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13 weeks on 40mg. Should I go up?

Posted , 6 users are following.

karen76145
karen76145

Could anyone give me advice? I've been on 40mg for 13 weeks now and am still not back to normal. Sill having good, bad, and flat weeks that usually last for about a week each. I am still crying some days in a bad week. I was thinking of going up to 50mg., but am afraid it will set me back and that scares me. I am not sure what to do.

Thanks, Karen

0 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

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  • karen76145
    karen76145

    Posted

    Forgot to add that I am generally improving and the anxiety is more in the background now, but was hoping for more at this point.
  • katecogs
    katecogs karen76145

    Edited

    I think you seem to be on the general course of getting better.  If you're having good, bad and flat weeks then that's what usually happens.  Seems you start the pills and go through all the side effects, and when they start easing you'll get this period of bad weeks, good weeks, flatness ...... very slowly the good feeling get longer and longer until you feel well all the time.  You might still get the odd flat or bad time when you think you've recovered, but that'll disappear too.

    If you increase your dose you'll get side effects again.  Maybe give it another month and see if the good feelings get longer?  Took my son around 5 months plus to feel well on Fluoxetine and he's on 40mg.  He back to his normal self now :-)

    K x

    • karen76145
      karen76145 katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you for your quick reply. I think I will give it more time. I really don't want anymore major setbacks. Thank you so much for easing my anxiety to know that I'm still on the road to recovery, just haven't quite gotten there yet. I don't feel so abnormal, now.
    • katecogs
      katecogs karen76145

      Posted

      This medicine does fox people into thinking they aren't getting better, because they work so, so slowly.

      When my son was in the midst of deep depression and anxiety, he was on Fluoxetine, but he wasn't getting any better.  I did start to wonder if the meds were working for him, because it just went on and on.  I preach so much about waiting, giving it time etc, but I began to think that maybe I was wrong this time.  Eventually the meds started to kick in and he slowly recovered.  He started the meds in August and it was about January/February that they took effect.  Like you, he'd already had good weeks, bad weeks and just a general flatness, but the well being began to increase eventually.

      When we're ill like this, we need all the encouragement, help and reassurance we can get.  Such a horrible illness to suffer with.

      Fingers crossed that it'll be your time soon too.

      K x

    • mockingbird
      mockingbird katecogs

      Posted

      Hi.

      I've been on 20 then 40 mg and although my anxiety has decreased so much I very grateful for that but I am so tired all the time. I feel I didn't give myself long enough at 20 mg I was very similar to your son and started aug did not give it enough time went up in October. I would love to reduce to see if it takes away tiredness any advice gratefully received

      Linda x

    • katecogs
      katecogs mockingbird

      Posted

      Hi mockingbird

      Tiredness is a problem with a lot of people, and it may be reducing your dose could alleviate that.  My son is still on 40mg and also takes Mirtazapine which helps him sleep.  Are you sleeping well, getting enough exercise and eating well?  It's worth looking at that first I reckon and also seeing your doctor to rule anything else out, and between you both maybe try reducing them?

      Maybe anyone else here can she'd light on this?  Has anyone reduced and found their tiredness has decline?

      If you do reduce, remember to do so very slowly xxx

    • mockingbird
      mockingbird katecogs

      Posted

      Hi thanks for reply

      To be truthful I am not eating heathy and have put on weight and doing minimal exercise.

      I suppose that is a factor. I am so grateful to this medication though it has changed my life.

      Linda x

    • katecogs
      katecogs mockingbird

      Posted

      Same for me.  When I was ill many many years ago, this medicine was my saviour.  Sometimes we do get left with small annoying side effects, but maybe a small price to pay for being well?  But of course if you're feeling well then it's worth 'playing' with the dose to see if makes a difference.  I reduced mine in time and maintained my well being on a very small dose.

      Let us know how it goes confused

      K x

    • karen76145
      karen76145 katecogs

      Posted

      Kate, how long were you really good before you tried to reduce and from what dose?
    • katecogs
      katecogs karen76145

      Posted

      I was probably well for about 9 years before I reduced my medicine - I was on them a long time.  I was on 20mg Citalopram (just another type of SSRI like Fluoxetine) and reduced it to 10mg which I stayed on for another 5 years maybe?  So yes, a long time on meds, and was very happy.

      Apparently the longer you stay on meds, the less likely your depression will return.

    • alex33572
      alex33572 katecogs

      Posted

      Hi katecogs,

      I don't know if you remember me but I remember you and your words were such an encouragement in the time when I was starting fluoxetine.

      I started fluoxetine on 25.02.2015 20mg per day so it's nearly five months until now.

      I suffer from health anxiety and panic attacks and a little depression that goes along with it.

      I must say that I feel much better or I am a better person after five months but there are days or periods when I suddenly do not feel well and I wonder would this feeling disappear forever sometime?? It's strange that when I am busy, distract I hardly measure my situation..but when I start to notice some reaction on my body such a little headache or colon movement or some muscle pain on the left I start to go with intrusive thoughts that goes in the cycle of worries....like heart attack,colon cancer,high blood pressure and ect....

      I than become worried wondering when the panic attack will start again...

      I go to toilet lots of times...my heart beats faster and ect....

      Evenings are almost always quiet and nice it's the time when I feel calm like my old self again...My sleep is improved and from 3 alprazolam xanax daily I now drink 0.

      I practice Transcendental Meditation and I drink lemon balm tea every day...

      I wanted to tell you my situation cause after writing my symptoms it's easier for me and I am interested for your opinion?

      My Dr said to me he don't think I should raise my dose from 20 to 40 mg cause he sees effects...

      By the way I promise to you an answer on Transcendental Meditation and I must tell you it's I good stuff and I recommend it to anyone with our illness.

      Looking forward for your answer...

      Best regards

      Aleksandar

    • katecogs
      katecogs alex33572

      Posted

      Hi Alex

      Yes I do remember you, and glad to hear of your progress!!

      Ok, so you're feeling much better, but get periods of suddenly feeling not well.  After 5 months of starting the medicine, this is quite normal to get those sudden feelings, and they will go away eventually.

      When you begin to recover, start feeling quite well, you'll get periods of feeling anxious, depressed, flat etc which can last a few days or maybe a week or so, and then you'll feel well again.  I call these blips, and most people get them.  Eventually these blips will get less and less until they no longer come.

      Have no idea why we get them either, but it does seem part of recovery.

      Anxiety makes our hearts beat faster, our stomaches churn, gives us a dry mouth, sweating, headaches, rapid breathing, makes us have endless trips to the toilet, can make us dizzy, muscle pain, clammy hands ..... it's our bodies reacting to adrenaline - preparing to fight or flight.  Anxiety also causes us to have negative or intrusive thoughts.

      i also found evenings were my best when I was recovering.  I felt calmer then, and like my old self.  Come the next morning I'd feel anxious and depressed again, which would wear off again in the evening.  Eventually I'd feel calmer earlier and earlier in the day until I was able to wake up feeling good.

      I've not tried Transcendental Meditation - must look it up, sounds interesting.

      Hope that helps :-)

      K x

       

    • alex33572
      alex33572 katecogs

      Posted

      Thanks a lot katecogs..

      Your words are like magic they help a lot..

      What is the time for me when eventually I will be 100% my old self.

      Do you think I will need a full year or faster?

      My Dr. Prescribed me fluoxetine 20mg for a whole year and for further we will see he told me.....

      Any tips for avoiding the blips?

      How are you and how is your son?

      Best regards,

      Alex

    • katecogs
      katecogs alex33572

      Posted

      Hi Alex

      Lol ... glad my words help :-)

      Everyone is different and get better at different rates, so it's hard to say when for you.  For me I started noticing small changes by 3-4 months which increased very gradually.  By 6 months I felt quite well but still had days or the odd week or 2 feeling down (blip).  Even after a year of feeling great I experienced a blip.

      You can't avoid the blips I don't think, but when you have one try and remind yourself that's all it is, it's part of the healing process, keep yourself busy as you normally do, try and stay calm (don't rush around, drive calmly and don't get het up etc), don't keep checking has 'it' gone, exercise, eat healthily, get lots of sleep, socialise, keep taking the medication ........ you'll find the blip will pass and you'll feel well again.  These blips will happen time and time again, but treat each one the same.  They'll eventually stop.

      You can't hurry anything as it'll just make you feel frustrated and stressed.  Just let recovery come to you.  The medication will take you there.

      My son is well now thanks.  It took him a good 5 months + to start feeling any benefit and has progressed real well.  He's now back to a happy, laughing young man.  Next month will be a year since he had his melt down.

      I'm well too thanks - having restarted meds last year due to my son being ill, I've now reduced them and am still feeling well.  Seems a long journey we've had this last year.

      Hoping it'll be your turn soon.

      K x 

    • Meeps
      Meeps mockingbird

      Posted

      Hi Linda,

      How are you doing? Did your tiredness ever lighten up? I'm on 40mg coming up on 5 months. still get periods of lethargy? Hope ypi are having a great holiday season !

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