What's your experience of Fluoxetine?

[mozzzy1]

I have just been prescribed this by my GP as I've been struggling very much lately with depression and anxiety. I have previously been on Citalopram which I found to be ineffective.

Never had Fluoxetine before, can anybody share their experiences with me?

Thanks

I've been on it twice - once for several years, and a shorter attempt later on. The first time it seemed to work well for me. Much fewer side effects than I'd had with other meds. In fact after the first week or two of starting or increasing (when I got some nausea and dizziness) I didn't really have side effects. I did end up going upto 60mg a day, but on that dose I did okay for a good few years.

Unfortunately it seemed to stop working for me eventually, but that's been my own experiences with all antidepressants. I was on a different one for some years, which again first worked and then didn't, and tried going back to fluoxetine after that. The second attempt was fine again in terms of side effects, but didn't help my mood at all that time.

I'm on day 2 of fluoxetine, so far so good. No side effects, tried sertraline a few years ago and they turned me into a zombie.

I couldn't cope with taking sertraline but fluoxetine was fine for me. I put on a bit of weight but it took the edge off enough for me to get out into the real world again!

Best drug ever! Total lifesaver.

This is my 3rd time on Flouxetine, always taken the 20mg dose. I'm 6 weeks in and my post partum anxiety is a million times better. It's great and I couldn't be without it post partum. Keep at it as it does take a few times to make a difference, and you might feel extra tired the first few weeks.

I'm glad you've mentioned tiredness, I do feel a bit out of it today!

I felt nauseous for a few days with little appetite and lost all sexual sensation and ability to orgasm. 6months on it now and thankfully things have improved but it's still not quite the same.

You probably won't benefit that much from hearing from other people's experiences. For some reason it seems to really vary which antidepressants work for which people. I know fluoxetine works for lots of people and doesn't tend to be too bad with side-effects. But I've seen loads of people who haven't benefited from it too. It's just a case of trial and error until you find the right one for you. For longer term help though I believe psychological therapies are really good for addressing the issues behind your symptoms. I'd recommend getting some help in the form of talking therapies as well as the medication

“Issues behind your symptoms”?
@myotherface would you say the same to someone suffering from a physical illness. CBT and other therapies can be useful but the idea that you can’t be depressed without an underlying issue is neither true nor helpful.

@Wolfiefan I would and often do at work. I definitely don't see mental health as something separate from physical health. And irl I do a lot of work campaigning against mental health stigma.

If someone came to me with leg swelling I wouldn't just treat the swelling. I'd want to know what's causing the swelling. Is there a tumour somewhere, heart condition etc. It's exactly the same with mental health. It's so important to know what's behind the depression. There are some people with very strong genetic vulnerability for depression and other mental health issues. However it is extremely rare that the genetic vulnerability itself would cause depression without other stressors. Our bodies and minds are one. Stress and trauma cause physical and chemical reactions in our bodies. Science doesn't quite yet understand how it all works but we know which factors can contribute to someone getting unwell. Also we have knowledge and evidence around which treatments are most helpful. Not everyone likes or benefits from therapy. Psychotherapy combined with medication is known to be more effective with better long term results than either of them alone.

I don’t know what your work is. But your comments worry me.
I have asthma. I use an inhaler.
I have anxiety and depression. I take an anti depressant.
You seem @myotherface to be suggesting there is something wrong that can be fixed by therapy. Would you say that to a diabetic? Or an epileptic?

Made me very dizzy and nauseous