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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Increasing The Prozac Dosage Cause A Creepy Feeling In The Arms And Legs With Increased Anxiety ?

My 21 year old daughter has been taking Prozac for the last 4 years for depression . She has gradually had the dosage increased to 40mgs. A few months ago, she realized that she was having more bad days than good and her psychologist suggested raising the daily dose to 60mgs. After discussing this with her MD he suggested taking 60mgs 3 days a week and 40mgs the other 4 days. She has been doing this for the last 4 weeks. Just this week, she has been experiencing what she is calling a creepy crawly feeling in her arms and legs with increased anxiety . Could this be from the increase of the Prozac? Should she titrate back to 40mgs? If so, what would be the best way to start lowering the med?
Thu, 5 Apr 2012
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Psychiatrist 's  Response
Dear Madam/ Sir

Relapse of symptoms on regular medication means she is predispose to experience sever symptoms. If she experiencing above symptoms after increasing dose then it may be because of medication side effect as it is unlikely a symptoms of depression. If her doctor feels that she require higher dose increase the dose more gradually and she may tolerate. If she doesn't then ask to change the medication with better side effect. I don't think it is time to rely only on psychotherapy at this time. Also side effect can be treated if she has to take this medicine.

Hope she will recover soon.
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General & Family Physician Dr. Andrew Rynne MD's  Response

Hi there. Thank you for posting your question with Healthcaremagic. I will do my best to help you.



I think your daughter should aim for discontinuing Prozac altogether. It is an SSRI and carries with it multiple side effects, some of them persistent even after discontinuation. As will as that, it clearly is not working. She should drop by 10mg per week until she is drug free.



In the meantime try and locate a really good Psychotherapist who specialises in talk-therapy for people suffering from depression. You may not like this answer but it does have some merit.





I hope that I have answered your questions fully and been of some help. If you have anymore questions please contact me again anytime.


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Does Increasing The Prozac Dosage Cause A Creepy Feeling In The Arms And Legs With Increased Anxiety ?

Dear Madam/ Sir Relapse of symptoms on regular medication means she is predispose to experience sever symptoms. If she experiencing above symptoms after increasing dose then it may be because of medication side effect as it is unlikely a symptoms of depression. If her doctor feels that she require higher dose increase the dose more gradually and she may tolerate. If she doesn t then ask to change the medication with better side effect. I don t think it is time to rely only on psychotherapy at this time. Also side effect can be treated if she has to take this medicine. Hope she will recover soon.