Dosage increased to 40mg - terrible anxiety. Should I stick it out?
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hi everyone,
My dosage of Fluoxetine has been increased from 30mg to 40mg which I have now been on for a week. Over the past few days I've been experiencing the most intense bursts of anxiety/panic. I can't remember the feeling of anxiety being this intense on previous dose increases so I'm looking for some advice from anyone who has experienced similar, should I stick it out and wait for it to pass or is it completely not normal and go back to 30mg?
Many thanks 😃
0 likes, 27 replies
BrokenHusband Chappie1001
Posted
You need to stick it out! The higher the dose the worse the side affects but they will pass like before! How are you feeling now as i see its been 4 days since your post?
Goodluck on your journey
Chappie1001 BrokenHusband
Posted
Hi there, thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Today has been the worst yet, its been a really difficult day 😦 I'm determined to stick it out, I just didn't expect the increase this time around to come with such intense side effects. Your reply has given me a lot of reassurance and determination not to give up - thank you so much 😃
Lord_Cauldarse Chappie1001
Edited
Hi Chappie.
Hope you are sticking in there. I see its been a couple of weeks now, but Im guessing you are still suffering?
when my dose was increased to 40mg it hit me like a train. OMG, it was genuinely the worst time of my entire life. At one point I even went to A&E in the hope they would section me at the local hospital!!! (That way I knew Id be sedated and have spme sort of reassurance that I desperatly needed.)
However they didnt. They did advise me to really try and stick it out as this was "normal" albeit severe!
I did that, and eventually the periods of anxiety and panic got less, and the periods of calm got longer. Im not going to lie, it did take several weeks for me, but I got there. Each and everytime the ateacks came, Id tell myself it was simply the fluoxetine doing its job. It was a physical reaction to the fight. Sometimes the Fluoxetine would be winning the bout (periods of calm) but inevitably Id need to take a few hits too. Id sit down, deep breath and see the attack through knowing it was eventually going to pass. Have you got a calming ritual? Something to do during the periods of calm? (I use the word "calm" in the loosest possible sense by the way!) For me id sit and try and watch Rick Stein making his fish dinners!!! It doesnt matter what your ritual is, but looking back I now realise they were a key to my recovery. It would allow my brain, and my nerves a few minutes of respite, something else to focus on even it was for just a few minutes, but enough time to prepare me for the next attack which was just around the corner. Between my "rituals" and sufferings the benefits will soon flourish and you WILL get back to your old self. Please trust in this drug. It is an absolute wonder medicine IF you give it the time it needs.
Chappie1001 Lord_Cauldarse
Posted
Hi there - thank you so much for your reply. Things did get worse after my initial post however over the past few days I can feel myself leveling out thankfully, still feeling very tired but I can cope with that, just not the horrendous anxiety! I can completely relate to your desperate darts to A&E hoping to get sectioned, I've resorted to the same trip myself on numerous occasions when my OCD was un-medicated and raging! Its a horrendous state to be in 😦 Hoping & praying that i'm over the worst now and can look forward to how the medication helps people like yourself. Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. Sending lots of luck & best wishes on your journey 😃
julieD49 Lord_Cauldarse
Posted
looked at this today when in need of some reasurrance
Thank you x
Shadow19422 Chappie1001
Edited
Hi
I noticed you posted this 3 weeks ago, I have been on 20m fluoxetine and Friday this week the dose was put up to 40m, yesterday I felt I had turned a corner, but today all the side effects came flooding back, no appetite, shaky and generally feeling unwell.
I would love to hear from you if you stuck with the 40m and how you are feeling now?
i just want to feel my old happy self again.
Chappie1001 Shadow19422
Posted
Hi there - sorry to hear you're not feeling great 😦 I stuck it out & thankfully those awful side effects have passed! I can't say I'm cured but definitely feel like I'm stable enough to wait for the full effects. I'm not going to tell you to stick it out because I did as everyone reacts differently to these drugs and only you know your body so listen to it, be kind to yourself & don't be too hard on yourself! Always speak to your doctor, they are there to help and guide you. Wishing you a speedy recovery & sending lots of luck in your journey 😃
Shadow19422 Chappie1001
Posted
Thank you for your reply.
How long did it take before your symptoms improved, and no side effects.
The worst for me is no appetite, and the shaking, today it will be 5 days on the 40m, it would be nice to feel hungry again and enjoy something, thats the worst thing.
I was suprised that when the medication dose was increased I got the bad side effects again.
Any information is welcome.
Shadow19422 Chappie1001
Posted
sorry I forgot to say what is a Doctor, I have had several health problems over the last six months, I am 77 and havent seen a Doctor once, I have seen a Nurse Practitioner, and in my opinion they are better than any Doctor more understanding. but sadly the NHS and GPs need a serious investigation, the GPs in my surgery only answer the phone or make calls to patients, you have to wait anything from 3 weeks to a month, to see a GP.
Chappie1001 Shadow19422
Edited
My side effects weirdly started after about 10 days after starting the 40mg, they lasted for just over a week. My side effects were intense anxiety & fatigue - I can't say my appetite was affected. Re your GP - that is just awful but unfortunately the reality of most surgeries nowadays! 😦 For peace of mind perhaps touch base with your nurse practitioner. I also found the forum
Chappie1001
Edited
Apologies, I pressed send when I hadn't finished lol What I meant to say was i found the forum on here really helpful, its full of peoples experiences & coping strategies which I have found very reassuring 😃
Shadow19422 Chappie1001
Posted
Thank you for getting back to me.
Its strange because I have lost 2 stone in weight, and like you going up to 40m started all the side effects again, but I think they are subsiding a bit now.
Like you I have found this forum very reassuring , and most people are pleased to talk, I am speaking to another lady she is just a bit younger than me, I think it helps to email as most people dont want to talk face to face, but it helps just to be in touch with someone.x
Chappie1001 Shadow19422
Posted
Ahh I'm so pleased to hear that you are starting to feel a little better! I also take mirtazapine and thanks to those I've had the opposite to you with 2 stone weight gain! Hoping to start coming off them in the new year so will hopefully lose some weight! haha Yes, absolutely agree - these forums are wonderfully informative and its comforting knowing we are not alone. Sending lots of best wishes your way xx
Shadow19422 Chappie1001
Posted
Hi
How are you now, have you had a breakthrough yet.
I am still getting good days and then bad days, Mon Tues I felt pretty good, and Wed not so much and today, have got no interest and feeling very sleepy, afraid to sleep by day in case I cant sleep at night.
I just wonder how long it will be before the drug kicks in fully, I have been on the 40m for two weeks and a total of five and a half weeks coming up to six weeks.
It feels very strange to feel relatively normal one day and the next just horrible no interest.
love to hear from you .
Chappie1001 Shadow19422
Posted
Hi there, oh bless you - I completely understand how you're feeling! Its frustrating isn't it! I'm on other medication also and with increases in one dosage and reducing another I'm not quite sure whats doing what if that makes sense haha! I remember you said you didn't have a GP but your nurse prescriber was very helpful, it might be worth having a catch up with them for some reassurance and guidance x
Toughgo Shadow19422
Posted
sorry to hop on here . im just on a very similar path and could use some support . i have been on 30 mgs of fluoxetine for 3 months with many ups and downs , mostly downs .i have increased to 40 mgs and feel horrible . no energy , anxiety and kind of ill . its been 5 days on 40 so i was looking to hear to journey .
hope all is well for you
Shadow19422 Toughgo
Edited
Oh what a pity you are feeling so poorly, you need to give it several weeks before the stronger dose kicks, when I eventually worked for me, I started to feel the black cloud lifting, I didnt have the low mood, and I started to eat small amounts, I am 24 weeks total so six months, but I feel fine now and back to my happy self, as we are both coming up to 80 we have to isolate and we have followed the instructions by Boris, If I still had the depression I am not sure I would have coped with this coronavirus, but I am strong and have no anxiety or stress.
One thing that helped me get through it was making myself believe I would get better, I kept repeating it in my head, its a wonderful feeling , its like feeling free again and enjoying life.
You can do this to, just keep thinking positive, keep me updated as to how you are getting on.
Good Luck