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Mental health

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Original poster

Fluoxetine fog?

20 replies

Stuckandinamess · 21/02/2022 21:09

I have been on fluoxetine 20mg since mid December , mainly for panic attacks. It has helped but there are a few things troubling me - can anyone tell me if they are normal- is it the drug or just my mental health symptoms in general?
*Brain fog- I feel like I am in a daze and really struggle to focus
*Lack of concentration- attention span of a goldfish most days. I can't concentrate to read a book and I was an avid reader, can't do my usual crafts
*lack of deep and REM sleep at night is making me so exhausted. I have a 35/40 minute commute from work and most days feel like I am going to have to pull over for a nap because I can't make it all the way home.
*feel numb emotionally- no major lows but there again no feeling happy either. Just a state somewhere in between

Has anyone had a better experience with a different medication. I feel benefits on the fluoxetine but the drawbacks are there too..

OP posts:

MasterOfOne · 21/02/2022 21:11

I have been on the same dose for around the same time and have exactly the same side effects as you. It's tough

Frollop · 22/02/2022 02:55

I'm on the same dose too and similar symptoms. I'm also no longer interested in reading, emotionally numb but also feel an underlying sadness. If I could stay in bed all day I would. I have to work so that keeps me busy and meeting friends but I don't really look forward to anything including holidays. I'm going through the motions.
When I do meet friends I can have a nice time but daily life feels like an effort... it's draining.

Original poster

Stuckandinamess · 22/02/2022 19:29

You describe it so well Frollop. The numbness is really hard - I've had one of my team at work resign today but honestly just feel neutral about it and I know this wouldn't have been my reaction pre-fluoxetine. It's good I'm not stressed about it but I don't like not feeling anything so it is a real double edged sword. How is your sleep- better or worse than it was?

OP posts:

bigyellowTpot · 23/02/2022 15:00

I've been taking fluoxetine 20mg for 5 weeks now for horrendous anxiety and I don't feel any better at all yet infact my anxiety is quiet bad today. my stomach was off for the first 2-3 weeks and I seem to now have a very dull headache not strong enough to require any painkillers though, but I'm aware it is there. Yes defo more sleepy and could stay in bed all day if I could that is. I've had no motivation to do anything way before starting them so can't say I've noticed a change in that way. I will continue on them as I know they take weeks to start to work properly anyway. hope everyone else sees some improvement whilst on them too.

Frollop · 23/02/2022 15:51

@Stuckandinamess my sleep has got worse recently. It was never great but I'm not sure why it has reverted back to more broken sleep. It may be that I have to return to the office soon and other stress in life.
I feel like the tablets have dulled a bit of my emotional pain but I don't feel great if I'm honest, I feel unhappy and I have anxiety. I think I may need a stronger dose as I also still have intrusive thoughts at times. I need to contact my nurse to update her on my progress.

How are you feeling today? It's good you're not stressed and I hear you regarding it being a double edged sword. We have to give it time and hopefully things will settle or we can discuss other options with our GP if needed.

When I was first on the tablets months ago I couldn't cry which was a weird feeling. I cried a week ago but not been on the tablets long.

Frollop · 23/02/2022 15:57

@bigyellowTpot I feel similar to you. My appetite has dropped since starting the medication. I feel a bit disappointed taking this medication second time around as I felt it seemed more effective when I first took it. Maybe it was the time of year too ..I think I have SAD and the weather was better when I was on the medication.
My motivation is really bad... it's an effort to get out of the bath, walk to the shops etc. It's tiring putting on a happy face to colleagues all day so not looking forward to going back to the office.
I want to hide away...

Hope we all start to feel much better soon too.

bigyellowTpot · 23/02/2022 16:17

@Frollop yes I'm still having the intrusive thoughts too I actually don't feel any better at all on this med I sometimes feel worse to be honest or maybe it's because I had such high hopes of this med making all my anxieties go away that because it immediately hasn't I feel much worse! although I do know it takes time to work and I'm only on 20mg which is a low dose.
It's half term this week and my dc are home but I just want to be alone, I find I'm much calmer when it's just me in my own little world even though they are good kids that are no trouble when home. I feel such a rubbish mum for feeling this way.
I love to browse mumsnet as it's a distraction from my mind. Are you going to continue on them in the hope that things will improve? I hope they do for both of us

Frollop · 23/02/2022 16:47

@bigyellowTpot I agree that the high hopes we have regarding the medication can make us feel disappointed when we don't feel results quickly. This definitely doesn't help our mood.

Don't feel like a rubbish mum, I think parents with our conditions are doing really well to raise a family. It must feel overwhelming for you at times so I can definitely understand wanting some alone time.

There is a thread about being happy..I think it's under Chat. I need to have a good read. Mumsnet can be a good distraction
I need to try and distract my mind with positivity which can be really hard at times especially as my concentration is bad. I could escape into books before and enjoyed going out but everything feels like such an effort. As you mention sometimes I feel like I'm getting worse.

I will continue...I think I need time. I will see what the nurse says.

I'm sure in time we will be much better.

bigyellowTpot · 23/02/2022 18:03

let's hope things do improve for us. This anxiety completely takes over my life and stops me doing so much. I should be out and about taking my children on days out etc but this bloody anxiety is stopping me and its not fair on my dc. I actually wonder if any antidepressants and anxiety meds actually work at all as people still seem to struggle whilst on them. I too have very poor concentration and my memory is terrible I struggle to read a book or watch TV when I'm having a bad day as my mind cannot focus.
it's good Frollop that you are still working and are going back to the office as it'll keep you busy so less time for ruminating on things it might make a huge difference for you.
let me know how you are getting on xx

Frollop · 23/02/2022 19:45

@bigyellowTpot sorry to hear how your anxiety is impacting your life. Sometimes life feels so unfair. I hope you have a support network.

My friend is on anti depressants and the medication has been effective but she is on a high dose. The right medication can be life changing.

You're right about work, even when it's stressful it's a distraction but some days are difficult.

Likewise xx

Original poster

Stuckandinamess · 28/02/2022 21:33

I'm going to try a new tactic tomorrow. I'm off work and need to get some work done in the house but my lack of focus and motivation is so bad I start something then wander off/ sit down/ start something else so nothing gets done completely. I thought about trying to set a timer to make myself do something for a short measured burst of time to see if that can keep me focused . Will report back!

OP posts:

bigyellowTpot · 01/03/2022 01:05

Me too, my dc are back to school tomorrow and my house is a tip my floor is filthy and needs a good mop.like you I cannot focus and get stuck in and i seriously lack the motivation. think il have to do the same. yes defo report back as will I and we can spur each other on.

bigyellowTpot · 01/03/2022 01:06

that last post was for @Stuckandinamess

Shazam3 · 01/03/2022 07:29

I was on fluroxetine for 20 yes and it helped me immensely. It was hard at the beginning but once it kicked in I felt normal again .

Frollop · 02/03/2022 19:51

@Stuckandinamess and @bigyellowTpot my lack of motivation is awful. I am doing the bare minimum cooking, glad my appetite has decreased which I think is due to the medication. It's an effort to go to the corner shop.
Hope you both managed to get some work done in the house.

@Shazam3 good to hear that the medication helped you immensely...can I ask what dose you were on?

Shazam3 · 02/03/2022 20:21

Hi I was on 20 for a long time then upped to 40

Frollop · 02/03/2022 20:32

@Shazam3 thanks for the update. I may have my dose increased to 40 as 20 doesn't seem to be that effective on me

bigyellowTpot · 02/03/2022 21:48

I haven't noticed any benefit from the fluoxetine yet either I'm on 20mg too. Im the same frollop and I seriously lack motivation I do the bare minimum of everything too, I did a little bit yesterday but no where near as much as I told myself I was going to do! but atleast I moped the floor, it was filthy I'm ashamed to say and can't remember the last time I'd done it🙈 I did feel better though after I'd done it. I've spent the majority of today sat on my arse even though I've got 101 things I need to be doing. I just cannot motivate myself.

Frollop · 03/03/2022 09:00

@bigyellowTpot it's good you moped the floor...I use wipes but my kitchen is very small .

If I didn't have work, friends or family I wouldn't leave the house my motivation is so poor. Hopefully the summer will help our moods.
I am trying to open the curtains a bit more...I just feel like hiding away at times.

Sometimes I have an energy burst and I become productive but this rarely happens. I found speaking on the phone and tidying at the same time helpful.

At one point I exercised regularly....I now just look at my workout clothes...

I'm trying 40mg dose so will report back.

AndreaaG · 10/06/2025 08:44

Hi! I totally understand where you're coming from — I'm also on Fluoxetine (20mg daily), and I started for very similar reasons: panic attacks and overwhelming anxiety. I’ve been on it for a while now, and honestly, it’s made a big difference. The brain fog and emotional numbness you mentioned? I experienced those too, especially in the beginning. For me, the fog started to lift around the 8–10 week mark, and I found that taking the pill in the morning with food helped reduce that dazed feeling during the day. Staying hydrated and sticking to a consistent sleep routine made a big difference, too.

It’s worth mentioning that I always order from a reliable pharmacy — topsup24.com. Their quality has been great, and delivery is super quick, which matters when you're trying to stay consistent with meds. Don’t give up just yet — sometimes it takes a little while for the benefits to really show, and small adjustments (like timing or pairing with therapy) can go a long way. You're not alone in this, and it can get better. 💛

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