Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews (Page 3)

• EmB...
• December 8, 2014

Fluoxetine "I am one of the few people who doesn't suffer from some mixed form of depression & anxiety; I'm straight anxious. I have been on 10-20 mg Prozac for about 7 months now - starting was a little rocky in terms of heightened anxiety, gastrointestinal problems, and nausea, but those leveled off after 3 wks. Now, in conjunction with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and daily mental work, I have to say that this medicine really has helped me get to a place where I can actually implement permanent habits and positive thought cycles and RELAX, whereas before I had a lot of trouble not being stuck as a result of my ruminating, anxiety, fear, guilt, etc. It's also been really great for my marriage, and my husband has been a big teammate. It's been good."

• spi...
• September 20, 2014

Fluoxetine "I have been an anxiety/depression patient for 5 years now. Have taken all kinds of medicines, have had stints of quitting only to fall back on the meds, went medication-free for 3 full months before symptoms began to show again. I can honestly say that FOR ME, Prozac has allowed me to live life. At my worst, I wasn't even able to go in a store even if it was only for one item. Now I can take my kids grocery shopping with no issues. Like I said, FOR ME, this has worked."

• you...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2014

Fluoxetine "Not happy, not sad, just there. Actually not even there... Everything is kind of like a daze. But it feels a lot better than being crazy stressed out all the time and freaking out over trivial things, just I don't feel like myself. But the good thing is I'm living in the moment instead of the past or worrying about the future."

• EL9...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2015

Fluoxetine "I'm currently taking Prozac (Fluoxetine) for severe generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic attacks. I only take 20mg a day, and even though the first month left me with horrendous nausea and weight loss, it subsided after about 25 days. Now, I find that my appetite as a whole has decreased slightly, but the nausea has subsided. My anxiety has improved so much to the point that I'm actually leaving the house for activities other than work, and I'm having conversations with people I'd usually ignore because I'd feel so self-conscious. I've actually had people (that don't know I suffer from anxiety or that I'm taking Prozac (Fluoxetine)) comment on how well I look recently and how happy I appear within myself."

• TAE...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 4, 2023

Fluoxetine "I have battled anxiety (GAD), panic disorder, depression, hypochondria, and OCD for over 10 years. I did not want to be on medication, but you get to a point where you will try anything. My doctor prescribed 10 mg of Prozac. I had no negative side effects, and it took about 8-12 weeks to see full results. I can’t believe what a difference 10 mg can make. I feel 95% normal, and that is a lot when I felt 0% normal. It’s amazing. Don’t be afraid to try a medication if you are suffering."

• doi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2014

Fluoxetine "Prozac has literally saved my life not once but twice! The first was after the birth of my son. I was on 20mg, struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and severe anxiety. Prozac, along with therapy, made it possible for me to live a normal life for almost 5 years. I just recently had a horrible bout with anxiety. I am finally coming out of that nightmare. I had a lot of life stressors that brought on the anxiety and caused the break. As much as I tried, I couldn't come out of it, so my doctor increased my dose to 40mg. I have been on the 40mg for exactly a week today, and I am so excited and cautious to say that when I woke up this morning, my heart wasn't beating out of my chest, and I have been able to enjoy my day!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2013

Fluoxetine "I am starting my 3rd week on Prozac, 20 mg daily. I feel like a new person and am so grateful. I agonized over this choice for weeks, but after 6 months of unbearable anxiety and sadness, then skyrocketing blood pressure, I knew I had to do something. I visited my GP - we did the physical, blood tests, etc. to rule out other factors. It turns out empty nest beginning menopause have done a number on me. The medicine made me feel nauseous, sleepy, like being on cold medicine. On the 10th day, my appetite returned! I don't notice side effects at all anymore. The sadness - 97% gone. The anxiety - 75% gone. I also start visits with a therapist in 2 weeks. Again, I'm grateful to get my life back."

• LIL...
• March 7, 2017

Fluoxetine "I decided to post my experience with Prozac to support others as well. I was suffering from extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Prior to this, I had no prior history of mental disorders, so this was all new to me. It was also interfering with my life, work, and social life. I decided to see a psychiatrist. She recommended Prozac. The first 4 weeks were really tough. I had really bad nausea, constant headaches, felt like my brain was being rewired, felt out of it, and couldn't sleep well. Once I hit the 5th week and beyond, everything started getting better. I have been on Prozac for 4 months and feel like my old self. I feel normal again, all the symptoms are gone, and the anxiety and panic attacks are gone."

• Aj2...
• January 24, 2016

Fluoxetine "I've recently started taking Prozac and have never been on an SSRI before, but have always thought I needed one for my constant worrying thoughts and random depression. I haven't been taking it for very long and already feel like a weight has been lifted. I feel happier and it's easier to get rid of my bad thoughts that previously consumed my life. I feel better than I've ever felt and wish I would have tried it sooner!"

• Low...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2024

Fluoxetine "This really is a wonder drug. I’ve struggled with anxiety for years but never been. I had a few years tablet-free but decided to try Prozac after a big flare-up. I started on 20 mg and the first week was amazing, I felt so clear and my mind was totally free of worry. Then side effects started: headaches, distress, feeling panicked, etc. I went up to 30 mg thinking that was the answer-wrong, had a massive panic attack. So I stopped taking it altogether. This drug has a long half-life, 4-6 days. So after 4 days, when the drug would be around 50% in my body, I started to feel good again. So I started taking 10 mg a day. I now feel amazing: clear mind, no anxiety, more motivation, patient, more engaged in what I’m doing. It’s literally amazing. I found a big study online which showed 56% of people with anxiety respond to a 5 mg dose, yet only 64% respond to 20 mg. So by quadrupling the dose, it only helps 8% more people!"

• Eun...
• October 6, 2013

Fluoxetine "I have been on Prozac 40 mg for 10 weeks now. I feel super great. I was taking Xanax too, but I feel I don't need to take my Xanax anymore. Prozac has been working for me just great! The first week, I was feeling terrible anxiety, numbness in my face, dry mouth, fears. It was crazy, but on the 9th day, I started to feel more focused. So now, it's been 10 weeks, and I feel how I used to feel before, just great. So please, hang in there, give Prozac at least 2 weeks to kick in."

• men...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2013

Fluoxetine "I am going through menopause. I have been crying most days for about a year. I have constant obsessive negative thoughts about myself. I went to the doctor to request HRT. She talked me into Prozac. I was diagnosed with low depression, mid-range anxiety, and high stress. I have only been taking this for 6 days, but already my life has changed. The tears have stopped, I am no longer obsessing about things that might or might not happen. My confidence is back. I am reaching out more socially, and feel once again that life is good. I do, however, eat well and exercise regularly. I don't think anything can counteract a poor diet and no exercise. Hot flashes have also almost disappeared. So far no side effects."

• Jod...
• December 29, 2016

Fluoxetine "I started taking Prozac 9 weeks ago after Mirtazapine stopped working. I was suffering with bad OCD, anxiety, and panic attacks on a daily basis. When I first started on the medication, I thought it would be a miracle drug, however, the side effects were horrendous. For 7 solid weeks, I was a mess. I was depressed (I don't even suffer with depression). I was crying at my desk all the time. I had horrible thoughts, crippling anxiety, would not leave my house, or talk to anyone. The only thing that would get me through the day was Diazepam. I am on 40mg and after 7 weeks, it was like a light turned on, and I have been 'normal' for 2 weeks straight. I am so happy I stuck with it. I know it's hard, but trust me, it's worth it."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 5, 2020

Fluoxetine "Okay, so I was diagnosed with depression a while back, and recently I was put on Prozac. The first couple of days were completely fine, a little bit of nausea and sleepiness, but day 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 have been so hard. I'm talking physically, mentally, I think I'm doing okay, but physically, I have to throw up every morning because of the nausea. I'm not okay until I take the meds and rest for a little bit. The doctors told me that those side effects should disappear today - day 7 - or tomorrow - day 8 - and if they don't, I need to contact him ASAP and let him know so he can give me a solution. But yesterday - day 6 - I was super happy, I didn't stay in my room, man, I didn't even wanna go back home. I haven't been having any suicidal thoughts at all. To be honest, each person has a different experience, but it will be really tough in the beginning for all of us, so stay strong and take care. I'll come back after the side effects wore off and let you guys know how I'm doing."

• tea...
• March 9, 2020

Fluoxetine "This medication did not make me feel mentally stable. It gave me symptoms of ADHD and mania, very dark and intrusive thoughts both daydreaming and sleeping. It destroyed my memory. I was at a stage where I thought I was in different locations at once and forgetting everything I was doing. Also, seeing eye floaties, artifacts in vision, and not being able to take in simple instructions. I felt completely out of it at all times and it made me far more stressed for no reason. I would randomly become excited and couldn't stop talking but felt uncomfortable around everyone. Everything I do feels super fast - both reactions and speaking. I really hope this goes away, I feel great, bad, crazy, hyper thoughts racing both positive and negative 24/7. I never had this at all before. It destroyed my libido, softened erections and size, also my legs don't feel attached to my body. It started off fantastic but quickly deteriorated. I was on generic Prozac 10mg for 2 weeks and I know it's a very low dose. (24-year-old male uni student)."

• San...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 5, 2019

Fluoxetine "I've struggled for years with anxiety and panic attacks. On several different meds for them. I asked my doctor about Prozac after I couldn't leave my house. I was riddled with fear and anxiety. We started off with 10 mg. I'm not gonna lie, the first 2 weeks were hell. But I pushed through because I knew like all meds, there is always an adjustment period. After it finally got in my system, I went from needing Xanax daily to occasionally needing it. I recently upped my dosage to 20 mg. I can tell it's working. Not only with my PMDD but my anxiety, stress, panic disorder, and PTSD. Do yourself a favor. Don't google side effects. If you do, you get it in your mind that is what you're supposed to feel. I started taking mine at night and by week 4 I switched to mornings."

• Eri...
• April 1, 2014

Fluoxetine "I'm a 17-year-old girl with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which I've struggled/am struggling with all throughout high school. I've been on Prozac for about 8 months now, and it's helped me get through a lot of very anxiety-inducing situations for me. Before taking this medication, it had become very difficult for me to even attend school, and often times I'd have to be absent due to panic attacks and overwhelming anxiety. The Prozac has made everyday life so much more bearable for me. I no longer feel repressed by my anxiety. It's not a 'cure,' but it has helped a ton for me, and I have much hope for the future now. In addition, it is also helpful with my mood."

• Pum...
• October 20, 2020

"Positive review: This bout of depression/anxiety has led me to try fluoxetine - I am on day 3 now and have noticed a huge positive difference in my thoughts and feelings. I am feeling very positive about this drug and it’s already helped me massively - I feel like myself again. However, remember when reading these reviews, everyone writing them isn’t in a good place, or we wouldn’t be taking them. Everyone’s experience is different, everyone’s bodies are different. A bad review on here doesn’t lead you to how you will feel. Take the process slowly, start off with a small dose, and most importantly, relax. Don’t symptom spot and remember to tell your closest one exactly how you are feeling so that you have support. Things will get better, I promise. If you’re feeling rubbish now, you won’t for life. And if the drug you’re taking isn’t working for you, talk to your GP and they can look at other drugs - like I did. Good luck ❤️"

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2020

Fluoxetine "Started this about two weeks ago and already feel like a different person and like I can enjoy life again. I’ve had crippling anxiety and depression for a very long time, and my thought process about everything was negative. I could barely get out of bed...I had tried almost every antidepressant and they all made me feel worse, or very, very sick. I finally have hope again."

• val...
• June 18, 2010

Fluoxetine "I have taken Celexa, Effexor XR, Wellbutrin, Zoloft, Remeron and by far Prozac is a miracle drug for me. I would not take anything else. I have been on this prescription for 3 years and it is fantastic!"

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 16, 2014

Fluoxetine "Prozac has changed my life. I feel like I can enjoy small things like sitting outside and feeling the wind hit my face. I would have several panic attacks during the day and developed agoraphobia. Now with only 10 mg daily, it helps. I have come off slowly with no withdrawals!"

• MRN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

Fluoxetine "Loving this medicine so far. Side effects are unpleasant, but I’ve been keeping a log of everything I experience day to day, in a journal. Makes it easier. I was prescribed 20mg Prozac for Anxiety, Depression, and Panic Disorder. Anxiety is still there, but far less severe! I’ve been able to go to the gym at least 3 times a week!! That’s a huge improvement considering I was scared to walk out my front door thinking I’d die from a panic episode! All I can say is, keep going. You’re not alone in this. I have panic attacks so bad I think it’s the end for me. But we have to keep on pushing. With Prozac and counseling, we can do this!"

• str...
• December 29, 2009

Fluoxetine "I have always been a huge stressor ever since I had my first son. I was 17, and after I had him, I suffered from postpartum depression. I would cry all the time and started suffering from panic attacks shortly after. I did not try antidepressants until I was about 22, then started Zoloft. It took an edge off but no relief of anxiety. Today I am 32, still a sufferer of stress and depression. Been taking Prozac 20mg for 5 months - huge difference. My husband says he can tell. I don't have outbursts, and I only cry when I should, not at the drop of a hat. I try not to stress over little things and just had the best Christmas ever because I did not think of suicide like I have in the past. I was actually happy and thankful to be here."

• sea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2019

Fluoxetine "Started Prozac one week ago. I've struggled with anxiety, guilt, and fear for most of my life. Have also struggled with panic attacks for the last couple of years. Recently felt my fear and anxiety become so intense that I've slipped into depression. I've taken Celexa in the past and had no side effects but not much anxiety relief. Also tried Cymbalta but felt so exhausted that I would sleep all afternoon even with a full night's sleep. Now trying out Prozac based on generally positive reviews. Even if it doesn't work out for me, reading people's success stories on here gives me hope. So far I've had reduced appetite and increased anxiety, as many others have reported in the first few weeks. I take Lorazepam when I feel panic coming on. I am going to continue on Prozac and hope for the best. Thanks to everyone else for sharing their experiences-- they have really helped me during this difficult time."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2009

Fluoxetine "Wonderful drug but watch out for medication interactions. Developed Serotonin Syndrome when doctor prescribed Ultram (Tramadol) for pain relief. Caused involuntary muscle spasms, difficulty speaking, walking, etc. It even looked like I had a stroke. I tapered off it shortly after and tried other drugs to help with anxiety, depression, and PMDD. I have since come back to Prozac because it works well for me, as long as I make sure not to take tramadol or other drugs that can interact with it. I experience weight loss with this drug. Have tons of energy and sleep well at night."