Fluoxetine and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Liv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2020

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have suffered from anxiety and panic attacks since high school. I’m a 21-year-old college student now. I was prescribed Prozac over 6 months ago, but didn't have the courage to take it. I initially came here and read the reviews which freaked me out. The past months I have been dealing with unbearable anxiety and panic attacks that I could no longer manage. I gave in and have been on Prozac for 1 month now. The first week I had no side effects besides a headache. The second week came and the symptoms I had were obsessive thoughts, one bad panic attack, increased anxiety, feeling out of body, etc. This continued into week 3, but eventually got better. The middle of week 3 going on week 4 I feel very good! I have had little to no anxiety issues and can actually function in the world! This medication, plus therapy once a week, has been a good combination!"

• OCD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 9, 2022

Fluoxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was very nervous to try Prozac because of my horrible hypochondria and fear of trying new medicines. I was constantly struggling with OCD intrusive thoughts and compulsions, as well as TERRIBLE anxiety. I felt as though my OCD and being in a constant state of worry were taking over my life. I’m 29 years old, work full time & decided that this way no way to live. I caved and started 10mg daily. Week 1 I was exhausted and in a fog. Week 2 was brutal, I had peak anxiety and OCD. I almost felt manic. I had a panic attack, was nauseous, & couldn’t eat. Week 3 I started feeling better, I noticed my intrusive thoughts weren’t constantly haunting me. Week 4 I woke up one day and felt like a new person. I no longer have intrusive thoughts or OCD “routines”, irritability is nearly gone, and I’m not in a constant state of worry. I feel 100x better, Prozac has changed my life. I’m posting this for people who are nervous to try. Try fighting through the side effects, it’s SO worth it."

• Ale...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 20, 2014

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I started experiencing panic attacks a few months ago, so bad that I thought I was dying each time I had one. My college NP prescribed me Prozac. The first month of taking it was hell. My anxiety definitely increased, and I had more frequent panic attacks. My doctor said this was normal and to stick with it, and I did! Let me tell you, it has changed my life. I am able to function normally now, and even though I experience some anxiety, I am able to manage it. Prozac has just made me a genuinely happier person, and I recommend it to anyone with anxiety, especially with panic attacks and depression."

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

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "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."

• jac...
• January 16, 2009

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "It's a miracle drug. I took this for anxiety and panic attacks and slight depression. It has changed my life. I am happier. I have made more friends in the past month. It has helped with everything: school, stress, anxiety, and self-confidence. I can't recommend it enough."

• Vic...
• January 19, 2016

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I started taking Prozac 4 weeks ago. For symptoms of menopause... I can't take HRT as I've had cancerous cells in my cervix, which is why I had a hysterectomy. Anyway, I was having palpitations, panic attacks, stress, and anxiety, forgetting words, very emotionally up and down. I also suffer from PTSD from a violent childhood. I have to say I've been so much happier and settled in my mind, this is definitely working for me."

• luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 12, 2024

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I have been diagnosed with GAD and OCD, and I can confidently say that Prozac helped with both. I think I definitely noticed positive effects more in my OCD than my anxiety, but I believe it helped with my anxiety too. With my anxiety, I saw a decrease in everyday stress, but still found myself having panic attacks occasionally, which is normal for me, so safe to say the Prozac didn't cause those, it just didn't help much to stop them. I saw amazing changes in my OCD, it felt like I didn't even have it anymore. I did have to increase my dosage quite a few times to see results, and when I got off of it, I had pretty bad withdrawals. I am currently going back on Prozac because so many of the positive effects weren't obvious until I got off of it, so I think it is something worth continuing."

• Ris...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 7, 2020

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I started a 10 mg dose of Prozac, then was increased to a 20 mg dose. I was on it for irritability for two months before it started inducing severe panic attacks, racing heart, and the inability to think. I had constant headaches and no feelings, I couldn’t even feel pain. I’ve been off it for two months now, and the withdrawal has just started. It has been horrendous: racing heart, anxious feelings, severe anxiety, loss of appetite, memory loss, foggy brain, feeling off, panic attacks every night. So far, two weeks of this. I don’t recommend this, it’s been the worst five months of my life."

• 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!"

• JDT...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2024

For Anxiety and Stress "I have historically suffered on and off with anxiety and intense obsessive thinking. During a flare-up, I would not be able to concentrate or function properly, unable to sleep, waking up with intense panic attacks on and off throughout the day, obsessions, intrusive thoughts, and lack of concentration. I was reluctant to take medication again, and the first two weeks of Prozac I felt much worse. However, after perseverance and 2 months later, my anxiety has vanished. I feel calm, rational, and am not getting panic attacks at all. I can rationalize and not worry about things. I feel I’ve been set free from the prison of my own mind. I am on 20 mg, it worked better for me than sertraline did."

• 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."

• Kle...
• June 23, 2017

Fluoxetine for Depression "I have limited history with psych meds, and I have only tried two other antidepressants (Zoloft and Remeron). Both were awful for me. Side effects outweighed any minimal benefit they may have had. But since taking Prozac nearly two weeks ago, my mood has changed entirely. I take it in the morning, and it gives me a sense of purpose and excitement to experience the day. Before, I was having panic attacks so bad before work that I would consider calling in. Prozac has not had any negative SSRI side effects like I had with sertraline, but I am going to continue paying attention to how I feel over time on this. My anxiety is minimal, and melatonin currently has me sleeping like a baby. I hope it never stops working for me. For now, this medicine is great."

• kin...
• October 12, 2018

For Agoraphobia "I have been struggling with anxiety attacks, panic attacks, and agoraphobia all my life. I used to vomit before school every morning, I had severe panic attacks, headaches, and lots more, and they turned to agoraphobia in my 30s. I fainted several times and became scared of driving or being out. I have been on Prozac on and off. I tried other medicines, but this one was the best. I always put on lots of weight when I am on antidepressants, so it makes me discontinue. This time I am going to stick on Prozac. The first weeks, the side effects are bad, but you start feeling better. I am still agoraphobic when I go out on my own, that's why I want to do neurofeedback. But comparing to what I used to feel before Prozac, I am feeling so much better. You will be a new person, I promise! Just stick to your medication and get as much support as you can. Keep yourself busy, stay positive. Search for anxiety support pages online. Little steps, little steps... tomorrow is a better day."

• Ban...
• October 13, 2020

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I had a horrible experience. After losing my job due to the virus, moving out of my parents’ home and dealing with a lot of stress and anxiety, my PCP prescribed me 20 mg of Prozac to cope. I was only on the medicine for 4 days before I stopped taking it. Those 4 days were some of the scariest of my life. I had to miss 2 days of work, and I told people I thought I was going crazy. My head felt heavy, it ached, and at times I just felt 'off.' I couldn’t even accurately describe the feeling I was having. I was afraid to sleep for fear I wouldn’t wake up, I cried several times a day, my panic attacks worsened and happened more frequently, my heart rate was 120 while laying on the couch. I slept maybe 11 hours total over a period of 3 days. Finally slept on the 4th night because my body was so exhausted. My mind would race and was full of intrusive, unwanted, horrible thoughts...many times I believed something else was wrong with me. I would be cautious with this medicine."

• 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."

• 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."

• hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2015

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I had been on Prozac for three years and gone through a lot of hard times. It helped when I was splitting from my ex, lost a job, got into some legal trouble, lost my license, and had to move back home. After getting back on my feet again and getting my license and a job, I decided to wean off of it... bad idea... I became more and more stressed out and had very bad stomach issues that I never had before. After about three months off 40 mg a day, I had a huge panic attack and days of not eating or sleeping. I have since gone back on 20 mg and hope it starts to work soon. I should have never gone off this medication, it saved my life once, and I hope to have the same results again. I was happy, able to take things much better and be myself."

• ama...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 27, 2014

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Prozac for a little over a year for depression and anxiety. I'm on 20 mg since I was 14. Personally, I think it was too much for my system when I first started taking it. I was like an ADHD child. Couldn't calm down, jumping around everywhere and could barely sleep at night. With me being a 100 lb, 14-year-old, my mother thought so too. Now that I'm 16, I think this medication isn't working for me anymore. I'm becoming more and more depressed, and my anxiety level is at its highest. I keep having panic attacks also. Prozac was amazing for me up until now, but I do believe that my body has gotten used to this medication. I'm talking to my doctor as soon as possible to maybe raise my dosage."

• Mar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2021

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I've been on Prozac for 3 months now, 20 mg for bad anxiety and depression brought on by the menopause and losing my beautiful mum 3 years ago. I tried sertraline first for 8 months but didn't feel right on it, though it did help with depression, but I was more anxious and took off last year when COVID started up, bad palpitations and panic attacks, waking up through the night like I was choking, still grieving for my dear mum. I decided to phone doctors, and he advised me to try Prozac. I wasn't too sure but knew I had to have something to calm me down as I felt like losing the plot, so tired, wound up, angry, irritable, etc. So glad I did now, much better, no more palpitations or panic attacks, sleeping a bit better, feel calmer and able to cope with things now, don't get so worked up or stressed out, only positive for me, staying on these for at least a year or two."

• 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."

• shu...
• September 10, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I had suffered from anxiety for years, but was hesitant to try Prozac. As I got older, my anxiety got worse. I started having panic attacks on a regular basis, and it was getting harder for me to plan normal activities. I finally asked my therapist to put me on an antidepressant. We decided on fluoxetine. The first two months were VERY difficult for me. I had every side effect in the book. But I hung in there, as my doctor said to give it two months. Around 7 or 8 weeks, the side effects subsided, and since then, my life has been SO much better. I haven't had a panic attack in a year. Little annoyances roll off my back. But I'm still me. My advice is to give it time. It can be a frustrating journey, but well worth it in the end."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 4, 2025

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "Progressively got worse and worse with multiple panic attacks and suicidal thoughts over 8 weeks. Ended up on a cocktail of medications to ease my panic attacks. As soon as I stopped Prozac, I felt immediately better. Can’t believe I could have felt worse than I did before Prozac."

• 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."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 4, 2018

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "30-year-old guy (active, good job, college-educated). I’m here to tell you this medicine worked for me — FOR SURE. I take just 10 MG at night. I also take TIME RELEASE Xanax every evening before bed (0.5 MG). The combo of the two has reduced my anxiety, panic, racing thoughts by 85%-90%. One year ago, I was in the same place as you likely are. Looking for any solution and upset, thinking nothing could help my almost nightly panic attacks. Everyone is different with this sorta stuff. However, GIVE THIS A TRY if you are on the fence. You owe it to yourself. And don’t worry, with your doctor's permission, you can probably still enjoy a few drinks here and there. Personally, I still enjoy a few cups of coffee each day (probably shouldn’t), and I also enjoy a glass or two of wine a few nights weekly. Take your doctor’s advice."

• Liv...
• March 23, 2013

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I got severe depression in college, had it in high school as well and took some antidepressant that started with an L (I really can't remember). I started taking Prozac my 2nd year in college after my girlfriend broke up with me. It helped tremendously to overcome the loneliness. The only problem I've ever had with it is my REM sleep. I didn't take my pill for 2 days over spring break this past week and had the worst panic attack I've ever had in my life. I thought I wanted to die, it was the worst car ride I have ever experienced. As soon as I took my Prozac, everything was better. I trust this."