Can we talk about Fluoxetine and other antidepressants?

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I know lots of people take antidepressants but there is no one in real life I can talk to about this.

I have just started taking Fluoxetine. I have been really resistant to the idea but it reached a stage where I feel I need to try something, as I have been going through the motions of life but not doing a good job of it and finding myself sobbing in my office at work too often...

It’s only day 5, and perhaps I am imaging things, but I think I am feeling slightly more positive. However, I do think I am having some minor side effects - feeling slightly nauseous at times and not 100% myself.

What are your experiences?

I was on fluoxetine for 2 years after my son was born. I had been prescribed another drug but it made me really unwell. I noticed a difference in a few weeks on fluoxetine but side effects for me were feeling sick and dizzy and very sleepy. I started taking them at night because they made me so tired but this didn't help too much. The other side effects were gone after around 5/6 weeks for me. This tablet helped me no end once my doctor got the dosage right. I was able to wean off of them once I was ready, again with help from my doctor and I had no issues with this part either. The tablets levelled me out enough so that I could get my head straight and start counselling and dealing with root causes to my problems and I'm now in such a better place.

It's not easy asking for some help and in my experience there is still stigma related to taking medicines for mental health, but I think it is a really brave thing to let your guard down and admit you need a bit of help, it's tough to do. Well done OP, I hope you continue to see improvements, but give the tablets a few weeks.

My DS (16) has been on fluoxetine for just over a year. It has made a huge difference to his mood, confidence and general wellbeing.
He started to improve within a week of starting the medication.
Good luck, I hope it's a positive experience for you.

Thank you Charlequin. That’s really helpful.

Thank you Dillyson.

I think sometimes things gave to get really bad before we realise that we need to seek help. I think I have been quite depressed for a while but because I can still force myself to go to work, cook meals etc for my dd, I thought I could deal with things....

Was on Mirtazapine until January. Mainly due to the sedative effect it had as I wasn't sleeping (PTSD) but also to improve my overall mood. The first 2 weeks weren't great. I was extremely groggy and saw everything through this haze and after that, things got better. I did have it alongside psychology counselling too, I don't think it would have been enough on its own, I had stuff to work through. Main side effects for me were a huge increase in appetite and achy joints.

Sounds like you're doing well with it - I've not taken any SSRIs myself but I've been a supportive shoulder at least half a dozen times. For many people the first week or two are actually worse, higher anxiety usually, but the curve up in mood wipes that out. Well done on missing out the bad bit :)

I hope it gives you the support you need, and things go better for you as you're healing. You might want to find a support group (IRL I mean, so not just here!) as not having anyone you can talk to about things is a real problem that may well hinder your recovery. Find nice people! It'll help.

Ive taken fluoxetine twice in the past, and it really works for me. The only side effect I had was that I would have incrediably vivid, epic long dreams most nights.

I have two very close family members who have benefitted massively from taking Fluoxetine. Nausea and digestive discomfort, and weird dreams are common side effects, however.

I was on fluoxetine three times over the last 30 years. For about three years each time.
The side effects wore off quite soon three weeks or so. They really helped me.
Unfortunately they seemed to stop working so I had a year on Mitazipine, which didn't do much for me.
Have recently changed to Venlafaxine, which seems to be helping, just got to get the dosage right now.
I'm also currently in psychotherapy.
I have had severe depression on and off since I had my first child which triggered PND. I also have past childhood trauma and experienced DV which left me with PTSD.
I honestly think I wouldn't be here without medication. I've no doubt it's saved my life.
I'm past all the stigma stuff now, although that hasn't always been the case.

I've been taking fluoxetine for just over a year and I am delighted with it. At first I was so sleepy, but changed the time I took it to bedtime, and the sleepiness stopped. This is the second time I've been on it but rushed to stop the first time, as my DH didn't want me on them. At my age - early 40s - I know myself better than ever, so have been back on it in secret. Best decision ever made!

Fluoxetine has made such a difference to me. Really has. No awful side effects.

I love my fluoxetine and the doctors will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands before I give it up, (Or it stops working for me).

I have been on it twice (the second time is still continuing) and both times I had horrible side effects starting it, but by 6 weeks was fine and noticing an improvement.

I use sertraline, I have been using it for four years and it works really well for me. I was on fluoxetine for six months, but it caused a few intimate difficulties.