To really worried about my Mum on Fluoxetine

[DesignerStars]

Originally posted under health but got no replies, so posting here as I'm really worried. I need some help and advice, I am very worried about my Mum (68). She's been taking Citalopram for 18 months but 2 weeks ago, she decided to come off it, saying that she was having unbearable vivid nightmares. When she came off Citalopram, she immediately went on to Fluoxetine (which she used to take years ago).

However, after going on Fluoxetine her mental health has dropped off a cliff. She has no motivation to do anything including washing, cleaning or shopping, she has just been sitting in chair crying and just says she's tortured with all these memories from the past of things my Dad did/said 30 years ago (she's long divorced).

I'll be honest, I'm terrified. I'm an only child and have no siblings to help support me in this. What is normal and what is not normal when it comes to this? I know you get the usual "give it 6 weeks" but I'm looking for some real-world experience and advice on this one.

We had a very similar situation in our house. Ultimately fluoxetine ended up being a much better drug (had also previously been on Citalopram) but the change over was horrendous. It really did get better and ended up being a much better solution. Hang in there x

Antidepressants can often make symptoms worse or give you new ones eg anxiety in the short term. Keep an eye on her for a few weeks

It took awhile for it to work for me and I had to go to the highest dose, but it was way better than the sertraline I was on before. Short term pain for long term gain is how I look at it now. Do give her support and sympathy during this changeover phase.

Thanks all. It probably doesn't help that I'm not always the most patient person. I just want to feel confident that it will work eventually. Last month she was having a day out in London with her friends and now she's saying she can't even face doing laundry.

Pigeon eyes

Omg so sorry wrong thread ffs 😂