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Anyone try Prozac for Panic Disorder?

Hi there,
I have been on Paxil 12.5mg for over  a year for anxiety. Just a brief history.  I was diagnosed with panic disorder 5 years ago, took Paxil 25mg for a year, weaned off and was panic free.  Then I had many life changes; divorced, mom dying, job change (working with cancer patients) and got engaged.  I started getting the panic symptoms again, the feeling of not being able to breathe, heart palps, etc.  I began the Paxil 12.5mg and all was well, but when my script ran out I decided to try Prozac.  So far things are OK, but I've noticed some anxiety coming back.  Not sure if it's because I started a low dose birth control pill or if my body is getting used to both the Prozac and/or the low dose pill.

Anyone have any experience with Prozac for panic?
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956150 tn?1248275215
Prozac worked great for me for many, many years until it 'pooped out.'  Now I am on Zoloft and just started Imipramine at low doses increasing slowly.  Also, the psych has allowed me to up my tranquilizers until the meds 'kick in' or I 'kick the bucket'  LOL

Karen
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Avatar universal
Therapy is definitely a great way to go.  I go on and off, though this time around my anxiety and panic is mostly hormone related...starting to go through "the change".  The great thing about therapy was learning some tools to talk myself ot of a full blown attack.  The sucky thing is that the onset of hot flashes (which I now have the pleasure of experiencing a couple of times a day), triggers the heart palps, which then starts to trigger the anxiety.  However, as I mentioned earlier, I KNOW these are typical perimenopausal symtoms.  Once that gets into my head I can pretty much ride through them.  

I haven't been to this community in about  a year.  It is great to know we can come back and get some good feedback!
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Prozac was very effective for me for panic disorder...as was Zoloft and Lexapro.  I had success with all of these meds.  Always ask your doc to start you on a low dose and work your way up until you find a good spot.  Since you've had success before on Paxil, you should do great on another SSRI.

And, most definitely the oral contraceptive could be affecting your anxiety...that is very common.
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Avatar universal
One other thing -- if your anxiety isn't that debilitating, as you seem to describe, I'd recommend therapy before meds.  I also think meds, because of all their baggage, should be the last resort.  I don' t think therapy is some piece of magic, it sure has never worked for me, but it seems better to try gentler methods first if you're able to cope okay without meds.  Just a thought.  
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Avatar universal
I am taking 10mg of Prozac.  I take the bc pills to control excessive bleeding and pain associated with ovulation and menstruation...not for birth control as my partner had a vasectomy.

I have been on the Prozac for a month.  I only needed Xanax once, most of the other anxiety symptoms I can pretty much talk myself out of.  I will give it a couple of more months, as I remembered it takes a while for the body to get used to new meds.  I really appreciate the feedback...thanks!
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Avatar universal
Because you've been on Paxil, you may have a different experience than if you hadn't been.  Paxil is probably stronger against anxiety than Prozac, but also has a lot more side effects and is much harder to quit.  I'd give the prozac a chance -- it's the only way you'll ever know, since every one of us reacts differently.
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Avatar universal
I was on prozac for 2 years for panic disorder. It worked very well, but I also took xanax as needed for breakthrough anxiety. However, for the first two weeks or so, the prozac made my anxiety much worse. I toughed it out, and it did its thing. I don't know much about any interactions between birth control pills and antidepressants - expect that I've read that birth control pills can sometimes make depression worse, and some antidepressants can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pills. You should speak to your about all of this. What dose of prozac are you on, and how long have you been taking it?
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