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Original poster

Fluoxetine

28 replies

bluebirdie · 30/10/2019 17:04

I just started fluoxetine today, I've never taken antidepressants before and I'm scared that they won't work. My life is a mess at the moment, I've just come out of a year long relationship after my ex kept betraying me by going on dating sites throughout our relationship. I just feel so worthless, crying all the time, snappy at my poor children. I just want to feel better. Is anyone else taking them?

OP posts:
NigesFakeWalkingStick · 30/10/2019 17:06

Oh bless you Thanks sounds like you've had a really tough time.

I don't take them anymore but did for 10+ years - they were great, and was on 40mg a day for anxiety. Combined with therapy they were a life saver for me.

Expect some initial side effects which do go off after a couple of weeks, but it can be common to feel a bit out of sorts for a week or two. Honestly I don't remember feeling anything when I took them but I started off on a small dose (20g) then increased.

Is it to treat depression or anxiety? Has your GP offered you any talking therapies to work alongside the medication?

Original poster
bluebirdie · 30/10/2019 17:29

Both depression and anxiety, I've been referred for CBT too.

OP posts:
Soubriquet · 30/10/2019 17:32

I take this and have done for years.

Trust me when I say it helps.

It really really does.

You wouldn’t leave a broken leg without treatment so please do treat your brain the same way

I hope you feel a change soon Flowers

Original poster
bluebirdie · 30/10/2019 17:54

Thank you both, I have other problems I'm dealing with too. I was in a long marriage, almost 20 years, and I left him 3 years ago as the relationship was toxic and he was mentally abusive. We have 6 children together and he has alienated 3 that live with him against me. I thought I was coping ok with all of that, but now that my new relationship broke down, everything has just getting been getting on top me. It just feels like everything is going wrong

OP posts:
BarbourellaTheCoatzilla · 30/10/2019 17:59

I was prescribed fluoxetine several years ago, however after months and months of no change I come off then with my doctors advice. I’ve chosen not to go on another kind (just my preference). I had no side effects or anything from them they just didn’t work!

But making the first step is brilliant. I really hope they work out for you, but if they don’t don’t be afraid to try another type. People are wired differently and what works or doesn’t work for others might not work or work for you! Well done in getting this far -Flowers

justasking111 · 30/10/2019 18:00

They will work, there will be side effects, mine were nausea a bit like being pregnant, that did pass. The relief of not being on the edge of a precipice from the moment I woke up was life saving.

MeltingSnowflake · 31/10/2019 10:26

I just started taking it today! I came on here to start a thread for people just starting it and found I didn't need to, so thanks for posting Smile

Like you, I've never taken anti-ds before, but it has been a really tough year and I've tried everything else.

What dose have you started on? I opted to start on 10mg, which is a baby dose, but hopefully there will be fewer side effects (fingers crossed).

I've also been referred for CBT but have no idea yet how long the waiting list is Hmm

Good luck! Flowers

sclough · 31/10/2019 11:44

I take this for PMS, brilliant! Total life saver. Suffered for years with dreadful PMS and this is fabulous. I take it 15 days before my period is due each month ( this could go on a PMS thread too).

I felt little nauseous for first few months taking it but it does wear off. Also it does take a while to kick in, just persevere with it.

WeAreStardustWeAreGolden · 31/10/2019 12:14

Hi Op, I'm on my fourth week of fluoxetine at 20mgs. For the first few days felt no different at all but gradually I've seen an improvement although still get the odd anxiety attack but nowhere as bad. It's been a lifesaver so far although I still have a way to go I think.

brightside11 · 31/10/2019 15:05

I started fluoxetine 20mg on Monday. I'm pregnant so it wasn't an easy decision but m my anxiety and depression were unmanageable. I hope it works for us both! Thanks

SheilaHammond · 31/10/2019 15:19

Been on it for years (by choice). Makes me feel like my normal self instead of raging OCD and anxiety and depression. Good luck 🤞.

lostthepoint · 31/10/2019 22:22

Also recently started on this, was going to post a thread but found this! I started on 10mg on Tuesday upping to 20mg next week (to reduce side effects). Haven’t found much of an improvement yet,

This is my first time on ADs, in conjunction with counselling for anxiety and depression.

Good luck to everyone who’s also recently started 💐

Original poster
bluebirdie · 01/11/2019 07:51

I'm on 20mg. Thank you for all your responses, I feel a lot more positive that this will help me after reading your replies. Life is hard at the moment but hopefully these will help me feel better. I have an hours appointment on Thursday with a therapist, it's on the phone and then they will see what I need going forward. Im nervous about it because I think I'm going to spend the whole hour crying, but I also looking forward to talking to someone. My sister and best friend have been really supportive but I'm feeling a bit of a burden now.

OP posts:
Cosmos45 · 01/11/2019 07:54

Life saver for me due to peri menopause.. I am also on HRT. It stops me literally wanting to throttle everyone.. and deals with the uncontrollable rage..

MeltingSnowflake · 04/11/2019 12:33

How's everyone doing with the side effects? OP, are you feeling any better??

I'm definitely feeling a little better - the lows are just not so low now and it's a real relief. I do have slight headaches and I'm having some trouble sleeping, but that could be because I have this cold that's going around.

Hairydogmummy · 04/11/2019 14:34

Reading this with interest. I am waiting for a callback from GP. My anxiety is terrible. Losing sleep and not able to go to work today. Have been offered ADs in the past I have always resisted cos of the side effects. I'm a teacher and I'm worried I won't be able to work if I get side effects (though I can't manage it today anyway so..) after reading this I might give fluoxetine a go...thanks for giving me hope!

Original poster
bluebirdie · 06/11/2019 07:59

Hello, I'm doing ok, I take mine in the morning and have found I am more anxious and emotional until the afternoon and then I feel calmer. Headachy first too. I do t know if that's completely from the AD or as I'm going through a very tough breakup still too. I'm hopeful that these will help in the long run though.

How's everyone else getting on?

OP posts:
donttellmetwice · 06/11/2019 08:10

I have been on and off these tablets for 10+ years. I think they are amazing and have helped me so so much!
Originally I was on them for depression but now it's more for SAD so I'm on them for autumn and winter and off them during spring and summer.

Original poster
bluebirdie · 06/11/2019 08:13

Twice, do you feel more anxious when you first start them again in the Autumn? I've read this can happen and should calm down, but interested to know if other are feeling like this too in the early stages, as I don't like the anxious feelings at all

OP posts:
Somebodystired · 06/11/2019 08:24

I've been taking them for 2 months and honestly I started to feel better within 48 hours, like an actual functioning human being. Within a couple of weeks I felt great. I feel like the real me again (not 'artificial happiness' but real, genuine happiness and contentment). I have had only one day in the past 2 months where I felt overwhelmed and like I was struggling. That used to be a daily occurrence.

I put it off for a year and I am so glad I finally asked for help and got these meds. They have changed my life.

donttellmetwice · 06/11/2019 08:57

@bluebirdie the only time that happened to me was when I started on 40mg a day rather than 20mg. Now I always start on just 20mg a day and stay on that as it works for me.

MeltingSnowflake · 06/11/2019 09:42

@bluebirdie Even on 10mg I found it was actually making me feel a bit jittery, but I think caffeine made it worse - I've noticed that cutting down to one cup of tea in the morning has helped massively with that, although it could also just be that it's just an initial side effect that's now wearing off.

Either way, I'm already feeling better - I feel really silly I resisted them for the last 20 years! Hope you continue to feel better!

lostthepoint · 07/11/2019 00:03

I’ve been taking 10mg in morning and 10mg at night for a couple of days now(they gave 2 weeks worth of 10mg when I was only meant to have 10mg for one week) Felt a slight improvement a couple of days ago—felt normal for about 10 minutes! At first they made me feel tired but now I’ve gone back to having insomnia (hence midnight posting😬)

Diy2019 · 07/11/2019 15:57

I've been on 20mg a day for almost a month. My mood has been lifted, I am much happier. I'm still anxious around leaving the house but trying to push through it. I also get a headache every night/morning when I wake up

Hollywolly1 · 08/11/2019 18:34

I used to take 60mg a day for at least 18 months and I stopped taking them because I was asleep a lot of that time and not any ordinary sleep either I was in a stupor,from the day I stopped taking them I didn't need to sleep during the day anymore

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