fluoxetine, do I need stronger dose?
Posted , 6 users are following.
hiya, I've been on 20mg from day 1 but I'm questioning as to whether I need a stronger dose. various things make me think I'm stuck in a rut when I should be further along the road, for example my unkempt appearance, have'nt brushed my hair for days, can't be bothered to be honest. just eat and sleep still got the original lethargic feelings most days, I do make the occasional effort to go out but god it is an effort, so what do you think?
1 like, 10 replies
rachel62244 david_25160
Posted
david_25160 rachel62244
Posted
danilo45459 david_25160
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The fluoxetine reaches its concentration peak in the brain after about 5 weeks. In my opinion, more than 6 weeks is enough for assessing whether you need a higher dose. I just upped mine to 60 mg.
rachel62244 danilo45459
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david_25160 danilo45459
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wow you know more about this drug than my doctor tells me! it's a case of "try these pills David and see how you get on," I totally was'nt aware about it peaking at about 5 weeks, I'm almost 8 weeks and got so far up the pole and started sliding back down this past week so I will hope to see my doctor before Christmas, thankyou for the info and update
vix167 david_25160
Posted
Its a quandry isnt it? Lots of people on here say changing the dose can send you back to square one with side effects. Others have managed it fine tho.
Im just getting to a stage where some things are noticably better, some gone completely and some still hanging round to p me off, even a few new unwanted sensations BUT overall I have definitely improved. If you really feel that you haven't improved you should definitely talk to your dr again
I did 8wks of citalopram, tried upping dose before changing to fluox 8 wks ago (yea thats nearly 16wks from the start of ssri's!!!) and didnt know if changing then was the right thing but I was totally floored with tiredness, literally slept 3-4 days out of 7 all day and night plus constant nausea hadnt gone. Although the fluox brought other side effects again I was more able to function so to me was worth putting up with even though im still not fully there yet .
See what the dr says, talk thru the pros n cons but if you feel you haven't really improved change of dose is def worth considering or change of med tho if id read stuff on this forum at the time I may have done it differently
Do you work? It sounds like you dont get out much ? I work part time and have tried to make it in as much as possible cos I feel better than when ive stayed at home tho some days I think ive looked pretty dam rough and not been very useful (luckily my job does not require glamour!).
Sorry, long waffly post......Really hope you can find your way through this soon and feel like you're getting out of that rut.
Let us know what doc thinks
Ttfn
Vix
david_25160 vix167
Posted
umm yip it's a quandry alright, perhaps it's my impatience as much as anything. I do feel better than I started out, however I seem to have got to a point where things have'nt improved for ages, indeed I think I'm slipping down the slope again. Perplexing feelings at this time, I really do'nt fancy having a fresh set of side effects to deal with either if that's what an increased dose causes
you ask if I work, yes I do I'm self employed gardener handyman with absolutely no work at this moment in time, I did have time of earlier in the year as I had heart attack, so that is perhaps gnawing away at the back of my mind whether I like it
or not, oh dear life can be so trying can't it? and you are so right I do not get out nearly as much as I should, both the weather and my isolated location contribute to that. Here's hoping it's just a minor setback and things will pick up soon. I shall hopefully see my doctor tomorrow for advice at the very least. I'll let you know how I get on, thanks for listening, caio, David
vix167 david_25160
Posted
Being at home and so isolated cant help you much. And no not much outdoor garden work to be had at the moment. Getting out and being distracted by pretty much anything are what helps me most i think (even agreed to look after extra five kids one day in half term just to keep me occupied, you'd think itd stress me more but strangely didnt......). I can only say if you can , get out as much as possible, go see people tho if very isolated thats gonna limit you.
Good luck with docs. Moreover hope tomorrow is a bit brighter for you. Take care
Vix
katecogs david_25160
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You can get better on 20mg - it takes a long, long time - more than you'd think. I recovered on 20mg Citralopram, and again it took months. As each month went by, I noticed subtle changes, and even noticed at the 6 month mark I was still improving.
Everyone reacts differently to different types of SSRI's and doses, but it's worth waiting until at least 3-4 months have passed before deciding.
karen13323 david_25160
Posted
but i noticed with my daughter she neded some sort of routine to be able to function properly, otherwise she would have just vegetated all day long, you have to help yourself to some degree, the tablets cant do it all, try and make yourself go for a walk, then home and shower, we started small, i would give her 1 goal for the day, to wash her hair, its strange she felt she had achieved something, just doing the smallest of tasks.
are you on any medication since your heart attack? they can cause side effects, beta blockers for instance can really slow you down, some can give you rapid heart rate, i was given one tablet that i kept going dizzy, and was almost falling over just standing still!!
maybe the dark days of winter are not helping, get a SAD lamp, they do suggest they help.
big hugs david, if you lived closer, you could come walking on the moors with me and my puppy! in this weather that really does blow away the cobwebs!
take care today, and try and make yourself do one thing, even if its combing your hair,
sorry, im probably not much help, but im thinking of you. xx