Yesterday was my 3rd day taking 20mg of Prozac prescribed by the doctor for depression and major anxiety and panic attacks. I am 19 years old. The first day was okay, couldn't sleep well but that's all. 2nd day was good but woke up feeling anxious. Went to the restroom and had a panic attack. Upon awaking I instantly felt anxious, my chest felt really tight and tingly so I hopped in the shower and it went away. 3rd day on Prozac was really good. I had tons of energy and wasn't real anxious during the day but then came night fall. I fell asleep just fine but woke up 1 hour later and had the same symptoms as night 2 but worse. I dont know if this is just a normal side effect and if it will go away but it's really unpleasant and I hope it goes away. Does anyone else expirience this?
3rd day I taking Prozac... Why am I feeling like this?
Question posted by Socalhunni19 on 27 Feb 2012
Last updated on 16 August 2021
17 Answers
I'm on day 2 of Fluoxetine and the first day was pretty good... felt okay, maybe a little anxious at times. Day 2 was okay until around 3pm (I took the pill at 11am). I'm anxious and keep getting hot flashes... It's the weirdest thing.
The first two weeks back on Prozac after going off for nine months were really tough for me. So don’t get discouraged if it gets worse. It will get better.
Thanks for answering <3 It can definitely be discouraging when you already feel crappy and then a medication makes you feel worse. I'm going to keep chugging along though and hope these feelings subside!
I am back on Prozac after being off it about a year. I also used to use the generic by Sandoz. I’ve only been on this new medication (10 mg) for a week. It’s been a rough week and I pray it will get better. I know that when it does kick in, I feel completely normal and, most important, happy. I hate the sexual side effects and it may or may not be tough on your hair.
Is there really a difference with the brand name and if so, how is it different? Thanks.
I’ve been using fluoxetine (generic Prozac) and it has worked well for me.
I just switched back to the brand name Prozac pills (20mg) after a nightmare when Sandoz quit producing the generic Fluoxetine... I now have propranolol and lorazepam for breakthrough anxiety so I can sleep and deal with the anxiety I have gotten from switching all the generic brands... 3 days into the real Prozac from Eli Lily and I am starting to feel some of the other symptoms finally lift... I know it’s early, but I am extremely hopeful and I have been through a nightmare the last 10 days. I honestly have never known what a panic attack or anxiety felt like until recently... and with the MRI ruling out a late phase concussion it is nothing more than the change in manufacturers of my medication... I hate the drug companies for puting profit before the people who are taking their medications... I am
Lucky I have a lot of support and financial resources... what happens to the people who don’t???
From the literature on Drugs.com and from the product insert that was included with your prescription:
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/prozac-side-effects.html
"Some side effects of fluoxetine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine."
"Side effects have been reported to be generally mild and transient. They are most common during the first 2 weeks of treatment and decrease in intensity and frequency with continued treatment. They generally do not lead to treatment cessation."
"Sleep, energy, or appetite may show some improvement within the first 1-2 weeks. Improvement in these physical symptoms can be an important early signal that the medication is working. Depressed mood, anxiety, and lack of interest in activities may need up to 6-8 weeks to fully improve."
I was on 40mg of prozac my doc increase to 80mg I feel worse this is my first week on increase will I start getting better and will bad symptoms stop? Thanks any help
Yes, you just doubled your dose and it will take time for your body to adjust. Usually not longer than 1-2 weeks, so you should be in the homestretch!
Thanks for the feedback
Is it normal when u increase your dose like me 40 to 80mg to feel worse the first week I up my dose really appreciate the help
Yes, it's normal for the first week or two... but it should get better every day! You'll be fine soon now.
Thanks
I am having those same symptoms RIGHT NOW. I took my 5th pill today & right now I feel like I can't breathe. Like it's hard to take a deep breath. And my anxiety level is so high right now. I need to take a Xanax but I take sleep meds so I can't. I don't like feeling this way at all. I have to take 1 20mg capsule once for 2 weeks, I have a week to go. Then I have to take 2 a day after that. Can anyone tell me how long this feeling will last because I don't like this at all.
Yes I felt like that the first two weeks I was on Prozac. It does pass, and after a month you will definitely feel less anxious. Just give it time.
Heyitsdani, thank you so much for answering me. Today I took my Prozac in the morning instead of afternoon so if I need my Xanax I can take one. But what I did to hopefully ward off a panic attack all together is I took 1mg of Xanax with my Prozac, and so far I feel much better than I did last night. I guess that's how I need to do it. Next week when I go to 40mg of Prozac I'll take 2mg of Xanax. I hope it works out, because I realize I really do need the Prozac and Xanax. Anyway, thanks.
That’s good. Good luck with your health ❤️
Hey I lost my mom in 2014 and I can tell I was different but had to stay strong for my kids. Just this year February I found out my only daughter has stage for cancer at the age of 24. I started having bad panic attacks and depression. I was on 10mg of prozac and .5 of xanax. But today my doctor placed me on 20mg which I start tomorrow. I really need it. I feel nervous alot cant sleep and feel as if I'm ready to snap on ppl. I hope and pray the 20mg prozac works for me. Please keep me and my daughter in ur prayers. This depression and anxiety isn't no joke.
Mrs Lee007
Any one have sleeping problems please don’t take Prozac make your sleep very bad
HI yes it's ok feeling like this it will settle down just your body getting used to the drug it took me a couple of weeks before feeling better persevere with Prozac I started taking it for depression when my brother died . I do feel much better now take care
Pinkypig; Yes it was very smart of you to go to another doctor to find out. After being on the Prozac for as long as you have been on it. My guess is some have a hard time coming off of the Prozac and if you have heard of SADS where many people suffer worse in the winter time. And to be honest with you after 16 to 20 years of taking the Prozac why try to take you off of it at all. As long as your not having problems with it. I just thank God they finally found something that was helping I am a strong believer in many of us having a chemical imbalance and these newer medications have been like a miracle to us.
Anyway depending on how you feel in the summertime, But anyway again good for you that you had this checked by another doctor and please feel free to come back anytime if we can help you in any way Chuck1957 But I missed the part I started to say is the SADS is the one when the days get shorter and makes your moods swings even worse due to lack of daylight, But there are many reasons, And it is not good to stop any of these during these hard time. Best of luck to you. Chuck.
I took Prozac for 17 years and had no problems my dr did an update on my prescriptions and took me off in sept of this year l felt anxious went back to a different dr and she told me it's wrong time of year to come off Prozac so she put me back on it love got mild anxiety but hopefully it'll be back to normal . Wish I'd kept on it i.ve been feeling crap .
Pinkypig6 I’m in the same situation. I tool fluoxetine for about 15 years and went off last April. It was a bad idea and now I just started on it again last week. I’m feeling more anxiety than I ever had. I’m hoping to get back to my normal self in a few weeks. How are you feeling now?
Hi, I came across your post... 5.5 years later!! I was curious how things turned out? My daughter recently got on Prozac and is having terrible side effects like you describe... but she's only 14 and special needs. She isn't able to communicate what she's experiencing very clearly but I know she is suffering. I'm wondering how long it took for you to "get clear" where you weren't having the side effects. Also, if you don't mind my asking, are you still taking the medication. Thanks!
I just started 10mg of Prozac, but stopped after only day 2, because I had a few moments at work where I felt confused as to what I was doing, and then had a small panic attack. It's been day 3 off the medicine and I feel so depressed, and like I'm dumb that I feel like I cant function correctly. Crying, fear, the whole nine yards. Is this a reaction I should see my doctor right away for, and/or should I give the Prozac another try?
I feel prozac right after I take it. Onthe 30th day it stops working. I stop getting high off it. Like clean tweaking. You can't sleep but sometimes it feels good laying there. Its a drug . keeps you occupied . I don't recommend it you'll get nerve pain in your legs but it does help get over night stress seasons. It Makes your teeth clinch like drugs. When it stops working they'll up your dose... Then the anxiaty gets worse... Good luck bro
Yes, I agree with the people who have already posted, that these are symptoms that are not unusal for individuals starting an antidepressant. But I would like to add one caveat, I think I would at least call my doc and let them know about the changing symptoms you are having. One has to be especially vigilant when beginning a new med of this type becaue if you are depressed, this medication can cause what I like to call "the rubber band effect". This needs to be watched for carefully as, while one may feel the depression start to lift, you may start to do and feel the exact opposite of depression and get really happy, called mania or docs may have another name for it (ultimate happiness?). That is what happened to me and my doc told me he needed to know how I feel, and if I am having any problems to call him, he even gave me his home phone number (I thought that was really nice, too and I did call when I needed to).
I am 56 now and was first diagnosed major depressive disorder when I was 13 years old, so I've been around the block, as so many other wonderful people on here that will try to help you.
And we all need our sleep. Sleep deprivation in itself causes a whole mirasmus of unpleasantness. The longer we go without a good nights sleep, the more sleep deprived we become, and with me anyway, the more depressed I become. I really hate that. So, I think talking to your doc is the first thing I would want to do. Maybe the doc will want to prescribe you something for those aweful anxiety and panic attacks (I used to think my heart was trying to jump out of my chest or I had just finishd running a 100 mile marathon all uphill... sweaty, then chills... aweful).
Communication between the doctor and you, the patient, is most important, especially right now, as you are trying to be stabilized and have all of your symptoms dealt with as they arise. How can the doctor help you if you don't tell him/her everything that is going on with you, what is changing, what is getting worse and how you are sleeping. So, please call the doctor's office and tell them (at the office and get the person's name when you talk to them) that the doctor NEEDS to know this about you and you are a NEW patient on NEW MEDICATIONS). I'm being emphatic because it is important.
Go Forth and Prosper and Peace Out,
The Sweetest Roundish Happiest Crazy Hippie,
Laura
PS Write me anytime, I have walked many miles in your flip flops!
Hello there! Thank you for your response. I have a good report to give! I slept all night! Wohooooo! I have always wondered how someone acted during a manic episode and there it was! Last night I had a bipolar patient(I'm an Emt) go to the ER and I'm happy to report I do not feel like that. I feel like my brain fog has gone away some, I have more energy but not too much. However It hasn't been long enough to feel the full effect so we shall see! Thank you all for your wonderful responses. I am really enjoying this "community" feeling :)
1 more question. Did any ones anxiety get much worse when you lost someone you love? I lost my mom at age 17.
P.s I am still going to call my doctor and tell him how I felt the first 3 days.
I think u r allowed to feel anyway u want to after losing your, mom. That is a terrible time in your life. I am so sorry. Please take care of yourself.
Peace,
The Sweet Hippie
Does anyone take Flecainide (drug for heart arrthymias) and Prozac together? I have anxiety, panic disorder and depression. This causes me to have afib so I must take Flecainide (or any other anti-arrthymias drug) to avoid going to ER to be defibrillated. I was on Prozac prior to heart problems and it worked wonders. Dr told me I could take low dose Prozac but I would need to be monitored as any anti-depressant drugs are taboo with my current med. I'm going to take the low dose to save my sanity but wondered if anyone else had the same experience. Thank You.
Because of my Doctors concern for the symptoms you are describing he put me on Trazadone at night and I never had the night time trouble you are describing. If I am not mistaken Trazadone is for anxiety, however, it was hard to shake myself out of the sleepiness in the morning.
Trazadone is just another of the older antidepressants brand name Desyrel (I think, not sure of spelling, but something similar) with the most unpleasant side effect of sleepiness. OMG.) If you are still taking it for sleep, just try taking it an hour earlier... I finally figured that out after a year... can we say DUH in three part harmony... funny how our minds work sometimes... and it is great to be alive.
Peace and Love and Happiness,
The Sweetest Happiest Hippie
I also take trazedone to sleep. It is a mood stabilizer, helps for anxiety and helps to sleep according to the Dr I have. I took Prozac for quite some time. After having a reaction between meds they had me on I was taken off. It has been at lest 4 yrs I have been off. Today is day 2 of starting again hoping for help with bulimia and to lose weight.
Also I have a hard time waking up if I don't get at least 8-10 hrs of sleep. And most often if I wake during the night my mind spins and I don't get back to sleep. However those effects I can deal with because I need sleep!
My DC friends are correct. Give it some time. I know its hard, we have all been there. Feel free to contact us if you need us. We have a good thing going on here at DC. Great people!! Stay strong and God Bless - Nena
Thank you all. If I have any questions I will post. I feel okay today. The prob is with nights. Does anyone have a recommendation for a sleeping aid? Or should I wait it out? I am an Emt and need to be rested for work:)
I make me a cup of chammomile with tyelenol pm when I can't sleep. I've heard melatonin works, but I haven't tried it.
Melantonin worked better than any script. Buy emergenc sleepeze new product, works well, no hangover. If not getting energy from prozac aftet month 20 mg, shud i up my dose
I am the same on my 5th day of Fluoxotine 20mg and I feel terrible getting very anxious all the time and panic attacks all through day and night feel sick cant eat and only managed 2 hours sleep last night I hope this goes away
I have taken Lexapro for years, but it disrupted my sleep. Just prescribed prosac while in the last 4 weeks in MST classes. Very anxious/ panic attacks.
Many life traumas are effecting me. Xanax helps periodically.
Will this help or get better?
Im on 6 weeks still feeling sick headaches and all
Related topics
prozac, depression, anxiety, panic disorder, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, sleep, doctor
Further information
- Prozac uses and safety info
- Prozac prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prozac (detailed)
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.
