Prozac effectiveness?

Posted , 7 users are following.

I just started Prozac 40mg about four weeks ago and though initially, I thought it  might be helping, I'm not so sure lately. I've been experiencing irrational fears, and an increase in crying spells. I'm so worried that nothing will work as I don't feel like myself. I've been suffering with anxiety and depression now for eight months. In April of 2016, I was finishing up grad school when I had a panic attack. The doctor put me on Klonopin and I returned to him a few weeks later to get off the benzo. He placed me on Lexapro and I had a reaction to it (uncontrollable crying). I then foolishly took myself down too far off the Klonopin-from 1 1/2 mg to .5; this threw me into a tailspin-no sleep for days and dp/dr feelings. I went to another doctor who placed me back on Lexapro as she knew I had had success with it years ago. Again, the incessant crying and brain fog would continue. PCP kept pushing me to 40mg. I could not take it any longer and tried to find a psychiatrist but all were booked except for a telemedicine practice. This psych PA lowered my Lex to 10 and added Buspar...didn't work; then CT'd me....I went to a clinic about four weeks later where they did a battery of tests: low vit D, B12, Folate and testosterone....They placed me on Prozac 40mg...I've been on it now four weeks with little let up in symptoms. I've never had this much trouble with meds...they always worked in the past. Now, I feel alien-spacey, afraid, tearful...The genetic test I did while at the clinic showed that ssri's would pose an intermed risk with me...Effexor and Wellbutrin were better matches but I was afraid to try them. My question is...is it worth staying on the prozac in hopes it will eventually work or is this a lost cause? I'm truly so desperate and frustrated.

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  • Posted

    Kim did you start straight off at 40mg or slowly increase dose? If you started straight on 40mg then I can tell you now you would be feeling totally like crap right now.
    • Posted

      Yes I did...I went to a clinic for help and that's what they put me on...just haven't gotten the help I need and feel so off and unlike myself...I'm so afraid.

    • Posted

      Kim, not a doc, but that does seem like a lot to start in from what I read. I started and stayed on 20mg, and we are having similar side effects, but I'm staying with it and trust I'll make it through. Maybe just go to get a second opinion from another doc. It wouldn't hurt and it may give you some peace of mind. Side effects suck but it does mean the Ned is working.

    • Posted

      Thank you....yes, I've had the hardest time-even finding a psychiatrist in my area...the one I have found is pompous and no help. I appreciate the positive feedback.

    • Posted

      No decent Dr would start someone off on 40mg on these meds. You are not going crazy it is just you never got to wean onto these meds easily. It may be worth you looking at dropping back to 20mg for a few weeks get stable then increase to 30mg for a few weeks then so on. Find a Dr and ask them if you can do this. Once again you are not crazy.. you do not need to be locked up.. you had an idiot that thru you down the rabbit hole very unkindly. Most people have crappy side effects from slowly increasing the dose you got them all in one hit. They will not kill you.. you are not insane.. remember that!
    • Posted

      It's hard when you have a doc like that. In my experience, since you know the diagnosis, ask your gp like lookingforward suggested. I have also found that the pharmacist who fills you order can sometimes be more knowledgeable about the use of the medicine and the side effects more than the doc, so ask them. It's hard , but we all have to be our own advocates, because we know our body better than anyone.

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for the encouraging words....I have truly been through hell like I'd never known existed. I will try and find a better doctor...thanks again!

    • Posted

      Kim, i have an apointment with a new psychiatrist next month, the one who follows me for one year till now did'nt help although he is a good psychiatrist for others, i thought it was better to get someone who knows you, but every one told me to change , never too late, i finally took the decision to change , it is better to have someone who understands you at this stage I think

    • Posted

      You're right...I've bounced around some b/c I didn't feel heard. I live in East Texas (I believe this is a UK site but found it so helpful). There is a shortage here of psychiatrists and I live in a rural area which makes me drive to different places. It's been very difficult to say the least.

    • Posted

      40 is high!!To start?Did they take you straight from 10 of lexapro to 40 Prozac!Lexapro is stronger but 10 of lexapro is probably equal to 20 of Prozac.I think get a good doc right away and they will get you straightened out!
    • Posted

      No...I'd been ct'd off the lexapro for a few months, but yes, was placed directly on 40 of Prozac...and this was in a clinic setting.

    • Posted

      Kim, east Texas? I live in Shreveport.
    • Posted

      Yes...near Nacogdoches...we're not far apart

    • Posted

      My son goes to SFA. Doesn't nac or lufkin have a good gp selection? Shreveport is only 1:45 away. I have a good gp, let me know if you want me to research a good psych. I just have gp.

    • Posted

      That's good...I don't really know as far as gp's but the psych's are all booked; I'm currently seeing one in Tyler and he's no help.

    • Posted

      There's a good one at Willis knighton. I'll send you some names when I'm back in town.

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