Recently prescribed Fluoxetine

[Mumma20222014]

Hi iv recently been prescribed Fluoxetine for depression and anxiety, im a bit nervous about starting it and the side effects like feeling spaced out. Can anyone who’s tried fluoxetine tell me what’s was like for them?
thanks ❤️

I used to take it and didn't notice any side effects at all, except that maybe I found it harder to wind down for bed in the evenings.

Like you, I was apprehensive to start taking it, and I held off for a bit because I had some important work projects to complete. Once I did start it, I did feel a bit spaced out for the first couple of days, just in the morning after taking it. That soon went away, now the only symptom I have is nausea and stomach pains. Not constant, but I am 1.5 months in and still getting it. The doctor suggested anti-sickness tablets, but its not that bad. Plus the benefits far outweigh a little nausea (I might even lose some weight!). I feel so much better already. Hope it works out ok for you.

Thank you both for your response that really helped, I decided to take a chance and take it yesterday today is my second day. I feel spaced out a bit like I’m drunk so I’m hoping that will improve. I start a new job in a weeks time so hope I’m not too spaced out! I just feel I need to try and give this a go I’m struggled with anxiety and depression for so long I need to finally do something about it. Iv tried for so long not to go down the path of medication but have reached the point where I just have to admit I need the medication. I’m just nervous because I’m a busy mum of two going back to uni in September and as mentioned starting a new job. I don’t want to become a zombie

Ive been on it about 8 months. The only symptoms I remember are feeling very tired the 1st few days & a big jump in my sex drive (albeit temporary lol)
Fluoxetine had been amazing for me. I have EUPD & bulimia. It works as it dulls down my impulses. My emotions arent felt as huge extremes and the food noise is much less. I am much more rational & by far less reactive now.

I've been on it a long time for anxiety and I had no side effects. I just feel like me with no anxiety.
I intend never to stop taking it.

I was on it for 20 years and it was fantastic for me.. I have to warn that it's quite common for increased anxiety for the first two weeks of taking it.. but then it passes...

I had the spaced out feeling it didn't last more than a week or so and apart from the acid reflux I've had no real side effects since.

@Mumma20222014 I was exactly the same as you, I didn't want to go down the medication route, but this year I have had far too much going on so I bit the bullet. Omg, I wish I had done it sooner! Don't worry, the zombie feeling doesn't last long, and by September you will be a whole new person.

Thank you all for your reply’s! I’m still feeling like space out or drunk and extremely anxious of my! The anxiety has been the worst part of say, to be honest I’m not sure I can carry on like this for much longer my depression feels worse to, I just want to feel better ❤️‍🩹

I switch to fluoxetine when my other ssri stopped working. Honest it make me feel mush more anxious and depressed, worst I'd ever felt, I had to quit it. Doctor says people tend to find it either amazing or really bad x

I started in October 2024. Had a bit of nausea, a bit of increased anxiety to begin with (2-3 months) with periods interspersed where I felt amazing!! And now I feel, as a previous poster said, like me but not anxious. I am 51 and I reckon I have been highly anxious for 50 of those years and now I can't believe how chilled out I am. As another previous poster said, I intend never to come off it! For me, it's been nothing short of miraculous xx

Citalopram here but they are both SSRI. Mine is only just starting to work after 9 weeks so please just be aware it could take longer than what the nhs tells you.