[spredar]

I just started 20mg of prozac 4 days ago for anxiety and have found myself getting somewhat irritable and more easily agitated. I read these could be side effects but wonder what experience others have had? I am frustrated with a significant martial issue that has been ongoing (the source of my anxiety) but didn't feel myself losing a bit of control like I have the last couple of days. I think now that I realize this is happening and the source (the meds and/or situation) I can control it for now, but is this normal or should I be running to the doctors office? How long might it last? I guess I can't distinguish which or if both are contributing to these symptoms.

Originally Posted by spredar

I just started 20mg of prozac 4 days ago for anxiety and have found myself getting somewhat irritable and more easily agitated. I read these could be side effects but wonder what experience others have had? I am frustrated with a significant martial issue that has been ongoing (the source of my anxiety) but didn't feel myself losing a bit of control like I have the last couple of days. I think now that I realize this is happening and the source (the meds and/or situation) I can control it for now, but is this normal or should I be running to the doctors office? How long might it last? I guess I can't distinguish which or if both are contributing to these symptoms.

It's unlikely that the Prozac is causing these side effects if this is your first time on antidepressants. Prozac takes 3-8 weeks to have a noticeable impact on your body, and this applies to other SSRIs too. You are likely experiencing psychosomatic effects related either to your life-circumstances or subconscious feelings regarding your medication, rather than an actual biochemical response to the medication itself. If you are concerned though, contact your prescriber.

[psychiatric1]

Originally Posted by psychehedone

It's unlikely that the Prozac is causing these side effects if this is your first time on antidepressants. Prozac takes 3-8 weeks to have a noticeable impact on your body, and this applies to other SSRIs too. You are likely experiencing psychosomatic effects related either to your life-circumstances or subconscious feelings regarding your medication, rather than an actual biochemical response to the medication itself. If you are concerned though, contact your prescriber.

I'd have to disagree. The initial stages of SSRI treatment can cause a range of side effects that usually disappear or stabilize. The 3-8 weeks applies to any desired or intended effects of the drug. Many people experience adverse effects at the start of treatment because these drugs affect the neurochemistry immediately (i.e. they inhibit reuptake of serotonin from the very first capsule). As the serotonin receptors adjust, or "downregulate," for the increased level of serotonin in the synapse (takes roughly 3 to 8 weeks), then the antidepressant/anxiety effects occur.

At this point in treatment, there is a lot going on in your brain. Give the Prozac adequate time to work, and you should hopefully experience improvement from there.

[spredar]

My understanding is that it can be highly variable from person to person. Fact of the matter is my anxiety has been the result of serious marital issues which from which I now have bittersweet relief from. Planning on continuing the prozac since I feel I have suffered from depression for some time as well. I really appreciate your replies, its nice to know ther are people in the cyberworld who are decent and caring enough to take the time to give good insight.

You bet it can be the Prozac! Especially if you tend toward being bipolar, ssri's (especially at too high a dose) can cause "negative hypomania" - irritability, agitation, anxiety, anger. If the feeling persists, check with your p-doc.

[spredar]

Sounds possible, along with the laundry list of others. How long might I expect some of these initial side effect to last? Do they subside once the SSRIs effects firmly take hold? Thanks.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by spredar

I just started 20mg of prozac 4 days ago for anxiety and have found myself getting somewhat irritable and more easily agitated. I read these could be side effects but wonder what experience others have had? I am frustrated with a significant martial issue that has been ongoing (the source of my anxiety) but didn't feel myself losing a bit of control like I have the last couple of days. I think now that I realize this is happening and the source (the meds and/or situation) I can control it for now, but is this normal or should I be running to the doctors office? How long might it last? I guess I can't distinguish which or if both are contributing to these symptoms.

Maybe you could just call the doctor, before running to the office and see what they say if that is plausible, though maybe you prefer to discuss it in person. In my opinion it could be the prozac, that is sort of how it effected me though it took a bit longer...its not impossible to experience effects early on though. It could also be a combination of that and your situation.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by psychiatric1

I'd have to disagree. The initial stages of SSRI treatment can cause a range of side effects that usually disappear or stabilize. The 3-8 weeks applies to any desired or intended effects of the drug. Many people experience adverse effects at the start of treatment because these drugs affect the neurochemistry immediately (i.e. they inhibit reuptake of serotonin from the very first capsule). As the serotonin receptors adjust, or "downregulate," for the increased level of serotonin in the synapse (takes roughly 3 to 8 weeks), then the antidepressant/anxiety effects occur.

At this point in treatment, there is a lot going on in your brain. Give the Prozac adequate time to work, and you should hopefully experience improvement from there.

I agree they usually go away. I never have them that bad and they always go away after a couple of weeks. There are a couple that I have had to learn to live with.

I agree with psychiatric1 on the neuro chemistry and the desired effects taking longer and the receptors and all of that. However the side effects are usually caused by receptors all throughout the body and not in the brain. Serotonin serves a number of functions in the body and there are receptors for it all over the body. More serotonin receptors in the intestines that in the brain. Thus the GI issues. Regulate blood pressure, body temp, sexual, and so on. The active metabolites of the drug effect these receptors and give you side effects. Maybe some of them come directly from receptors in the brain, it is probably both. There are so many different receptor for it and it serves so many functions it is no wonder. It is certainly complicated. To bad they couldn't deliver it to exactly where they wanted it. That type of different drug delivery systems is coming.

The functions of serotonin are numerous and appear to involve control of appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, mood, behavior (including sexual and hallucinogenic behavior), cardiovascular function, muscle contraction, endocrine regulation, and depression (1).

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by spredar

Sounds possible, along with the laundry list of others. How long might I expect some of these initial side effect to last? Do they subside once the SSRIs effects firmly take hold? Thanks.

For me they always go away except for two which I have had to learn to live with and have with all the SSRI's and SSNRI's.

It is really hard to say though because everyone is so much different. People always ask on here what side effects they might have, how long will they last, when will it take effect, did it work for you, but you really cannot get any useful information from that because every ones experience is so much different.

It very much has to do with how you metabolize the drug. What active metabolites does your liver produce and how do they effect your receptors. What genes do you have that produce which enzymes. We are all very different in these ways.

[spredar]

So my marital problems peaked and my wife is divorcing me. Monday and Tuesday were terrible, in addition to starting the Prozac I was given Visteril for anxiety. I stopped the Visteril yesterday since I think it was messing with my physically and feel like a different person today. I am wondering if the Prozac might be starting to work too. I know its early (6 days in) but everyone is different and it has been my experience that drugs affect me a little more and quicker than "normal" (whatever that is), plus I have lost about 12 lbs in the last few weeks due to the anxiety. If it is the Prozac I will be very happy to reduce the impact the anxiety has had on me, its been so difficult to cope with.

Thanks for all of you input!

Originally Posted by psychehedone

It's unlikely that the Prozac is causing these side effects if this is your first time on antidepressants.

The second time i tried Prozac, my anxiety was gone in a few days instead of a few weeks the first time.

I've figured.. Been wondering about this permanent change in brain chemistry..