1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Fluoxetine

Increased dose x

Posted , 6 users are following.

helen47556
helen47556

I've just come across this site and reading some of the positive posts has been quite helpful.

I can relate the posts about the sleep, the last couple of nights I've woken up in the early hours with clammy hands and feet sand racing heart and mind.

I've been on 20mg Fluoxetine for 10 years on and off but last weekend out of the blue I had a panic attack and felt anxious ever since. Saw the Dr who suggested upping my dose to 40mg which I was dubious about doing but I just felt so awful I decided to give it a try.

Anyway, I'm 6 days in on new dose and still feel pretty rubbish.

Today I feel really tired and a bit shakey, just want some reassurance that things will get better, the thought of feeling like this for ages more just makes me feel pants 😥

I have two little boys and just want to be back to being myself and a good mummy x

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • graham82547
    graham82547 helen47556

    Posted

    Morning Helen. I've just started to take an interest in the fluoxetine discussion again and saw your post this morning. I too have been on and off fluoxetine and other anti depressants for many years and when I tried to come off completely about 18 months ago I had a massive crash resulting in 3 months off work etc. In trying to go back onto fluoxetine I suffered many side effects including the ones you describe. My anxiety was through the roof for a while also with the return of suicidal thoughts that I had suffered before. Once I got back to 40 mg- which was my usual dose after a while I was fine- great even,and life seemed worth living again. Earlier this year I changed GPs and along with some support from elsewhere discussed trying to reduce again and then over the next 3 months got down to 20 mg (which I'm still on). this seemed fine for a while but I've since had some stuff going on including a house move and some other stressful stuff at home and work etc. long story short- I'm recognising some of the old thoughts again. I've been wondering for some time whether I need to see the Doctor/ Up the dose and yesterday was a particularly bad day. Strange for me that you've posted about an increased dose today - perhaps I need to take some action?😏. Bottom line is, we're all different I suppose but in reply to your query I suppose- yes life can be good on the increased dose in my experience. Good luck😅
  • claire83755
    claire83755 helen47556

    Posted

    Hi Helen, I don't normally post on here but thought I would today when I read your message.  I upped my 20mg dose to 40mg in June, following a traumatic family revelation which completely knocked me for six.  I had post natal illness after the births of my two boys and then ten years ago, I relapsed.  I have been back on fluoxtetine ever since and was doing absolutely fine untl June.  I had to take time off of work as I was so bad with terrible feelings/emotions.  These ranged from pure terror, shaking, uncontrollable crying, insomnia and loss of appetite.  I honestly thought that the increased meds would not work as it seemed to take forever to notice subtle changes - I think I actually felt better three Monday's ago, so it did take quite a long time to re-balance but I'm glad I persevered as its tempting to change meds due to the side effects.  I wish you well and hope you recover very soon x
    • Meeps
      Meeps claire83755

      Posted

      Thanks for the post Claire. Just started 8th week on 40 mg increased from 20 then to 30 over an 8 week period. I think hope I am getting better , though I wake up very anxious . Get periods of either anxiety or extreme lethargy most every day. 

      Always much better by evening. Your post helps me to persevere on this dosage. Thanks again for sharing. 

  • helen47556
    helen47556

    Posted

    Thanks for replying ☺️ Just so fed up with the ups and downs, just want to feel myself again and get back that control.

    I am also hopefully starting some cbt this week so fingers crossed it will all help.

    Good luck to u xxx

  • sarahafle
    sarahafle helen47556

    Posted

    How are you feeling now on the increased dose? I also increased my dose to 40 due to the birth of my son and I woke up in the middle of the night w anxiety....been on the upped dose I think for 2 or 3 weeks now.
    • helen47556
      helen47556 sarahafle

      Posted

      Hey

      I'm now into week 4 and I am feeling better. Still up and down but the ups are definitely outnumbering the the downs so I'm hoping this will continue to get better and better.

      Week 3 seemed to be a bit of a two steps back kind of week as some anxiety kicked in but that seems to have now gone.

      The only thing I'm still struggling with is the dizziness and a bit spaced out sometimes but again I'm hoping this will settle down.

      It's such a slow process but I know I'm definitely feeling more like my old self.

      Saw the Dr yest and she said to give it 6 months then maybe lower the dose back down but guess I'll just see how things go.

      How are u doing?

    • sarahafle
      sarahafle helen47556

      Posted

      Okay, thank u for your update! This Prozac thing to me is so weird! I'm now on 2 1/2 weeks on my 40 mg. I just don't understand BC the 20 mg I have been so normal no anxiety at all for 2 years, I was really against taking antidepressants but when I moved to a new state away from everyone I couldn't seem to function. The 20 mgwas a life saver and now that I've been on the 40, idk I don't notice a huge difference likei did before. The birth of my son n being alone has just knocked me down low again. So would you say just keep trying the 40? I also feel little spaced out too. I guess that's what I would call it too. Or like my head is full of air or something I'm not to sure....lol thank u for listening its nice to know ppl r going threw the same thing. Has the Prozac really made a big difference in your life? Have you tried other antidepressants? I'mnot into trying a bunch of different meds!!
  • helen47556
    helen47556

    Posted

    Yes it's a slow process as I've realised from reading lots of posts on here, and good to know that some of the side effects are common. Also for the fact that u can feel worse before u feel better.

    I am going to stick with my dose for 6 months and see how I go, don't want to chop and change as I don't think I would have given the medication enough time to settle into my system. I'm hoping that this dizziness will subside as that's the only real problem in having now.

    I was really surprised after being on 20mg for so long that the increased dose would be like starting again. In fact I think I've felt worse this time round, but maybe that's because I didn't know so much about it all back then. But it did get rid of my anxiety and I've been fine since until recently. So I'm hoping this will give me the boost I need to get things back in balance again. I too don't want to swap and change meds so fingers crossed we're both on the right road.

    Xxxxx

Back to top

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.