1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Fluoxetine

Fluoxitine / Prozac... just starting... help...

Posted , 5 users are following.

KatyLost
KatyLost

I've just started taking Prozac after a year or so of suffering with depression and thinking I could get through it myself. I didn't. 2 weeks ago I developed severe anxiety and couldnt go to work. I've now lost my job and everything is a mess. Admitted I need help and took my first tablet this morning. Feel awful; restless, clenched teeth, in desperate need of something but don't know what, palpitations, mood swinging between anger, upset then okay. Just taken a sleeping tablet as I'm an insomniac anyway, so hopefully will pass out soon (sorry if that happens and I cannot reply but any advice is welcome and I will reply tomorrow). I'm booked in for counselling, but I'm pretty good at understanding my own head and don't think it will help... Any advice please? Any at all... Re the side effects, ways to ease them, what to expect, if I should do the counselling too... will I ever be normal again? I'm a manic depressive mess. My life is falling apart and I'm causing it all myself. My poor partner is at a loss. I feel so helpless. Thank you in advance.

1 like, 19 replies

19 Replies

Next
  • katecogs
    katecogs KatyLost

    Posted

    Hi Katy

    Well done for trying to go it alone for a while, though quite often people do eventually seek help.  Depression is an illness and often needs medication, just as anyone would if they had epilepsy, diabetes etc.  I'm very surprised that only 2 weeks ago you couldn't go to work you've now lost your job ..... you have an illness, it's not your fault ..... would you lose your job if you had a heart complaint?  You have a right, and your employers have a duty of care to you.

    Dont worry about taking the medication.  Many people need to, and it's there to help you.  It's not a quick fix, as this meds works slowly, so you need lots of patience and perseverance.  For the first few weeks you might feel more anxious and depressed, but don't worry as it's just side effects from the meds and it will ease off.  Most nasty effects wear off around 2-3 weeks, some lingering, and it could take up to 3-4 months until you begin to feel the full benefit of this meds.  I know it sounds a long time, but hang on in there as the benefits are really worth it.  You been ill for a year, so a few months more isn't going to hurt.

    Palpitations, mood swings, lack of sleep, anxiety, restless, clenched teeth and more are all side effects - they will stop.  Honestly.  It gets worse before it gets better.  The only way really to ease the side effects is to just ride with them .... accept it's going to be tough for a while, explain to your partner it's temporary, treat yourself gently, and remind yourself over and over that it will pass.  Some people start on a really really low dose and ease their way up to the dose required.

    Along the road to recovery your mood will be up and down, but this is normal as the medication adjusts in your body.  If you feel like you're back to square one again, it'll be fine as it happens with most of us.  Keep on going, don't rush to get your medication increased, but persevere and you'll come out the other side.  This seems to be the normal route for most people when recovering.

    Go for the counselling too - it will help.  Accept all the help you're offered.  It can't hurt.

    This is a good site for advice and there's many really nice people here who will give you much support.  We've all been there, and many are still going through the same as you are right now.

    Remember, depression is an illness, an actual physical illness and we can't just step out of it.  It takes time to heal ... but you will heal.

    Best wishes

    K xx

     

    • Dengirl29
      Dengirl29 katecogs

      Posted

      I love reading your posts they are so encouraging! I'm still very up and down and I'm 4 weeks in but also found out I'm pregnant so I'm sure most of it is from my hormones sad
    • katecogs
      katecogs Dengirl29

      Posted

      Aw thanks Nicole.  I just remember how it feels to be in that scary place, and when I was there I was alone with it for over 10 years as nobody really discussed things like that and so I kept quiet.  Thank god for medication and for forums like this.

      Yes I expect your hormones are raging at the mo with baby, and given some more time you should start to even out with the medication and start feeling better.

      How exciting - a baby! biggrin

    • KatyLost
      KatyLost katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you so much for your message - I really needed the positivity, as well as the honesty about what to expect. Everyone constantly saying 'it'll be okay' isn't enough when you feel like you're losing your mind, you need reassurance it's normal!

      I will accept the counselling and anything else I'm offered. I need an official diagnosis anyway as I believe I maybe have something other than depression alone - I have very manic episodes too. And episodes of being okay, of which I'm having one now but know in an hour or so I'll be a wreck again!

      Anyway... Thank you - it's nice to know I'm not alone. And that I am not weak for giving into this and taking meds. Keep doing what you're doing and be happy.

      Lets just hope I manage to keep my teeth through this, as I'm not sure how much more grinding they can take!

      Congratulations to Nicole. I'm sure a baby will bring you happiness smile xx

    • KatyLost
      KatyLost katecogs

      Posted

      Ps. The job is my fault - I wasn't honest, I just got to a point I couldn't cope and left with no explanation. It's okay, I don't think I could go back anyway. I just need to find something else. The meds aren't particularly helpful in that regard though!
    • katecogs
      katecogs KatyLost

      Posted

      Yes good idea to get a proper diagnosis - mind you just depression can make you feel up 1 minute and down the next.  It varies so much.  People do say often 'it'll be ok' but when you're depressed it's very hard to actually believe that.  Doctors often fail to tell their patients what to exactly expect on this type of medication and often say a few weeks they should start feeling ok. Patients then become frustrated for not feeling well then, and either get their meds upped or stop them thinking they're not working.

      I think we all felt we were alone at one point - I never knew anyone else would feel the same way I did or that it was an illness I had.  I was very scared, didn't like the way I was treated by some medical professionals and the general public often wouldn't take the illness seriously.

      I have read some people grind their teeth a lot, so sing I've not had. Must be irritating for you :-(

      Ah I see - you left your job, thought it was the other way round.  I reckon things always happen for a reason, so maybe you'll find your dream job soon.

      K x

    • Dengirl29
      Dengirl29 katecogs

      Posted

      Sorry I have a question please?! I was wondering if you ever felt hateful/snappy while you were just starting I'm 4-5 weeks and I'm up one min feeling okay then down and then all of a sudden so hateful.? Is that normal or is it my pregnancy hormones too?
    • katecogs
      katecogs Dengirl29

      Posted

      Yes I was ..... I felt irritated a lot of the time, tetchy, couldn't rest and snapped at everyone.  I now feel quite rested all the time, and I don't get wound up very much now.  Even when driving, I never get het up.  It's like I'm smoking pot or something lol ... so chilled :-)

      I used to take Seroxat (a different type of SSRI) and I actually found I couldn't control my temper very well.  I'd flip at the slightest thing, like I had really bad PMT.  Changed meds and have been fine every since.

      I'm sure is mostly your meds which should ease off.  Of course with raging hormones it could be a combination of that too, but I'm sure it'll right itself soon.  If it becomes a bother, have a word with your doctor.

      K x

    • Dengirl29
      Dengirl29 katecogs

      Posted

      Okay thank you. I'm hoping its the hormones since I can't change meds since I'm pregnant sad do you remember how long it lasted😢
    • katecogs
      katecogs Dengirl29

      Posted

      I think it lasted about 2 months until the meds started to kick in.
    • KatyLost
      KatyLost katecogs

      Posted

      Thanks Kate. It's lovely of you to give advice and support so far through the experience.

      My temper has been bad for a year or so, I had to stop some of my hobbies because I've become so intolerant. I think that's depression, probably exasperated at first by these meds for you Nicole and now with hormones added too... I wouldnt worry too much, you have a lot of reasons for mood swings right now. I hope it settles for you soon.

      Day 3. Feel like I'm slipping into zombie land a little more each day. Ah well, at least I'll be a harmless zombie when I've got no teeth left... xx

    • katecogs
      katecogs KatyLost

      Posted

      KatyLost - it could be that a change of meds might stop the anger feelings.  I had exactly this when I took Seroxat and I used to flip at the slightest thing which began to scare me.  Changing my meds stopped it.  We all react differently to different meds, and there's many SSRI's out there which are all tailored to suit different people.

      Nicole, I know you can't switch the meds at the mo, and with a mixture of raging hormones it's probably that (bit like PMT).  If however after you've had baby and you still feel snappy etc then maybe a switch would be good too?

      K x

    • KatyLost
      KatyLost katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you Kate - sorry for not replying, had a hard time but starting to get through it a tiny step at a time. Hope you're doing okay xx
Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.