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Update after 3 months on 20mg

Posted , 5 users are following.

Pinkrozez
Pinkrozez

Hi everyone,

I began taking Prozac 20 mg about three months ago. Prior to that, I had absolutely no anxiety issue, didn't even know anything about it. Starting around last Christmas time, I had my first ever anxiety attack in my sleep which led me to the ER thinking I was dying. Being a mom

Of two small kids, I panicked and it got worse. After that I spent 3 months waiting for my anxiety to fade. In that time, I realized we had to do a state wide move and I had some very big family obligations to take care of as well. I went into an unknown state of depression mixed with anxiety. I finally went to the doctor and he put me on 20mg. I was frightened. I read every possible review online and started taking it. I had support from my family but I was afraid I would NEVER get better. I felt no emotion except fear, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat, I couldn't cry. It was terrible. I began to come here and read posts of people. A dear friend on here katecogs helped me immensely but writing to me on blogs. Craig and Luci I hope you're both well and if you're reading this thank you for always supporting me.

Since then, I have gone through the move, hosted a few dinners at my home, ran a wedding for a close family member, and am taking care of my kids much better. I still feel anxious at times but I couldn't wait for the day where I would come back on here and write a post to support you all. It is very difficult. Also because you don't know what the heck is happening and why you feel this way. Medication helped me. I was totally against it and trust me I thought I'd be the last person to ever need it. Always chipper, happy, content .. Bright personality. But it was exactly when those things faded inside me that I realized I needed help. It can happen to ANYONE. Half of my issue was admitting I had an issue. Life is hard and stressful. Raising kids isn't easy. For now I am thankful that I had help. My doctor tells me I have situational anxiety. It means that I might have an episode in life again. But at least now I have something that can help me. I will be on this medication until at least October and then we will discuss slowly weaning. I am hoping I don't go through this ever again and I hope whoever is out there reading this feels an ounce of hope from my words. It will get better.

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Pinkrozez
    Pinkrozez

    Posted

    I forgot to add, I began to feel slowly better by 6-7 weeks but still had some very low days occasionally. I think it was around week 13 that I had stretches of non anxious days. Even now it's up and down but I feel that's life. I can just talk myself out of it now and manage it better with a more level headed mentality.

    • Guest
      Guest Pinkrozez

      Posted

      Thank you for posting this ???? It really helps to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm currently at 4w, 3D. Been having the HARDEST couple of days, today being the hardest. Did you find your hardest time was right before you started feeling better?

    • Pinkrozez
      Pinkrozez Guest

      Posted

      Laura,

      Yes. I had some horrible days. When I moved I couldn't go into my new home. I felt afraid but didn't know of what. It was so strange. I still do not understand why I felt those things but now I try to forget it. I am positive you'll feel better. Write down your feelings, read here there is tons of support. Keeping busy helped. I learned from Kate though to just ease into the anxiety and sometimes just facing it helps. I am hopeful within another month you'll see improvement and it'll

      Slowly continue. Best wishes to you.

    • laurie12351
      laurie12351 Pinkrozez

      Posted

      Thank you for the post.

      I am at 7 weeks. Had a few good days last week. Managed three days of preparing for and my sons wedding this past weekend. Made it through but have crashed today. Very low, anxious, nausea, the shakes, diareeha, and crying. Is this just a blip? I'm worried the med's are stopping to work and I'm going back to that horrible depression again.

      I could really use some insight.

    • craig05866
      craig05866 Pinkrozez

      Posted

      Hi Pinkrozez, so glad to hear you are doing well - half the time I nearly forget to take the meds now. You are right, it gets so much easier =). 

       

    • Pinkrozez
      Pinkrozez craig05866

      Posted

      I know Craig exact same here. I am so grateful to

      Be feeling better it has been such a difficult journey and I know you get it because seems like we had the same symptoms. Glad you're well and I hope your wife and baby are well also. Take care.

  • Guest
    Guest Pinkrozez

    Posted

    Oh how I wish Kate would come back here! I've read all her posts of encouragement and I feel like I need her lol

  • Bambithegirl
    Bambithegirl Pinkrozez

    Posted

    Hi All. Kate's past posts also helped me a lot during the last few months. I am now in week 9 of 20 mg, and up until last week I thought I would never get better. Then I had a few good days. Felt semi normal again. But the start up effects coupled with acceptance of diagnosis was hell! Last 2 days have been a bit of a dip but I guess I should expect that with recovery? Ups and downs. I am adamant to stick to this medication and dose until the 12 week mark, as I know some people say it takes that long. If by then its not effective enough my Doc will probably increase to 40mg.

    I do weekly CBT which I hated at first because it was so activating and upsetting but it is really helping me now to see my thoughts only as thoughts, and to accept the bad and the good as it comes. 

    ?Anyone else around the 9 week mark on 20mg?

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