Prozac made me feel horrible

Xanax is similiar to Clonazepam. It helps a ton with the anxiety. Clonazepam works longer though. I've been taking half a .5 twice a day just to function. Otherwise I'm I'll blown anxiety, restlessness, anxiousness etc. What milligram Xanax do they give you?

I'm get 0.5 mg

Glutamate and GABA are the brain’s major “workhorse” neurotransmitters. Over half of all brain synapses release Glutamate, and 30-40% of all brain synapses release GABA. GABA and Glutamate regulate action potential traffic. GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, stops action potentials. Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter, starts action potentials or keeps them going. Since GABA is inhibitory and Glutamate is excitatory, both neurotransmitters work together to control many processes, including the brain’s overall level of excitation.

Tranquilizers (Benzodiazepines) increase GABA activity. (Calming the CNS and PNS). Alcohol increases GABA activity (Just like benzos). Alcohol decreases Glutamate activity, but it spikes back higher when the alcohol wears off (hangover, anxiety and tremors the next day). Caffeine increases Glutamate activity. Caffeine inhibits GABA release (You feel anxious, wired). Benzodiazepines and alcohol effect GABA by unnaturally boosting its intake and keeping it elevated which makes us feel calm. To compensate for the now elevated levels of GABA being absorbed, the body takes in more Glutamate. The body automatically fights to stay at homeostasis.

Here is where is all goes wrong:

Benzodiazepines slowly down-regulate your GABA receptors. Since they don't need to work as hard, unnecessary GABA receptors get absorbed back into the body. At this point, inter-dose withdrawal and/or tolerance begins. When benzodiazepine tolerance hits your GABA intake slows down and it’s like you’re slowly letting off the brakes on the now elevated Glutamate system.

You may not be an addict, but you are now drug dependent. You will begin to experience inter-dose withdrawal symptoms such as worsening anxiety, panic attacks, anger, rage, insomnia, phobias, depression, OCD, intrusive thoughts, memory issues, etc. Your GABA receptors, now damaged, weak and under-performing due to benzo use (unnaturally forcing high levels of GABA through them), must "Up-Regulate" (heal) back to their original, natural state before they can once again balance out GABA and Glutamate levels.

Most doctors will then prescribe more of the benzodiazepine to compensate for this event (Up-Dosing.) Some relief may be experienced but your body will adjust, and withdrawal symptoms come roaring back. And as your health deteriorates, your doctor will likely become hostile and attempt to polly-drug you. Play nice with the doctor, get the benzo and taper yourself quietly.

Unfortunately, your Glutamate receptors are now Up-Regulated (taking in more Glutamate than normal) and these Glutamate receptors must adjust back down (Down-Regulate) for your body and mind to once again perform normally. This imbalance of high glutamate levels and low GABA levels is what causes horrific symptoms. Only time and patience can heal GABA receptors. Slowly tapering is the most bearable method to rid yourself of benzodiazepines and restore your health.

Your GABA receptors must Up-Regulate back to normal and your Glutamate receptors must Down-Regulate back to normal to balance out. Tapering allows this very slow process to begin. The body starts healing your remaining GABA receptors and growing new ones. If you Cold Turkey (abruptly quit taking) your benzodiazepine, Glutamate levels spike (no brakes) and the excitatory neurotransmitters go nuts causing insomnia, anxiety, panic, muscle tightness, elevated heart rate, muscle twitches. seizures, psychosis, and many other horrible symptoms.

If you have been taking a benzo for more than ten days, you are probably already physically dependent. If you require more and more of the drug to experience a therapeutic effect, you are already in tolerance. If you feel terrible between doses, you are experiencing inter-dose withdrawal.  Slowly tapering off is now your best option.

Look up Liquid Titration of Benzo, or Dry Cutting Benzo to start your education. Do not taper faster than 10% per month. Above all, look up and read the Ashton Manual for more information and safe tapering instructions. DO NOT drink alcohol during your taper and stay away from it for two full years following your last dose. Stay away from calming teas, valerian root and other GABA antagonists. Let the brain heal naturally.

The brain needs time to heal itself.

Five tips to combat anxiety, depression, insomnia and drug withdrawal:

1. Drink warm lemon water every morning (before brushing teeth)

2. Allow morning sunlight to directly touch your skin (converts to Vitamin D and melatonin)

3. Maintain proper sleep hygiene

4. Eat dark green vegetables

5. Practice belly breathing (in and out through nose)

That actually makes a lot of sense so my question is I've been taking 5mg of clonazepam for the last 7 years I take a .5 at night to help me fall asleep but I've noticed in the last 3 to 4 months that my anxiety spikes for no reason I'll just be sitting there watching TV and suddenly I get hot flashes shortness of breath and start getting panicky and as soon as I take another clonazepam I feel better for a while. That's why the doctor tried the Prozac but that just seemed to really make things worse I haven't eaten hardly at all in two days and I've been sick to my stomach and the anxiety has been intensified

Its free, google it.

Benzos are a death trap.

I am in withdrawal now.