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Feeling no better after 9 weeks...

Posted , 4 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi.  I've now been on fluoxetine for about 9 weeks - 6 weeks on 20mg and now 3 weeks on 40mg.  The last 9 weeks have been really tough and I feel much worse than the time before I started (I was on citalopram before this)

Feeling very negative, not sleeping well, clenching teeth, no motivation, very low self esteem and tired a lot. 

Did I increase the dose too early?  Have I not given the 40mg long enough?

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • vix167
    vix167 Guest

    Posted

    Hi orangedog

    So sorry for you, I know its all cr@p been there and still going through recovery. I dont think you can say anything for definite what causes what but im just starting wk 11 fluox so I can compare it to what I went through if that helps.

     I had 8 wks citalopram before trying fluox (worked quickly once before with little side effects) but literally couldnt get out of bed 3-4 days a week,  sleeping 16-18hrs a day sometimes hence the change (nightmare). Dr said shouldve eased by 8wks.

    Had all the above symptoms/side effects you mention on fluox plus constant nausea,  physical shakes, crying all day -it was pants! I didnt really start feeling better until wks 6-8 when things started to ease a bit one by one. Last 2 wks ive felt anxious again  and very blue but could be down to the whole change of routine over xmas so i've tried to ignore it as much as possible (not easy,had a few days of tears n staying home on sofa). But with a lot of the physical stuff gone its easier to cope with. 

    Last day or two I've been pretty good, still feeling of axiety in my tummy and waking with hot sweats BUT I am a million miles from where I was originally and am so grateful for that. Whether thats down to me sticking to 20mg for so long or just how my recovery is going its hard to know but lots of people on here suggest 10-12wks to start feeling full benefits and then dont expect 100%. So im trying to keep faith!

    Many say change of dose can upset recovery too so yes it may be that has set you back as 6wks seems early to up dose. You may well need to give the new dose longer to settle. I also started taking high dose b vitamins and fish oil supplements around 6wks so if you dont already take them, get some as they are supposed to help recovery but maybe coincidence. Also exercise everyday(well, I have 15-20 walk if that counts?), fresh air n keeping distracted all help lots.(ignore if im teaching grandma how to suck eggs!!! :-) ).

    It will get better in time tho its hard to believe at times when you feel so bad. I really hope you start to feel improvement soon. In the meantime be kind to yourself,  rest if you need to, talk to friends & family and keep yourself distracted. 

    Sorry, thats a long post! Keep reading it, that'll help you sleep :-)

    Take care , all the best

    Vix

  • david_25160
    david_25160 Guest

    Posted

    hi orangedog,

    you seem to be much the same as myself, I had 20mg for 8 weeks and now I'm on day 14 of 40mgs so I'm aweek behind roughly. as for did you increase the dose too early, I think each individuals needs are slightly different so I'm sure you did it at the right time. these 40 mgs are great when they work but it seems like you can have bad days in between, I had two good days recently then last night and today pretty awful, I have to get used to this as its not uncommon apparently. I think my advice would be to hang in there as you can't be far away from turning that corner on the road to recovery, just be prepared for the odd day that is'nt so good! you will get some fantastic advice from the fellow fluoxetine takers on here, thet have helped me from day one, good luck, hope you feel better soon smile

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thank you so much for your replies Vix and David - really appreciate you both taking the time to give such details responses.  Thank you.

    Today I just had no energy or motivation to do anything so have been in bed all day - although I do also have a bad cold and cough so it could be that more than the fluo side effects.

    I think maybe I'm going through a rough patch again due to the dose increase.  I guess I might as well stick with the 40mg for the time being.  I just hope everything starts to settle down soon and I start to feel better!

    What time do you both take your medication?  I wondered if that has any effect, especially on sleep.

    Interested to hear about you taking fish oil and B Vits Vix - what sort and strength and they?

    Hope you are both doing OK today and thanks again.

    • vix167
      vix167 Guest

      Posted

      Hi orangedog

      Im not as good today, feeling blue but had dr apt this morning which wasnt straight  forward couldve wound me up. Since then I have taken it easy under a blanket for bit, met with friends later n feel better this evening.

       I just bought over counter fish oil 1000mg and a multi vit supplement with extra b vits  (think its 1 2 6 &12 are most help according to reports). Studies have shown they help so worth a go!

      I take my meds at 10am-ish.

      Ttfn

      Vix

  • danilo45459
    danilo45459 Guest

    Posted

    Hi orangedog,

    Sorry for that. I know how you feel.

    In my humble opinion, 9 weeks are enough to feel some benefits. I read a article very conservative in terms of weeks, and claimed that 8 weeks are enough for evaluating its efficace. The idea goes as follows: if you improved at least 50% on that, a good strategy is to adjust the dose or augment with another medication. If you improved 25% or less, it would be better to change the medication.

    Please, be aware that only 1/3 have remission on the first monotherapy for depression, 1/3 have some improvement, and 1/3 don't get improved at all. However, there are so many options in terms of treatment, that I heard that about 80% will get remission by following some of them. My point is: don't be satisfied if you are not feeling well, you have to be your own lawyer while discussing with your doctor.

    • danilo45459
      danilo45459

      Posted

      By the way, I was on citalopram 20 mg when I had my first depression crisis. Between these two, fluoxetine tend to be more activating, and 40 mg of fluoxetine would be comparable with 40 mg of citalopram.

      The good thing about fluoxetine is that you can go safetly up to 80 mg (although the maximum for depression tend to be 60 mg), while citalopram they don't recommend you taking more than 40 mg per day.

  • vix167
    vix167 Guest

    Posted

    Hope you're feeling a bit brighter? :-)
    • Guest
      Guest vix167

      Posted

      Hi Vix

      Still got this awful cold and cough so feeling very fed up with it - which it would just do one!  I'm just trying to take it one day at a time and not try and worry about how long it's taking.

      How are you?

    • vix167
      vix167 Guest

      Posted

      Hi orangedog

      A cold can really drag you down, thats it one day at a time. Im not too bad, trying to shift this background anxiety n blue feeling just need to keep myself busy.

      Did you get yourself some vitamins n fish oil? Someone on here recommended a book called the depression cure n its one of the six tips from the author..

      Ttfn

      Vix

  • vix167
    vix167 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there

    Are you feeling any better?

    Vix

    • Guest
      Guest vix167

      Posted

      Hi Vix

      Thanks for your message.  Doc gave me antibiotics for the cold/chest infection and finally feeling a bit better now physically but still feeling quite low.  I actually paid to have a consultation with a pyschiatrist yesterday (very expensive) and it was quite useful.  He suggested a few other anti-depressants I could try that would possibly work for me.  Just need to decide whether I have given fluoxetine long enough.

      How are you doing?

      Dx

       

    • vix167
      vix167 Guest

      Posted

      Glad youre feeling better in yourself. Im ok physically but at nearly wk13 im still/back to feeling quite low. Have discussed upping dose or even changing with dr but have some medical stuff going on thats playing on my mind so I think ill wait til thats sorted then decide. Its hard to know what to do for the best isnt it?

      Ive been referred for counselling but waiting list around 10-12wks, do you think itd be worth paying to go privately? Thx

      Vix

    • Guest
      Guest vix167

      Posted

      Hi Vix

      I guess I must be on week 11 now and still feeling very low so really think it's time to change.  I'm going to make an appt with doctor tomorrow.

      It's definitely worth looking into private counselling.  How are you getting on?

      D

    • vix167
      vix167 Guest

      Posted

      Hi orangedog

      Sorry to hear you're feeling so low, my dr agreed I should be feeling better by now so I think you're right to go chat with your dr, you've already tried upping the dose. Have you still got symptoms and side effects too? :-(

      Ive had a very slight improvement in my mood last few days, some of my medical results came back not bad so thats eased my mind a bit. Still feeling quite low though so think I need to decide whether to change dose. Hard to describe but I know although im much better than when I started, im not there. Feels like forever.....

      Did you manage to get to drs? If so how did you get on?

      Vix

  • vix167
    vix167 Guest

    Posted

    Hi d

    Hows it going? I upped my dose to 30 week n half ago (20/40 alternate days) and have actually noticed a real positive change (maybe coincidence who knows?).

    Hope you got some help from dr n are feeling a bit brighter.

    Ttfn

    Vix

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