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Original poster

Prozac / Fluoxetine side effects?

13 replies

HeirloomTomato · 21/09/2021 13:41

I’ve been struggling with anxiety and insomnia for the past couple of months and saw my regular doctor about it finally this week. She prescribed me a low dose of Prozac for the anxiety as well as a sleep medication for emergency use if my insomnia gets really bad.

I haven’t started taking it yet because you’re supposed to take it in the mornings and I missed it this morning but has anyone taken it before and had side effects? I’m a bit worried when I read that side effects include nausea, insomnia and anxiety(!?) because these are all symptoms I’m trying to fix not make worse. Or has anyone taken Prozac / Fluoxetine for anxiety and not had these side effects? Did it work for your anxiety? It seems mostly to be an anti-depressant, not an anti-anxiety medication. I’m worried about starting on a new drug that will take some weeks to work when my anxiety is bad now and I don’t think I can handle it getting any worse before it gets better.

OP posts:
hermionegranger · 21/09/2021 13:51

Hello,

I was on Fluoxetine (40mg pd) on and off for a period of several years.

It certainly helped me get back on my feet after a long period of struggling terribly with anxiety and depression - I think it helped with my depression more than my anxiety in honesty, though for me one fed the other so it's hard to tell!

The side effects for me were reduced sex drive and incredibly vivid dreams. It didn't cause me insomnia - though the vivid dreams did stop me sleeping comfortably. Never had nausea or increased anxiety from it either.

I had a positive experience with it, it helped me a lot - though it did feel like it took quite a long time before I realised that it was helping.

Very best of luck, really hope it helps you.

Original poster
HeirloomTomato · 21/09/2021 13:54

Thank you, @hermionegranger. It’s good to hear it worked for you. Most of the reviews I read say it takes a while to work. I’m not looking for an instant solution but I’ve been so worn down from 2 months of escalating anxiety and insomnia that I don’t think I can handle any scary new side effects. Good to hear that it didn’t harm you too much and mostly helped you feel better.

I was prescribed a low dose of 10mg so maybe the side effects will be less extreme?

OP posts:
leavesthataregreen · 21/09/2021 13:58

Fluoxetine made me feel quite numb - not sad or happy just blunted. But I became very fussy. New found extreme tidiness. I remember being cross with some clients for being three minutes late for a meeting. And zero sex drive. Weight gain too. Though nowhere near as bad as Citalopram. Steer clear of that one if you don't want to become an overnight doughball.

Nahhh · 21/09/2021 13:59

Antidepressants tend to take a couple of weeks to work, they start you on a low dose to side effects are minimal.
Most side effects are short lived. My partner is on Prozac and his worst side effects are sexual in nature, mainly that he struggles to climax. He’s been on it for 3 years and that one has never gone away. Otherwise he feels fine though.

Original poster
HeirloomTomato · 21/09/2021 14:07

Thanks, that’s helpful to know that most of you / your partner found it helpful. It does worry me that it takes so long to kick in. My anxiety is already as bad as I can handle. If it gets worse, I’ll have to be signed off sick from work or give up my job, which I don’t want to do. As it is, I did not sleep at all last night and still had to go in and do a full day’s work. I’m so exhausted…

OP posts:
namechanged42day · 21/09/2021 22:54

I know this might sound strange but I got horrendous heartburn off them to the point it made me sick! It was hell! Apart from that they worked fine but the heartburn was too bad on a daily basis I had to just get off themSad

Wiltshire90 · 21/09/2021 23:00

I didn't sleep for two weeks when I got put on fluoxetine. I came straight off it again as I could cope even less with no sleep!! Everyone is different though.

SlB09 · 21/09/2021 23:07

It can make things a little worse initially. Fluoxetine is not normally the drug of choice for your symptoms as its quite stimulating hence why taking it in the morning.

Something like mirtazepine or citalopram are better, the former often helping with sleep & appitite.

I have taken fluoxetine for years and it does work it just takes time, everyone's different though and you don't know until you try it. Good luck

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 21/09/2021 23:09

I had quite severe side effects on fluoxetine including severe nausea and vomiting as well as suicidal ideation which was not something I'd ever experienced previously.

I think I was just v unlucky though as lots of people do benefit from it.

disculpe · 21/09/2021 23:12

I can only speak for what I went through when I was on fluoxetine last year. Yes it is an anti depressant but worked wonders for my anxiety. My sore effects only ledge for the first few weeks - headaches at night, really vivid and intense dreams, teeth grinding. I don't recall any other side effects, but once I'd been taking them for around 6 weeks these side effects stopped, and I started noticing a big improvement in my mood and anxiety. It was definitely worth it for me, even though I did feel terrible for the first few weeks of taking it- I honestly thought my anxiety would never come to an end. But eventually it did.

MountainDweller · 21/09/2021 23:21

I found switching to fluoxetine from another SSRI made my anxiety worse... but I think I was sleepy on meds that acted more on anxiety. So it's a balancing act. 10mg is a pretty low dose. I came off them very slowly from 40mg and barely noticed any effect at all at 10mg. I did develop shaking as a side effect after several years but drs think it was interaction with my other meds. I do feel quite detached on ADs in general, but I suppose that's kind of what they're for...

Original poster
HeirloomTomato · 21/09/2021 23:50

@Wiltshire90

I didn't sleep for two weeks when I got put on fluoxetine. I came straight off it again as I could cope even less with no sleep!! Everyone is different though.
Oh god. You just described my worst nightmare. I am already running on empty from insomnia so if it got worse (can’t even imagine it) then I might lose my mind.

Hmm… it’s tough because it sounds like if you tough it out, it can be great but I’m just not feeling very tough right now. I feel horrible and unable to cope with work, life or anything because of lack of sleep.

I think I’ll contact my doctor again and see if she can recommend something that is anti-anxiety but not a stimulant.

I am also seeing a CBT therapist about my insomnia so long term I have a plan but short term I need to sleep to function on a basic level.

OP posts:
SandraOhh · 24/09/2021 21:28

I took an over counter sleep aid for the first 2 weeks which helped me to sleep fully.

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