Prozac side effects, is this true?

I am having severe panic attacks from my anxiety and I was on prozac for about a year and did ok but i quit taking them for a fear of negative side effects. Particulary those involving the heart.  I googled prozac and cardiac side effects and found all kinds including heart blockages, arrhyhtmia, heart failure and so on, is this really a possibility?  I think i'd rather suffer through my attacks than worry about those side effects.

Thanks in advance

[dmbfan07cb]

Also, forgot to ask, I read some stuff about st. johns wort, would this be an ok thing to try out?  I hear the side effects are very minimal.  What about long term use, I would have to take it for a good while to get through all this..

[hitman60]

I have been on 20 mg of Prozac on two separate occassions, for depression and anxiety ( although I am just coming to realize that I am anxious) The only symptom I ever had was the yawns. And coming off was not a real issue.

However, I just started back on Prozac last Saturday and after dose number 5, I was really anxious, sweaty, pacing, could not sit still....thought I was going insane. I almost ended up in the emergency ward, but took 1mg of Klonopin, Not my usual .5mg dose, and calmed. I still feel " fragile and anxious" but better.
It is so weird how one can totally change in reaction to a drug. I am currently running 3-4 miles a day and lost 30 pounds, so maybe my metabolism changed. For some reason I can't take this drug anymore. Now I am petrified to take as SSRI and want to get off this Klonopin.
Sorry for rambling

[stilljohnsmom]

Hello,
I have suffered with anxiety for about 10 years. It started out with "Frightening Panic Attacks" it didn't matter where I was, however most of them was either when I was in a one on one conversation with someone or grocery shopping. I would feel as if I was going to black out. As a matter of fact, my first date with my husband, I had a panic attack. Sitting accross from one another in a comfortable little pub, having a cocktail, suddenly I felt it coming on. I excused myself to the restroom and put my head between my legs. I didn't have an attack for about 3 months.
I did get a medication prescribed called Ativan, however this is an addicting drug and must be used with caution. I don't feel funny or sleepy. (perhaps because I have been taking it so long, but it worked!).  I take 2-3mg per day and don't go over the dosage. I have been anxiety and panic attack free for 10 years. If you decide to go this route, you must, I mean you must not take more than what is prescribed.
I hope you can pin point why you are feeling the way you do and treat it without medication, but sometimes you just have to.
Best of luck with you and if you need to keep chatting about this, I have had many panic attacks & learned some good habits to help myself naturally.
Sincerely,
Johns Mom