[SpaceCadet]

So I've been prescribed Prozac by my neurologist for the second time. First time I didn't fill it because I was scared of what it might do to me. During my last appointment I told the doc about some things I was going through, like irrational and negative thoughts, panic attacks, constant anxiety and a constant fear and feeling that I'm going to go "insane" and end up in a mental hospital. She suggested that I start taking the Prozac, so she prescribed it to me again. Didn't fill it.

Monday I went for an intake appointment at a psychiatrist's office. I spoke with her for awhile, answered her questions and she asked me why I didn't fill the Prozac. She suggested that I go fill it and start taking it immediately.

So I've got the neurologist, his nurse practitioner and a psychologist suggesting to fill the script and start taking it...so I'm going to fill it tonight but I'm STILL worried about taking it. I've been having some really screwed up thoughts about doing things that I would never do and I'm afraid taking the medicine is going to make it worse, or make me suicidal.

For people that have taken it or something similar, how does it make you feel the first couple weeks before it kicks in? Should I be so worried about taking it?

[Eowyn]

When I first started taking it, I felt a little "keyed up," but it also made my depressive thoughts and feelings go away almost immediately. I felt that I had more energy and was able to be more productive.

I don't think you should worry.

From what I understand, the people who have major problems with suicidal thoughts when starting antidepressants typically have been so depressed they can't move. Once they start feeling enough better to do something, they have the energy to carry out the suicidal thoughts that they have been having for a while.

If you do feel you are in danger of harming yourself, definitely call someone or have a friend or family member keep you company until those feelings pass.

[Mark in Idaho]

I would not be worried about taking it. It is unlikely it will make you weird thoughts worse. Just be very open and have an escape plan to call for help mif your mind goes off the reservation.

I would just wonder why the doctors are suggesting such an outdated drug when a newer drug may be able to give you a better result.

One of the side effects of Prozac is anxiety. You need to be less anxious. Did they consider this need?

But anyway, once you start taking it, welcome to the world of nausea due to SSRI's. The nausea will become less as time goes on.

fyi, It sounds like you saw a psychiatrist who also suggested getting the Prozac prescription started. Psychologists as you mentioned in your next to last paragraph do not normally have the ability to prescribe medicines.

It helps to understand what each specialist can do for you.

[SpaceCadet]

Thanks for the responses ...

Well, I'm not really sure what she was. It was just an intake appointment to find out where I am and who I should be seeing. I'm scheduled to see 2 different therapists (or whatever you would call it) from what she was saying, one of them can prescribe medicine and the other is for therapy...I think. I was in a huge cloud during the intake, lol. Whenever I see the one that can prescribe meds, I'm going to ask for a prescription of Ativan to use as needed for anxiety and panic attacks.

[Mark in Idaho]

If you start taking the Prozac, you should not take the Ativan or Xanax.They are both benzodiazepines. Benzos and SSRI's can be a bad mix. If you have weird thoughts now, try combining an SSRI and a benzo.

If you need additional help with anxiety attacks while on Prozac, ask for some propanolol. It does not interfere with the SSRI and can bring your Blood Pressure down from the anxiety attack.

[SpaceCadet]

Okay, I'll take your word for it.

While we're on the subject of Ativan, I've been weaning off of it the past week. I went from taking 0.5mg 2X a day to 0.25 2X a day. Today, I decided to not take it at all and see what happens. Those crazy thoughts I was having have actually started to go away...weird. Starting to think the Ativan is what was causing them.

[Mark in Idaho]

I told you benzos were not good meds. Good move, Nick.

[SpaceCadet]

I'm wondering why they prescribed me Prozac, because I'm honestly not all that depressed. At least I don't think I am. My main problem is severe anxiety and panic attacks. When my thoughts start getting screwed up and distorted, or some other symptom pops up my mind goes in to shock and causes me to panic...and then I can't get the thoughts out of my mind...So, if anxiety is a side effect of the drug, what is the point in taking it?

[Eowyn]

I had thought that it worked for both anxiety and depression. I was having both shortly after my concussion and increasing my dose of Prozac really did seem to help quite quickly.

[SpaceCadet]

That's what I thought too. Mark had said one of the side-effects is anxiety and I also read on a website the same thing - but its prescribed for anxiety and depression, so I'm confused.

I filled the prescription and I was going to take it tonight, but I had this weird episode where my mind started racing and I couldn't get it to stop. I thought I was going mad lol...so I took an Ativan to calm down. Mark suggested not to take them together, so I'm gonna wait until tomorrow night.