My story - what to expect from Fluoxetine.
Posted , 7 users are following.
My experience so far (it's a long read!)...
In January I was a competent Compliance Manager, attended the gym daily, had a perfect relationship, a great social life and a meticulously clean house.
By March I was crying in the store cupboard, making excuses to call in sick, ignoring all my friends, arguing with my boyfriend and barely had the energy to brush my teeth - let alone exercise or do housework. I rarely ate or slept and I had the attention span of a goldfish. I was a wreck. All for no apparent reason.
My boyfriend forced me to see a Doctor, who signed me off sick with depression and prescribed 20mg of Fluoxetine daily.
Week 1-2: All I did was sleep and cry. I became terrified of everything and was convinced either me or someone I loved was about to die. I couldn't eat and my teeth were grinding horribly. I stopped showering a refused to brush my hair. These weeks felt like months.
Week 2-6: I started to take it before bed instead of in the morning and slowly regained the ability to stay awake bit by bit, but spent all day on the sofa and was too anxious to speak to anyone except my boyfriend, who I suddenly couldn't stand the sight of anyway. Time slowed to a standstill - I didn't think I'd ever get better. I ground my teeth totally flat.
Week 6-9: My mood began to stabilize, I started speaking regularly to someone on this forum who was very supportive and I stopped feeling so angry/upset all the time. I remembered why hygiene is important! I remained too anxious to speak to anyone else though and still slept every few hours. I felt like I'd been on Fluoxetine for YEARS.
Week 9-12: I began forcing myself to go for long walks with my boyfriend (though I really didn't want to) and started to remember how much I loved him. I kept a mood dairy and started eating again... probably too much. Though still anxious, each day I gained a little more energy and started to take pride in my house again.
Week 12-16: I found myself again. I started laughing, wanting to get dressed every day and even started talking to my friends. I realized how little time had passed since I stopped working, it felt like forever. I still had a few bad days in between and they seem to last a lifetime when you g through them.
It's now mid July and today I started a new job as a retail Manager. I've been walking a few miles a day, eating healthily and generally enjoying life more than I think I've been able to in years. I don't know when I became depressed but Fluoxetine has made me feel like I actually appreciate things more than I ever have. I still have the odd anxious or teary moment and I need more sleep than I used to - but I can't believe how much things have changed for the better. If this happens to me again at least I know there is light at the end of the tunnel. The only lasting side effect now is that my jaw clenches when I'm tired - my dentist isn't impressed but at least I don't smell anymore :-)
The journey is horrible. I'm 26 and in the past few months I feel like I've aged a few decades, but Fluoxetine really does work. Push yourself to get out there and not give into depression and you'll get through it.
I hope this helps someone and is worth the chore of reading. Good luck xxx
6 likes, 14 replies
Dengirl29 KatyLost
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KatyLost Dengirl29
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katecogs KatyLost
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K x
KatyLost katecogs
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Richo67 KatyLost
Posted
You have been inspirational.
Thank you.
KatyLost Richo67
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Dengirl29 KatyLost
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KatyLost Dengirl29
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nicole70701 KatyLost
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KatyLost nicole70701
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amaanxox KatyLost
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I've just started Fluoxetine, and I'm nervous. It's only day 2, but I'm going through the same thought process where I don't think I'll ever get better. I just got engaged, and I was extremely happy, now I hate the sight of my fiance, and try to avoid him at all costs. Anything he says or does just irritates me.
Reading your story, gives me hope.
I get up every morning and force myself to get ready and face the world. I get extremely exhausted doing it, but I don't want to give up.
Any advice?
KatyLost amaanxox
Posted
I'm sorry for not responding sooner - I know a few days feels like a lifetime when you're struggling. I don't come on here very often anymore.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm so sorry you're going through this but I promise it gets so much better. I feel better than I have in years and i'm already coming off of Fluoxetine after less than 6 months.
Be honest with your fiance, tell him how much you're struggling and let him see that it isn't about him and doesn't mean you don't love him. Show him my story - I absolutely hated my wonderful boyfriend for a while and I couldn't stand for him to touch me. Now I am so in love again, we are planning holidays, marriage and children. (Reassure him the sex drive does come back eventually!) If he is a keeper, he'll stand by you. It's very difficult for both parties but it all passes.
Give yourself a while to get to grips with the medication, do nice things, eat nice food and don't be hard on yourself - but don't give in. I did nothing for months and although I think it is neccessary for a while, I wish now I had pushed myself to face the world sooner. As soon as I started getting out again I started to improve.
Post alot on here and don't be afraid to share - this forum really helped me.
Good luck xx
KatyLost
Posted
Hoping to be off it completely by the start of October.
The fatigue is back - not as bad as it was but I am struggling a little with energy. Plus my dreams have been pretty intense. Other than that life is wonderful. I love my job, I love my friends and family and most importantly i'm really starting to love me!
It does get better.
KatyLost
Edited
I came off Fluoxetine completely but the start of October 2015, having been on it less than six months. I weened off over a period of about a month and did suffer a few withdrawels (sleepiness, grinding teeth) but felt absolutely fine once it was out of my system.
I'm great! I eat well, sleep well and i'm really happy. I can cope just fine with work - although do avoid taking on too much stress after my experience. I'm much more careful with myself now and very aware I could slip back into depression if i don't look after myself but all is well and - aside from a little bit of manageble anxiety - I would say i'm fully recovered.
This forum helped me massively - thank you.
For anyone who may happen to read this; it does get better and though it may feel like a lifetime, it doesn't neccessarily have to take very long - no matter how ill you are!
Good luck xx