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

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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

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  • AliceAnagram
    AliceAnagram KatyLost

    Posted

    Hi Katy, I am weeks in on my journey with Fluoxetine now. Definitely feeling better than I did and I have found that the side effects are much better if I take the tablet in the evening, with a meal. I had started off taking them in the mornings (when I don't tend to eat) and I hated the side effects, being really edgy, fidgeting, feeling nauseous etc. Once my doctor told me to switch to another time of day, things settled down a lot. Don't expect a miracle, it will take a good couple of weeks to kick in properly then you should notice some hours that are better and these will join up eventually to make some good days. Don't be disheartened, stick with it and take life a moment at a time. I made myself write 5 things each day that had made me smile, sometimes they were really simple like seeing a pretty flower of managing to complete a tiny little task, but they were positive at least, when we feel down it is easy to think that the whole of life is bleak and cheerless - focus on good bits. Good luck xxx
  • hannah32706
    hannah32706 KatyLost

    Posted

    I just started on Fluoxetine 4 days ago. Feeling very emotional every day. I was on Paxil for 2 months in December, 2014 and January, 2015 and it had the reverse reaction for me. I went into a deeper depression. Stopped taking it and tried to recover on my own, was doing well and had a setback last week. Everything I read says just give the fluoxetine time to work. Any advice would be appreciated on what I can expect. I am currently on 10mg and will switch to 20mg on Friday. 
    • KatyLost
      KatyLost hannah32706

      Posted

      I'm sorry I did not reply to this Hannah - having really trouble communicating with anyone at the moment. How are you now? I am on week 6 and finally starting to get over the side effects and have a few good hours every so often. It's not much, but it's an improvement. Hope you're doing okay.

      Thank you to all who gave advice in this thread and I'm really sorry for not responding. I do appreciate your support xx

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