Anxiety - Fluoxetine

[Daniiii]

Anyone on fluoxetine and clonazepan? I’m on it week#5 and about to give up . No apetite, anxious and heart palpitations. Anyone experienced that ? How before it starts working?

[Hidden]

I don’t have much experience with the clonezapan combo, but it took me close to 6 weeks (maybe a little less) to start feeling the effects of fluoxetine. and about a month or two after that my psychiatrist increased the dosage.

[Daniiii in reply to Hidden]

How was the first few weeks for you? What dosage are you on?

[Hidden in reply to Daniiii]

the first few weeks were somewhat confusing, i expected more/ different effects. the change is slow but it helped me through a very difficult time in my life. Also i noticed later on that it had been helping me before i had really noticed a difference in my day to day mood.

When i decided that personally i would like to try things without medication ( not a doctor, cannot recommended this) i was on a 40mg dosage.

[Daniiii in reply to Hidden]

Thank you and good luck

[Daniiii in reply to Hidden]

Im seeing my doctor Tuesday... I’m currently on 40mg as well

[Hidden in reply to Daniiii]

Yeah i would definitely bring these concerns to you doctor and hopefully the can elaborate further. The first month or two for me was a little rocky and then i felt better for a long time before i tried things on my own. Good luck to you and hopefully you find some answers soon.

[tigerclaw in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I know my mom try fluoxetine but no help at all even with the incised dose. Lorazepam helped her with Anxiety big time. The only thing is you can get addictive if you actively using it. I tok her off from it and after I researched the possible help She try now Ayurvedic Ashwagandha looks like working. She was suffering every day from Anxiety.

[wordbrain]

It usually takes about 4-6 weeks for Fluoxetine to give you the full effects, but I definitely felt less anxious after only a couple of weeks. I’ve never taken clonazepan though. Maybe talk to your prescriber about adjusting the dosage of either/both the fluoxetine or the clonazepan?

[Daniiii in reply to wordbrain]

Thank you. I’m seeing her Tuesday

[wordbrain in reply to Daniiii]

Good luck

[Blue333]

Dis you mean Clonazepam? What mg and how often do you take it?

[Daniiii in reply to Blue333]

.5 3xday

[Hidden]

Hi..... i tried it didnt help at all.....infact symptoms get worse with it

[FaithGlamour]

I take both, fluoxetine i take 20mg they tried to up me to 40mg but my anxiety and panic attacks got so much worse, so they put me back down to 20mg. Clonazepam i tske 1mg as needed. I try not to use it unless absolutely necessary because its an addictive drug. I due have heart palpitations, they sent me to a cardiologist and i was told that i have pvc ( premature vesticular contractions). I would love to get off of these meds because while my anxiety is better, it makes me feel like shit most days. Well i wish you the best.

[tigerclaw in reply to FaithGlamour]

Ayurvedic Ashwagandha did the job for my mom.. She suffered every day from Anxiety and her tremor increased every time anxiety hit her.. I try lots off stuff but didn't do nothing to her to get better. Finally found Ashwagandha she takes 500mg every day and looks like anxiety disappeared after 2 weeks.

Good luck to you.

[Hidden]

Careful with the clonazapem ... great stuff but so addictive,

[despecho]

I believe flouxetine is generic for prozac? If so prozac never worked for me. Klonopin neither. Luvox, effexor worked but bad side effects. Xanax and ativan are better for the benzos. Keep trying!

[Buginmybrain]

I've been taking fluoxetine for 7 years...I was extremely anxious for the first 6 weeks or so.

[Daniiii in reply to Buginmybrain]

So there is hope that it will go away . This is my 5th week. How is it working for you? How much do you take?

[MAtoNE in reply to Daniiii]

I used to be on Celexa for about 5 years. Stopped working. I was just put on 40 mg of prozac 2 weeks ago. I have no appetite. Will decreasing my dosage help? I'm tired of being patient because I am small and can't afford to lose all this weight. I am also weak from not eating.

[MSGSTL]

Hello Daniiii,

I started on Prozac and clonazepam in 2000 after I was diagnosed with OCD, GAD, and Social Anxiety Disorder. The first drug is known as a SSRI and the clonazepam is a benzodiazepine. True, benzos can be addictive, but the one your on is quite safe. I have been taking benzos for roughly 20 years and even with my addictive personality I have had no issues. Although they treat panic attacks (like a rescue inhaler for asthmatics) they are only marginally effective for heavy anxiety. I am not a medical doctor, but I know well enough that sometimes it is a matter of trial and error before you find a good combination. This can be an arduous process, but when you find the right mix you will thank yourself for it. Perhaps you could switch to a "stronger" SSRI like Celexa (citalopram) which worked much better than Prozac on my anxiety issues. Either way, best of luck with your doctors appointment.

-MSGSTL

[Daniiii in reply to MSGSTL]

Thank you so much. Was very helpful

[MSGSTL]

You are quite welcome.

-MSGSTL

[MSGSTL]

Hello Daniiii,

How did your doctor's appointment go? In my experiences with MD's it is best to be assertive about what you want/need. Remember, you are the one "calling the shots" not the other way around. Keep that in mind. Also, don't be afraid to express your feelings in regards to your medical treatment whether it is good or problematic. You are number one, the head honcho, master of your universe, etc. Do not accept anything less than the best for yourself.

Peace.

-MSGSTL

[Daniiii in reply to MSGSTL]

It went okay I guess... she kept me on 40mg Prozac and up my clonazepam to .5 / 3x a day as needed. I’ve heard that Prozac could take weeks before I could feel the full effect. I’m going on week #5. No panic attacks however I feel very tired, anxiety is mild, but what bothers me the most is the lack of appetite. I can’t eat. I heard that goes way as well with time. What you think ?

[MSGSTL]

Hi Daniiii!

I know how you feel. It took at least six weeks before I felt the full effects of Prozac. The dose of clonazepam you are taking is relatively low. I was on it for 5 years before I went to Xanax (Alprazolam). When you feel particularly anxious take the 1.5 mg she has prescribed for you. Do you take the clonazepam when you get up? Try taking 0.5mg when you wake up as an offensive tactic to beat the anxiety before it strikes. The fatigue you are experiencing is normal and it will ameliorate with time. Try taking your Prozac before going to bed. That is what I do with all my medications and the fatigue is all but gone. Taking the Prozac at night will not affect its efficacy, you will experience the good effects without the drowsiness. Lastly, realize you are a champion for getting help for your mental issues. I know of so many people who let their maladies fester and grow thus missing out on life. You are not perfect. Nobody is. Life is not perfect. It was never meant to be. Just take time for yourself no matter how busy you are. Self care and loving yourself is part of living a meaningful, fulfilling life. Remember: You are never alone. Feel free to write anytime. No matter is too small. Have a great weekend!

Peace.

-MSGSTL

[MSGSTL]

Forgot about the appetite issue. It is possible that taking your Prozac before bed will help increase your appetite. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

-MSGSTL

[Daniiii in reply to MSGSTL]

Thanks for everything. Gave me some hope. You also have a great weekend and I will keep you updated.

- Dani

[Daniiii in reply to Daniiii]

So I still have anxiety symptoms... really bothers me. Tightness in my chests, neck, feel nauseous.... so I Called my doctor and she asked me to take 1mg of clonazepam in the am and 1mg at pm and .5 midday ..... I’m so confused

[tigerclaw]

Hi Daniiii,

I said above my mom had the same thing, her family doctor give her fluoxetine first 20mg then increased to 40mg.. After even 8 weeks was no result what so ever. Then the doc giving her lorazepam avian take it when she needs it. It worked for her like a miracle. But the issue is with it you can get addictive big time. And I understand what you guys going true because I experienced all with my mom in every day. Believe me I see it how devastate it is to have anxiety. I was doing a research day and night for her to try anything is possible in the natural ways included valerian roots, inositol, rhodiola, etc.. to get her off from lorazepam and see her finally better. And finally I found the one helped her by the second week.. Ayurvedic Ashwagandha 500mg taking every day. I just thought I share this to you as well. I know our bodies are not the same, but my mom was super sensitive for most medications side effects so I'm very careful what to give her even to try. Hope this helps..

Best of luck to you..

[tigerclaw]

Ohh and I forget, she is type 2 diabetic as well, plus the Parkinson. And her tremor improved as well from ashwagandha i'm monitoring her blood glucose instantly every day because looks like ashwagandha not only fixing her anxiety, but dropping her blood glucose as well and the other thing get fixed by ashwagandha is her blood pressure, anytime anxiety was hit her, her blood pressure was rise, and same pain around you subscribed.. Hope this helps..

[Hidden]

Prozac is not a good drug for anxiety. It is an SSRI antidepressant. Clonazepam alone will help your anxiety. Be careful with it. It is a benzodiazepine like valium so don't become dependent.

[autumn34 in reply to Hidden]

You're right. Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) antidepressant. The way this medicine works is still not fully understood. It is thought to positively affect communication between nerve cells in the central nervous system and/or restore chemical balance in the brain. Fluoxetine is used to treat major depressive disorder, bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). more reliablehealthprovider.com/...

[Shadow19422]

I am taking fluoxetine, and the side effects are not good to start with, I have the shakes, no appetite, high pulse and can feel my heart beating, I have been taking them for 3 weeks and 4 days, I was on 20m and then after two weeks decided to up the dose to 40m after 4 days on 40m the duty Doctor wanted me to go back to 20, I did start to feel slightly better and eating something, but on the second day of reduced dose I was back to ware I started, today I have seen the Doctor as my pulse was racing 102, so I am back on 40m again, and have been told I shouldn’t have the full blown side effects again as it’s in my system, so I am hoping I will start to feel better, no sleep at night is awful

What strength are you on?

[MAtoNE in reply to Shadow19422]

I used to be on Celexa for about 5 years. Stopped working. I was just put on 40 mg of prozac 2 weeks ago. I have no appetite. Will decreasing my dosage help? I'm tired of being patient because I am small and can't afford to lose all this weight. I am also weak from not eating.