Low, low dose of prozac

[weplant]

Hi.I am new to this forum...I have severe anxiety/ panic, pretty much 24/7..I am currently housebound because of it..I am very, very sensitive to meds..My doc just
started me on liquid prozac..Using liquid so I could start very low...5 ml which is like 2.5mg's. I know that sounds like nothing..I am supposed to increase to 1ml in 2 weeks..even at that low dose I am feeling more anxious and spacey..I really want to give it a chance and understand that you sometimes feel worse in the beginning. I guess I just need some encouragement..I just read a interesting article about high dosing with meds..They used prozac as a example and found that people at 5mg had a 60% improvement and those at 20mg had a 68% improvement, so only 8% difference, proving that 5mg is enough for most..This made me feel a little better that maybe my small amount will help, but for know I am coming out of my skin. My doc will not give me ativan!!! Help

[CrystalB]

I started taking Prozac about 3 weeks ago. I'm on 10 mg twice daily, so a total of 20 mg per day. I know what you mean about "coming out of my skin". That is such a normal feeling in the beginning with an SSRI. Serious side effects should be addressed, like rash, vomiting, things like that. I'm no doctor, but the spacey feeling is something I've experienced with every SSRI I've tried. I'm at the point now where my anxiety is still heightened, I have mild nausea, mild headache, and a zombie like feeling.

Why won't your doctor prescribe Attivan? I take Xanax as needed, but I have to see a specialist to get that prescription. Is your doctor a family doctor or general practice doctor?

[weplant]

I started taking Prozac about 3 weeks ago. I'm on 10 mg twice daily, so a total of 20 mg per day. I know what you mean about "coming out of my skin". That is such a normal feeling in the beginning with an SSRI. Serious side effects should be addressed, like rash, vomiting, things like that. I'm no doctor, but the spacey feeling is something I've experienced with every SSRI I've tried. I'm at the point now where my anxiety is still heightened, I have mild nausea, mild headache, and a zombie like feeling.

Why won't your doctor prescribe Attivan? I take Xanax as needed, but I have to see a specialist to get that prescription. Is your doctor a family doctor or general practice doctor?

Thanks for the reply Crystal..This anxiety/panic really sucks..I have suffered from it for so many years, but I was always functionable..Now, I am housebound and still feel horrible at home..I took lexapro about 4 years ago and that took the edge off, but I gained 45 pounds and fell like crap..It took my doctor 10 months to convince me to try the Prozac..I am just so sensitive to meds..I am the same way with alcohol. I feel silly even telling anyone what a low dose I am on..But after a lot of research realized that everyone metablizes meds differently..It has only been 9 days and I know I have to give it a chance..I felt a bit better yesterday and was so happy..Thought. omg , maybe this will work, then today is the worse..Spacey, dizzy, feeling like passing out, all the typical anxiety reactions..My doc is anti ativan..He says it is too addicting (I do NOT have a addicting personality). He says you get rebound anxiety from it..He gave me a script for 10 and will not give me anymore..I know of people that have been on ativan for years with their SSRI..He is a GP, I will probobly have to see a psychiatrist. Have you ever tried kolonopin? Thanks for listening...debbie

[weplant]

my doctor won't give me a benzo like ativan..Luckily I have a few from a friend so I am using them very sparingly..How are you doing on the prozac..i am now up to 1ml of liquid prozac, that is only 5mg!

[CrystalB]

Good to hear you were able to up your dose. I'm still on 10mg twice daily and it's been a month. I feel so much better than before. I think I'm at the therapeutic level and it's really working! I am slowly weaning off of the Xanax and letting the Prozac do its job.

How are you doing so far?

[weplant]

Hi..I am at 1ml now which is barely 5mg...I know that sounds like nothing, but I am so sensitive to meds and they cause me more panic (if that is possible). It is 3 weeks today, but only 2 days at 1ml..I might be feeling a little something on ocassion, like I will actually not be in a panic for 30 minutes, which is good for me...It is a feeling of nervousness, fear all the time. I am hoping the prozac will start to work and help with that..I need to be able to leave my house..Hearing how others are doing, does give me some hope..

[CrystalB]

Hang in there. You're doing great.
Float through the tough times and know that you can come here for support any time.
Thinking of you and best of luck.

Crystal

[weplant]

I really need some support..Still on just 1ml of liquid prozac and I had the worse panic attack yesterday..I took a ativan and it helped a bit, but then felt even worse!!! so dizzy, so spacy, etc...It has been 3 1/2 weeks on the low dose of prozac..Ii don't know what to do..Once I got up to 1ml I now have stomach cramps and headache..I can handle those if the anxiety/panic/fear improve. Maybe I am one of those that only needs 3mg of prozac..Just don't know what to do...I have read where some people take 5mg every other day...Maybe I will try that...Help, please