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Increase?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Tryin2GetBetter
Tryin2GetBetter

Hi I started 5 mg on May 10 and feel the anxious thoughts here n there. How do I know if I should take the full 10mg I'm prescribed? I felt bad the first few days in 5 and don't want side effects from increasing but I'm tired of fighting w the husband on things he thinks are ridiculous. Maybe they are. Maybe not. Ugh. Thought?

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • sarahB2890
    sarahB2890 Tryin2GetBetter

    Posted

    Doesn't matter what dose you take it seems there are side effects for any

    If you feel you need a higher dose then try it you'll never know if you don't try

    For me 20mg felt like it wasn't enough so I took it upon myself to get an increase

    Yes it takes time to adjust but it's worth it if it's going to be a better you

    • Tryin2GetBetter
      Tryin2GetBetter sarahB2890

      Posted

      Thanks Sarah. Did you notice side effects when you increased? I just have ridiculous anxious thoughts about things that aren't even happening. It was better at first but I also don't want to have to keep increasing and then when I want to come off I'm having withdrawals
    • sarahB2890
      sarahB2890 Tryin2GetBetter

      Posted

      I did but they go away with time

      I was lethargic for a couple of days had headaches, felt sad, had some anxiety, mood swings , felt like I had the flu head felt foggy

      These are common side effects

      The more times you take fluoxetine the better it will be

      It's different with each person though

      Having a positive outlook is key while your body adjusts (if you feel side effects) it takes patience, perseverance, and trust that it is all worth it in the end

      I was worried about my increase too but I put those feelings aside and was able to overcome my racing thoughts for the increase

      I'm glad I stuck it out

      There needs to be a little rain to make a rainbow smile

    • Tryin2GetBetter
      Tryin2GetBetter sarahB2890

      Posted

      Great analogy! I just feel I'm drugging myself for what?! To save a relationship that seems to be my fault when things happen? Grrrr
    • sarahB2890
      sarahB2890 Tryin2GetBetter

      Posted

      Some things are out of your control you can't blame yourself for them you're on fluoxetine to be a better you if you didn't care about your relationship you wouldn't be on a medication

      You both need to be patient with each other

      I can empathize I've seen both sides

      My husband was diagnosed with bipolar but in the process he said and did horrible things

      But upon doing a lot of research I realized it wasn't him doing these things purposely it was his illness

      While a lot of things hurt I put my feelings on the back burner and realized he wasn't well and stuck by his side now he's on a good medication and we are still going strong and are having our 11th in September

      On the flip side I have always known I had problems it was just figuring out what was wrong with me

      I said and did things, (again out of my control) that hurt my husband I would scream at him get so angry I would blank out and be uncontrollable I would cry all the time I had thoughts of suicide, some days I would walk out of the house and disappear I didn't want anyone to find me

      I couldn't stand myself anymore and neither could he

      When I realized my disorder and noticed fluoxetine was given to orher women with the same problem I took myself to the walkin clinic and asked to be on it

      I have to say while I still feel some emotion the constant crying stopped I can make better decisions and judgements I don't fly off the handle my husband and I get along better and overall I am so glad I went on it

    • Tryin2GetBetter
      Tryin2GetBetter sarahB2890

      Posted

      I feel the same. I get upset about things maybe I should not be upset about but justify why I should in my head. Then makes it seem more obvious I should be upset lol. It's crazy and I hate it
  • katecogs
    katecogs Tryin2GetBetter

    Posted

    I agree with Sarah - you'll never know until you try.  5mg is a very, very low dose, and even 10mg is quite low.  You usually get side effects with each increase, most people do to varying degrees.

    Anxious thoughts are part of the illness, and something that will decrease over time as the meds get into your body.  Don't rush recovery - it'll happen in time.

    People don't understand this illness unless they've had it.  The experience is far more harrowing than just explaining it to someone.  Don't beat yourself up about it being you that needs to change or be well - partners need to understand too that this is an illness and we can't just step out of it, or pull our socks up, forget about it and be happy.  Its physical, not in the head as some like to think.  It's like saying to someone in a coma to 'wake up' ...... they can't just do it, and neither can we.  It needs time.

    Medication is there for a reason, like any other medication for other illnesses.  It will help you.  People take meds for diabetes, epilepsy, heart, blood pressure ..... why is this any different?  It's an illness.

    I was ill throughout my first marriage (in fact I was ill because of the whole situation).  When it broke down I began to recover with the help of meds and being in a better place.

    You will get through this - the road to recovery isn't often smooth, but you will get there.

    K x

    • Tryin2GetBetter
      Tryin2GetBetter katecogs

      Posted

      Thank you!! He def doesn't get it and he's had his own issues. We have other things I don't want to put here that also factor in hugely! I'm going to wait to have a few days off work to increase as I don't want the side effects to affect me there! I just hate having thoughts that are pretty unrealistic. It sux. I feel like I can get better but feel he doesn't see it bc I'll have a "relapse" after two and a half weeks and go off on him. It takes time. I'm doing it more for the kids as I don't want to put the through a divorce but his family isn't helping matters
    • katecogs
      katecogs Tryin2GetBetter

      Posted

      I was plagued with weird thoughts, but they are part of the illness.  When you're anxious and/or depressed, your mind becomes tired and thoughts stick to a tired mind, bouncing around constantly.  You get caught in a cycle of anxiety, depression, negative thoughts, more anxiety etc etc, each feeding off each other.  The meds slowly break that cycle and each of those distressing symptoms slowly ease.

      Yes it's a shame these meds cause side effects.  It's bad enough trying to cope with the illness without the added bonus of having them increased.

      These relapses are normal and seem to be part of recovery.  Recovery comes in waves so you will be up and down along the way.  It gets easier and the relapses ease off in time.  Recovery also benefits greatly from no stress and no pressure, so someone giving you that delays the recovery process.

      A lot of people think depression is like feeling a bit blue, a bit low, and a good holiday or a drink with friends will soon put you right.  Oh I wish!  Anxiety too - people think it's like feeling nervous before an exam ...... mmmm nothing of the sort.  It takes over your life, rob's you of your soul, devours you ....... and something we all try and run from unsuccessfully.

      Yes it does take time, and you'll get there.

      K xx

       

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