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Gad and health anxiety

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maria07990
maria07990

OK so long story short at 18 I had panic attack and was diagnosed with panic disorder and health anxiety because It caused me to become so afraid of death, I was on fluoxetine for 5 years and came off them because honestly I was fine!

Fast forward 8 years and I have now had my 2nd child who is 6 months almost and the panic attacks I was having were crippling to say the least.

I've been put back on fluoxetine but this time at the age of 26 I'm really suffering from side effects. Now don't get me wrong it isn't every day but i can be fine for a few days then suddenly be so anxious nervous, sick, headaches, agitated and the list goes on. I'm only a month into the medication on a dose of 20mg and wondering is anyone has been in a similar situation and I just need to give it some more time. I'm still being very hopeful but looking for some advice thanks.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • kirsty65822
    kirsty65822 maria07990

    Posted

    Hi Maria

    I suffer from health anxiety which started just over 3 years ago. I was prescribed sertraline at the time but felt better so stopped taking them. Anyhow, last year the health anxiety returned worse than ever but sertraline didn't work - in fact i had an awful reaction to it so tried counselling instead.

    Long story short - I was prescribed fluoxetine 2 months ago and am taking 20mg a day. i didnt feel any improvement in my anxiety until week 6 and almost gave up hope. I'm on week 8 and continue to improve but still have rough days. Hang in there, from reading reports fluoxetine takes longer to work than other anti depressants. x

  • bazza1949
    bazza1949 maria07990

    Posted

    hi maria hope ure feeling a bit better today,it does take a while to start working properly which u might remember from last time you took it .the side effects can be bad till u get used to it in your system but we are all different it effects some people worse than others.I had a lot of side effects for a while but it did settle after about 12 weeks.im not on prosac ( fluoxtine) now the gp changed me to sertraline but dont think there is much different and i didnt get any side effects from changing over to them.fluoxtine didnt work for me so thats why i was on the proper prozac but now its not available hence the change.im sure you will find the meds and side effects willsettle down shortly so hang on in there.im very down at the minute have been for 2 weeks and its hell this illness it comes on with the anxiety for know good reason so i do understand how u feel.Lets hope tomorrows a better day.Bazza xx

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