Anxiety from Prozac?

[Vanished123]

I am an 18 year old girl. I was on prozac for maybe a week, only 20 mgs but i was taking it every day and it was not prescribed to me, it was my moms old prescription so i guess that was a very stupid decision. I smoked a tiny bit of pot on it, literally one hit, and about an hr later I started having heart palps and tremors- major anxiety. It was soo bad i couldnt even breathe. I was sweating and shaking uncontrollably. Ever since that I have just not been quite right. Can't smoke pot anymore, I know that's not important  but I just find it really odd bc I used to smoke every day, it always made me ao mellow. I've done LSD twice, MDMA frequently and cocaine. Also, a few weeks ago I tried to smoke weed with my friend- took a couple puffs and felt the same anxiety I felt that night, only this time I actually blacked out, kind of like I was having a seizure. Starts out with losing my sense of reality- i felt like my life was a movie and my heart starts beating out of my chest.. its rlly scary. My friend said I was laying on the ground I was screaming and ripping the grass out and tugging on my face. While this was happening I had no idea what was goin on- I feel like I'm dead or losing my mind and im pretty much not in reality at all. (this has happened a few times before i ever took prozac) afterwards, I am almost speechless- kind of stunned and still feel some anxiety. It takes about another hour to completely wear off. I haven't been able to smoke in over 3 months without flipping out and I'm too scared to do anything else. And also now the littlest things trigger my anxiety. I used to do whatever and I was always fine.. Do u have any advice about any of this? Or can tell me what is wrong with my body/brain? Idk if this problem is mental or physical or both. It all started after I took Prozac so I think that may somehow be the culprit. Was I taking too much? Is there something organic wrong with my body? Or is it all just anxiety? Any advice would be appreciated thank u
-Emily

[Boddahfly]

Prozac causes anxiety in 10 to 15% of patients that take it, so that could be part of it. Also weed can increase anxiety. On top of this you were taking medications with Prozac that increase serotonin levels which could cause a serious interaction. I think you should really see a doctor about your drug use I know if Can be hard to quit but if you work hard at it you can. You have to want to though, really want to. Good luck and I hope you get the help you need

[Bridget A. Hewitt, RN]

Dear Emily,

Thanks for using the forum.

It is definitely not a good idea to take someone else's medication, as you have already found out.  If you are struggling with depression or some other issues, it would be a good idea to seek some help from either your doctor or a psychologist.  

There are many people who experience the same affect as you did from smoking pot.  Often, these people have smoked it before without any issue and then suddenly have a bad experience with it.  Marijuanna can cause that anxious, out of control feeling that you have described.  I don't think that your symptoms are related to the prozac (although I suggest that you stop taking it and get your own prescription if you need it).  I do find your list of recreational drugs alarming however- these are not "innocent" drugs.  I think that you need to stop your drug use if you can AND you need to seek help from a health care professional and/or a therapist.  Drug addiction is not an easy or fun road to travel and you need to assess why you are using these substances (are you self medicating? are you depressed?, etc.) and find a better way to handle those issues.  IF you do not have a doctor, you could try speaking with health services at your school (if you are still a student).  I urge you to follow through with this.  Good luck.

Bridget