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Crazy anxiety after 5 days, please help

Posted , 4 users are following.

Feulia
Feulia

Hi all, my name's Julia. I've been lurking here for a couple of days now and I really admire how supportive this community is. ??

Five days ago, Sunday, I began taking 20mg Fluoxetine. I've been on Flu in the past, years ago, and had no nasty side effects but this time around I have the most unbearable anxiety and I don't know how to cope. Last night the nausea was overwhelming, I went to bed at 8pm and woke up every other hour with a racing heart, since then I've been on edge like I've never been before, I can't begin to explain how overwhelmed I am by this sudden bout of anxiety and I'm so, so scared it won't end. 

I saw my doctor again earlier and he's prescribed me 2mg Diazepam which has helped take the edge off for several hours but I know I can't rely on these. sad 

Some say it's taken them weeks, months even to overcome this and I can't bear the thought of having to wait that long.  I'm keen to hear your stories and any reassurance you may have because I think I'm losing my mind. xxx

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • joe62931
    joe62931 Feulia

    Posted

    I’m four months in and I can honestly say that I’m feeling brilliant, I have my life back and am able to be a dad again . I have little to no anxiety and no worry’s at all . The first two months were HELL ON EARTH  . Shakes , sh*ts , headaches , crying, chest pains , it was the worst time ever ,  BUT PLEASE STICK WITH IT  , there is hope . This medication has changed my life and I cannot praise it enough, my doctor told me that it would be bad to start with , but with determination to get better I stuck with it ,

    now THERE IS NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL.  Again I live a normal life , eating out , holidays , shopping, being a dad . All thanks to flux and determination and a very understanding wife . I HOPE YOUR  JOURNEY WILL BE A SUCCESS LIKE MINE WAS . Peace be with you ....... joe 

    • Feulia
      Feulia joe62931

      Posted

      Hi Joe, I'm so pleased to hear you're doing well. I had to wimp out. I ended up in A&E on Friday morning, because I'd honestly never been in such a state. They advised I drop the Prozac immediately, and now being Sunday I'm doing better. I simply couldn't bare it, I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't live, the anxiety was unfathomable.  Headed back to see the doctor on Monday, to discuss other options. Glad to hear of your success and wishing you all the best! 

  • ben86255
    ben86255 Feulia

    Posted

    I'm in your boat too Julia.

    I went off 20mg prozac back in early Feb because I was feeling ok, about 3 weeks after, all hell broke loose.  Same things you describe, anxiety, vomiting in the AM, I was on ativan but that stopped working for the anxiety so I was put on Clonazepam, which does help a bit but makes me dog tired.  I usually cut the pill in half and take one before I go to bed.

    Yes I have the racing heart, attendant chest pains, sometimes my knees hurt.  I am just now completing week 3 on 20mg dose, from what I have read, it can take 2-4 weeks for it to fully get back in your system.

    Others have posted here that it often takes longer for prozac to kick in if  you have stopped it cold turkey then go back on it. 

    Wish I had better advice, I am sticking it out based on what others have stated here.  It is pure hell, I know EXACTLY what you are dealing with but the best advice I can give is simply to repeat what others have said here.

    • Feulia
      Feulia ben86255

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply, and I'm so sorry to hear you're having such a rubbish time too. I actually ended up in A&E earlier after another sleepless night because I honestly felt like I was dying. I spoke to a mental health nurse who advised I stop with the Fluoxetine ASAP and contact my GP for another anti-depressant (she was a bit useless and dismissive if I'm honest, but understandably the NHS is stretched thin).

      I'm unsure if I'm making the right choice by quitting but I feel 1000x worse right now than I did without the Fluoxetine and I simply don't have the strength in me to carry on like this. 😢

      Wishing you all the best. 

  • lynn260
    lynn260 Feulia

    Posted

    Julia

    Anxiety is a long haul for some people. Drugs can help but the side effects/withdrawal is no fun. The best advice is to look after yourself and know that many people are going through the same thing. Stay tuned to this forum as it will help you.🙏

    • Feulia
      Feulia lynn260

      Posted

      Thank you Lynn, I appreciate your kind words. xxx
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