Today is day 13 on Prozac. I take 10 mg for health anxiety. It's been a roller coaster of side effects. The first few days weren't too bad. I was super tired and a little more anxious than usual. Days 5-7 I had awful nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, headache. Got better for a few days after that and I only had the headache and was tired. Yesterday the nausea and dizziness came back. Also feeling really anxious, having periods of sweating, just feel yucky. Saw my doctor today and she said to try to stick it out, as it takes quite some time for the body to adjust. I don't want to change drugs again so am going to try hard to get thru this. Anyone else have similar side effects??
Hi Jennifer,
You will get these side effects, but do keep taking the meds. They take at least 4-6 weeks to fully kick in. I am on 20mgs fluoxetine and have been on them for nearly one year. I shall stay on them indefinably. You will see and feel a difference once they have kicked in to your body.
Good luck
D
Thank you so much for your reply and encouragement! Reading thru these forums and seeing all of the support is what has gotten me thru these rough times.
Take care!
I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. Been on for just under 2 weeks, and the first few days were hard with anxiety and uneasy tummy. Then I starated to feel a lot better with a few easily manageable blips. Though the past two days I've had some increased anxiety and the tummy upset again. My phyciatrist told me the same that if I stick it out a few more weeks it will be worth it.
Hi! I'm on day 8 here!! Feeling headachy, heavy head, more anxious, sore eyes etc! We just all have to keep pushing through each day xo
Stick with it first 3weeks awful side effects but it passes a levels out eventually. I am in week 7 and can see a difference. You still get the odd bad day or two but don't panic it passes..... Keep with the plan it works
Hello Jennifer.
Sorry to hear you are going through this. I decided to stop Flux (20mg a day) after about 15 days. I just couldn't cope with the side effects nor could I afford the time off work. The constant panic state, stomach problems, nausea, not sleeping, slow reactions, leg / neck pain etc etc.
It took about a month to level out again after stopping cold turkey - another no! (upsets, dizziness, muscle tension being the last to go).
Now about 3 months on my initial problems have returned with vengenance. Guess I just tricked myself into thinking i was better and didn't need the meds.
Starting the process again with Sertraline and I am really kicking myself for not sicking it out as I was close to getting over the worst of it.
Sorry if this isn't helpful. I would advise to stick it out because despite how rubbish you feel now, if you stop you're left wondering what if I just carried on - would I be feeling better finally!
Anxiety is horrendous.
Hi Jennifer,
Weeks 2 and 3 were the hardest for me, but im so glad i stuck it out because im feeling sooo much better. Im at 6 weeks now and still have a way to go to get back to normal but my anxiety is SO MUCH BETTER! Still dealing with a low mood but have hope things will keep getting better as I'm still on a really low dose.
I am so thankful for all of these replies and encouraging words!! I really think that being able to talk to people who have gone thru something similar is the key to surviving all of this. Anxiety is bad enough; dealing with the side effects of the meds just makes it so much worse. But it sounds like if I stick it out, things will indeed improve. I'm hopeful!
I'm going through the same thing right now been on Prozac for a month upped dose 2days ago side effects all over again
They say it gets better we just need to hang in there!
Yes! I keep reminding myself that the hard part will pass. Every day is one day closer to that. The side effects are bad, but anxiety is worse so it's worth it if we can get thru the hard part!
That is helpful! When I'm tempted to stop taking it, I have to remind myself that I would just have to start all over again with a new med. I hope your new one works for you!
Day 15. Wow, time really drags when we don't feel well, doesn't it?? Still feeling dizzy, although yesterday and so far today it comes and goes, instead of being constant. Stomach issues and nausea also come and go. Those are my least favorite of the SE's. Also sometimes have heart pounding (that may be from the increased anxiety), and muscle twitching. How is everyone else doing??
Yes I have had all that still do hope it will pass soon I guess we will just have to hang in there.
I'm sorry you're still feeling bad. How long did it take for the side effects to pass the first time, before you increased your dose? Maybe it won't take as long this time around.
They have never passed stir having them.
Hi Jennifer, sorry you are still having a bad time, it sounds like things have improved slightly though!
I'm on day 11 here,I've been getting massive heartburn I never really knew how horrible that could be and it makes me more anxious. Overall though I'm doing okay. It is a very slow process and time does drag on when you are waiting to feel better huh. Xx
Oh, ok. I thought they had just come back when you increased. That's hard, hang in there!
I know what you mean, the physical symptoms always make my anxiety worse. I'm sorry you're having heartburn. Today is day 16 and overall it's been a much better day. So hang in there! I'm just taking one day at a time and trying to be patient (not always easy for someone with anxiety!)