Day 10 on Fluoextine

James I am the same in that I had waves of panic for first time about 3 months ago. It knocked me off my feet. I am day 11 of an upped dose and feel terrible but Prozac makes you feel worse before it makes you feel better. Here is a well known Prozac timeline from member "betterdays":

Week 1: This week can go either way. Some find almost immediate improvement while other see the side effects (see weeks 2-3) after the first day.

Weeks 2,3: These are almost always the most difficult. Anxiety and depression can get worse than before the medication. Side effects kick in, these can include sleeplessness, nightmares, diarrhea, nausea, hot flashes, excessive sweating (especially at night), dry mouth, muscle twitches, overall muscle weakness and pain, zero appetite, and very negative mental outlook. My advice is, take these one day at a time and try not to get discouraged, not every day will be bad and better times are ahead!

Weeks 4,5: Some improvement. The side effects lessen to some point, and there are moments when you start to feel normal. Typically evenings are the best and mornings the worst. Many start playing around with dosage at this point because they are told that the Prozac should be working, my advice: hold the course!

Weeks 6,7: More improvement. Maybe 50% to 70% better than before starting. There are often blips where you feel just terrible for a few days, but not usually over a week. Some side effects lessen, but also you may get new side effects. Hang in there, you are getting ready to turn a corner!

Weeks 8-10: Even more improvement. There still are blips, but they are less severe and shorter, maybe 1-2 days. Not normal yet, but getting better day by day. The side effects are usually 75% or so gone. Light at the end of the tunnel!

Weeks 10-12: Maybe this is wishful thinking for me (I'm not here yet), but this is where most see the best results. Some quotes from this time period: "best in months", "Amazing", "Feel good", "brilliant". Again, this is for the people for whom the prozac did work, not everyone, and for those who stuck to their original dosage. For some, this happens at 7 weeks, for some, 3-4 months. But, from what I have read, 10-12 weeks is the payoff time.

Hiya James.. sounds lie your suffering with depression, which is nothing to be a shamed off,,,

And yes sorry to say it’s too early for Prozac to work, I felt the way you do, I was stuck in this black  tunnel and could get out of it, and throught life would never get better..

8+ months on and I’m on 60mg I’m good, depression as gone, and I can smile again, look at what Dom as put down, as that’s how Prozac works, it’s not a quick fix’s but once it works life begins again.. try to take each days as it comes, just think it’s a day nearer to feeling good again... and yes you will defo find it a lot worse b4 it gets better, try not to give in, at least till you’ve given this med a try, I know it’s easy for me to say that, but we’ve all been where you are today, keep talking on here, big hug 🤗x

both of these replies are very reassuring. I feel like if I get my mind convinced that the meds sill work and I will feel normal again it will be easier on myself. It just disturbs me how I can live so long without having these sort of feelings and then all of a sudden I cant go ten minutes without feeling anxious. It is so hard to go to work and I feel out of breath after barely walking. I work at a physical therapy clinic which is a somewhat relaxed atmosphere but I still get out of breath for no reason..

Hi James. I am early days too (day 23). Side effects are improving and I have better days and not so good days. It’s rough now, but urban gets better.

I can’t work yet. But have gotten to where I can use a computer.  I was at work in Mid December and felt like I was dying. Horrible waves of anxiety and vertigo hit. I had a horrible 2017 and it’s like my body just shut down. I have never had anything like this happen - and it’s embarrassing. I’m getting ready to file for disability, but I hope I can begin working again in a few weeks. 

This board has been very helpful to me. Keep writing.

I felt a small improvement after 2 weeks. After 4 weeks all symptoms had virtually disappeared. Stick with it, you’ll see results soon. Your nearly there.

I am on day 20, first time on prozac, anxiety and complete panic hit me in December from what seemed like nowhere, I now know I was stressed at work (taking on others problems) and perhaps over stimulated by social media...I was barely functioning for the first two weeks, using diazepam as a crutch, this last few days are better, I to am 14lbs lighter thanks to anxiety...but pretty sure that will creep back on as my appetite has returned...stick with it, I am hopeful i have turned a corner with the help of prozac....fingers crossed for you