starting prozac/relationship anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-08-2005
starting prozac/relationship anxiety
2
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 2:36pm

Hey everyone!! I have posted on other boards before, but not this one. I'm just hoping some of you could give me some advice or words of wisdom for those of you who have more experience with meds than I do.

So here is my situation. I have suffered from anxiety/panic attacks/depression for a few years now (as well as my dad, and two sisters). I have been on and off of meds since I was about 17. Iv'e tried lexapro, wellbutrin, and prozac. I started taking prozac about 8/05 and continued for about 8-9 months. I was feeling good so I stopped and I haven't been on any meds since until the past week. Now to kind of change the subject, I have been in 3 relationships which didn't work out etc. etc. I recently met a great guy a few months ago whom I know is nothing like the other past men I was with. Things were going great for about three months, I didn't feel any anxiety, but then all of a sudden BAM!!! I started getting horrible panic attacks and anxiety about starting a new relationship and I was totally freaking out. So my parents suggested I start taking my prozac again (remember I had been off it for about 8 months). So I started taking it about a week ago, I am still experiencing some anxiety, but not nearly as bad. So here is my question for you all. Do you think the reason I got anxiety so bad was because I haven't been taking my meds for a while and they ran out of my system (prozac has a long half life so it can stay in your system for months after you stop) or do you think my anxiety is a sign that I shouldn't start another relationship? Do you think it's situational anxiety, meaning the past relationships I was in ended bad so iv'e created this relationship anxiety/phobia for myself? Should I just keep on the meds and see how I feel? How long does it take until I feel the full effect of the prozac? I'm just very confused and I don't know what to think or do because this new man is a really great guy and I don't want to string him along if this is a sure sign??

I hope that made sense and that I posted on the right board, any advice would be great. Thanks so much!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Wed, 01-03-2007 - 7:10pm

Hello, again!

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Thu, 01-04-2007 - 12:20pm

Hi! Welcome to the board. Like Sheri Ann, I am hoping that you didn't start the prozac without instructions from your dr. Unless the dr. is aware of your current problems, it isn't possible to say that prozac is the drug of choice @ this time. Self medicating after 8 months med free is a dangerous thing.


I am not very good @ relationship problems. I do believe that when anxiety hits you *bam* just like that, there's a cause. It could be a medical condition such as blood sugar or thyroid problems. Even if you've experienced this in the past, you should get a thorough check-up. OTOH, if you're anxious because of the new relationship, you need to consider the benefits of talking this out with a professional. Many times there's a *root* to our problems & someone with training can help us discover it & move forward.


Good luck to you. (((hugs))) jan


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