Flonase and Getting over the Anxiety it caused.

I have had mild asthma for years but it has not been much of a problem. I also suffer from anxiety/panic at times but have been doing really well until about 3 weeks ago. I was having really bad allergies and feeling like I couldn't breath so DR's office prescribed both singulair and flonase. Then after I started taking it I started having weird depersonalization and weakness and vertigo. I just felt like I wasn't myself. I thought maybe it was the meds so I got off of them for about a week but the symptoms did not change much so I thought it must be stress so I started them again. I have now been on them again for about 6 days and after seeing all of these posts I am going to quit taking them and hope that waking in the middle of the night not being able to breath will cease. Last night I had a particularly bad night and I am feeling hopeful that maybe these drugs are to blame. I will stop taking them and pray this gets better. It will be nice to feel hopeful again.

Yes, I can relate.. I had stopped taking Flonase for a year and a half because I associated it with my anxiety. And then started back in with the recent weather change. Sure enough, I had 3 panic attacks and my anxiety is through the roof.. My heart want stop pounding out of my chest!! Iam beyond done with Flonase... my goodness!! It's scared when you don't know what's causing it!!

My god, I was prescribed Flonase and took it for 3-4 weeks. I have all the exact symptoms as you describe. Maybe that’s why my costocondritis isn’t really costocondritis. I’ve had those symptoms in my rib cage and breast bone on the left side which started 2 weeks ago. My face burns, crown, my teeth and jaw. I’m dizzy, nauseous, tingling/burning sensations in my head. Maybe that’s why I have not gotten any relief for my Costocondritis from physical thearapy. Tylenol, Ibuprofen don’t help at all.

How long did your insomnia last?

I had the same thing happen and went to the er. They gave me xanax and referred me to a good dr. Who diagnosed me with anxiety disorder and panic attacks. He started me on cognitive behavioral therapy and weaned me off the Xanax. 10 weeks later, much much better. Look into it. I couldn't live with the way I was weeks ago. Life is starting to get back to normal now. It is not permanent. It does take work but the therapy has a 90% success rate. You can do it. Best of luck.

Oh my goodness I am glad to read this stream of posts! I have been suffering very similar symptoms to what has been described. Been taking Flonase for about a year (because my doctor said there was no problem doing it long-term!) Past 5 weeks have been horrible anxiety and mood fluctuations. Mostly feeling compulsive thoughts and unable to control my mind and worries. At first thought this was something related to my menstrual cycle or hormones or something. Now my anxiety is associated with going out in public and all I want to do is stay at home. How can I get out of this funk?? Just stopped Flonase today and hoping this will really help but I understand it will take some time. I’m just worried my anxiety is now associated with certain things and even if I stop Flonase, I’m worried I’ll still be anxious.

Yes, flonase is very dangerous for people who are suffering from anxiety.

Well, you all have saved me. You have expressed every feeling I have had. I should have known as I have had problems with steroids in the past. Question is how long to get out of my system?

I know this post is old, but have you recovered from using these steroid inhalers that cause anxiety and panic?

This is my second day taking Over the counter Flonase..Sudenly I started feeling anxious..my heart was pounding,I felt that I was out of breath..I never feel this way and there was absolutely nothing in my day that would trigger that..I read the side effects of Flonase,anxiety was not one of them..so I probed further and I read your post and the replies...wow...I have to say that it made me feel better because I found the reason I felt this way which was very unsettling..I also should say that I get like this with antihistamines which is why I did not take the antihistamine drops..Thought Flonase would be better..Well needless to say that this was the second and last time I took it.

Hi everyone, finding this forum was amazing and thank you to everyone who shared their story and to know that I wasn't alone and to finally confirm what was wrong with me. I wanted to tell my story so hopefully, it may help someone get through this easier.

I was taking a steroidal nasal spray for about a month before I had to fly for a business trip. On the flight home, I started panicking out of nowhere. It was the worst feeling and being on the plane accentuated it. I fly regularly so I was shocked it happened. I have had anxiety in the past but not for years and has usually always been caused by something I had taken. So I was confused what could be causing this and why I had a panic attack out of nowhere. The only thing new I had introduced in my life was this spray so I started researching and saw this forum, along with many others of people experiencing anxiety and panic attacks from it. As I said, finding this was a big relief and made it easier to deal with. I immediately stopped the spray but unfortunately, the anxiety didn't. The first week after the flight was tough, it would come in waves but even between the waves, I still didn't feel right. Also, my heart would race and I always felt I had a lot of adrenaline running through me, which was different from my previous anxiety moments. All the normal thoughts of will I ever get better, what if this is my new normal, how am I ever going to travel again. To make it worse, I was stubborn and didn't want to take anything to help me. Eventually, after 5 days of very tough days, I got some natural medication to help me and some Valium too as a last resort. This definitely helped and made it easier.

To make it worse, my girlfriend and I had booked a holiday to Fiji and were meant to depart 1 week after it all started. The thought of getting on another plane made me very nervous. Luckily I took a valium before the flight and was fine. Being in another country, out of my comfort zone was tough but my supportive girlfriend and the natural medication helped and I actually enjoyed the trip more than I thought I would, however, there were some tough moments.

Anyway, it has been 1.7 months since I stopped taking the spray and I am probably 90% back to normal. It has been a long road but each week gets better, you might have a few good days in a row but don't be discouraged if you have a bad day, you need to think of the long term. Unfortunately, its going to take time and everyone system will take different amounts of time to remove. I am still not completely better but I am getting there and I am ok with that process.

Just know that you will get better, it is extremely tough in the first few weeks but you will get better, just trust it (which I know is hard with anxiety). Also, don't be afraid to help yourself by using medication, this is a shocking thing to go through and you need all the help you can get. I hate taking medication but I know that these symptoms will slowly go away and then I won't need them. I also don't have an addictive personality so that helps. Valium is a hell of a drug, if you take enough of it, you actually can't have a panic attack or get anxiety. I don't take it regularly but knowing it is there and knowing that if I do start panicking I can take it under my tongue and it will stop within 5min. That is a very relieving feeling and I would recommend others to have it.

I hope this helps someone get through this and if there is anything you want to ask, please do.

I have had the same experience with flonase and the FDA should look into these claims... I do not wish the feeling of anxiety that this drug produces... I have read what the doctors have said about underlying depression and other psychological problems and that is all total BS... I have never had any depression or psychological problems until flonase and it was the worst ever feeling I have ever experienced by far!!!... the derealization and feeling of not even being in your body is real... my last dosage of flonase was in Nov of 2017 and my symptoms are almost all gone but I do still have a supply of anti anxiety meds jus in case which I haven't taken any since April of this year 2018... although I do feel the symptoms coming on once in awhile I am able to talk myself out of it becoming a full blown anxiety/ panic attack.... they should really look into this drug... I will admit I thought it was a wonder drug because it did wonders for my severe allergies but the feelings of panic anxiety and derealization is not worth taking flonase....

I have been off flonase now for 10 months and it's gotten a lot better but I do still carry anti anxiety meds just in case but haven't used them since April of this year but it's a long process but you will get over it... it just takes time... Be Blessed

Flonase causes anxiety in people who have the MTHFR genetic mutation.

I’m so glad you posted this! I just started using Flonase to help with nasal stuffiness caused by my Cpap machine and mask. It’s only been 2 days and I’m jittery and can’t fall asleep. I’m throwing this away and will never use it again! I’m glad you’re doing better!