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Original poster

Fluoxetine and Diazepam - when will it get better?

26 replies

WorriedMum2323 · 12/05/2023 12:59

Following on from advice on here last week I visited the Dr and was prescribed the above.

When does it get better? I have actually spiralled to a worse state, I don't feel I have the capacity to look after my children. My husband is off work to care for us. I haven't the energy to get out of bed but I can't sleep at night.

How should the meds be making me feel? For reference I have had 2 diazepam today - I can take up to 3.

OP posts:
theotherfossilsister · 12/05/2023 13:15

I was on lorazepam and fluoxetine (off lorazepam now but taking fluoxetine.) It's tough,I'd say you'll get some relief now but it takes a few weeks

Sorry I can't see your previous thread, so don't know what you suffer from. I was hospitalised with perinatal OCD. It was very frightening but I can't remember a lot of it.

theotherfossilsister · 12/05/2023 13:16

I mean a few weeks to properly kick in. But there will be temporary relief. Quetiapine might also help depending what you have

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 12/05/2023 18:27

It's PND and anxiety, it's just crippling at the moment.

OP posts:
Katela18 · 12/05/2023 18:44

Sorry to hear you're struggling.

In my experience I was told it could take 4 weeks to feel fully effective however I'd say I noticed things starting to feel lighter after maybe 1-2 weeks. It wasn't an immediate thing but more gradually getting better.

I used the diazepam when my anxiety was spiralling or at night to help me fall asleep. The lack of sleep for me, was the biggest trigger I think.

Hope you get some relief soon. Please feel free to dm if you just need to talk x

DRS1970 · 12/05/2023 18:52

Antidepressants can take a few weeks to begin working. Just try to patient, you will know when they are having an effect. The Diazepam just help with anxiety and sleep in my experience. They should take the edge off your symptoms. But if you still feel neither are helping, do go back to your GP, or nurse. Good luck, and feel free to PM if you want.

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 12/05/2023 19:05

@Katela18 and @DRS1970 thank you for your lovely offers. I might take you up on it if I'm up through the night.

I feel I haven't the energy for the simplest of tasks e.g. changing the baby's nappy feels like climbing a mountain.

I can't say the diazepam have the effect on me I thought, or else it's very understated. Rids me of the worst I think but I don't get that warm floaty feeling.

OP posts:
theotherfossilsister · 12/05/2023 23:48

It's horrible, I'm sorry. It will get better but it's hard and scary

I had a thread here in September when my DP got me hospitalised but in all honesty the MBU was the best place for me. Could you consider that? I'm bad at checking pm on here but I can pm you my number if you want to WhatsApp me?

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 16/05/2023 22:14

Day 8 on Fluxotine, still waiting for some relief from it. Have been maxing my diazepam (just 6mg a day) just to be able to face the world.

Still no appetite but making myself eat little bits. The not knowing how long it's going to take for a notable change is hard

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 17/05/2023 13:13

Just a bump for support

OP posts:
Ilovedogs1 · 17/05/2023 20:09

@WorriedMum2323 I got changed from sertraline to fluoxitine in February.
TBH I've only just started to feel a little bit better.

PTSDBarbiegirl · 17/05/2023 20:14

What kind of a birth did you have, was it within your expectations? Asking because the actual birth experience is really traumatic in itself. Give yourself time, speak to your GP and access services like health visitor and community mental health team. Talk to people you trust. You will get through it and you're not alone. Your mumsnet friends are always here x

ClosedAuraOpenMind · 17/05/2023 20:35

hang in there OP, it will get better Flowers
I was on fluoxetine for years, but when I started taking it I remember I had periods when I felt better after about the first two weeks, so hopefully you should see some improvement soon

kizziee · 18/05/2023 21:43

It's so tough OP Flowers
The start up on medication can feel endless but things will settle at some stage for you.
If you don't feel any better after a few weeks on the fluoxetine do go back to your dr and discuss alternative medications.

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 19/05/2023 12:29

I'm on day 10. The black dog is still there, the anxiety had subsided slightly but I hate each day. I have had to have help looking after my kids as I haven't the energy myself. I've increased my diazepam to take the edge off the day.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 19/05/2023 12:30

Give it time yet. Are you doing any mindfulness or similar to help ?

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 19/05/2023 13:34

DustyLee123 · 19/05/2023 12:30

Give it time yet. Are you doing any mindfulness or similar to help ?

Yes I am doing mindfulness.

I want to just end it all but I never would. I just can't imagine my mind being at peace again although I know I will just have to take time.

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 23/05/2023 10:46

The haze is starting to lift a little bit. I have been able to smile again. I know it'll be a long hard road but getting past the point where I dreaded waking up in the morning is massive.

How do people manage diazepam? I don't want to become dependent, I was on 10mg for a few days and have tried to cut back to 5 which I seem to be managing ok, although getting to sleep at night isn't as easy

OP posts:
BobShark · 28/05/2023 08:59

Hi @WorriedMum2323,
I started fluoxetine around 8 weeks ago, I started to feel the effects of it around 10 days in but 4-6 weeks really before I got some energy back.

Physically I'm definitely in a much better place, from spending whole weekends recovering from just scraping by at work, to enjoying work again.

I'm a single parent so have the intense 5 day stretch of doing full time work and parenting then using my 2 days off just doing nothing, except feeding the cat.

It will improve, I'm finding yoga helpful, not too taxing physically and often brings an emotional release after.

All the best Smile

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 07/06/2023 13:44

BobShark · 28/05/2023 08:59

Hi @WorriedMum2323,
I started fluoxetine around 8 weeks ago, I started to feel the effects of it around 10 days in but 4-6 weeks really before I got some energy back.

Physically I'm definitely in a much better place, from spending whole weekends recovering from just scraping by at work, to enjoying work again.

I'm a single parent so have the intense 5 day stretch of doing full time work and parenting then using my 2 days off just doing nothing, except feeding the cat.

It will improve, I'm finding yoga helpful, not too taxing physically and often brings an emotional release after.

All the best Smile

How are you getting on now BobShark?

I'm 4 weeks in, I feel I improved then regressed again (mostly energy level wise). What dosage are you on and did you increase this?

OP posts:
Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 07/06/2023 18:00

@BobShark should have tagged you!

OP posts:
Emzylou29 · 10/07/2023 16:27

Hi @WorriedMum2323 I have just came across your thread. I am currently taking fluextine 20mg and in day 19. I feel I have had a few ok days (anxiety still there but have been able to push it back and carry on with my day, even laugh and smile some days!) but today has been awful with anxiety and panic attacks. Does this ever get better?!

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 10/07/2023 23:15

Hey @Emzylou29 I’m now 2 months in. Raised dose to 40mg and have noticed massive positive changes with my mood. The fatigue has lifted and the stomach churning anxiety has gone. Long may it continue

OP posts:
Emzylou29 · 12/07/2023 12:25

Thank you this gives me hope. The doctor has just upped my dose from 20 to 40mg.
And also prescribed diazapam to help with the crippling anxiety for as and when. I feel upset I have got to this point. Just need to keep going and hope for improvements.

kizziee · 12/07/2023 21:24

@WorriedMum2323 what did you do with the diazepam in the end.
I've been given a small amount to try and help alongside ad

Original poster
WorriedMum2323 · 14/07/2023 07:03

I took it for the first 2 weeks just to help me cope. I haven’t taken any since.

OP posts: