Prozac 40mg and anxiety is spiraling out of conrol

[thebaseball2001]

Hello all,

I was put on Prozac about 2 months ago, starting out at 20mg for the first few weeks and upping that to 40mg over the past month and a half. I initially felt "better" after starting the 40mg. I had a week in there somewhere where I felt my agitation calm down, I could handle more and I was more clear headed. That only lasted for that week though and since then I have felt more anxiety than before I was put on the Prozac. Prior to that I was on Effexor and although it seemed to keep my anxiety somewhat under control, I was depressed. It seems like the Prozac has opened me back up to the anxiety as I almost had a panic attack the other night, something that I haven't had in a few years since I have been on medication. I was also taking Xanax 2mg per day (in the evening) and my doc had me cut back to .5mg a day within the past few weeks and I am wondering if maybe some of what I am feeling is related to the sudden cut back on Xanax, although I know that is not a high dose. Right now I just feel like my mind is on high alert, my thoughts are racing, I feel like an open wound that someone is dashing salt on every few minutes. Not sure what to do at this point, I have an appointment set up with my pdoc for Friday but I don't want to feel like this another day.

Thanks,
Chad

[Anne1221]

I suspect it's the cut back on the Xanax from 2mg to .5mg. Ask your pdoc if you can cut back on a much slower pace.

[gypsylee]

Definitely the Xanax. 2mg is a reasonable amount and Xanax is the worst benzo for withdrawals because it's the fastest acting and has the shortest half-life. So cutting that down to 0.5mg in a few weeks you'd notice. I'm pretty sure they've stopped prescribing it here because it's that addictive.

[Fashoom]

Did you taper down the Xanax? With any type of discontinuation I favor very slow tapers. 2mg to .5mg daily Xanax is a big cutback. Personally I would go down .25mg/week, but IMO doctors often under-consider side-effects and withdrawal symptoms. I'm glad you have an appt in a few days. Tell your doc what you're going through and how difficult it is.