Fluoxetene side effects too much! Help!

[justkeepgoing76]

Day 4 and crippling panic attacks and the runs. I am so anxious I am struggling to cope. Not sure I can do this anymore? Feel worse than I ever did.
Should I stop? Is it safe?

After 4 days it's probably ok to stop - fluoxetine has a long half life and lots of metabolites so stays in your system a while, meaning that stopping is less of a shock to your system.

Before you do I stop I would see if there are anyways you can manage the side effects. Ask your doctor if they prescribe something temporary for the anxiety to get you through the first week or so, plus see what you can take for the runs?

I have been on fluoxetine and was fine for ages but had to stop because of a side effect that suddenly developed. I've also been on other anti depressants that I found far more evil. Different medications affect different people in different ways. for you and hope you feel better soon.

Thank you so much @Twotabbycats. The attack took about an hour and I feel better now so going to take it. Did they make you feel better in the long run?

Thank goodness I've an appointment tomorrow! I really want to stick it out and see benefits but OMG I had no idea it would be this horrific!

Glad you're feeling a bit better now. I just remembered I had panic attacks when I switched to fluoxetine from a different anti depressant. My psychiatrist said at the time that it's is not the best medication for anxiety. Are the panic attacks new for you or did you have them before?

I did feel better once the fluoxetine kicked in, but I can't remember how long it took. I had fast-acting lorazepam for occasional use for panic attacks,

Good to hear you have an appointment tomorrow so you can discuss your concerns. I hope they can give you something to help you through the initial period.

I’ve been taking fluexitine for 2 months now and I Went thought that stage. I kept taking it though and now I do feel a lot better. The panic attacks stopped and so did the runs. I can now cope a lot better with stuff. Maybe give it a few more days?

I have had a few panic attacks and been feeling anxious but this has stopped since CBT therapy and techniques. It's come back with a vengeance since taking these. I'm going to keep going despite it being horrendous unless the doc recommends a switch. I'm imagining them as contractions which will lead to the birth of a new me! (And I know but it's helping)

Thanks @toriap2 how long did it take for the anxiousness to subside, can you remember? I'll take the runs forever as long as this goes away!

It took about a week,. I honestly felt so panicky about 5 days afterward, But very day it got a bit better, A few days later, this had all gone and I was much much calmer. The runs was a lot shorter. That was only a couple of days. I hope they work for you. Always here if you need a chat or someone to listen,

Thank you that really means a lot. It's so good to have words of support from people who've been there. Trying hard to keep my mind on the end goal and not quit.

good luck.....I've been on fluoxetine for five years or so, but I remember starting to feel little glimmers of positivity after about 10 days

Great news!

Been to docs this morning and have to stop taking them as side effects too severe. My left pupil has dilated, BP and heart rate up. Leave it a week and then go back and look to switch to something different

Oh dear. That is not good you have those effects. I hope you find the right treatment for you and get better x

@justkeepgoing76 maybe think of trying citalopram? I started on a very low dose at 10mg, didn't really get many bad side effects...a few sleepless nights nothing much more. I've just increased to 20mg yesterday, nothing to report as far as more side effects other than I didn't sleep great last night.

Thank you! Strangely disappointed as I feel I only had a couple days before I may have got through but she reckoned it was too much.
Yes, that's what she suggested as an alternative. Got to let this get out my system first and then will give that one a bash

Good luck @justkeepgoing76 ! It's a very popular anti d so fingers crossed you'll get along with that one ☝️

Oh you poor thing! I was going to start a very similar thread yesterday about starting mirtazapine - never felt so ill in my life!!!

(also stopped after two days!)

Alsoso I have used cito in the past and it was fine

Hi OP! What dose did your gp put you on to start?

@Thisnamechanger did you find the Citalopram helped?

Hi @FruitCider 20mgs

Thanks @Alicia44 will keep you posted

Glad you were able to get an appointment and get checked out. Sounds like your instinct to stop them was right!

I hope you find something that helps. I have tried lots in the past, some with horrible side effects and some that just didn't work for me. I'm not allowed SSRIs or SNRIs any more!

Hi I have had a horrible time on only 25mg of stertraline, day 5 I woke feeling dizzy and a racing heart that lasted 3 hours I dont know if it was a panic attack as I've never had one before.Dr wants to change me to prozac, but aren't they very similar, ?so scared to try now .Which other tablets are there, that are not ssri's that I could consider.