Fluoxetine for teenager

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Ds2 is 17. He's had depression for at least a year. Been to Camhs and had CBT in a group.

Ds2 had a few weeks of feeling better whilst doing the ncs course. His mood can sometimes be ok but mostly he's depressed.

Today he saw a psychiatrist who prescribed fluoxetine to try in liquid form as ds2 doesn't take tablets.

Has anyone had experience of a teenager taking this? Did it help?

Dr said it'll take 6 weeks to work. He's seeing ds2 again in 6 weeks.

[NellieTheElephant1]

It may help but my reason for replying is to say please, please watch him carefully for the first few weeks he is taking the medication. One of the side effects can be suicidal ideation especially in teenagers, so please monitor his mood and behaviour and look out for depression worsening before it improves.
This is not to scare you at all or put you off trying meds, I know they can be great for many people. Just to make you aware, I wish someone had told me to be extra alert for warning signs when my DC started fluoxetine. Good luck x

[Kenworthington]

Yes my ds1 has. Even depressed since he was 14, eventually at 16 gp put him on fluoxetine, he's 19 now and away at uni. He can't really function without it. It's made such a difference to his life, make sure he keeps taking them. Ds has missed a few weeks here and there and has really crashed. I feel as if it weren't for the medication he wouldn't be here now.

[DubiousCredentials]

I took it when I was 18. I had no troublesome side effects and it changed my life. I was taking it for about a year I think. Many years ago now. I hope your ds feels better soon

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

DD (20) has been on it for 6 years. I worry that she is reliant on it as she is reluctant to come off it, though she has tried, twice. But she's certainly more like the person she used to be on it. She's also away at uni and I doubt she'd have been able to cope with that without it. (Depression, anxiety and severe OCD in her case.) Psychiatrist assures us there is no harm in long-term usage, though the concern for a girl is pregnancy, but hopefully that's some way down the line. She was on 60mg for the first couple of years but is on 30mg now, which seems to be the right balance for her. In her case, we had "her" back within a month, which was WONDERFUL.

Apparently the liquid form tastes vile!

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks for your replies it means a lot.

He does have suicidal thoughts. The psychiatrist said this was one of the meds that is less likely to give him suicidal thoughts. Now I'm worried.

His self esteem is so low something has to be done.

[Kenworthington]

My Ds is suicidal too but the only time he attempted to act on it, he had stopped taking his tablets for a couple weeks and had got himself in a terrible state over something. I think the 'thoughts' he has are something he is going to have to live with unfortunately but because he often has them they won't up his dosage

[TheReturnoftheSmartArse]

DD had suicidal thoughts (and attempts) too but fortunately had no experience of these getting worse on Fluoxetine. Keep an eye on him, but fingers and toes crossed that he will be ok.

It must be dreadful feeling so low, but it isn't easy being the parent either

[LoniceraJaponica]

DD started on it at Easter this year and it has helped her tremendously. CAMHS and group CBT did nothing to help with her anxiety and low self esteem, so the GP put her on Fluoxetine and is monitoring her closely. So far the only side effect means that when she needs the loo it is urgent, but other than that she is fine.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks. I've been to the chemist and had to order it.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Good luck. I hope it works. Parenting an anxious, depressed teenager is difficult

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Does anyone know if you can mix the liquid with a bit of orange juice?

[LoniceraJaponica]

I don't see why you can't. DD started off with liquid Fluoxetine and said that while it wasn't delicious it wasn't so vile that she had to mix it with anything. Fortunately she is OK with tablets. I hope you find a solution soon.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks Lonicera. How old is your dd?

[Firefries]

Yes our DD 15 on it. Amazing stuff here. Wouldn't be without it. Good luck.

[LoniceraJaponica]

She is 17, and in her last year at school. The doctor was very pragmatic about it and realized that DD needed more support than failed CAMHS and failed CBT, especially as she will be taking her A levels next summer.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

I found Camhs useless tbh. The nurse was arsey when I said ds2 would miss an appointment because of ncs course as he was away. Group cbt didn't help.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

I hope your dd will flourish Lonicera.

It's good to hear success stories.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Thank you. I hope your son improves.

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

Thanks

[FreakinScaryCaaw]

He's had his 3rd dose ok.

Tonight he's shown an interest in something he's neglected for months. A hobby. I know it must be too soon for the fluoxetine to have started working . Maybe the thought he's doing something to help himself has lifted his mood?

[Hercules12]

Hi. Just adding myself to this thread. Dd about to start on fluoxentine at the grand old age of 14. Nervous but hopeful. Camhs keep telling us not to expect too much.

[LoniceraJaponica]

Good luck with your DD Hercules

[dinosaursandtea]

I started taking fluoxetine when I was 21. I wish like hell I'd started it in my teens.

[Hercules12]

Thanks dinosaurs. Hoping it's the right thing.