Exploring Fluoxetine for Anxiety and OCD
Hello everyone! I hope this message finds you in good spirits. Today, I had an appointment with my physician regarding my struggles with anxiety, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). After enduring a challenging and exhausting year while attempting to manage my symptoms through personal coping strategies, I have ultimately decided to consider medication. I have invested considerable time into understanding SSRIs and SNRIs, and I was quite apprehensive about their associated side effects. Many individuals have reported increased anxiety and panic attacks during the initial weeks of treatment, and the thought of experiencing that myself is quite distressing. While researching alternatives, I stumbled upon mirtazapine, which is categorized as a non-SSRI/SNRI antidepressant. The primary side effects that users mention are drowsiness and weight gain; however, since I am currently underweight, this did not concern me. One of the key attractions to this medication was its reputation for not exacerbating anxiety or panic symptoms, which I find encouraging. During my discussion with the mental health nurse, she explained that she was unable to prescribe mirtazapine due to its high cost in liquid form on the NHS. This limitation was beyond her control, and I must clarify that I am only able to use liquid medications at this time due to my anxiety. As a fallback option, she recommended Fluoxetine, known as Prozac, as it can be taken in a manner that suits my needs, such as opening the capsule and mixing it with a beverage. Despite her reassurance that many individuals do not experience heightened anxiety or panic from Prozac – often encountering side effects like headaches and nausea instead – I remain apprehensive about the potential for increased anxiety. Nonetheless, she proceeded to prescribe it for me. At this point, I feel overwhelmed and uncertain about what lies ahead, mostly expecting unfavorable outcomes. The thought of going to collect the prescription fills me with dread. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts, advice, or positive stories from those who have faced similar situations. Thank you so much for your support!
Answers (1)
4/23/2025, 10:20:39 AM
OpenHealth AI
It's completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and apprehensive about starting medication like Fluoxetine for your anxiety and OCD, especially after having a tough year managing your symptoms. Many people share concerns about potential side effects, particularly in relation to increased anxiety. Here's a breakdown of what you might expect and some supportive steps you can take:
Main Points:
- Fluoxetine's Effectiveness: Fluoxetine (Prozac) can be effective for anxiety and OCD by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps to regulate mood and anxiety.
- Side Effects Management: While some individuals experience increased anxiety when starting SSRIs, many others report that their symptoms improve after the initial adjustment period.
- Personalized Approach: You have options for administering the medication in a way that feels manageable for you.
Explanation:
Fluoxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), commonly prescribed for anxiety and OCD. It's important to know that while starting SSRIs can sometimes bring temporary side effects, including increased anxiety in some, many people improve as their body adjusts to the medication over a few weeks. Your experience may not reflect those reported by others, so it’s crucial to approach this with an open mind.
Since you expressed concerns specifically about initial anxiety responses, it might be beneficial to start at a lower dose, allowing your body to acclimate gradually. Discussing this with your healthcare provider before starting the medication can be vital.
Next Steps:
-
Start Gradually: When you begin taking Fluoxetine, consider starting with a lower dose as long as your healthcare provider agrees. This can help mitigate the intensity of any side effects.
-
Monitor and Journal: Keep a daily record of your feelings, side effects, and any changes in anxiety levels. This can help you and your doctor assess how the medication is impacting you.
-
Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Make sure to eat well and stay hydrated, as physical well-being can help with emotional stability.
-
Connect and Share: Reach out to supportive friends, family, or online forums with individuals who have taken Fluoxetine. Hearing their experiences may provide you with encouragement and a sense of community.
-
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Consider integrating relaxation methods such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness, or gentle yoga to help manage anxiety during the transition period.
-
Follow-Up: Schedule a follow-up appointment with your healthcare provider a few weeks after starting the medication to discuss any concerns or side effects you may be experiencing.
Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and it’s perfectly okay to seek support and express your feelings about starting medication. Take it one day at a time, and be kind to yourself as you navigate this new chapter.
Related Questions
Persistent Nighttime Illness with Fever, Rapid Heart Rate, and Chest Discomfort Over Two Years
**Demographics:** **Age:** Thirties **Gender:** Male **Height/Weight:** 2.0 m (6’7”), 95 kg (210 lbs) **Region:** Europe **Health Background:** Mild Bronchial Asthma (well managed) **Medications:** Regular asthma inhaler (both morning and evening), as needed rescue inhaler **Substance Use:** None **Exercise Routine:** Engages in consistent gym workouts and plays soccer --- **Primary Concern:** Repeated nighttime occurrences of severe symptoms including fever, rapid heartbeat, and lung/chest pain lasting for approximately two years. --- **Current Health Issue:** For the last two years, I have been subjected to unexpected bouts of illness that generally manifest at night after sleeping for a few hours, though I occasionally notice symptoms appear in the evening. In between these episodes, I feel completely well, healthy, and without any symptoms. The frequency of these episodes varies greatly, ranging from one week to two months apart, but there has been a noticeable increase in their occurrence recently. --- **Typical Episode Symptoms:** - Generally feel fine in the evening, though I might sometimes feel slightly off. - Awaken during the night with pain in the chest/lungs, significant fatigue, and a fast heart rate. - Heart rate escalates from approximately 40 beats per minute to as high as 100 beats per minute at rest. - Experience severe chills, a fever, and muscle aches. - Notice a dry mouth and a sense of dehydration. - Followed by heating sensations and a fever that can reach just under 39 °C (102 °F), disrupting my ability to sleep. - My Apple Watch consistently indicates: - Increased breathing rate - Raised body temperature - Accelerated heart rate - Diminished heart rate variability The day after these episodes, I still feel unwell with a continued elevated heart rate. Symptoms typically begin to improve by evening and are largely diminished by the following day, though I still feel fatigued and stressed. --- **Investigations Conducted:** - Pulmonary assessment - Cardiac assessment - Comprehensive blood tests (which included checks for inflammation) - Autoimmune tests All tests returned normal results. A pulmonologist advised taking a daily maintenance inhaler for asthma; for about four to five months after starting it, I experienced no episodes. However, they have resurfaced and have been recurring for the past year. --- **Inquiry:** What potential medical conditions could lead to recurring, flu-like episodes characterized by fever, tachycardia, chest or lung discomfort, with complete recovery in between occurrences? Are there particular diagnoses or tests I should discuss with my healthcare providers?
Concerns About Trazodone for Anxiety Relief
Hello everyone, I’m a 27-year-old female experiencing anxiety-related insomnia that has persisted for about a month. My sleep has been severely disrupted, averaging only four to five hours per night. I frequently wake up every hour and struggle to drift back off. This situation has led to me waking up each morning with a racing heart and feeling unsettled throughout the day. To seek some relief, I recently visited urgent care, where a doctor prescribed me Trazodone at a dosage of 50mg to assist with my sleep issues. However, after doing some research online, I discovered that the medication may carry significant risks, including the potential to exacerbate heart palpitations and arrhythmias. This has made me hesitant to start taking it. I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has experience with Trazodone. Is it generally considered safe? Have others encountered adverse effects related to heart issues while using this medication? This is particularly concerning for me, and I would appreciate any insights or experiences you can share.
Seeking Clarity on My Mental Health Episodes
Summary: As someone diagnosed with a mental health disorder, I’m seeking guidance on understanding the symptoms I displayed in a recorded episode relevant to my recent BPD diagnosis. Background: I’m a 32-year-old female with limited knowledge about mental health, yet I've accumulated diagnoses like they’re collectibles. I use humor to cope, though I hope it doesn’t cause offense. I was unaware of terms like PTSD or C-PTSD until diagnosed at 25, a realization that has prompted this self-reflection; I apologize if my jokes miss the mark. I first encountered PTSD symptoms around age 19, but it felt normal to me, despite my frustrating journey through severe depression starting in 4th grade, anxiety spirals by 5th grade, and restless nights filled with sleep disturbances. Panic attacks by 9th grade further compounded my struggles. The concept of mental illness was a vague notion in my life; after each new diagnosis, I would learn about it, often with surprise, as if it were news to me. It’s a little humorous in retrospect, given my previous ignorance, but I’ve received some significant diagnoses over the years, often accompanied by medication that requires identification. Main Inquiry: Normally, I would consult my therapist regarding this matter, but due to a family situation on her end, I don’t want to add to her stress. I documented myself during a panic attack and shared the footage with both my psychiatrist and therapist prior to viewing it myself. This recording contributed to my BPD diagnosis, which marks my fifth mental health diagnosis. During our initial meeting, my psychiatrist pointed out traits related to Axis II but didn’t elaborate until the video prompted a deeper discussion about BPD and the implications for my treatment plan. Both of my therapists, including one I’ve seen for over a year, concurred based on the video that the BPD diagnosis was warranted. I personally resonate with the diagnosis, quite fitting my experiences. Interestingly, I am relieved that I found out about it only after the clinical diagnosis, as I would have likely self-diagnosed long before. Now that I’ve viewed the video, I find myself uncertain about interpreting certain mental health symptoms, such as dissociation or catatonia. This uncertainty brings me to this subreddit, as I'm eager to gain more insight into the video and understand its significance in regard to my BPD diagnosis. I contemplated hiring a transcriber adept at strict verbatim transcriptions. Would that be a useful approach? Any suggestions on resources or methods to help me decipher the behaviors displayed in the video, especially concerning important timestamps or events, would be greatly appreciated. Additionally, my curiosity intertwines with necessity; the video, along with two audio recordings, is being provided as evidence in an upcoming court case. Understanding what transpired in those recordings will be crucial.
Feeling Anxious About Recent Health Concerns
Hello everyone, I hope you're well. To give you some background, I'm a 32-year-old woman residing in the UK. I've undergone two cesarean sections and have had various ultrasounds in the past. For several years, I've dealt with irregular menstrual cycles and occasional spotting between periods. Although I sought medical advice and underwent several tests to investigate these issues, nothing conclusive was found. Last year, I underwent a hysteroscopy, followed by an ultrasound. While the hysteroscopy results were normal, the subsequent ultrasound revealed a small accumulation of fluid in my uterus and a thickened area of the uterine lining. The gynecologist reviewed the ultrasound results and suggested that the fluid might be residual from the hysteroscopy, assuring me that there was no cause for concern. Still, she recommended scheduling a follow-up ultrasound six months later. I recently had this follow-up scan, and unfortunately, the findings were similar—there was still a small amount of fluid and an area of thickening in my uterus. The doctor advised that I need to return to consult with a gynecologist to investigate why these issues persist. Naturally, I’m filled with worry, and it's taking a toll on my appetite. As I await my consultation with the gynecology team, I can't shake this anxiety. Could this be a sign of cancer? I would appreciate any support or advice during this stressful time. Thank you for listening! xx
Concerns About My Mental Health
As a 28-year-old woman, I have growing concerns regarding my mental health and the effects of my current medication regimen. I'm beginning to suspect that the medications I'm taking—Klonopin, Clozaril, Luvox, Ritalin, lithium, and several others meant to mitigate side effects—might be impacting my brain in a negative way. Recently, I sought help at the hospital for a CT scan, but my diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder led to my being turned away. I genuinely feel as though there are significant issues with my brain; I’ve been experiencing unusual pressure atop my skull, as if something is pushing against it, alongside severe headaches. Moreover, I often encounter ringing in my ears, dizziness, and periods of blurred vision. Although these symptoms do not persist for extended durations, they tend to appear sporadically. The only constant symptom is the pressure, which intensifies when I feel cold. I have a scheduled medical appointment for Wednesday, but I find myself anxious about my health and fear I might not survive until then.