FLUOXETINE UPDATE .....HOPE

Hi Elka, it does take a while to take effect I'm afraid, I'm 8 weeks in and have only just started to feel better in the last two weeks, it's a slow process but as I just told someone else on this forum you have to keep going because there is light at the end of the tunnel, it may seem like your never going to feel better again but you will very soon!!

Hi georgiacory I'm now going on 3 rd week on floxetine, does it get any better?

Yes. it get's better! It gets better perhaps than you have ever felt in your life - that's how it is for me now. I'm a year in and after the first couple of months of hell Life just felt better and better.

I feel joy, happiness, contentment. The worst I've felt in an age is a bit flat for a day or two.

Keep going and with any luck you will be one of those for whom Flu turns life around for you.

I lived in Kuwait for thirty months and do not envy you, Elka.

On what weeks did u start feeling improvement , relief that things were gnna get better?

Things started getting better for me after three weeks but were still bad - ju=st not as bad. Six weeks was better again and after two months I felt sort of OK. After that it was a gradual improvement and I started noticing being happy on occasion, then motre and more. I guess at about six months I felt normal and then gradually realiseed Ive never felt so good in mt life before - and decided to stay on Flu permanently.

The rate of improvement varies person to person - some have awful symptoms for ages and ages, other get over that stage quite quickly, a few weeks.

Hi Carl

I just hit seven months and I'm still struggling. Sometimes I feel great and then sometimes I feel flat with the occ bad days. Can I ask what dose you are taking and if you increased at any point. What do you take it for anxiety or depression? Thanks

Hi Nicole,

I just hit the 6 month mark and am still really struggling like you are.  My anxiety is really bad and I find it difficult to eat.  My doctor wants me to up my dose to 40mg (I've been on 20mg all the time) but I'm really worried as I had such awful nausea, dry retching and headaches for a long time and I'm worried the increase will make things really bad again.  What dose are you on?

 

Hi Ladies

I'm really sorry to hear you are six and seven months in and stilll struggling.

I'm on 20mg and have been from the start. I take it beceause I feel good on it - I first took it against anxiety and depression.

t would seem logical to increase your dosage as you are struggling after all this time. From reading here, I believe you get the original symptoms all over again if you increase - or "your pick" from the list of side effects of this drug. Like starting over.

I gather 20mg is  merely the start at dose - to see if it does any good. Sounds like you two have 'improved' on whatever dose you are on so Flu seems to be working for you - just not enough. I'd say time to talk to your doctors and take his/her advice.

I have no idea if you can just take enough Flu to overcome all annxiey and depression without you doing anything else to help yourself. My route was talking to a counsellor - amazing what is uncovered in just talking. Turns out I used to choose depression to hide from strong emotions I couldn't handle. One of my cats ran away yesterday so my 'cure' is going to be put to the test. Telling you that is part of staying away from depression and anxiety. I hope it is anyway. I'm scared and worried for him and feel helpless.

 

Hi Felinelover,

I'm currently only taking 5 mg because I'm pregnant. I'm taking it for mostly depression. I plan to up my dose when I have the baby next month. I wanted to take nothing but my depression is far to bad after a miscarriage. I've tried to take the smallest dose but have been struggling still. It seems I'll have a couple good weeks then a flat period with depression. Right now I'm really struggling with the anxiety of having the baby and my depression getting worse with postpartum. I don't know if I could handle it .

Hi Nicole,

I'm so very sorry to hear of the issues you are facing, you have a lot to deal with.  

I'm the same as you even on 20mg - good days but too many bad ones.  Last time I was on Lexapro and it worked, not sure why the doctor put me on fluoxetine, the side effects are really bad.

You may not feel depression after the baby is born.  After having my two it was the happiest time of my life.  Now they have left home and the sadness has set in.

I wish I could help, my thoughts are with you,

f l xx

 

 

Hi Carl,

Thanks so much for your advice.  I have decided to see a psychiatrist as the doctor wants me to increase my fluoxetine to 40mg but I am wary as the side effects have been so bad.  Last time I was sick I took Lexepro and got better quite quickly, I just wish I had taken it this time.  So the psychiatrist may want me to change meds.  So pleased that you feel good, I feel very envious and just wish I was my old self again.

Sorry to hear about your cat.  Has he returned yet?  In Australia by law we have to microchip our cats so if they do go missing there is more chance of them being returned.  About 10 years ago one of my cats just went missing and I've never seen her since.  I still wonder what happened to her.  It was easier to handle in the long run when one got hit by a car.  At least I knew what had happened to him.

Anyway good luck,

f l

 

Hi catlover

Australia, eh? Strange - your posts don't have any accent at all!

Here's hoping your psychiatrist comes up with soemthing effective. The Flu side effects wera large factor in my decision to stay on the stuff - I'd hate to come off only to find I has to start again!

Geetan is still missing - three nights out now. I fear for him. We are using social media, searching and the phone - nil results. Yes, it's the not knowing which is killing me - I hope he's found a new home. He's microchipped so hope remains. Pity there is not a GPS locator in the chip!

Good luck and treat yourself very lovingly.

Best

Carl

Hi Carl,

I'm an English teacher which probably explains why I don't 'sound' Australian!

Has Geetan returned yet?  How worrying for you.  A friend lost her cat a few months back, just went missing, then 2 months later just when she was loking for a cat to replace the lost one, the Perth Cat Haven rang her to say that someone had bought her cat in.  Of course they knew the details from the microchip.  She was over the moon.  So some cat stories do end happily.

Considering going up to 40mg of flu but will see what psych says.  I'd probably prefer to change to Lexepro as I had more luck with it last time, just wish I'd stuck with it when I got sick a second time.

Thanks for your kind words,

c l

 

Hi fl

Sadly, Geetan is still at large. No sightings, nothing. He;s very handsome and worth quite a bit so he may have been sold. Hopefully found a kind home. Hopefully will finish up at a Vet's sooner or later. It's like having an arm torn off.

I've learned that loss is a major trigger for depression for me - but haven't gone there this time, just stayed present with my sadness. A milestone for me

Good luck with the psych! Hope s/he can sort you out with something that works for  you. Get well again real soon! Let us know, please.

Best

Carl