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Diarrhea and increased anxiety after 4 weeks on fluoxetine

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jb25
jb25

Hi, I am currently on 10 mg of fluoxetine daily for PMDD and general anxiety. After just 2 weeks, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my moods and anxiety. I also noticed decreased appetite and minimal weight loss, but this hasn’t concerned me too much.  I was feeling so calm and doing great until I completed my fourth week on fluoxetine. Right at 4 weeks, I began to experience diarrhea once or twice every morning. No pain or cramping, just the diarrhea. Today is the sixth day of the morning diarrhea, and last night I experienced what I’m assuming was a panic attack. I’ve never had panic attacks in the past. My primary care physician and my pharmacist both said that the fluoxetine can’t be causing the diarrhea at 4 weeks because if I was going to experience side effects, they would have started at 2 weeks. I’ve been looking online all week trying to figure this out, and I came across this site. I’m wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience with side effects, specifically diarrhea, beginning after taking fluoxetine for 4 or more weeks? I’m wondering if I should discontinue the fluoxetine or stick with it. I’d appreciate any insight anyone might have. Thank you!

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • nancy76309
    nancy76309 jb25

    Posted

    I have been taking Flu for 8 months and started diarrhea at about the 3rd month.  It’s usually in the am. No fun at all. 
    • jb25
      jb25 nancy76309

      Posted

      Thanks for the response! Does the diarrhea ever stop? I keep hoping it’s a temporary side effect. 
  • nancy76309
    nancy76309 jb25

    Posted

    I think it will eventually stop. I took Flu 20 years ago for 8 years. It worked well and I never had a side effect. When I stopped, I did it cold turkey and only had one side effect and that was brain zaps. 

    If I know I have to go out the next morning, I take an immodium and that usually helps for several days. 

    Good luck. 

  • Guest
    Guest jb25

    Posted

    Did it help your PMDD?
    • jb25
      jb25 Guest

      Posted

      Yes, it has greatly helped my PMDD. I barely notice mood changes since starting the fluoxetine. Feeling so much better now! Also, I started on 10 mg and experienced side effects. My PCP decreased my dose to 5 mg daily and all side effects subsided within a few days. 
    • Guest
      Guest jb25

      Posted

      That’s so great! What dose did you get to for it to be completely effective for PMDD?
    • jb25
      jb25 Guest

      Posted

      Right now I’m on 10 mg every other day (which equals out to 5 mg daily). The 10 mg daily completely resolved my PMDD, but I felt a bit “drugged” and didn’t like the side effects. Now on the 5 mg daily, the side effects have resolved and I feel like myself again. I feel like I have some “mild PMS” probably like most women, but nothing like the PMDD I experienced before. So, I’d say 5 mg is pretty effective for me, but everyone responds differently. 
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