Fluoxetine- about to start and scared. Any advice

[GC12345]

I’m about to start taking fluoxetine and I’m really scared! Any advice please x

Not taken fluoxetine but a similar AD. Absolute life saver for me on two separate occasions in my life. I took them for a year each time. I was so worried at first but honestly all you should expect is to feel normal. Just the way you always feel but less overwhelmed. That’s just my experience but I say well done for giving them a go. Hopefully they’ll quickly take effect and you’ll start to feel better. Sending you a warm hug. X

I’m on fluoxetine. Lifesaver for me. Truly has been wonderful. No side effects. I can be me but much less anxious and without crippling depression. Good luck OP.

Thank you both for your kind replies. I tried sertraline a year ago and only lasted a few weeks and had to stop due to profuse diarrhoea. It’s taken me a year to pluck up the courage to try something else. My anxiety is so bad as is my ocd. I struggle to function at the moment Nd have two little boys. I feel so hopeless I have to get better! Xx

I tried and stopped Setraline for the exact same reason. Really awful. Good luck OP.

I took it for a year. It was great and really worked.

You’ll be just fine. Stick with it. They take time to kick in. You probably won’t even notice at first that you’re actually starting to feel normal. If they don’t work, try something else. You’ll get there. I promise. I always found keeping a journal before bed helpful too. Maybe a support group online to share worries with. Wishing you all the best.

Fluoxetine has been a god send for me. I've got chronic, treatment resistant depression and these have really helped me feel not so bad. Not had any side effects and they have not made me feel spaced out. Good luck with it.

I was you 6 months ago. I struggled with severe anxiety and worsening depression for the last two years but it came to a head and I had a breakdown - 3 days straight without sleep, food and unable to think, talk or do anything

I started fluoxetine and within a week I felt better. And have continued to improve

Take the tablets, good luck x

I agree with the other replies, I wish I'd gone on them sooner for pnd.
They really helped, no side effects, started to feel better within about a week.
Stayed on them for a year and haven't felt the need ( so far ) to go back on them again .
Go for it, give them a try, good luck

@Wolfiefan would you say that fluoxetine has less side effects than sertraline? I didn’t like sertraline made me feel more anxious and the terrible diarrhoea was awful xx

I was on fluoxetine for around 6 years I think, with a gap of a year somewhere in between. I didn't really have any side effects starting them. As with all medication, they can affect people differently but I know a few people who have been prescribed fluoxetine (my DH included) and all have positive experiences.

I hope you feel better soon OP x

@GC12345 everyone is different. But I can’t say I’ve had any side effects at all.
Setraline REALLY didn’t agree with me. It was grim.

I’m in day three of taking the fluoxetine, is it ok to have a glass of wine or 2? X

Fluoxetine worked wonders for me and I had no side effects.
This time I’ve been prescribed sertraline- it’s taken me 6 weeks to pluck up the courage to take the first tablet but I did it today.

I had a drink or 2 with fluoxetine - albeit when I’d been taking it a bit longer.

@Ethellsmum good on you for taking your first tablet. I was terrified too and am on day three now and feeling a bit low today. Guess it’s because it’s New Year’s Eve! Was going to have a wine but not sure it’s worth the worry of how it will affect me. Hope you’re feeling ok. Xx

Does anyone find a kind of buzzy feeling with prozac, as if you want to exercise? Difficult to describe, mainly in arms and legs?

Recently started it again and wondering if it will fade with time.

@Orangeblossom77777 I’m only on day five and started experiencing muscle twitches and feeling very anxious. Guess I just have to try and ride it out. How long have you been taking it x

@GC12345

I’m about to start taking fluoxetine and I’m really scared! Any advice please x

@GC12345
How you doing?

I was on fluoxetine for about 2 years and it saved my life. The first maybe month or so was a little rough but the benefits outweigh the temporary side effects.

I am now fully recovered from depression and having a baby with my partner. Life is good. Anxiety still shows up sometimes but nowhere near what it was. I also had CBT along side medicine.

I wish you all the best and a happy new year.
Keep us updated on how you're doing xxxx

Hi OP, mental health nurse here. Do you have any questions I can help you with?

The truth is that no antidepressants have fewer symptoms than others, as a blanket way of thinking. Some antidepressants suit some people better than others. You won't know what side effects or benefits you will get before you start taking it , each person is very different and will respond in different ways to each medication. This is true of all medications, not just antidepressants. Prescribing is an educated guess not a guarantee.

It sounds like your symptoms are having a really significant adverse effect on your health and your family life so it's worth a try. If fluoxetine isn't for you there are other options. Being scared isn't nice I know but it's one if the symptoms. You have to make the decision to give it a go or you can chose not to. What will you do if you don't take it?

@Sway19 thank you! I’m onday five and feeling nauseous and have muscle twitches and no appetite and am very tiredI’m very scared of serotonin syndrome but that’s my health anxiety kicking in. I just need some reassurance really xx

Hi I find exercise helps with the twitchy feeling, also taking it with food helps with nausea. I have been taking it on and off for years- but having the feelings when starting it again, seems to get better with time.

Thank you @Orangeblossom77777 xx

No problem, they helped me a lot hope they do you as well. They are a 'stimulating' kind of AD (rather than 'sedating') I'm on my second week back on them recently and it is starting to improve a bit. Going to go for a walk later - stuff like that an help MH as well. So in a way can be helpful.

@GC12345 did you recover?