I hear you... I have to question a Dr. that would put you on Prozac with no anxiety pills when you also have anxiety. I know from experience that Prozac in some cases can make anxiety seem even worse. I think perhaps you should go for a second opinion. This Dr seems to be missing things or symptoms that should not be missed.

sorry you are feeling so bad.... maybe it's time for a new pdoc? it is your right to change, and if you feel the meds he has given you are not doing you good, you need to either discuss it with him, or fire him and find someone who will listen.
when we feel hopeless, even gifts as precious as our kids can drive us to distraction, and cleaning the house can be nice to think about but near impossible to accomplish. Cut yourself a break, and take care of you, ok? In terms of applying for disability...I know how hard that is, as I am trying as well..have already been denied once.
I wish you better days ahead hun. xxx

testycat...sorry I am on other meds for anxiety.
I was switched from my pdoc of 9months to this pdoc who is an anxiety specialist. He increased my Effexor as high as he could go and actually higher than most pdoc's would.

At that time my depression seemed okay but my anxiety wasn't. So he decided we needed to try a change of meds. Which I was in agreement too...apparently Prozac has shown to be the best for most for GAD and depression. But it is so new for me, it is too soon to tell. but now with reducing remeron it just bad. I see him very briefly tomorrow and then a regular appt next week.

I do find this pdoc not as willing to allow me to be as active in my care as my old pdoc and that is becoming a problem and I may end up requesting to change back.

In terms of disability and the Ontario Works stuff, it is very stressful because I am a single mother with no income and right now Ontario Works has put me on hold pending EI benefits which won't go through now because the sick benefits I applied for will not be changed to being fired from my job. So I don't know what will happen. I don't even think I qualify for EI anyways, but OW said I had to apply and I still have to fill out CPP forms. I just feel so overwhelmed.

It may be used to treat anxiety, but it may also cause it as well... Here is a copy from Wikipedia on it's side effects.


Adverse effects
Fluoxetine capsules (20 mg), as sold in the United Kingdom

According to the manufacturer of Prozac brand of fluoxetine Eli Lilly, fluoxetine is contraindicated in individuals taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pimozide (Orap) or thioridazine (Mellaril).[9] The prescribing information recommends that the treatment of the patients with liver impairment "must be approached with caution". The elimination of fluoxetine and its metabolite norfluoxetine is about twice slower in these patients, resulting in the proportionate increase of exposure to the drug.[9]

Among the common adverse effects associated with fluoxetine and listed in the prescribing information, the effects with the greatest difference from placebo are nausea (22% vs 9% for placebo), insomnia (19% vs 10% for placebo), somnolence (12% vs 5% for placebo), anorexia (10% vs 3% for placebo), anxiety (12% vs 6% for placebo), nervousness (13% vs 8% for placebo), asthenia (11% vs 6% for placebo) and tremor (9% vs 2% for placebo). Those that most often resulted in interruption of the treatment were anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness (1-2% each), and in pediatric trialsmania (2%).[9]

In addition, rash or urticaria, sometimes serious, was observed in 7% patients in clinical trials; one-third of these cases resulted in discontinuation of the treatment. Postmarketing reports note several cases of complications developed in patients with rash. The symptoms included vasculitis and lupus-like syndrome. Death has been reported to occur in association with these systemic events.[9]

Akathisia, that is inner tension, restlessness, and the inability to stay still, often accompanied by "constant pacing, purposeless movements of the feet and legs, and marked anxiety," is a common side effect of fluoxetine.[22][23] Akathisia usually begins after the initiation of the treatment or increase of the dose and disappears after fluoxetine is stopped or its dose is decreased, or after treatment with propranolol.[24][25][22] There are case reports directly linking akathisia with suicidal attempts, with patients feeling better after the withdrawal of fluoxetine, and again developing severe akathisia on repeated exposure to fluoxetine. These patients described "that the development of the akathisia made them feel suicidal and that it had precipitated their prior suicide attempts."[25] The experts note that because of the link of akathisia with suicide and the distress it causes to the patient, "it is of vital importance to increase awareness amongst staff and patients of the symptoms of this relatively common condition".[26][27] The initiation of suicidal ideation with fluoxetine does not appear to be higher than that seen with other antidepressants.[28] It is possible however, that individuals with a impulse control problems are more prone to paradoxical psyhiatric adverse effects of fluoxetine.[29] More rarely, fluoxetine has been associated with related movement disorders acute dystonia and tardive dyskinesia.[23][30][31]

Other side effects may occur, including sexual dysfunction. Possible sexual side effects can include anorgasmia, reduced libido and impotence.[32]

Fluoxetine taken during pregnancy also increases rate of poor neonatal adaptation.[32] Because fluoxetine is excreted in human milk, nursing while on fluoxetine is not recommended.[33] The American Association of Pediatrics classifies fluoxetine as a drug for which the effect on the nursing infant is unknown but may be of concern.[34]

Yes, unfortunately, I think all the SSRIs have the risk of increasing your anxiety. Especially during the first few weeks, and the first few weeks of increases.

This pdoc says studies has shown that this drug has proven it works the best..so who knows.

I think women hurt so much, feel so deeply because they are capable of genuinely caring. There are studies that show women get the most relief from stress and depression when they are actively caring for others!!! You think you have no reserves, you have nothing left to give, because you feel so empty, and have not been cared for yourself.

Trust me, I found some volunteer work that was meaningful to me, really meaningful, and it was my LIFELINE! For the longest time, still sometimes, the only time I feel alive or want to be alive is when I am doing my volunteer work. Wish I could get paid for it - I'd live there!!!!! NEVER EXPECTED THIS, EVER. It is uplifting. I feel like my BEST SELF! I feel useful, needed, cared about, alive!

Got me through...is getting me through, yes I still get down. But I am still here, and I have to be here otherwise there would be no one to help the people I help with my volunteer work. It's God's gift to me, my hope, my love....

I can tell ya from my own past experience that for about 3 weeks on prozac I was shakey and felt anxious, once it took affect it did work. But that is just me. I have heard similar experiences from friends too.

I was wondering if the doctor stopped your Effexor cold turkey or did he wean you off it. I was on effexor and the doctor stopped it cold turkey and I was feeling the way you are. I ended up in the psych ward. It doesn't seem like this doctor is listening to everything you are saying. I wish I could help you some but since I can't here is a Hug
{{{{{mystie}}}}}

I was weaned off the Effexor quickly and I've been on Prozac about seven weeks and had the dosage upped once.

My pdoc figures I'll need to be at the maximum dosage though which is around 60 mg I guess. So I have a few more months to go before I'm there.

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm fairly new to ds but like testycatlady I am wondering about the prozac. This drug made me feel so ill I couldn't function. The sickness was unbelievable and the depression just deepened. I lost 2 stone in a month, couldn't eat and had constant diarrhoea. My anxiety went through the roof. Please check with your doctor because as soon as I was taken off this I felt so much better. Take care xx

Thanks leeigh....it has been making me sick and almost no appetite and the runs bad.
I know he will say we have to wait it out longer....sometimes pdoc's are frustrating.

I don't know how much more of this I can take.....