Question...

[HoldingOnHope]

Hey y’all.
Ok so this may be a silly question, but does your body get used to meds?
I’ve been in 20mg Prozac for a year now, and it seemed to help my anxiety/panic attacks. But, for a few months, I have been having increased anxiety and a few attacks. So, my questions is has anyone had to have their meds upped? Or is this just something that happens? I hate feeling this overwhelming sense of doom and feeling like a breakdown is right around the corner.

 

[Bobnnat]

I'm not certain with anti-depressants, but the body certainly can build up a resistance to meds. Take opiods for example. Opiod deaths generally occur when someone started out with a reasonable dose, but over time they need more in order to feel the same effect. Overdose is the sad end result.

To a much lesser degree, anti-anxiety meds like Ativan/Xanax can eventually cause you to increase dosage due to a lesser effect. it makes sense that the same would be true for AD, and while an increased dose might cause an increase in side effects, there's no danger I've heard of increasing AD dosage (other than in children/teens)

 

[bin_tenn]

It's normal to have to adjust the dosage from time to time. The effects become less over time as you take it. That's why providers generally like to start you on the lowest possible effective dosage, so it can be increased gradually without maxing out quickly.

 

[Alwayshere]

I’ve thought about increasing my meds as well but I had a conversation with my doctor recently that put everything into perspective. He said I absolutely could increase my meds but it that doesn’t mean you aren’t going to have any “bad days” with your anxiety. I have days where my anxiety is higher than other times and I try to think about what may be causing this. Long story short, I haven’t increased my meds and i just try to find coping mechanisms when I do feel really anxious.

 

[MainerMikeBrown]

I was on Lithium, Remeron, Risperdal, and Zyprexa between 2001 and 2008. They worked relatively well for me up until about 2007. So yes, sometimes being on psychiatric medications that work well for you for a long time don't always work so great down the road. They don't always work forever.

Also, in 2005, I had to have the dosage of my Zyprexa increased, as I temporarily started feeling bad emotionally at that time.

 

[MakUSA]

They upped my Escilopram from 5 to 10mg, but I honestly didn't noticed any difference. I guess all depends of the person.