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’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.

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

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.

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

That's wonderful to hear. Sorry that you've had long Covid though! I hope you're feeling better. Super random question, does it make you feel a bit gassy? I've noticed when I have coffee I feel pretty icky haha!

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.

Hey everyone, just a little update as I've been advised to stick in this thread;

I'm on day three if fluoxetine 20mg. I have a stuffy nose, high temp, cramps down below and I feel super nauseous with a horrible taste in my mouth. This is a lot harder then I hoped it would be 😭 did anyone else experience any of these? I feel like I'm going into a major panic about it all if I'm honest

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?

Oh gosh I didn't know there was a new strain going around! Thank you for letting me know. Do you think that old lfts would work with this new strain?

I'm hoping it's more to do with the meds, the fact the meds have pushed my period to start and I have a copper coil so it's killer and that I had some garlic in my dinner and that sometimes can make me a little icky in my stomach. So who knows. Could be bloody anything lol. I'm such a pain in the arse with my anxiety. Thank you so much for replying!!

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 💐

A friend of mine started fluoxetine around the same time as me snd has just messaged me dashing she's been vomiting all night. So my night was rough but now I'm just waiting for that too 🙈 feel like I'm too scared to take I'm the medication today! Urgh stressful xx

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).

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.

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

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?