Fluoxetine/antidepressants

[Cloudd]

Hi. Need your advice/positive experiences...
Couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with severe depression and generalised anxiety disorder so started fluoxetine/Prozac for first time. It’s been 3weeks now, a did a week on 10mg and then to 20mg. I’ve seen an improvement in my mood and energy, from a 0 to a 4, but will this continue to improve over the following weeks or is this the best it’s going to get? I still feel down during the evenings, when did it start to work for you/noticeable improvements? Xx

Thank you. Getting over it a bit now. Screw her lol. X

Morning folks, how's everyone today? I've recovered a bit from my incident with the nurse. My neighbour told me about a couple of incidents with her family and the same nurse and she seems to have form when it comes to poor bedside manner.

Feeling the anxiety and fatigue this morning. It's a weird mix of tired and wired. It's a gorgeous day here so a dip in the sea would do me some good ... I might go this afternoon. Also need to stock up on supplements. Hope you all have a good day. X

Sending love to everyone. Again I'm so sorry for not contributing. I've just had time to read through everything this morning on my phone.

On Tuesday I had my second counselling session, ten mins in my baby woke up and wouldn't settle for my hubby, proper hyperventilating types of crying so I had to apologise and reschedule. Sadly she's on hol next week so is two weeks until I see her again. I had mentally prepared myself all day for it and my one bit of "me time" was taken away. I've really struggled with this.

Also my dad has been hospital since Tuesday and I can't even visit him as restricted to one visitor.

Luckily hubby is off this weekend but he got a lie in this morning and my girls decided 6am was the time to get up so feeling very tired and fragile just now.

@Maidenpink I (and I think most people!) would have felt the same way after dealing with someone like that. It always amazes me the types of people that can be in a profession like this!

Hi @filofaxx, great to hear from you and no need at to apologise! I'm really sorry about your dad. That is hard to deal with. And so frustrating about your counselling session too! You must have felt so angry about that. I know the feeling of being on that early shift with the kids, you feel like you've run a marathon and been hit by a bus come 9am. I hope once your husband is up he can take full responsibility for the kids for a while and let you have ESSENTIAL breathing space. It is essential, not a luxury. Big hugs. X

Hey everyone, hope you’re all doing ok x
@Maidenpink it does sound like that nurse has form right enough! Glad you’ve been able to park it up..x a wee dip in the sea would be just the ticket ❤️
@FiloFaxx really sorry about your dad. It’s incredibly hard not being able to visit loved ones in hospital. I hope it’s not long till he’s well xx definately take some breathing space for yourself…it’ll benefit your whole family in the long run. As maidenpink has said those early weeks/months with newborns are tough! Be kind to yourself. Sending you a hug ❤️
I’m having less physical side effects which is great but finding I’m overthinking a lot of things. I know I’m still early days with the fluoxetine but just wondering if that’s something that any of you have noticed?
@polelynn I hope you’re having a relaxing morning x

Thank you for the love, understanding and support as ever

Just felt a bit deflated this week as meds aren't making any difference, I was going to discuss the beta blockers at my counselling session but didn't get a chance. So feel like the meds aren't working and I'm not getting a chance to have my counselling properly! Dad being ill just makes it a bit harder too. I still believe I'm getting karma and punished for something but nobody understands me x

I wonder why you feel that way @filofaxx. It's not a very nice way to feel at all. I really hope you get to explore that a bit in counselling eventually. How long have you been on Fluoxetine now? X

Hi @FiloFaxx have you been given/tried beta blockers? I have propranolol 10mg so very low dose but they make me feel a bit rubbish so I have been halving them and I seem to be tolerating them a bit better. They are brilliant for stopping the physical symptoms of anxiety (racing heart, shaking etc). I hope you feel better soon as you’re coping with an awful lot. Hugs ❤️

@FiloFaxx sending you a big hug. In terms of feeling punished, I get it. I feel a strong sense of guilt and shame about certain ‘stuff’ and that I’m now getting what I deserve. I’ve no idea where it comes from but I really do understand. Brene Brown talks a lot about feelings of shame, maybe have a watch of one of her TED talks. I’m sorry to hear about your Dad too and about your lack of me time. I’ve said to you before, you must make yourself and your recovery a priority amongst your family. Without you being well and plate spinning as us Mum’s need to be, everyone else suffers. You absolutely deserve to feel well again and everything good that comes your way and btw that lay in tomorrow has your name all over it 😉.

@BlueVelvetine intrusive thoughts did increase around the week 5-6 mark for me. I felt I plateaued at that stage thus why I increased. I’ve no doubt HRT will help level things out too. Have you got your prescription now?

@Maidenpink evening, did you get that dip? X

Hi @polelynn, yes I picked up my prescription today but instead of Oestrogel pump I’ve been given Sandrena sachets which are only 0.5mg (I was taking 1mg on Elleste Duet so a little confused. From googling I think 1 pump of Oestrogel has 0.75mg oestrogen. Unsure tho if less than 1mg is absorbed from tablets as it is metabolised by the liver so wondering if I’m getting more or less the same? Think I’ll speak to GP or maybe pharmacist.

Thanks for reassurance about the intrusive thoughts…I’m hoping they start to dial down soon.
Hope you’re doing ok yourself. Are you still able to pick up a book?

Morning @polelynn and all,

I didn't end up going for a dip, I felt pretty dreadful and couldn't face the drive. I just felt like my mind was stuffed with wet cotton wool and like I was wading through treacle. Joyless and despairing. Had a big cry in the afternoon and felt a bit better in the evening, even watched a film with DH. Night sweat last night and awake at 3.30 bursting for the loo despite no fluids after 8pm. I know folk have worse nights than that, I've had them myself. God I sound miserable!

How's your weekend going? X

Morning all…hope you’re all having a good weekend x
It’s so difficult trying to conjure up some motivation when you feel like that @Maidenpink …. I know I feel better when I get up and out but it’s hard to get myself going. I just took our wee dog for a walk, wanted to go further but my legs feel so heavy! Husband is away for a cycle then I think we might go for a run in the car this afternoon. I started HRT this morning. Wouldn’t it be great if it worked right away! One squirt of gel and whoosh! You’re a new woman!

How’s everyone doing? Any plans?

Morning all…having a really bad morning. Can’t stop crying, worrying, stressing. I’m really not sure that fluoxetine is working for me. It’ll be 6 weeks this Friday and although there’s a dulling of my symptoms I’m not experiencing the relief I expected. I am doubting every choice I make, have no motivation and feel completely overwhelmed. It’s maybe just a bad morning ☹️
Sincerely hope everyone else is ok x

@BlueVelvetine I’m sorry. I remember feeling like this too at the week 5/6 stage, in fact I could’ve used your exact words. Perhaps it’s time to consider an increase to 40mg? This isn’t a failing, remember 20mg is only the starting dose. ❤️

@Maidenpink I reckon the HRT will get all that sorted pretty swiftly. X

I’m doing okay. Not made huge progress over the last few days and I do keep putting off some stuff, the thought of which scares me too much, but I’m working towards them. Had an increase in some my compulsions yesterday but I can see where that came from. Mood wise I feel very stable, much more relaxed and less tense. Definitely improving.

Thanks @polelynn…I’m just worried about upping it as the shaking/trembling is still happening, although to a bit of a lesser extent, so concerned that this will make this worse. I have a call with GP tomorrow so will discuss. But, this is the GP that wanted me to stop fluoxetine so unsure how this will go down! My usual GP is still on holiday (how dare he! 😂) Call is to discuss dose of HRT gel she’s given me but I’m going to tell her I’m still on Fluoxetine….will ask her thoughts on increasing. Thanks for the support…hope you’re doing ok ❤️

@BlueVelvetine I’ll be thinking of you. Let us know how you get on. X

Hugs @bluevelvetine. You're in a tricky spot because you're starting HRT and that may be what you need right now. I hope the GP is more helpful than last time.

@polelynn great to hear you're feeling stable mood wise. You sound very rational and although you are disappointed by your rate of progress you don't sound overwhelmed which is great. Hope this week will be better but really you're doing so well.

Had a rough night, low, headache then bingo period in the middle of the night. Felt rotten this morning but I've just applied my first pump of Oestrogel. Was quite nervous but had to be done. Concerned 1 pump is too low a dose to do anything. Not got an appointment with GP again for over 3 weeks but will need to speak before then to sort out Utrogestan. Xxx

Thanks both….will post an update after x
@Maidenpink…..the beauty of the pump you’ve been given is that you can up it a wee bit if not enough. Everything crossed it works for you xx

Thanks both. I definitely have my irrational moments, this afternoon for example, when I did something without thinking, the panic overcame me and then I was compelled to perform an action to neutralise the fear (which ideally I shouldn’t be doing). I was saying to my DH this is probably the hardest challenge I’ve taken on, and I’ve had a few over the years. It will be worth it though.

Morning,

@polelynn you absolutely will overcome it. You have the tenacity and commitment. ❤

Wonder could I ask you @polelynn about Oestrogel dose? From what I can gather via Newson resources and the actual leaflet that comes with the stuff, 2 pumps is a more standard dose to start with. I've been told 1 by GP. I've called to query it this morning but it's like calling MI5 trying to speak to a GP. Explained to receptionist and she said the pharmacy can deal with that query and she will get someone to call me back about it. Any time today. 🙄 I want 2 pumps, can the pharmacy okay that? Receptionist said they can but I would've thought the GP had to do that. X

Morning all. Just off call with GP who gave me option to switch SSRI’s but it would require a ‘washout’ period of 2wks. I don’t think I can handle this at the moment so sticking with fluoxetine a bit longer in the hope things improve. I’m not increasing as it will be too much on top of the HRT. GP has switched me to Oestrogel which should be easier 🤞
Thinking of you all and hoping it’s a good day where you are ❤️

Hi @Maidenpink….sorry you had bother trying to sort your dose. Some receptionists are a nightmare. I would have thought the GP would approve the dose but you could call your local pharmacy and ask? That way you’ve got ammunition if they say go back to your GP.
I think I’m going to start with 1.5 pumps then move up to 2 a few days later….

@Maidenpink honestly I’m not sure but ime pharmacists need a prescription which includes a clear dosage to act upon. Maybe give them a call. I was put on 2 pumps but was then started on 2mg of oral which I was surprised about as assumed I would start at 1mg. In hindsight 1mg would’ve hardly impacted on my symptoms due to poorer absorption via that route