Prozac

[roc721]

Has anyone taken Prozac with success? I was taken Celexa, but it caused me to gain 50 lbs in 6 months so my doctor took me off of it. I was also taking Xanax, but that's gone too. I've only been on the medicine for a week and had two attacks already. He replaced the Xanax with Hydroxyzine. Any help?

[CrystalB]

I've been on Prozac for over two weeks now and I'm taking the max allowable dose of Xanax per day. I still feel heightened anxiety but that's supposed to happen within the first month of taking Prozac or any SSRI. Yes, I almost gave up several times, but I'm glad I didn't. It's getting better and better and I'm slowly able to wean down from the Xanax. I'm not familiar with Hydroxizine. Is it a benzo?

[roc721]

Apparently is a antihistamine that is also used for anxiety. It was told to me that it's similar to Xanax without the addiction. Thanks for the hope, I felt normal one day, switched meds, and my life went topsy turvy.

[carissapink]

I have taken Prozac for years and it has worked for me. Prior to Prozac I tried several meds which all made me zombie like and other side effects. Prozac is the one med that has worked the best for me. I stopped taking it for about 6 months this year because I thought I was ready to be off meds. I did ok for the first few months, but then my anxiety came back with a vengeance. I ended up going back on my meds and at first my anxiety got worse, but after a month it evened out and I feel much better!

[roc721]

Thanks for the encouragement! I will keep fighting until it kicks in.

[alankay]

Taken it for over 20 years and think overall a good med. 5 HtP and l-tryptophan are other options. Alankay.

[CrystalB]

ROC, hang in there if you can. Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake,if you drink. Believe me, that helps. While you're getting to a therapeutic level, you are vulnerable to heightened everything.

I'll have to look into that antihistamine? Just curious though - was the Xanax working? Why did you switch?
Did you wean slowly off Xanax?

Thinking about you - hope this gets easier for you.

Crystal

[roc721]

I was switched meds strictly because I was unaware that I had health care through the VA, was paying out of pocket for my own doctor, no ins. Yes the Xanax work great for me, I only take .5mg once daily. My VA doctor doesn't want me taking them because of the possible addiction. Also, I don't drink but maybe once or twice a month and no caffeine at all.

[roc721]

I forgot, he took me off cold turkey

[CrystalB]

That's a low dose of Xanax, so you may not have any withdrawal. My guess is that the anxiety is simply heightened because of the start of the Prozac and the antihistamine. Just know you're not alone AT ALL. It can be such a lonely feeling, but that fear is shared by many. You have support here, anytime. Good for you on no caffeine! Sounds like you're being good to yourself and doing everything right :)

[roc721]

Yeah, I told my previous doctor I wanted to start low because of the possible addiction. My family has addictive natures, most of it is meth, but cigarettes and alcohol. I've never done meth, I quit smoking two yrs ago and don't drink often.

Thanks for the help! Me and my son have a trip planned soon for Spring Break and I was starting to worry.