Fluoxetine

[Whatintheworldgirl]

Today I took my first 20mg fluoxetine tablet for my anxiety. My anxiety is caused by emetophobia (fear of sickness) now I've stupidly ready reviews and so many people have said they vomited a lot. In tears!! Help!! Did you experience vomiting or just nausea?

I have emetophobia and also on fluoxetine. Never vomited with it at all.

Thank you so much! Did you find at the beginning you were really scared of the possible sickness side effect? Did it bring on anxiety or did you manage to numb the panic?

I'm so sorry you are living with such a debilitating phobia. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I hope you're well xx

Thank you! I'm currently balling my eyes out but I promise I'll try to think more positive. Thank you

I'm so sorry you have this phobia. Thank you so much for the reassurance. I pray I'm the same as you!

I’m currently on it and it never made me vomit or nauseous. It does make me a bit fatigued and drowsy but I just take it at night so problem solved

No side effects for me at all.

Perhaps get meds information from somewhere more reputable than tik tok. I'm 60mg no side effect issues. Good luck op.

Fellow emetophobe here. Been on fluoxetine for many years and never had an issue

Has anyone any positive outcomes from switching from mertazapine to fluoxetine? TIA

I maxed out on mirtazapine, then on to fluexitine unfortunately now feel they don't do anything and I'm on 60mg a day. Be back to the drawing board and try something else.

@Whatintheworldgirl I ALWAYS worry when I take a new medication of any kind for this reason. But I've now learned never to look up the drug or research side effects or I'll end up not taking it. I've been through a lot of procedures and medications in my life where nausea/vomiting can be a side effect, but ultimately it will make be better so I have to take the risk and trust in medicine and medical professionals.

I know how it feels to have this phobia completely rule your life but in some cases, the picture is a little bit bigger you know? Like if I didn't go under general anaesthetic, for open heart surgery, I probably wouldn't be here now to tell the tale. Or morphine afterwards (which can make you very sickly) my pain level would have been SO much worse. I know that's the drastic side of things but I hope you get my point :)

The only effect I experienced on Fluoxetine was the lifting of my depression. 🙂 No nausea or vomiting at all.

I took fluoxetine from March 2020 - February 2021 and have been on it again from December 2021 - now. I felt sick for a few days both times but was never sick. I am sick easily!! The side effects are worst at the beginning and wear off and now I don’t really have any side effects. These tablets saved my life.

I was on it 12 years and never vomited outside if regular vomiting when unwell or hungover!

Personally I find Duloxetine to be a thousand times better than Fluoxetine but that's just me. If this doesn't work for you, ask if you can try Duloxetine

I did actually have Emetophobia myself before my first pregnancy. Then I got Hyperemesis Gravidarum (extreme, 'puts you in hospital and can be fatal' morning sickness that was indeed, very nearly fatal) and after 7 months of being sick 30+ times per day, I now no longer fear it.

Now, I'm not suggesting pregnancy to overcome your fear - obviously! But I'm surprised your doctor isn't suggesting other ways to tackle what sounds like a life-altering fear. Some form of counselling, surely?

I was pregnant with twins and did have constant nausea but they gave me cyclizine which amazingly prevented me being sick. It's weird how I felt like it went in phases. As a kid I had it bad then from 15-25 I was fine, had sick bugs and obviously it was horrible but I was fine then for some reason now that im almost 30 it's come back with a vengeance. I definitely need CBT but there's a 14-16 month waiting list so trying anti anxiety meds.

I'm so sorry you had such a tough pregnancy but also super proud of you for overcoming it! You're my hero! 😊

Do you mind if I ask what's the difference? Sorry I'm clueless. Would love your input

I honestly can't thank you enough for these comments. Especially expressing how you're sick easily and this didn't cause that. I'm on day two and trying to remain positive. You're a star!! Thank you so much and I hope you're doing well!

So happy for you!!! Well done 🤍

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.

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.

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

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
...

I'm exactly the same with citalopram so that offers me lots of comfort. Hopefully I'll be the same as you. I know it's only day 2 but citalopram and sertraline where making me feel absolutely vile by this point t so keeping my fingers crossed. I hope you're well!

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.