Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Original poster

Fluoxetine Buddies!! - there will be a group for every AD at this rate!

170 replies

NattyThomasandEllen · 21/01/2008 17:58

hey guys
saw there were some other "buddie" groups but couldnt find one for Fluoxetine. if there is one point me in the direction and i apologise for taking up cyberspace lol

i went on these a week ago, and was told they take three weeks to kick in, anyone else out there on the same ones?

OP posts:
funnybunny1 · 22/01/2008 07:17

Thanks I will make an appointment with my GP. I've woken this morning feeling anxious and panic. My dh has gone to work and I'm dreading the day ahead. I'm so tired of these negative feelings. Will let you know how I get on.

BibiThree · 22/01/2008 08:33

Hope they can sort it for you, you should be at the "picking up" stage now, so hopefully will be v v soon! I have no experience of any other ADs but I'm sure there are many, many types ad there will be one to suit you.

GrinningSoul · 22/01/2008 16:03

hmm i was my thinnest ever (which is just normal for most people...) when i was panicking all the time - two years down the line i'm very reubenesque which is the ONLY downside.

i so know that feeling of waking up dreading the day and wondering how i was going to cope with it on my own. i hope you made it through to now ok funnybunny.

if it helps, my psychiatrist told me that, whilst 20mg is the standard dose for treating depression, when it's prescribed for anxiety a dose of 60mg is usually required. so don't worry!

monkeybutler · 22/01/2008 22:12

I have been on 20m for the past year and have just started to wean myself off them. They helped enormously but had side effects (nausea, shakes, indigestion, WEIRD dreams) for the first few weeks. Similarly now I am coming off them I am experiencing similar things but t a much lesser extent. A bit twitchy and tired but no discernable drop in mood etc. I am stopping cos the situations that started me taking them are now much easier.

Have friends who have been on them for years though. I just wanted to come off them for myself. Good luck all (ps, have got a touch of the squitters though!)

Dottydot · 22/01/2008 22:17

Hi - can I join in?! I've been on 20mg since December 28th when I had a minor breakdown at my GP's. He was fab - I've never needed ADs before and even though I was sobbing in his room, couldn't quite admit I was depressed!

I've had and am still having some side effects - nausea, loss of appetite, complete insomnia for the first week, which was weird and slight trembling in my hands, but it's all worth it because I feel so much better.

I was sooooo stressed out and anxious/paranoid about everything - I'm back to being me, being calmer and I've stopped picking teh skin off my fingers and overeating (have lost 6lbs).

Definitely want/need to stay on them for at least a few months - GP thought 6 months as a minimum.

Am just eternally grateful he took me seriously and saw I was getting into trouble.

Dottydot · 22/01/2008 22:18

Can anyone advise if it's better to take them in the morning or evening, side effects-wise? Or does it not make a difference?

GrinningSoul · 22/01/2008 22:54

I didn't find a difference, once I'd got used to them.

They are released very slowly into your system. The aim in building up the dose is to reach an effective level for your particular need, and then maintain that and make sure you don't go below it. I have a graph in my head but i can't describe it! As long as you don't forget them for more than a couple of days, you shouldn't notice a time of day effect.

In my first flush of medicated happiness, I booked a surprise weekend away for my DH's 40th, got his sis to look after kids, arrived at the airport and GAH realised i'd left the tablets at home. i ran into boots and sobbed for about half an hour while the lovely lovely pharmacist phoned my gp practice and eventually got enough confirming evidence to allow her to give me 3 tablete, enough to last the weekend! bless her.

TotalChaos · 22/01/2008 22:55

If they knacker you, take them at night. If they make you have trouble sleeping, take them in the morning. Otherwise whenever is most convenient.

GrinningSoul · 22/01/2008 22:56

...my point being that the doc said after that i probably wouldn't have noticed had i missed them for that length of time. sorry. enjoying a BIG glass of wine....

monkeybutler · 23/01/2008 12:24

Ive read they have a long half life which means they stay in your system for a good few days at a reasonable level. I only take a couple a week now and honestly dont notice much difference.

It helps to have a 'withdrawl' plan either in your head or with your doc. I said I would take them a minimum of a year. I found I reached 'optimm' happiness after 6 months and they say t give it four months after that before you consider weaning off them. There is also a slow release tablet called Prozac 90mg which is taken once a week. It may help some people.

theslownorris · 23/01/2008 13:09

Hi,I'm on 20mg. Started because my youngest has a serious health condition & spent nearly a year in hospital but if I'm honest I probably could have done with it a long time ago . I don't always remember to take it every day now but if I feel things are getting too much for me,I make sure I do.
I take mine at night because of the nausea when I first started. It meant I didn't have to struggle through the day and as sleeping isn't something I have a problem with it didn't affect me in that way.

foosfan · 24/01/2008 11:37

Hi, I started a thread about Fluoxetine and breastfeeding but didnt get any replies from people who were on 40mg...anyone out there??

Original poster
NattyThomasandEllen · 24/01/2008 16:15

i so pleased to see so many replies on here, and its nice to see alot of people who are just starting them same as me. ive been taking them since the 11th now, so thats only 13 days, but i have noticed an almost immediate effect on being able to sleep at night. all the thoughts that used to buzz around my head an keep me up are still there but are quiet enough i can sleep!
did anyone else notice a fast effect? or am i have a placebo effect here?! no improvement in mood or anxiety yet, but its early days still.

i find taking them on a full stomach helps with the slight nausea i get when taking them, and ive been taking them in the evening cos thats when i remember!

OP posts:
blanki · 24/01/2008 17:32

Hi I had quite extreme mental health problems. After a few chaotic years I was finally given an accurate diagnosis, borderline personality disorder. Self injury was awful and the anorexia bit nearly cost me my life. Pleased to say that I am now almost without the diagonosis, soon I actually wont have it. I didnt know that it was possible to even recover. Now I have a wonderful child who brings tremendous joy, and frequent hissy fits! Just like any other almost three year old. Have taken a few ads. The prozac was initially at 60mg, now reduced to a maintainance dose of 20mg. Have probably taken for about 4 yrs in all. My life was sheer hell. If taking 1 tablet a day (if I remember!) keeps me well it is a small price to pay! Have done cbt, which after I started to really be honest with myself, was fab. Still have infrequent psychotherapy sessions which are really helpful. I feel totally able to bounce any ideas with her and check out what is normal, if that exists!
I cannot stress enough the power of talking and being heard in a safe enviroment. Life is too short to waste on shame. I have left alot of rubbish behind me. After I admitted the bits I didnt want to myself,let alone anyone else. I reclaimed the power and control. This didnt happen overnight, but it was so worth the work.
Please, dont be in denial. The nausea will pass. We all deserve to be happy.

BibiThree · 25/01/2008 00:16

Hey foosfan,

Can't be of great help, but I was given the ok to bf on fluoxetine 20mg. that was 3 years ago.

Natth. Dr told me to expect an effect after 2-3 weeks, I felt better by the end of my first week.

Dottydot · 26/01/2008 14:52

Has anyone else had a bad reaction having had alcohol?

I had a couple of glasses of white wine and orange juice the other night (so probably 1 large glass of wine in total) and took my fluoxetine a couple of hours later and was sooooo ill...

Not a big drinker so I probably won't bother again, but just wanted to know if this kind of reaction was normal.

expatinscotland · 26/01/2008 15:21

I take mine first thing in the morning, and haven't been any more ill after alcohol, but I certainly don't drink as much, mainly because it's a depressant and that's the last thing I need!

I take mine with my multivitamin and fish oil capsules right before breakfast.

One time I took it and then didn't eat straightaway and it made me feel a bit queasy, so I always make sure to eat soon thereafter.

123ken · 26/01/2008 20:46

Have just read all your comments with interest - question is, should I go back on? Have always had a problem with depression, last time was on prozac for 5 years as GP said long term treatment can stop it coming back. Came off 2 years ago as wanted to get pg, now have a 10 month old daughter. Got thru early blues with extra support but returned to work and stopped bfeeding 3 weeks ago and all going downhill again - crying, bad sleep, no appetite, don't want to see friends. Not sure how long to stick it out and see if just hormones!
By the way, when I came off after 5 years had withdrawal symptoms - dizziness and vertigo, nausea and loss of appetite for a month or so. Would go on again though, as does work for me! Started last time on 40mg, but used to fall asleep all the time. Was ok on 20mg, dropped to every other day when coming off as it has a long half life (stays in your system for a long time) so ok to do this.

GrinningSoul · 26/01/2008 21:39

I can't see why you wouldn't take them again - after all if you had for example a thyroid deficiency you'd take the appropriate meds, it's just that our deficiency (or excess, or what ever it is) is a brain chemical instead. Go for it - it's not worth the stress to your family or yourself. good luck.

Dior · 28/01/2008 09:35

Message withdrawn

Dottydot · 28/01/2008 10:00

Just heard our house sale has fallen through at the very last minute. Might need to increase my dose...

Tell you what though, I originally went to my GP for help with my PMT, which was awful. Just started my period today and it was a complete surprise!

GrinningSoul · 28/01/2008 18:02

i'm so sorry to hear that dottydot. what was the reason for the sale falling through? any hope of salvaging a deal?

we are at the very beginning of the process having just agreed a sale and purchase. i'm making very sure to take mine regularly as i can sense a stressful time ahead....

Dior · 28/01/2008 18:17

Message withdrawn

Original poster
NattyThomasandEllen · 28/01/2008 21:08

i must say i am feeling much brighter today

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/01/2008 21:10

DD2 is now horrendous with chickenpox, so I forgot to take my meds till about 4PM.

i won't be making that mistake again!

beyond anxious and am going to take one of my tamazepam tonight.