Prozac Side Effects - Anxiety!

I started Prozac on October 7th, 2009 in hopes that this medication will help with the depression I was experiencing from Lupus and Fibromyalgia. I had been on Celexa in the past, however, that had caused me to gain weight. I was already on Prednisone, and the Celexa just added that little extra push to make my weight a grand total of 169 pounds on my 5 foot 3 inch frame.

My neurologist had suggested that I try Prozac, as it could also be used to help control my Narcolepsy in conjunction with Provigil, another medication that I had just recently started. He gave me the usual side effect speech and asked if I wanted to try it. I said sure! Why not?

The neurologist had told me how to wean off of the Celexa and start the Prozac. We had a 3 week plan to get me completely switched over and onto a 30 mg daily dosage. By week two of being on Prozac, I had started noticing a difference in my moods. It had started out as me having small bouts of crying episodes for no reason. My husband would ask me what was bothering me and I couldn't tell him. I did not know.

At the start of week three came the heart palpitations and nervousness. I was constantly in a state of worry, feeling as if the world was going to crumble beneath my feet. I was on edge and any sort of noise would trap itself inside of my mind and consume me. I could not remember simple words or names of people; I would just stutter and random words would flow from my mouth. I was becoming a wreck.

By the time week four came around, I would have multiple crying spells a day every day. I would feel on edge in the morning from the time my feet hit the floor. Within an hour, my heart would start beating faster and my stomach would be tied in knots and I would be so nauseous that just the sight of food on television made me gag. If the phone rang, I would silence it. If the dog barked I would jump. If my children asked me a question, I would say no. It didn't matter what the question was, I just couldn't comprehend what they were asking. It was as if I was living in a foreign country and I didn't know the language.

One day in week five of Prozac I had forgotten to take my medication and it was then that I had realized that I hadn't cried but twice that day. I had made dinner and did not need a reminder that I was cooking. It clicked. It had to be the Prozac that was causing me to feel as if nothing was attainable. I had contacted my doctor's office and they had gotten me in to see my doctor within a two day period (thank you to my awesome friend Sharon, who just happens to be a nurse there).

At the doctor appointment I explained what was happening and how I was feeling. My mother went with me to my doctor appointment (as she or my husband always does), and the doctor had explained to us that the Prozac was causing anxiety attacks. He told me not to worry... it will go away once off of the medication. He said that I am going to be a B.O.W. for a little bit longer while weaning off of the medication, however I will not be plagued by this awful mess forever. I asked what a B.O.W. was and my mom laughed so hard I think her eyes were tearing... "bitch on wheels". Good to know that my doctor is not only an excellent doctor, but he's a bit of a comedian too.

It took me 2 days to get off of that dreadful drug and I am now onto the next. It is my 4th day of Cymbalta. Day 1, 2, and 3 went well, but here we go again... the heart is starting to flutter today. With my fingers crossed that this is just the tail end of the Prozac, I will do my best to take deep breaths and re-evaluate every situation that makes my eyes start to water.

***I would just like to say that even though I had a horrible reaction to this drug, Prozac is an absolute life saver for some people. Everyone's body reacts differently to medications, so please keep that in mind as you read my story. Thank you!***
P.S.- I'm down to 152 pounds as of today! Possibly from the anxiety, but at least its a start towards a healthier me.

Please be sure to check out my website Lissa's World for more useful information.

Here we go again!

Good evening! Or rather good morning... early morning. As you may have read in my earlier blogs, I have several health issues. I am in the middle of changing medications, trying new ones, weaning off of old ones, and it is taking a toll on my body right now.

I have been in a major flare up of Fibromyalgia flare up for about 6 months now. Before finding my current rheumatologist, I had gone to another one who believed that the only thing that would ever help me was steroid treatments of prednisone. I had no relief from the prednisone, but my doctor would not listen to me. I started to feel as if my symptoms were all in my head. How could I possibly feel so awful with being on steroids, muscle relaxers, and narcotics?

After months of agonizing pain that only the healthy can imagine when they are actively sick with the flu, I said enough is enough! I am extremely lucky to have a very good friend who is a nurse, who by the way just happens to work at my doctor's office. She sweet talked the top rheumatologist to take my case on and help me (this is a doctor who is not accepting new patients).

So, to make a long story short, I saw him and it was love at first visit! This doctor has taken his time to review my records all the way back to 1999 when all hell broke loose. He listens to my complaints and to be honest with you, I think he enjoys the challenge of trying to fix me!

No matter how wonderful my doctor is, I lay here in bed in a full fledged flare up of the dreadful Fibromyalgia. We have tried Lyrica with no success. I am onto Cymbalta as of 3 days ago. I should be able to tell within a couple of weeks if this will help me. I would love to be able to sit on my couch or in a chair for longer than 5 minutes before I want to curl up in a ball and curse the world for my muscles aching and my skin burning.

As if muscles and skin weren't enough of a problem, now I am experiencing more intense joint pain again and headaches are a daily occurrence. Oh Lupus why do you have to come back with a vengeance?

I sometimes wonder how much abuse my body can handle, but each time I begin to doubt myself, God reaches for my hand and guides me. My mother has always said that God doesn't give you more than you can handle. So, of course, you know what that means: I'm a force to be reckoned with.

Brent, just bear with me, and I am sorry for snoring, kicking you, grinding my teeth, and talking all night long in my sleep. And please try not to wake me up too much tonight to tell me to stop waking you up. If you just deal with it for tonight so I can finally get a little bit of a better night sleep, I will bake you a nice big batch of brownies! I love you honey!