Panic attacks on prozac after PND and AD's : Help?

[kizzie]

Hello everyone - I had PND 4 years ago after the birth of my twins (main symptoms were anxiety based) Took seroxat and recovered after about 18 months. Unfortunately then went through a very very difficult time trying to withdraw from seroxat (withdrawal symptoms were worse than how I felt originally.)
Anyway 4 weeks ago I did a straight switch to prozac (2omg - 20mgs) because prozac is much easier to come off.
(Allibubbles I know you kept taking some seroxat at same time as you did your swap but my GP wasnt keen on me doing this because of small risk of something called serotonin syndrome?!)

After a few days went through v severe physical withdrawal but that has settled down but now 4 weeks in I am suffering v severe anxiety and panic attacks. Am even taking a small dose of valium (4mgs day) to try and control but if anything the anxiety is getting worse.

Im just not sure if its withdrawal, side effects of the prozac???

I really really really dont want to go back onto the seroxat but I cant go on like this.

I cant believe I managed to get over the PND and then still be in this mess now.

My GP has suggested trying to give the prozac another couple of weeks and then swap to cipramil or lustral but that seems to defeat the object of taking the prozac to get off the AD's.

Sorry this is so long but im just finding it all very difficult. I just want to be ok to look after my boys.

Any advice anyone?
Kizziex

I had bad panic attacks on prozac. it can be a side affect. I was changed on to cipramil and they stopped. was then able to feel normal again. i really think a swap would help you to feel better (as it is the prozac causing the panic attacks and not you) Then when you feel well again you can start to reduce the dose of the ciprail
hope my ramble makes sense.

Hi KMS thanks so much for replying! Its always good to know you're not the only one.
Do you mind if I ask you a few questions - how long did you take the prozac before stopping it (what dose were you taking.) Then how did you swap to cipramil (just straight swap).
PLus how long have you been on the cipramil?
Sorry for all the questions - hope you dont mind.
Kizziex

was on one prozac a day at first for i think 4 weeks then upped to two a day for a month I think and then panic attacks just got worse and worse and gp swapped me straight over to cipramil no reducing dose. cipramil dose was doubled and i wa shappy on this for some time and i had to stop as fell pg with no.3

Hi Kizzie

Sorry to hear that you are having such an awful time. I have suffered from panic and anxiety attacks for many years so know exactly what you must be going through. I was actually prescribed Prozac to help with this and once they kicked in they went a long way towards helping me to feel better and my anxiety problems did improve.

I was told that the prozac could take up to 6 weeks to really kick in which is why your GP may wish you to continue taking them for longer.

Hope you get this sorted soon.

I had panic attacks on Prozac too. I ended up taking beta-blockers to counter the PAs! In the end I swapped ADs. That was in 1999. I am now on Cipralex, which is very good at reducing anxiety. It is the 'newer' version od Cipramil. I am on 20mg a day, but that is for the depression. I found that 10mg a day stopped my anxieties about things.

Thankyou for all your replies - Im still going to try and stick it out for another 2 weeks if possible to try and avoid another swap - but if that doesnt work I might ask you a few more queestions about cipramil/cipralex if ytou dont min After getting addicted to seroxat when my doc promised it was non addictive (not her fault - the manufacturers) - I just want to find out as much as poss before I take anything else.

I actually feel down today as well as the anxiety and weak - so was a bit of relief to see you say that it can take 6 weeks to kick in.

Anyway thanks again everyone.
kizziex