Fluoxetine week 1

[Canterbury58]

Hello. Anyone else in the early stages of Fluoxetine? Been off work for nearly 2 weeks with horrible depression and anxiety. I’m currently on day 6 of 20mg of Fluoxetine. So far the side effects aren’t great:
-Increased anxiety
-Not sleeping well
-Randomly dry heaving (yuck) which feels like my anxiety builds in my throat
-Loss of appetite
-Tremors and very jittery

Hate being off work but feel like I need a few more days for the medication to settle.

Anyone else in the early stages?

x

Not in early stages but have been through it multiple times. Just wanted to say stick with it, first 10 days are often referred to as "suicide Hill" it has to get worse before it gets better. Around the 3 week mark is when you'll really notice the benefits once it's fully in your system.

@Canterbury58 @CombatBarbie I'm om day 13 and no noticeable difference. Please tell me we will get better!

I've just begun to feel the benefit after 6 weeks and my dose was upped to 40mg. I'm not 100 percent but definitely better. I also felt worse before I got to this point.

Good luck! I’m on fluoxetine and it’s been a lifesaver. Hope it is for you too.

Oh bless, I've always been told 3 weeks to start feeling the benefits and have always been reviewed at that point to check dosage. In fairness 20mg isn't alot but for many it's enough to take the edge off iykwim.

Give it another week and if still nothing get a review with GP.

But you will feel better.... I wish there was instant impact medication but our brains are funny complicated things that need time to adjust the chemicals

@Canterbury58 @CombatBarbie@Helplessandheartbroke @Wolfiefan I get discouraged because the anxiety is so bad and try to remind myself I've been well before but it's like a black hole x

@Dawn1331 I was you a few weeks ago. Honestly. I didn't see a way out. Please hang in there and If you're struggling get back to your gp they may up your dose

@Helplessandheartbroke how long was it till you felt better? X

6 weeks. I'm not 100 percent but things have eased. Remember @Dawn1331 the meds can only do so much. It's important to help them along x

Believe me @Helplessandheartbroke I'm trying. Not being able to see a Dr and in menopause hasn't helped x

@Dawn1331 I hear you! I'm still trying myself. Is there anything particular you want to talk about? Can always pm if you prefer

Honestly OP I’ve been there. Try and get some gentle exercise and fresh air each day. Mindfulness helps me. As does doing things I normally like. Sounds stupid but painting my toes or listening to music etc all goes out the window. But doing them again seems to help me. I don’t switch on music or get out the nail varnish and feel well. But one day I might end up singing along. Or spot my bright toes as I get out of the shower and feel my spirits lift a bit. Is there anything you normally do for self care etc that you haven’t recently??
(And yes I know I’m odd that bright coloured nails cheer me up!🤦‍♀️)

Thank you so much to everyone for replying. Nice to know I’m not alone. Feel like I’m a bit numb at the moment and just don’t want to do anything apart of lie on the sofa watching rubbish.

That was me. At my worst I couldn’t even manage to get out of bed. I am now out on a dog walk! You deserve to be well OP.

@Canterbury58 do what you need to do to help x

@Canterbury58
i am on day 12 of citalopram for anxiety and panic attacks and was experiencing all the same side effects you are- extreme tiredness, headache, nausea, no appetite, extreme anxiety - worse than I was before starting. The nausea has settled and the headaches are a bit better but man I am tired! Also very shaky and anxiety levels are a bit better. Still can’t do much- I’ve spent another day in my pjs and done very little. I’m also off work- I know I need to get out for a walk and some fresh air but the motivation isn’t there- just hoping I can muster the energy for tomorrow

That’s exactly how I’m feeling. No motivation to do anything at all. Basically it’s a good day if I shower and get dressed. Sorry to hear you’re not feeling good either. Here’s hoping that we come out of the other side of this soon x

i have a separate post about citalopram that people have very kindly replied on and it really gives me hope that in a few weeks I’ll be feeling over this tough phase.

the GP signed me off for 4 weeks and I feel terrible as I had only been in my new job 2 days before hand. This is adding to my anxiety massively but I know it can’t be helped and my health comes first- but it’s hard.

Just checking in to see how everyone is doing? I’m on day 12 and side effects have changed. Got an elevated temp, cold sweats and nausea. Seem to be dry heaving a lot too which is lovely!

@Canterbury58 I'm a day shy of 3 weeks and have bad nausea too.

Mine was the other end! My next script is for 60mg on 40mg atm x

@Helplessandheartbroke I've had a bit of that too. Fully spewed this morning. Any recommendations on when best to take it? X

Is anyone feeling an improvement in their mental health since starting? I know it’s early days but I remember when I took Sertraline it seemed to work quite quickly. I’m not seeing any improvement. Still super anxious and not wanting to leave the house or do anything.

Fluoxetine made me feel suicidal and very ill. After 3 weeks then Dr changed it to sertraline 7 years ago and I've never looked back found one that worked for me. It's all trial and error. Hope you feel better soon