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Original poster

Fluoxetine for teenager

34 replies

FreakinScaryCaaw · 09/10/2017 11:22

Ds2 is 17. He's had depression for at least a year. Been to Camhs and had CBT in a group.

Ds2 had a few weeks of feeling better whilst doing the ncs course. His mood can sometimes be ok but mostly he's depressed.

Today he saw a psychiatrist who prescribed fluoxetine to try in liquid form as ds2 doesn't take tablets.

Has anyone had experience of a teenager taking this? Did it help?

Dr said it'll take 6 weeks to work. He's seeing ds2 again in 6 weeks.

OP posts:
NellieTheElephant1 · 09/10/2017 11:46

It may help but my reason for replying is to say please, please watch him carefully for the first few weeks he is taking the medication. One of the side effects can be suicidal ideation especially in teenagers, so please monitor his mood and behaviour and look out for depression worsening before it improves.
This is not to scare you at all or put you off trying meds, I know they can be great for many people. Just to make you aware, I wish someone had told me to be extra alert for warning signs when my DC started fluoxetine. Good luck x

Kenworthington · 09/10/2017 11:52

Yes my ds1 has. Even depressed since he was 14, eventually at 16 gp put him on fluoxetine, he's 19 now and away at uni. He can't really function without it. It's made such a difference to his life, make sure he keeps taking them. Ds has missed a few weeks here and there and has really crashed. I feel as if it weren't for the medication he wouldn't be here now.

DubiousCredentials · 09/10/2017 11:52

I took it when I was 18. I had no troublesome side effects and it changed my life. I was taking it for about a year I think. Many years ago now. I hope your ds feels better soon Flowers

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 09/10/2017 11:57

DD (20) has been on it for 6 years. I worry that she is reliant on it as she is reluctant to come off it, though she has tried, twice. But she's certainly more like the person she used to be on it. She's also away at uni and I doubt she'd have been able to cope with that without it. (Depression, anxiety and severe OCD in her case.) Psychiatrist assures us there is no harm in long-term usage, though the concern for a girl is pregnancy, but hopefully that's some way down the line. She was on 60mg for the first couple of years but is on 30mg now, which seems to be the right balance for her. In her case, we had "her" back within a month, which was WONDERFUL.

Apparently the liquid form tastes vile!

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 09/10/2017 12:02

Thanks for your replies it means a lot. Flowers

He does have suicidal thoughts. The psychiatrist said this was one of the meds that is less likely to give him suicidal thoughts. Now I'm worried.

His self esteem is so low something has to be done.

OP posts:
Kenworthington · 09/10/2017 12:05

My Ds is suicidal too but the only time he attempted to act on it, he had stopped taking his tablets for a couple weeks and had got himself in a terrible state over something. I think the 'thoughts' he has are something he is going to have to live with unfortunately but because he often has them they won't up his dosage

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 09/10/2017 12:35

DD had suicidal thoughts (and attempts) too but fortunately had no experience of these getting worse on Fluoxetine. Keep an eye on him, but fingers and toes crossed that he will be ok.

It must be dreadful feeling so low, but it isn't easy being the parent either Flowers

LoniceraJaponica · 09/10/2017 12:54

DD started on it at Easter this year and it has helped her tremendously. CAMHS and group CBT did nothing to help with her anxiety and low self esteem, so the GP put her on Fluoxetine and is monitoring her closely. So far the only side effect means that when she needs the loo it is urgent, but other than that she is fine.

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 09/10/2017 13:56

Thanks. I've been to the chemist and had to order it.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 09/10/2017 16:24

Good luck. I hope it works. Parenting an anxious, depressed teenager is difficult Flowers

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 10/10/2017 06:32

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 10/10/2017 21:50

Does anyone know if you can mix the liquid with a bit of orange juice?

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 11/10/2017 07:14

I don't see why you can't. DD started off with liquid Fluoxetine and said that while it wasn't delicious it wasn't so vile that she had to mix it with anything. Fortunately she is OK with tablets. I hope you find a solution soon.

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 11/10/2017 09:47

Thanks Lonicera. How old is your dd?

OP posts:
Firefries · 11/10/2017 09:56

Yes our DD 15 on it. Amazing stuff here. Wouldn't be without it. Good luck.

LoniceraJaponica · 11/10/2017 13:05

She is 17, and in her last year at school. The doctor was very pragmatic about it and realized that DD needed more support than failed CAMHS and failed CBT, especially as she will be taking her A levels next summer.

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 11/10/2017 13:21

I found Camhs useless tbh. The nurse was arsey when I said ds2 would miss an appointment because of ncs course as he was away. Group cbt didn't help.

OP posts:
Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 11/10/2017 13:23

I hope your dd will flourish Lonicera.

It's good to hear success stories.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 11/10/2017 18:11

Thank you. I hope your son improves.

Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 11/10/2017 20:26

Thanks

OP posts:
Original poster
FreakinScaryCaaw · 12/10/2017 18:57

He's had his 3rd dose ok.

Tonight he's shown an interest in something he's neglected for months. A hobby. I know it must be too soon for the fluoxetine to have started working . Maybe the thought he's doing something to help himself has lifted his mood?

OP posts:
Hercules12 · 13/10/2017 18:34

Hi. Just adding myself to this thread. Dd about to start on fluoxentine at the grand old age of 14. Nervous but hopeful. Camhs keep telling us not to expect too much.

LoniceraJaponica · 13/10/2017 19:11

Good luck with your DD Hercules

dinosaursandtea · 13/10/2017 19:14

I started taking fluoxetine when I was 21. I wish like hell I'd started it in my teens.

Hercules12 · 13/10/2017 19:18

Thanks dinosaurs. Hoping it's the right thing.