Teenage daughter starting wk 7 no relief

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My 15 year old daughter was prescribed fluoxetine 7 weeks ago.  Since then she has spiraled down hill very quickly.  Her anxiety is at an all time high.  two weeks ago she had a panic attack in the car on a family trip.  Since then she harldy can get in a car and will only go a few miles before turning around. This has made her pretty much housebound and trapped.  She also becomes panicky if mom needs to leave the house.  We are unable to make appointments, see the counselsor, or a psychiatrist.  Please tell me things are going to get better.  Has anyone else been on just 5mg of this?  When we increased it to 10mg for 4 days that is when she had the panic attack and i lowered it back to 5.  She has not been able to see a psychiatrist due to a shortage and few appointments available.  she has been waiting almost 2 months to see one!  Any advice would be appreciated!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    She sounds like me except I'm 21

    • Posted

      I'm sorry you are having to go through this as well.  Hang in there.  Hopefully we both will get the answers we are looking for.

  • Posted

    Hello Laura,

    Your daughter isn't on a high enough therapeutic dose to help with her panic and anxiety, it should be at least 20-40mg,  and she definitley will get more panic attacks and anxiety when this dosage is initilized.  I think her panic she is experiencing in week 7 is just her regular panic because prozac at such a low dose isn't doing anything for her right now.

    • Posted

      Thank you for the response.  This is the same thing I've been questioning myself on for the past 7 weeks. The thought of putting her through more anxiety with an increased dose is daunting to say the least.

  • Posted

    My soon took these when he was 20 and it helped him get back to a normal life.  It took 9 months though so don't expect them to work in weeks ..... they take a long time ..... but they will help her.

    These meds will heighten panic and anxiety to start with - she's on quite a low dose and she will get increased anxiety with each dose increase unfortunately.

    I'll private message you with a website link - its really good and will also help her and you to understand what's happening.  Basically, anxiety is being anxious about anxiety and you get caught in a cycle of anxiety / fear / anxiety.  Its a very uncomfortable and frightening feeling and the website (and its book) explains anxiety, how it comes about, how it stays and how to get rid of it.  The meds will also help ... but they do take a long time.  You musn't fight anxiety as this just keeps the cycle going.  The website and book will explain more.

    K x

     

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