Fluoxetine advice please ?

[ohcarriemathison]

Hi
I've been prescribed Fluoxetine mainly for anxiety but also low mood too.
I've just been feeling overwhelmed and have quite a few challenging things going on.

I've been taking fluoxetine for 5 days but have been feeling quite weird as each day goes on. Feeling a bit spaced out. A bit detached.
I decided last night that I wasn't going to continue but this morning I do feel a little better. A little bit brighter.

I'm just wondering is this normal ?

If I keep taking them will it get better ?

Will I go back to feeling more like me but without all the anxiety ?

Feeling really confused 🤷🏼‍♀️

Any advice would be great, thank you 🙏

Duloxetine I found to be a thousand times better than Fluoxetine. It's an SNRI and works almost instantly as oppose to Fluoxetine, an SSRI which takes 2-3 weeks. The effect is a lot better too. For me at least. Fluoxetine made me worse if anything. Sertraline was hell....

Why was sertraline hell for you
Was it the side effects

Thanks @CherryPlum
I'm definitely experiencing all those symptoms that you have described but do feel each day I feel a little better so trying to persevere.
So glad that you are feeling in a good place.

@MummyParanoia101 I wish my GP had put on the medication that works straight away, wonder why they don't ?
Feel I'm going to persevere with Fluoxitine for now as I'm
Thinking I've come through the worse and waiting on the good bit now 🙏
Glad that you have something that is really helping you.

Fluoxetine didn't suit me at all - I went back to the GP and said I'd rather have the symptoms of depression than the side-effects of Fluoxetine. BUT all ADs affect different people in different ways. I'm now on Mirtazapine which works for me, but I know doesn't suit everyone.

@chocolateworshipper
Sorry that fluoxetine didn't work out for you & glad you have something now that suits you better.

Hi OP hope things are improving for you. I think the important thing to bear in mind is that we’re all individuals so what works for one person doesn’t mean that it’ll work for another. It definitely took me a few weeks to start feeling the benefit of Fluoxetine. Just as a balanced point to the fact that others are saying Fluo wasn’t for them, I took Citalopram for quite some time and it didn’t help me half as much as Fluoxetine has done.

Thanks so much @Pannalash
I'm still struggling a bit but do think I can see chinks of light breaking through my anxiety and low mood.
I had to pick my DS up and 2 of his friends at a party today and found that really draining.

Do you think maybe
I'll be on them for the rest of my life 😥

@123L I suppose if you need to be on them for a long time but they are helping then that's ok ?

I'm glad to hear it's getting a bit better for you. Hopefully it will get better as each day passes.

I think they give you a better outlook in life
I laugh about things a lot more

123L that's exactly how I feel. Fluoxetine has helped me to 'not sweat the small stuff' and now I'm able to laugh more and feel lighthearted. I don't dwell on everything anymore, or over-analyse and worry constantly.

Yes exactley the same..used to overthink everythink,took everythink personally now
Only probs have gained weight
But what can you do😆

Been feeling so so bad today.
My oldest DD is home from uni and she woke the house up coming home at 3am then woke my youngest up at 5am getting into bed with her.
I've felt so so overtired and feel like stopping the fluoxetine as feeling fed up of side effects.
Hopefully get a good nights sleep tonight and things will feel better in the morning.

Older children can be selfish
Mine are late 20's..mid 30's moan about everythink but wont move out

I do think they need to find there own place now😢

@123L we're are so overcrowded and desperately trying to move.
Think that has all added to my anxiety ☹️
You must be making a lovely home for your children that they don't want to leave.

Hi OP, I was on these for several years. Yes I’m afraid the first couple of weeks are a bit weird — I had really sweaty palms! — but then you feel better.

If you’re not sleeping, you could try taking them at a different time of day, maybe? Just a thought.

Good luck! Hope you feel better really really soon.

Its so bad with overcrowding nowadays
And moving is such a expense
All these empty buildings with nobody living in them
That really upsets me

Thanks @HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo
I've been taking them after 9am so I taking them quite early but could try even earlier to see if that helps.
I've pretty much been awake since 3am so I'm really really hoping for a good sleep tonight.
Yes, my palms have been sweaty too and keep feeling hot when I'm generally a cold person.
So glad that things are feeling better for you.
I'm going to keep persevering.
Day 12 tomorrow.

I’m sure I felt a lot better after 14 days. I remember someone (maybe my gp or someone who was also taking them) warmed me I’d feel worse for 2 weeks. I remember it was exactly 2 weeks later when I started feeling better.

Two more days to go! You’ll be ok. After a while, I’d honestly forget I was taking anything. You really won’t feel rough forever, honest. You’ll feel normal, but more relaxed and less anxious.

Hugs!

I take my sertroline at midday,after lunch
I seem to sleep a lot better
Hubby says i snore now
Doesnt worry me i'm asleep😃😃

@HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo
That sounds great. That's definitely what I'm hoping for.
I had to go to a stay and play at my DD's new primary school this morning and found that really tough.
Thanks for the hug, definitely needing it just now.

@123L
That sounds perfect !
Fingers crossed that's where I'll be soon.