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Original poster

Fluxotine making me worse? Please help

53 replies

Goinglala22 · 18/09/2022 21:31

15 days on Fluxotine and feel even worse…last night I felt terrible and suicidal. Should I keep pushing on with tablets in the hope it will get better? Or just stop. Has anyone ever been through this? I feel so unbelievably lost

OP posts:
cantthinkofabetterusername · 18/09/2022 21:35

I've not been through this but my dd who's 18 has. She was prescribed fluoxetine last year and it made her worse. She persevered for around 6 weeks and then weaned herself off which is absolutely not advised.
They do say to give it 6-12 weeks to make a difference but if you're genuinely suicidal on them then I'd speak to the doctor and see if they can be changed

Original poster
Goinglala22 · 18/09/2022 22:17

How is ur dd now? I’ve already been on citalopram for 3 months and they had no difference so weaned off them and straight onto these. I just don’t know what to do. I couldn’t bare taking it tonight.

OP posts:
cantthinkofabetterusername · 18/09/2022 22:37

She's no where near better but shes okay-ish. She still has the suicidal thoughts but they don't overwhelm her like they did. We discussed her going onto different medication but she refused.
Big hug to you, MH is no easy thing to deal
With x

MsPincher · 18/09/2022 22:40

It does tend to make you feel worse before you feel better. I felt worse until about 6 weeks when I felt much much better and have ever since

Original poster
Goinglala22 · 18/09/2022 23:06

@cantthinkofabetterusername Big hugs to you and your DD also. I have a son the same age and I couldn’t bare to think of him having this constant cloud like I do. It is hell. Medication was also my last resort so when I committed to finally taking it I was thinking it would immediately help. I was so wrong. My summer went past in a blur and my life is still a blur. My partner is at his wits end and wants me to stop them

OP posts:
cjkinder98 · 18/09/2022 23:12

I have currently been on fluoxetine for 2 years and recently (3 weeks ago) upped my dose after speaking to my doctor to two 20mg tablets daily and I'm having awful side effects. Never noticed side effects when only starting on 20mg. Anyone the same?

Original poster
Goinglala22 · 19/09/2022 15:49

Hi @cjkinder98 was the dose you were taking no longer working and that’s why you upped dose?

OP posts:
IsABajan · 19/09/2022 15:51

@cjkinder98 I've been taking 20mg of Fluoxetine for about 15 days now and I feel ok. Better than I was before I was on them. Maybe speak to your GP if you don't feel good taking them

IsABajan · 19/09/2022 15:53

Hi OP. Have you called the crisis line when you are feeling suicidal to see if they suggest you come off them?
I find it so silly that the side effects of these antidepressants are suicidal thoughts, a lot of us are taking them so we don't feel this way

FTstepmum · 19/09/2022 16:00

I think feeling worse before feeling better is expected with most SSRI antidepressants.

I was on Sertraline for 10 weeks before it made much of an effect on my mood.

Before then, I thought I was going mad. I even contacted the mental health hospital to get myself admitted!

I also think the severity of your depression/breakdown has an impact on how long it takes your meds to work. It sounds like you are having a very dark one like I did.

But... can we reassure you to please hang on in there. This misery and pain is temporary. I promise. Xxx

rosael56 · 19/09/2022 16:01

I would speak to your doctor again. I've never taken fluoxetine, but I take citalopram and when I first started it it made me feel better very quickly. I have heard that some people feel worse before they get better, but if you're struggling that much it might not be the drug for you.

Don't give up on medication though, there are loads you haven't tried. There are different types of antidepressants, fluoxetine and citalopram are SSRIs, but for people who don't get on with them there are also SNRIs and TCAs, and a number of other drugs and combinations which can be tried. You'll find one that works for you. Good luck.

Squirrelsnut · 19/09/2022 16:03

Agree with @FTstepmum. I felt absolutely dreadful for weeks on end and then the fog lifted.
Such a relief. But such a (temporary) price to pay.

KILM · 19/09/2022 16:06

Hold on there in there OP - feel awful for you, they do advise they take 6-12 weeks to kick in and you might feel worse before you get better, its very very normal.
Your GP absolutely should have told you both of these things though so dont know what they are playing at!!
My best friend has been on/off them throughout her life and she always feels worse before she feels better. Much love to you.

cjkinder98 · 19/09/2022 18:49

Goinglala22 · 19/09/2022 15:49

Hi @cjkinder98 was the dose you were taking no longer working and that’s why you upped dose?

I was taking 20mg for 2 years and due to changes happening in my life I felt like the dose wasn't doing what it should of been and they upped it but my side effects are terrible from a double dose now x

cjkinder98 · 19/09/2022 18:50

IsABajan · 19/09/2022 15:51

@cjkinder98 I've been taking 20mg of Fluoxetine for about 15 days now and I feel ok. Better than I was before I was on them. Maybe speak to your GP if you don't feel good taking them

I was absolutely fine on 20mg but since starting on 40mg my side effects are very noticeable. They say 6-12 weeks for the side effects to go so hoping it will give soon 🤞🏼

overthinkersanonnymus · 20/09/2022 19:20

@cjkinder98 can I ask what side effects you e got? I'm speaking with my dr on Thursday about an increase after 8 years and I'm terrified

DisneyDisneyDisney · 20/09/2022 19:42

I have been on fluoxetine for 33 years (since I was 14). I have tried to come off it but I feel so much worse. I have accepted that I will be on it for life now.

babs98 · 20/09/2022 22:19

overthinkersanonnymus · 20/09/2022 19:20

@cjkinder98 can I ask what side effects you e got? I'm speaking with my dr on Thursday about an increase after 8 years and I'm terrified

Excessive sweating, headaches, tiredness mostly. Hope that helps

overthinkersanonnymus · 21/09/2022 12:53

@cjkinder98 that does help! I'll go through anything as long as it's not intense anxiety. I didn't have any side effects when I first started so hopefully I'll be ok with an increasing dose 🤞🏻

babs98 · 21/09/2022 12:56

overthinkersanonnymus · 21/09/2022 12:53

@cjkinder98 that does help! I'll go through anything as long as it's not intense anxiety. I didn't have any side effects when I first started so hopefully I'll be ok with an increasing dose 🤞🏻

I had no side effects starting 20mg which is why it surprised me so much. But I won't lie to you my anxiety is no better currently and I'm at a month in now so hopefully it really does improve, because I've started exercising in the hope that will help. I will say yoga is amazing for anxiety I feel like a weights been lifted after yoga 🧘🏼‍♀️

Original poster
Goinglala22 · 24/09/2022 12:50

Dare i say it, but after 3 weeks of hell on fluxotine, yesterday I felt good. Overthinking still and not much motivation. But I just felt good. Hopefully this is it starting(fingers crossed)

OP posts:
Greystoke8 · 24/09/2022 12:58

Could you have adhd by any chance? Ssris can make us feel worse. You may find a snri more helpful and could manage adhd symptoms. Ideally get treatment for adhd though

Original poster
Goinglala22 · 24/09/2022 14:57

@Greystoke8 that’s interesting as I think I have ADHD but on a very very long waiting list to get seen. Had u same issue with ssri’s?

OP posts:
Robertplantgoddess · 24/09/2022 15:33

I was on it about 20 years ago. Bad enough to be forced to only pick up 3 days at i tome so i wasnt tempted to o.d with them. ARound 4 weeks in it was like fog had lifted. Nothing had changed but i didnt care about problems. Just gave me chance to think or not think but not have that crushing weight all the time. Hopefully this will happen for you too. Was on them for about a year .
Keep in there if you can

Greystoke8 · 25/09/2022 07:43

Goinglala22 · 24/09/2022 14:57

@Greystoke8 that’s interesting as I think I have ADHD but on a very very long waiting list to get seen. Had u same issue with ssri’s?

Yes it made the stuff I struggle to do worse