of side effects such as you mention. Still, if they are intolerable you should alert your doctor.
It takes your body some time to adjust to the presence of the drug. There are receptors in the synapses of your nerve cells which modulate during this time period.
Many patients report feeling very good after this adjustment period. Patients are encouraged to try to tough out this initial adjustment period if at all possible.
You should talk to your doctor about your symptoms however.
Thanks so much! I am feeling so much better now ! Not worried about every little thing ! Some days yes but mostly I feel good
So glad to hear it! I am a pharmacist and know many people who have taken this drug for several years and are doing fine now. I am happy to hear you are feeling better now.
Thanks so much everyone ! I do feel amazing today! A tiny bit groggy but happy and I slept ok the last couple nights
Hi Stephanie, I wanted to add my own experience for you to consider. I have tried several options to assist me with anxiety and depression. I read a lot and I have become my own advocate for my health and body. I have found that is most important. I have had good doctors that explain thoroughly with compassion and some no so good doctors that write prescriptions too easily. I congradulate you on taking steps to live well and joyous. We all can and should stop at nothing to find what works best for us individually. Prozac has helped me tremendously, 10mg. I never ever felt foggy or any side effects for that matter. Please listen to your own intuition , stay in tune with your thoughts, feelings, sleep or lack of and keep notes. Speak to your doctor about every little question you have and if you feel you are not being heard there are many other doctors. Connect with one you truly like. My understanding has always been to not force a medicine that you feel changes your personality.
There are many other options for you to try if you give yourself the time, you are worth your time !! I am not suggesting you stop Prozac, and certainly do not stop abrubtly should you decide. Simply, listen to your intuition and follow it. Keep taking good care of you! God Bless.
Are you still on it? How is Prozac worming for you?
Stephaniek; What you are saying is all normal when you first start and really your a good way through the worst part you have been on it a week and With this medicine the first 2 weeks is when you feel the worst and the things it's supposed to help they even get worse but by the second week slowly they get better.
Then continue taking it about the same time each day and slowly you should start to notice that it is working if this is going to be the medication for you. It's hard but we have to deal with it to get to a better place just remember these effects do go away. and by the time you have been on it for 6 to 8 weeks, you reach the full blood level. But anyway another week or so you should be feeling a bit better and if it gets to bad talk to the doctor sometimes they can give you something to help you get through the increase in symptoms that you're feeling. Please hang in there and hope you feel much better soon.
If you have been on it less than a week, it should not be affecting you. It takes 4 weeks for the medicine to work. The side effects would come gradually. It sounds like anxiety and it takes time for the medicine to work.
Hi Stephanie-
It is the nature of the beast to feel worst before better on some of the antidepressants. If you feel you can handle the side effects for another week or two, it may get better. It is a fine balance to find a med that works for all symptoms. It is trial and error and waiting and waiting and waiting.
I hope you feel better soon.
prozac, anxiety, fluoxetine, side effect
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