Scared of taking Prozac but I guess it's mainly my OCD that triggers extreme fear.

[Alliswell2021]

Of course the side-effects too. I need perspective and Help.

I have been diagnosed with OCD just a few days ago and I haven't still taken the Prozac that was prescribed because every time I think about just the thought of taking give me so much anxiety!

Does anyone here experience the same Anxiety of taking the Prescribed meds for OCD?? DO you think it's just my OCD that causes this fear? Usually if I give in with the triggers of OCD it goes away because nothing happens after that so I feel relaxed. I'm thinking it's the same thing. It will go once I take my first dose.

But right now it's really just a struggle. I need someone who can relate and encourage me that I can overcome my fear. And having OCD if I take Prozac nothing bad will happen.

Please help. Thank you. God Bless!

[LuvSun]

I’ve taken a high dosage of Prozac for over 30 years and have not had any bad side effects.😊. Everyone is different though but you should give it a try.

[Alliswell2021 in reply to LuvSun]

Thank you so much LuvSun for the feedback! It really helps a lot to have a community like this.

[mmmmww]

I had the same fears. I put off taking them for over a year! I wish I hadn't. When I finally plucked up the courage to take them, I instantly felt better, as it was like a weight lifted and I no longer had to have the daily internal battle with myself "should I take them or not. And what if and side effects" As soon as I had made the decision to take them, and upon taking my first one, I no longer had the anxiety of taking them.

Before taking them, I spent over a year researching them, debating with myself on taking them, trying to find alternatives, debating with my husband on taking them. I wanted a lot of time, effort and worry, which all disappeared when I decided to take them. The weight was lifted from my shoulders, thus I instantly felt better.

It then takes several weeks for them to get in to your system and work, but each day I seemed to feel a little better.

Now I have been on them, 20mg daily, since mid January this year, so that's almost 7 months. I feel so much better. I do still get anxious and do some OCD/compulsions, but they do not "bother" me for as long as they used to. It is easier to let it go and move on. Much easier than it was before taking them. There are also a number of exposures I have been able to do that I couldn't before taking Prozac.

I didn't get any side effects, well not that I noticed anyway.

I know everyone is different and will react differently to each med. You may find that Prozac is not right for you and you need to try something else.

I asked on many forums about it before taking it. Out of all the replies I received, they were about 98% positive, almost every one said it had worked for them and they had no side effects. If you search/google "contamination OCD fluoxetine" I am sure you will find some of my posts, so you can read replies for yourself if you wanted.

If you decide to take them, you could start off low doses to see how you get on, 10mg or 20mg a day, for a couple months or so, and increase if you need to.

As I said, I am on 20mg daily. My health visitor and GP said I could up it if I want, in order to help tackle some of the bigger exposures which I am still currently unable to do. But with all my research I also discovered that vitamins and minerals also help.

I had some blood tests done and found I was deficient on a couple vitamins and minerals, do I have also started taking a multi vitamin daily. They appear to be helping, I don't know if it is a placebo or if they are actually working, I don't care which as I feel pretty good. Much better than I have done in a long time.

All I can suggest is "do it". Give them a try, if you get side effects, see if you can muster through them for a few weeks (apparently most or all side effects go away after your body gets used to the drug and it is in your system properly, so if you get any side effects, try and put up with them for a while). After about 3 months if taking them, if they are not doing anything, think about increasing dose or trying a different drug.

Whichever you decide, take them or not, as long as you actually make a decision, you will feel better for making the decision and you will no longer have to debate with yourself on taking them or not. One less thing to worry about! 😉

[Alliswell2021]

Thank you so much for your detailed feedback! I love reading positive and affirmative, victory stories on OCD. I really appreciate it! Putting it off over a year is so loooong! I've been crying over it because I want to get well but at the same time I was so scared of taking. I think it's my OCD kicking it not really about the side effects that made me anxious. Anyway, I'm glad you finally did it! Now you can share your success story on taking the meds. I took my first dose already and hoping and praying for the best. God Bless! Hope you have a great day.