Fluoxetine

I am on the same as you and have an excreased fear of vomiting and nausea, I am just wondering how are you doing now? and are you still on the medication?

Hi OP,

Fellow emetophobe here too!! Solidarity!! It is a vicious phobia, as a child it was thought I might have anorexia as I wasn't eating properly, but really I was just petrified of having anything in my stomach.

I've been on many antidepressants over the years as well as mood stabilizers for different mental health issues and never vomited. Some made me feel woozy and nauseous, others there were no side effects at all.

I once had an appointment with a consultant psychiatrist at a top leading hospital for mental health. She said everyone's brain chemistry is slightly different. This means people react to the same antidepressant in different ways. It might help some and not others. Likewise it might cause side effects for some but not others.

So I'd say try not to read too much into Google, or your friend's experience. It's your journey not theirs, with your own unique brain.

You are so brave facing this OP. People just don't get the terror. But I always say to them you can run away from a spider if you're arachnophobic, avoid lifts if you're claustrophobic...but with emetophobia the source of the fear is inside you and thus inescapable. That's what makes it so horrendous.

I wish you well, I really do

Given your anxiety, I think that's rather thoughtless of your friend as she must realise that it's going to make you even more anxious. Do you have the support of other people who are actually supportive?? Your friend doesn't sound like she's very good for you right now. She obviously has her own issues to deal with but it might be best to keep your distance for a little while if she's going to make it harder for you.

Take the medication. It can only help you if you actually take it.

Are you getting support from a psychologist? It really sounds like it would benefit you to talk to a professional.

I doubt these are side effects of fluoxetine - it sounds like you’ve just picked up a virus. A temperature can make you feel nauseous.

I’d also add that nausea and stomach cramps are also a common physical symptom of anxiety, so it’s possible that because you’re so worried about feeling ill with a bunged up nose and a temperature, that’s made you feel more sick and so on.

I really do feel for you, as I know how horrible anxiety can be and how hard it is to function with a phobia like yours. But I think persevering with fluoxetine would be best for you (I was never sick with it when I took it, while Sertraline made me feel queasy for weeks).

You’re not a pain in the arse at all, that’s just how anxiety works.

No idea whether the old tests would work, but I have read that there’s definitely an increase in cases, so it’s entirely possible that it could just be a horrible coincidence rather than side effects of the meds. Or even just a rotten stinking cold.

I hope you start feeling better soon 💐

Have a read of the leaflet that comes with the box. I don’t remember seeing anything like that in the symptoms; I wonder whether you’ve picked up the new strain of Covid going around? Have you got any tests?

No, not at all @Whatintheworldgirl I take it first thing in the morning so not sure if that makes a difference? I literally get out of bed and swig it down with my daily serving of Symprove (pro/prebiotic drink). I drink coffee every morning but no side effects with that at all.

From one emetephobe to another, you do not sound pathetic at all x

I started taking it one week ago and haven't had any nausea. I've been a little more fatigued than usual but I also have long Covid so it's always hard to judge. I've had a dry mouth but that's been the only obvious side effect. The fluoxetine has already made an improvement to my mood. I'm actually very impressed with it.

It was prescribed for me by a well regarded psychiatrist.

Only ever had a dry mouth as a side effect and this wore off after a couple of weeks.

I’m on it and never vomited or felt sick. I did suffer with insomnia and dry mouth the first few months I was on it but then they went away.

It’s actually not a rubbish drug for many of us. It’s a drug which has done exactly what it’s supposed to do, and I specifically request it every time I need it because I know it works for me, unlike many newer drugs which made me worse.

And OP, you need to agree your dosage and coming off any drug with your gp. It is an older drug, but that does not mean you’ll get addicted to it.

can I ask who prescribed you fluoxetine? your GP? it's a very old (and a bit rubbish) drug. newer generation SSRIS/SNRIs are available with better data...

also be extremely wary of stopping or reducing dose once established on it
...

It's been life changing for me with no side effects. I'm so grateful it exists.

Also, I think people tend to post reviews more often when they’ve had a negative experience. Fluoxetine works for me, but I’d have nothing positive to say about Citalopram, whereas other people would prefer that.

Fingers crossed that this helps you.

I’m on them now for the third time and I’ve never had any noticeable side effects. I know that they can sometimes make you tired but I take mine in the evening so have never noticed it.