Depression and Fluoxetine

thank you for your reply.

I have been on the fluoxetine for 4 weeks tomorrow, the last three days the Doctor put me on 40m, I have had a odd day when I feel this low mood and black cloud is lifting, and then I go back the next day to having low mood and generally feeling down, no interest, unable to eat, the shakes, just hell, every morning I hope I am going to feel better.

what were you on and how long did it take before you felt your self again, did you have good days and bad,.

Today I am feeling dreadful.

I am on 20 mg and have not gone any higher because the side effects are too brutal with this drug, and 20 works well for me. It took me a good 6 months before i was feeling relatively normal on a consistent basis.... but even now, i have days when i have a hard time coping... i just had one of my beloved pups die suddenly, and my son, who is autistic is going through something and its not understood by me, or anyone else..... so life has been difficult. Prozac is a great drug, but needs time to settle into your system, but remember, your still going yo have bad days, we all do. I see a therapist once a week or more and it helps me tremendously. I also walk in the fresh air nearly every day, and take my other pups for walks. Time...... you just have to give it time......❤

Thank you for your reply.

Yes I agree about increased dose and side effects, I have just been put on 40m the Doctor said I needed 40m, so was guided by that, but started the dose on Friday, strange because Friday afternoon I felt as though the low mood had lifted and I could pay an interest in things, but the next day I had all those awful symptoms again, shaky couldnt eat couldnt sleep just generally feeling ug, awful.

I have spoken with my GP today, and he has assured me that this is the correct dose, I have been on them now a total of 4 weeks, so although I hate feeling like this, I will stick it out.

As you said the drugs have to be given time to work, I have had the fluoxetine before many years ago, the Doctor I had then decided he wanted me to try to stop taking them so I was on one every other day,I wished I had stayed on them, all the time I was taking them I felt good.

At the moment I dont feel like going any where, not even for a walk.

We have a long waiting list to see a therapist, so the Doctor suggested when I am feeling better he will arrange for me to go on the list, at the moment I struggle to speak with anyone.

Thank you so much for your reply, it helps to be reassured.

Did your Doctor ever discuss changing your medication, because my Doctor seems to think that the 40m is what I need, so as you said one day at a time, some people take longer than others to get better, I had depression 19 years ago, I am certain it took longer than six weeks to work, but I did get better, so I keep telling myself you will get better, right now I seem to have side effects on the increased dose, cant sleep or eat, and very shaky, but hopefully it will settle down.

I have no interest in doing anything, and before this I enjoyed life, just have this low mood, and black cloud hanging over me.

i have been put on the waiting list for one to one therapy, sadly the GPs don't seem to have the time.

I cant wait for the day to smile again and feel happy.

Any more updates would be lovely.

it is hard for sure. and of course circumstances play such a big part. at least you know before that you DID get better. to me that was one of the worst parts...the exasperation of whennnnn am I going to feel better. I wouldn't worry too muchabout your appetite once you are getting enough nutrition. that will return once your mood lifts. I take a stilnoct every night as I know I can't cope if I don't get sleep. my doctor did discuss changing from prozac but I wanted to persevere and am glad I did. I do not like the tremors you get but they're not every day and I can put up with them to feel the positive effects. baby steps sadly. you WILL be fine

you are so sweet, you have given me confidence to keep fighting its such a dreadful thing to have I wouldnt wish it on anyone.

I had to have a blood test today because I am diabetic, but controlled so far with diet, I told the nurse because I expect I didnt look a happy sight, she told me I need one to one therapy, at first I wasnt keen as its an effort to talk to anyone right now, but she said it will help me get my emotions out, so long waiting list but at least I am on it, just hope I have some improvement before then, and not so tearful.

I am so happy for you, I would stick with taking the fluoxetine, I never want to go through this again.

love to youx

only have the one to one counselling if you are up to it. it's not for everyone. but if there's a long waiting list then maybe try talk to a family member or friend. I talk to myself! !!! but it works for me!!! and generally I can still see how fortunate I am compared to others. if you can keep busy...I found that helped a lot...doing cleaning or reading or watching a series or praying! ! anything to stop the invading thoughts.

yes I have done a lot of praying recently, yes I try to do what I can, and make sure I shower each day, I am lucky as I have a understanding Husband thank goodness , and Children who are a good support.

I am 77 but not the most mobile of people.

Did you have the one to one therapy, I was reluctant to agree to it, as I didnt feel much like talking to anyone, I will see when the time comes if I want to go, hard to decide right now.

But grateful for the adviseX