Fluoxetine chest tightness

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hi I've tried many anti depressants this year! I'm currently on fluoxetine 20mg once a day and I take it at night time! But when I first got anxiety I had a panic attack because I felt like I couldn't breathe and my chest host really tight and feels numb! And since then I get this feeling almost all the time. And my mind seems to be always thinking about it and it's hard to think about something else! I've been on fluoxetine for 2 weeks now my symptoms have got worse!. I feel like I'm loosing my mind my muscles even tense up when I wake up in the morning it hurts me soo much I fee like crying! Has anybody experience any of this???

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Yes, unfortunately those things are not abnormal for many of us. 
    • Posted

      It's the tight chest which leads to me struggling to breathe because it hurts every time I take a breath in and out

  • Posted

    Your story sounds like mine. I have anxiety the minute I wake up & doesn’t stop all day long. I just started “Emotional freedom technique’s” & it does seem to help some. (Google it & there is many different ones that has a video to show you how to do it) 

  • Posted

    This is very common with fluoxetine! When taking it your anxiety tends to get worse before it gets better, you just have to power through for a couple more weeks for the effects to properly kick in and to feel better, best of luck x 
    • Posted

      I've been back to the doctors and because I'm short of breath and feels like my chest is tight he put me on some steroids' I keep getting really bad vibration feelings in my chest. It's hard work to carry on 😢😞

    • Posted

      Yeah a lot of people find it hard to carry on in the first few weeks so they quit taking the meds! But trust me that’s the worst thing to do and it’s best for you to just power through and think of the silver lining at the end! I know it’s tough I’ve been there but so worth it in the end x
    • Posted

      Thank you! It's very tough I have a partner and 2 young kids but it's hard to be around them as when I'm feeling like this 24/7 I carnt even walk because I'm so dizzy and I get the chest vibrations really bad 😞

    • Posted

      Chelsey, I am looking for the silver lining. I have been on Fluoxetine for 8 months and 5 of those on 20 mg. While I am better I still have physical symptoms of anxiety but not mental ones and just plain don’t feel well. How long did you have to wait to feel really good?
    • Posted

      How many mg are you on now? I find fluoxetine helps with my physical symptoms and kicked in fully after about 6 weeks, but if you still feel awful maybe it’s not the right drug for you. I’d go back to your gp and discuss other options with him! Are you having therapy as well? Sometimes drugs do not work on their own and need to go alongside CBT too
  • Posted

    Yes indeed! Its exactly how i felt in the beginning stage of me even knowing what was happening to me, After seeing my doctor he explained to me that this was anxiety, I would feel chest tightness and like something in my throat, which brought on the worrying and racing mind.My first few weeks on Flu was awful,, started with the 20mg but by week three the chest tightness and worrying started to go.. just thick in there,, its been about 4 years since ive been on the Flu from 20mg to 60 now im on 80mg
  • Posted

    Hello Shane  I am on week 8 I have had some good days but the last 2 days been terrible when I first started I did get the not being able to breathe feeling and still do from time like  today and I also get the chest tightening I assume it is one of the crazy side effects . it has been a roller coater I am patiently waiting for a good place with this drug  I just want to be normal . my advice is to hang in there but if side effects get to rough talk to your dr ,but from what I have learned it takes a long time for this drug to work .
  • Posted

    this has happened to me, i am 10 days in to my course for the first time and i have experienced quite a few chest issues like i cant breathe or get enough oxygen in, it is worrying but i have only experienced this since i have been on my tablets. has anyone else gone through this? just need a bit of reassurance wether this is my anxiety?

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