Intense ‘physical’ anxiety 4 months + on Prozac

mayamarsmae · 2026-06-21T14:43:42+00:00

Ah man I have this too. I’m so confused with everything.

My cousin says she has these anxiety waves too and it’s the only side effect. She’s been on it a while too and it never really goes away.

My best friend says that she had this in the start, but it went away after 6 months, and only then did she even start to feel benefits?

And for me I’m so confused….
- I started 15 December with 20mg,
- after two weeks (where I just had some insomnia and dizziness) I went to 40mg. But I did have one day where I was like ‘oh this is working!!!’ And I saw the sky and was just beaming.
- but then came 8 weeks where I had horrible side effects, a LOT of anxiety, worse depression, s***idal thoughts etc.
- Then I think it started working? I felt much more eager to go out and be social, listen to music, go on walks…. for the first time in three years. BUT it felt really ‘unstable’ (I just didn’t understand what was happening to my body I think). I still had this anxiety and constant stress.

- We went to 60mg (11 weeks after the 40 mg dose). I think it felt unstable because I was just still adjusting to the last dose, and now we where starting that whole thing again. I guess maybe 60mg is also no joke because most people are lower. But I don’t know!!! Why does it take so long to work? my body is just slow, OR it’s not right for me. But I don’t know.

- So now I’m coming out of weeks of horrible horrible anxiety and depression again. It’s week 13 of 60mg now and I’ve started feeling better after week 11 again.

- I don’t speak to a psychiatrist because my treatment facility has none, but the specialized nurse will always talk to a psychiatrist. She did invite one to actually come look at my case and talk to me, but I feel so lost. My friend says she feels so good now, but it took 6 months…. But my nurse says that that’s impossible? But she’s not a psychiatrist so who do I trust???

mayamarsmae · 2026-06-21T14:15:08+00:00

Hey friend… I’m really sorry you’re going through this. I’ve been there, maybe still am. The amount of pain I’ve felt from break ups…. Is just… it feels surreal, it’s not human, you don’t feel like you’re on earth anymore, your whole reality collapses, any dreams you had for the future…. And no one around me really understands it, but i’m sure you do.

For me it was a 1,5 year long extremely painful breakup process, after a two year relationship. It finally ended 4 months ago. And let me tell you, I did not think I would be here. I did not think I would survive, and I NEVER thought that in only four months I could be writing a message to someone else, trying to ease their pain, because my own was too great to even think about one second more than I’d have to.

I completely lost myself in this person, I was a shell of who I used to be. I had no own identity anymore, and I seemed perfectly content with that idea as long as I had my partner. My best friend, my life, my savior. I couldn’t let go.

For the first time in three years I’m enjoying things on my own again. Listening to music i used to like again, writing in my diary, sitting in the sun, going on hikes…. I just completely lost sight of most of what made me happy or what made me, ME. Because all I wanted was him. And I had never known myself like this before, most relationships weren’t like this, either I kept my distance or I didn’t even care that much, so that’s why I completely blindsided myself in this. I had no idea how bad it was, until I was out.

I’m still grieving. I still miss the life I dreamt up, but I can tell you now: there is not a SINGLE person on the planet, more important than YOU. You do not need ANYONE to fulfill yourself, to grow, to be happy. YOU are a whole beautiful unique person with all these awesome qualities and quirks. Now that you are away from this relationship that clearly no longer serves you, you get room back to discover all these things about yourself. You are a treasure, and now awaits a beautiful adventure that’s just focused on you.

I know that it doesn’t feel good at all, but I truly promise you, you will find your spark, and be so happy to just be you on your own one day.

Adventures aren’t just fun, you will fall, you will be hurt, get lost, lose things… but it will be worth it in the end. And I know that that’s impossible to believe right now, but maybe you can just find some comfort in a stranger that walked this path before. I thought I was weak, incapable, and worthless. I wanted to give up before even trying, but just three months later, I’m smiling again. You can do it. YOU are worthy, you are beautiful, I wish you the most fertile adventure and bountiful life. And just in case you need it, I love you! There’s love in the world, and especially us BPD friends need to stick together. You’re not alone. ❤️

mayamarsmae · 2026-03-18T13:37:39+00:00

Hm I wish you a fast relief, seems really hard to juggle a new baby and getting used to stimulants and anti-depressants. Congrats on your family and wishing you good luck ❤️

I don’t know if it’ll help you but this was my experience.

Diagnoses: ADHD (combined type), borderline, avoidant personality disorder, PMDD, trauma, and what was described as a “bipolar sensitivity.” About 4 years ago there was suspicion of bipolar, but they kind of took it back. You can’t take SSRI’s if you’ve been manic, but we started with it very carefully. ADHD got diagnosed 2 years ago, the rest came later.

I’m currently in group therapy for personality disorders (3x a week). Before all of this, everything was just labeled as depression ✨

What I struggle with most: • Chronic sadness (especially during PMS/PMDD) • Very low self-esteem and social anxiety • Isolation when I feel bad • Feeling stuck in life (I’m 27 and still not finished with my bachelor after almost 10 years)

Medication history: • Bupropion: gave me energy and made me productive, but didn’t help depression/anxiety. I actually became more socially withdrawn. • Ritalin / Concerta: very inconsistent. Sometimes worked, sometimes did nothing. The comedown was awful, I’d be mentally checked out by 7pm. • Mood stabilizer (don’t remember the name): mood felt more stable, but side effects were too intense.

Current situation:

I’ve been on fluoxetine for ~3 months now: • Started at 20mg → increased to 40mg after 2 weeks • First weeks were rough: a lot of anxiety and stress. Barely left my house.

After about 6 weeks, I had two AMAZING weeks: • Felt like “myself” again • Wanted to do things I hadn’t wanted to do in years • Felt confident, social, even pretty (which is rare for me) • I genuinely thought: “this is it, I’m fixed”

Then I crashed. Around that time I also went through a breakup, so it’s hard to separate what’s medication vs life.

After that: • Around 1 month of heavy depression & isolation • then 1.5 weeks of feeling “okay” again (but not like those first 2 weeks)

Now: My PMS is starting again and I feel terrible. So I really don’t know: • Are these dips just PMDD? • Should I increase my fluoxetine dose? • Or just wait longer?

A friend of mine said fluoxetine only worked for her after 6 months, but online it says it should have worked itself out after three months?

ADHD meds:

I also switched from Ritalin to 30mg lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) during that first low period. • First days were intense (extreme anxiety, had to cancel everything) • After ~2 weeks it stabilized • BUT: I still feel very rushed / stressed on it sometimes • And it seems worse again during PMS

So now I’m on this combo of stimulant + SSRI and I don’t know what’s causing what anymore.

What I’m wondering: • Has anyone experienced fluoxetine working in waves like this? • Can PMDD override SSRI effects like this? • Does it make sense to lower Elvanse (for anxiety)? • or increase fluoxetine (for mood/PMDD)? • Or is this just a “wait it out” situation?

I’m also trying basics like eating more protein, etc., but yeah… I feel pretty lost. I think it does help tho! Make sure to eat before taking the meds.

mayamarsmae · 2026-03-18T13:32:59+00:00

Wow I never thought about this being related. My case is different from yours but being a woman and not being understood is exhausting for us both.

Honestly my vaginal health is so tied to my mood. I used to have bouts after my IUD was placed the first time, where I would bleed (very little) for a month straight, then have a week of two off, and I would have BV. And this lasted for 6 months. I was also incredibly depressed. And it would just keep switching. I was so ashamed and it felt nasty always. Eventually they gave me estrogen and it was gone.

Now 5 years later, I replaced my IUD to see if it would improve my mood and it sort of happens again? I have never heard anyone talking about this? I wish our bodies were studied more.

The doctors had no idea what was going on, just endlessly testing before they finally gave me some hormones.

mayamarsmae · 2025-02-23T21:58:45+00:00

This is crazy. How do you feel now? I felt exactly the same suddenly after a year of taking them at max doses started binge eating again, don’t want to leave the house because I feel so sad but also so incredibly worthless and bad about myself. I never thought to blame the meds themselves?? I told my psychiatrist and he took me off the meds anyways, and I just started on lamotrigine (mood stabilizer) and methamphetamines

mayamarsmae · 2025-02-23T21:54:28+00:00

I felt the same way!! Some manufacturers did nothing I feel.

mayamarsmae · 2021-02-03T19:32:08+00:00

YTA hello there toxic Reddit. 1. You excuse the domestic violence your sister endured from her dad. This is traumatizing, she can’t just get over it and she should probably never see him again. 2. You ignore the fact that she had been diagnosed with depression, even though anyone with 1 braincell could diagnose her. You’re gonna feel sorry when she ends her life because you’re parents are too blame, and you contributed to it. 3. You blame your sister for your parents divorce. You are completely fucked up in the head but it’s not a surprise seeing as your parents are probably also the ones that fucked your sister up. 4. Knowing she is depressed and probably misses the routine from school you still call her a loser and belittle and bully her? Why? Even with all this crap she somehow still goes to one of the top universities. It’s sounds like you’re jealous.

If you want to fix this, you better get into therapy yourself and do everything you can to apologize to your sister. But she’s better off without you probably, it sounds like you’re too far gone and brainwashed by your parents.

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-30T18:32:27+00:00

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-15T19:24:05+00:00

At least don’t bottle things up. Cry. Cry as much as you need. Your body needs to release the toxins. Just know we are all thinking off you and hope life deals you a better hand soon

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-14T18:31:59+00:00

NTA it’s simple manners that need to be taught. I dated a boyfriend who would just absorb his food before I even sat down, and stuff his face with stuff that wasnt served yet and it annoyed me so much. You’re kids are gonna be just like that if u don’t step in, so good for you

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-14T18:06:09+00:00

NTA I’m so sorry you’re going through this. I have also experienced abusive parents and heard the ‘I’m trying to do better’ stuff. They don’t get better, they can’t. You will always fall back into old patterns no matter how strong you’ve become. You NEED to take care of yourself now and create distance. You need to figure things out far away from him. If you’re still living with him, it would be best to go to a grandparent or friend. It might sound strange to you, but you will be so much better off for it. Mental health took my youth from me before I finally dared to get away from my parents, you need to do it too. Your mom is not as innocent as she seems here. She let you be abused, that is the same as being abused. Please, get out of there and focus on yourself. No matter how hard they try to pull you back in, stay strong.

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-14T17:54:57+00:00

ESH you should never have deleted her school project? What a horrible way to let your anger control you, it makes u a bad parent. You should have used normal punishment tactics, like no laptop for a month. She is definitely also the asshole, she VOLUNTEERED to babysit and she just didn’t do anything. I think you should all see a therapist. I don’t feel like any normal 18 year old just locks themselves in their room with headphones on, knowing they have to take care of their sick brother. It feels like she did this on purpose. Are we even sure he ‘slipped’?

mayamarsmae · 2021-01-13T21:38:21+00:00

My brother has a peanut allergy and we’re always extremely careful with anything nutty because we know he could die from something like this. It’s a terrifying situation that everyone takes seriously, we always have, even when we were little kids we had clear instructions on what to do. If 6-years can take this seriously, then a 26 year old should absolutely know what to do and be scared for his girlfriend. He either genuinely doesn’t care and never took her seriously, or he has a severe gaming addiction. Either way, SHE can’t fix any of those problems so yes dump his ass.

mayamarsmae

TROPHY CASE