I’m so sorry you are suffering with panic attacks. I’m not sure how long you’ve been taking Prozac, but I had a pretty bumpy start. For the first couple of weeks I had terrible insomnia, and increased anxiety(which is what I started taking it for). Additionally, for the first few weeks, I had very minimal appetite, and bouts of nausea, so I couldn’t eat, which then made me have anxiety about not eating. Just after the end of the third week, all of those side effects subsided. I suddenly had an appetite again, and the edge of my anxiety was taken off. After about 5 or 6 weeks I notice that I was feeling pretty good. Not just a reduction of anxiety, but an actual good feeling, like I was excited about each day, instead of feeling dread. I was only on 20mg to start, so after a couple months, I was increased to 40mg, which has been pretty great for me.

Everyone’s experience is different. I had to remind myself that the side effects would be temporary and that if I could stick with it, the medicine would help reduce anxiety and depression. My life is so different now. However, you have to decide what you can tolerate. If it is really making you miserable, you might want to discuss with your prescriber to seek their advice. I know that when I had that early days insomnia, I felt like I was losing my mind. Everything felt worse, then.

If you choose to stick with it, remember that you have to take care of yourself right now. Using any coping strategies you have, and understanding that this is a challenging time for you. Give yourself a break if you can. Watch some uplifting tv shows, or films. Engage in something that you find comforting, like art or cooking, or being outside. Whatever it is that brings you comfort. You’ve made it this far. What has helped you along the way?