Fluoxetine for PMDD/PMS

Hello also to madcow1964,

I just noticed you had posted some comments -- hope you are doing better!

Hi Ana, thanks for getting back to me.

I did mention my fears to the Doctor but was told it's benefits pretty much outweigh the bad. I have got myself into a state reading all the negative things and side effects on the internet. I am also worried that if I do take it I will be able to come off it again easily. I really wish I could control my mood swings and rages without resorting to a pill I am scared to take in the first place! The Doctor explained this would be the first treatment we would look at and if it didn't agree with me we could look at other options. I will take it tomorrow and see how it goes.

Thanks

I totally understand! I do not want to take a pill either. I actually really like myself when I don't have PMS.I also know that sleep and taking B vitamins are very good to do along with the pills. i find if I get enough sleep, I suffer fewer symptoms, but that is not always possible. Good luck! Let me know how it goes if you get a chance.

Hi Julie,

I'm in exactly the same situation as you. I was just prescribed floxetine 20mg to take every day for two weeks before my period starts, then stop for two weeks. I too am very fearful of taking this pill. I'm supposed to start taking it October 30th. I hope it helps calm me down from my severe anger and low self esteem that I experience. It's interfering with my ability to hold a job and keep friends. I would like to hear how it's working for other people and I will post back when I start taking it.

Hi Ladies,

It seems we all have the same fears and very similar symptoms!

I was actually called in to see my doctor within days of my last post. He wanted to know how I was getting on with the Fluoxetene. I hadn't actually taken any this month until that morning, when I woke up feeling very tense and wound up like an overwound clockwork spring. Within half an hour of taking it I started to feel like a zombie and just wanted to fall asleep all afternoon! When I told the doctor I had been feeling fine and positive, he told me I should still be taking the pills for about 10 days or so, from the start of PMS to the end of my period. He also recommended soya milk.

I'm afraid I felt so "ok" that I only took the pills for 3 days again...but should I really take them when I feel fine? Isn't that unnecessary?

Ok. Here's an update with my experience. I started taking the Fluoxetine Wednesday October 30. So today will be my fourth day. The first day I was real spacey, had a slight headache but not too bad. The worst part of the first day was insomnia. I had a hard time sleeping. The second day was pretty much the same. I was spacey, couldn't make a decision. Felt like I was on speed. But I also felt that I was a lot more easy going and social. I interacted and laughed and talked with people more then usual. And, I slept great that night, no more insomnia! The third day I settled right in. I felt like my normal happy self. Very calm and pleasant. Also slept great last night too. So, just the first two days I had some minor side effects. It really wasn't that bad. I like how I'm much more pleasant to be around. It does seem to be making me less angry. I'll post another update in a week or so. I hope this helps you!

Hi Bebopking

I realised I was getting ratty and emotional so started my Fluoxetene on Tuesday. Like you, I began to feel light headed shortly after taking it and slightly headachy later in the day. Can't remember how I slept but the following 2 days weren't too bad...apart from nodding off when trying to watch telly! I definitely felt calmer, though, but I forgot to take one yesterday (Friday) and had a slight blip in the afternoon. However, today I am as right as rain and able to get jobs done again, yet I only took the Fluoxetene for 3 days again. Has anyone else taken such a short dose but still felt the benefits?

Hi Bebopking

Your experience sounds pretty much the same as mine. I am now on day 10. Days 1, 2 & 3 the insomnia was awful, I was lucky if I was getting two hours sleep a night, but after that sleeping was fine and I actually seemed to sleep well. I have had a constant dry throat which gets really itchy at night? Not sure if that is a side effect! Day 1 and 2 I felt slightly spaced out but nothing too unmanageable. I also felt more sociable and a bit more comfortable when in company by day 3. I don't know if I'm imagining it but I feel like I can see glimpses of my old personality now and again. Hoping that is the case and that I will feel like 'me' again after a few weeks.

On the whole though, although I was terrified to start taking it, my experience has been very positive. Hope your continues the same way!! Let me know how how you go.

Hi there -- I am on day 4 of the 10 I am taking the medication. Like you have all mentioned, getting started was a bit rough for me as well. I felt very wound up. I take the medication in the morning so that is is wearing off at night and I also took half of a Unisom tablet (over-the-counter sleep aid) for sleep.

Now that I am on day 4 I actually feel "normal". It did help control my moods even when I first started taking it, but I didn't quite feel I was myself as I was adjusting to it. I felt odd and could tell I was on something. Now after a good night's sleep, I feel like myself, but hopefully without the PMS. Last time i took it, I also felt slightly odd going off of it, but it only lasted 1/2 of a day. I am thinking the pros will outweigh the cons of taking this, so I am sticking with it. Good Luck!

Hi

Glad I'm not on my own with the bad pms Monday my gp suggested I try fluoxetine as I'd already tried 5

Different contraceptive pills I was very worried about this as I felt I've failed not being able to cope with the things that have been happening on my own. today I went back I thought if I'm going to try it nows the time and I've just got to deal with the fact that this May be my only option I was prescribed 20mg I took my first tablet an hour ago feeling a little spaced out maybe more relaxed than usual as normally I would be speeding round the house trying to find things to do, I'm currently off work until I feel there has been an improvement fingers crossed all goes well and i don't have many side effects, oh I read up about this before going to my gp and he told me to take this continuously and stated it was aload of rubbish about taking it before your period then having a break.

Hi Pickles,

I take the Fluoxetine for the two weeks before my period, then stop for two weeks. I've taken it that way for two cycles now. The first two weeks I took it I had minor side effects. They were manageable. The second two weeks were totally normal, no side effects. It works to take it like this because the half life of the medicine is very long. It takes about 15 days for it to leave your system. My attitude since I started Fluoxetine is so much better. I don't get so upset and angry and I'm more friendly and tolerant. Also, I like taking it for two weeks then having two weeks off. That way I'm learning how to deal with my emotions without being on the drug all the time. Good luck! Hope it works for you!

Thank you although I don't think I'll be taking it in the afternoon again it wiped me out lol maybe try an evening dose instead

Felt really grumpy in the night and this morning

Pickles, how are you doing? Is the fluoxetine working for you?

Hi bebopking I'm starting to feel abit "normal" last week felt really low tired paranoid struggled to do stuff I'm due back in work tomorrow so I'm hoping I'll be ok and won't over panic. The 1 thing I have struggled with from day 1 is an itchy scalp morning and night it's really frustrating I will ask my doctor about it today thanks for asking but yes I think it's working