Fluoxetine - Is this normal? Could really do with some help/advice.

[sherby]

Started Fluoxetine last Sunday for panic attacks/anxiety.

Well I have had a pretty bad week on them, bad taste in my mouth, no appetite, hard to get to sleep. But worst of all my panic attacks and anxiety have got much worse. I was awake for hours last night panicking and this morning I feel awful. Is it usual to feel much worse before you feel better? Or do you think that I need to up my dose?

I will have to go the GP tomorrow and speak with her because I feel quite desperate tbh. I might ask to switch to Sertraline because I am bfing and would feel more comfortable upping my dose. Any words of wisdom from anybody?

Thanks for reading

not really any words of wisdom, just wanted to say hi and sorry you are feeling rubbish. I started fluoxetine 2 years ago and i don't remember any adverse side effects. But i think it is very common to have all the things you have mentioned. It takes a few weeks for everythign to feel 'normal' and for your body and brain to get used to the change. Definately speak to your doc, as s/he will be able to reassure you that you are normal! But you may find in time you need to switch - but i would think it's too soon to say yet.

Stick with it and know that you will get trhough it and you will feel better. Fluoxetine was amazing for me.

Good luck at the docs.
Dhwx

Hmm I can't say what is normal, but your anxiety going up makes me think you should definately go see your gp. They will be able to tell you if this is common and will wear off, or whether they think you should try a different type. My side effects wore off but weren't as bad. Hope you get sorted and feel a lttle easier soon.

Dh has been on this at different times. All i can say is that ime youneed to give it at least 6 weeks before you decide if its working or not. physical side effects come much earlier but tend to level off or go. it is also quite usual to feel worse at first with medication - might be due to anticipation of starting and focusing on symptoms more as you look for positive effects. stick with it - it can be really helpful.

"might be due to anticipation of starting and focusing on symptoms more as you look for positive effects" that makes sense mmopymoo, esp if your main reason for going on them is anxiety.

Sherby I think your gp will advise you to give them a little longer

Thanks for replies, feeling even worse now, not sure if I should take my next tablet or not

I don't think it's that unusual to feel anxious the first week or so when starting Prozac - from what I have read it's meant to be a good sign that it's starting to work. I would take the next tablet. But talk over with your GP re panic attacks etc. For the bad taste, if you drink loads of water that should help a bit.

my gp said that it is normal to feel more anxious in the first two weeks, but by one month it should be starting to feel a bit better. keep taking hte tablets until you talk to your gp

Thanks all, think this thread is turning into Sherbys Crazy thread

Going to see the GP in the morning, I will take the tablet tonight

That is exactly how I was on fluoxetine.

I had a week of complete insomnia when I started on fluoxetine three months ago. It was really weird, as although I was anxious/stressed/depressed, I'd never had trouble sleeping!

I used to come downstairs and either MN or do work (caught up on loads of stuff that week!).

The insomnia went after a week or so and three months later life is so much better - I feel like I'm back to being me again and I'll be ready to come off them in a few months.

Thanks Dotty very encouraging

sherby,
I think you're taking the tablet at the wrong time, it should be taken in the MORNING because it can act as a stimulant which prob explains why you cant sleep.
good luck.

It is very common to get a worsing of symptoms in the first week or too of taking prozac and the other drugs in that group. It's also common to get the worst of any side effects you are going to get in this time (last thing you bloody need ) They commonly (but not always) reduce or even stop after 2 weeks.

Talk to your GP about how you are feeling

www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100002193.html

Sherby - agree with Salsmum - take in a morning. I used to with fluoxetine.

I'm only taking it at night because I am still breastfeeding so I take it before his longest sleep. I will have a word with my breastfeeding councillor and see what she says about it. Thanks for replies, fingers crossed I feel better soon.

twinsetandpearls, did you stop taking them in the end then? I don't think I'm going to take mine tonight, I feel worse and worse every day, that can't be right can it?

Couldn't get an appointment with the gp, will go at open surgery tomorrow

Does anybody known if it will be ok to just stop taking them after 9 days?

sherby - I realise this is an oldish thread now but did you stop taking them? I am still quite unwell after a very bad reaction to an antidepressant (citalopram) over a week ago so you do need to be careful and keep your doctor informed, even though of course these reactions are rare and for lots of people these drugs are very helpful. Happy to talk off-site about this if you'd like.