Hey all,

When it comes to dealing with panic/anxiety problems, one of my ways of dealing with it staying positive as possible. Lately, however, I have been having a difficult time. I am on Prozac for anxiety and OCD right now, but it is making me SOOOO nervous, I feel like I am on the verge of panic! And this is 10 mg! I am afraid to take the whole 20 mg, because I do not want to have a panic attack- it is physically taxing, taxes those around me, and is too expensive to go to the ER. In addition to that, I had a HUGE headrush when I took my dose the other day- Scary to say the least.

I have used Valium with great success in the past, and did not become dependent on it- like every stupid doctor thinks everyone will. Why should I have to suffer when I know what works? I am really trying my hardest to give the Prozac a chance, and to let it help me. I just cant understand why everyone thinks medication like Valium is so awful- it does its job and does it well, regardless of the people that get addicted to it, there are many that DO NOT.

I am just trying to stay positive through this, and hope that I do OK. Luckily, I have the support of family, friends, and a good psychologist- but that only goes so far, because unlike many of you, they just cant understand this. The other problem is they cant be around me 24 hours a day, and I have to learn to deal with this junk on my own. It's just really tough for me right now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif.....

Anybody have any experience with PRozac and panic problems/nervousness? I have been on it for about 10 days, and my symptoms seem to have worsened not improved. Any feedback would sure be great http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I started having panic attacks shortly after starting Zoloft, which is in the same family as Prozac.

You obviously belong to the lucky ones who can go cold turkey on their meds. But your insistence on taking valium might be misleading your doctor.

By the way, there are better benzos than valium in the market. They require smaller doses and they wash out of your system faster. You might want to try them for a few weeks and see how you feel. Just remember that these meds should be tapered down when you decide to stop taking them.

Originally posted by Janik:
I started having panic attacks shortly after starting Zoloft, which is in the same family as Prozac.

You obviously belong to the lucky ones who can go cold turkey on their meds. But your insistence on taking valium might be misleading your doctor.

By the way, there are better benzos than valium in the market. They require smaller doses and they wash out of your system faster. You might want to try them for a few weeks and see how you feel. Just remember that these meds should be tapered down when you decide to stop taking them.

Are you still on Zoloft? I assume not...? If so, did the nervousness subside?

Good point about my "insistence" on valium. ITs not that I'm demanding it, but like you said it could be giving the wrong impression...I just know it works for me, and cant see why I have to suffer from this panic crap to allow 4 weeks for prozac to work. I am trying to beat panic, not suffer daily from it; which I was NOT doing prior to starting Prozac. To me, it makes no sense.

I have taken xanax before, and that is a no go. It worked good, but the *ahem* digestive side effects were almost laughable. I should have bought stock in Citrucel...

What are these other valium type drugs you speak of? I only mentioned valium because I know for a FACT that it worked for me before. Maybe I can suggest something more "today" for my doctor. It seems like most doctors today really have a problem with benzo type drugs- and for good reason. They can be addictive, but not to me, I used it for about 5 weeks, and tapered off of it with ZERO difficulties.

I am just sick of this med treadmill- it is not only expensive, it is frustrating to be "trying" stuff when you know there is something that works for sure.

[This message has been edited by nickey69 (edited 05-03-2003).]

I went cold turkey on Zoloft and experienced a hellish withdrawal. What's worse, the panic attacks were still there even after other symptoms had disappeared, so I had to go back to therapy. Since I was depressed I was put on Wellbutrin (I quit after six months). For the anxiety and panic I was put on Xanax (tapering now, was very effective). I took Rivotril for the insomnia and then switched to Tranxene for the same (both very easy to quit).

Xanax, Rivotril and Tranxene are benzos. I cannot give an opinion about other benzos because I never tried them. But my mom was on Ativan, it helped her a lot and she also quit by tapering slowly without any problems.

What worries me is that your doctor is reluctant to change your medications even when they are causing unpleasant side effects. If he does not want to prescribe Valium, fine. But he should be the one seeking other alternatives instead of you doing his homework.

Originally posted by Janik:
I went cold turkey on Zoloft and experienced a hellish withdrawal. What's worse, the panic attacks were still there even after other symptoms had disappeared, so I had to go back to therapy. Since I was depressed I was put on Wellbutrin (I quit after six months). For the anxiety and panic I was put on Xanax (tapering now, was very effective). I took Rivotril for the insomnia and then switched to Tranxene for the same (both very easy to quit).

Xanax, Rivotril and Tranxene are benzos. I cannot give an opinion about other benzos because I never tried them. But my mom was on Ativan, it helped her a lot and she also quit by tapering slowly without any problems.

What worries me is that your doctor is reluctant to change your medications even when they are causing unpleasant side effects. If he does not want to prescribe Valium, fine. But he should be the one seeking other alternatives instead of you doing his homework.

Withdrawal on Zoloft, huh? Gee, I thought SSRI's werent addictive- at least thats what I have been told (I didnt believe it when I was told that, BTW)?!

I will say that Xanax was a good medication, but like I said, that one side effect was just too much. However, even that would be better than what I have been going through with PRozac. I am not taking it anymore- I am trying to get help to LESSEN nervousness that leads to panic, not make it worse.

My doctor is a big believer in the SSRI's- fine, but maybe they dont work for everybody. I will talk to her this week, and ask her what exactly she has against benzo type medications, and why I need to suffer like this. No prozac today, and I am a lot more relaxed...Go figure- but I did take a tiny piece of valium that I have had for a long time- racing thoughts, restlessness, sleeplessness- I just was/am worn out from it. I was really hoping it would help me, but- I guess not..Oh well.

Originally posted by nickey69:
Withdrawal on Zoloft, huh? Gee, I thought SSRI's werent addictive...


They are not addictive in the sense that they don't give you a high and you don't really crave them at all. You simply get weird symptoms when you stop taking them. Same thing happens to some people when they stop their benzos.

Originally posted by nickey69:
... what I have been going through with PRozac. I am not taking it anymore... SSRI's... maybe they dont work for everybody. I will talk to her this week...


They seem to work for al lot of people, but you are obviously an exception. Wellbutrin was OK with me. My roomate is taking Trazodone. Neither is an SSRI nor a benzo.

I appreciate your insight http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

I'm one of these people, I want to take as little medication as possible. I dont even take aspirin if I have a headache. I dont want to deal with the side effects. I'm obviously sensitive to medication. Like I said, the dose I was taking was like 5 mgs- not even close to the usual dose, and it was having some bad effects. With Prozac, there is - at least for me- a "high" feeling. It was strange, and if I had not had the head rush and nervousness, I'd still take it. The side effects I was/am having are really not all that typical, so I'll have to go on something else. I know what works, but the Dr. thinks otherwise.

I just cant afford to be trying all these stupid medications when they dont want to work for me, eventhough I have health insurance...Paxil was a no go, now prozac. If I had gotten a 10 day prescription to Valium to begin with (because it worked for me before), I probably would have been through this crap and on with my life.

I'll keep your insight in mind when I talk to the DR next week- THANKS.