needing some advice on fluoxetine please!!

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hi I'm new to all of this... iv been put on fluoxetine 20mg and I feel no difference at all? Is there like a certain time it starts to kick in or? I don't really know much about the medicine as like I said I'm new to this all. It would be really great for some advice on it all. Thank you 😌

2 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi. Lucy it's my first time trying fluoxetine I was on paroxetine on and off for 13 years and they work different. It depends on what your taking it for. For me it's anxiety and depression. Been taking it for about 2months now and I am seeing some improvement day by day but it usually takes 4-6 weeks to build up in your system. Again everyone is different so it may be sooner for you to see improvement.
  • Posted

    hello Lucy, it varies person to person how quickly it works, an average of 8 to 12 weeks I reckon, even then it's not an overnight thing, it sneaks up on you gradualy then one day you realise wow, I'm feeling better than I have for ages! even then you can expect the odd bad day which takes you by surprise initially but they become less frequent through time and easier to deal with, so it's not a quick fix so to speak, more a gradual thing Lucy, but the end result makes the wait so worth it. In times of stress there's always somebody on here that's been there got the tshirt with friendly, comforting, sensible advice, good luck in your recovery smile
    • Posted

      Thank you, David, for this answer. I so needed to hear this, as I am having a hard time on fluoxitine. My doc put me up to 40mg too quickly from 20mg and I was going berserk with anxiety for three weeks. I went down to 30mg for 4 weeks and then up to 40mg.  Been on 40 for two weeks and the first week felt good. Then anxiety and depression came back, but I think is starting to ease up. I get a pretty good day now, and then several bad days. Can't wait for this to level out.
  • Posted

    Hi lucy!

    When did you start on the fluoxetine?

    Im currently on day 11 and going through hell, i dont say this to discourage, exactly the opposite.

    Ive been on flu before and it's been literally a life saver. The first few weeks are the most difficult having to deal with side effects and waiting for the benefits to kick in but we just have to persevere.

    Slowly over the weeks im sure you (and i) will start seeing some of the benefits To the point we look back in awe at our own progress.

    Dont give up, for most people it takes 6-10 weeks for the drug and brain to balance things out but you'll probably start seeing some benefits before.

    Stick around the forums, they can be very helpful, we all are or have been on the same boat.

    Keep us updated on how ure doing! X

    • Posted

      Hi Ana, I am on day 13 with a new dose. Do u know if every time the dose increase you have to wait for that particular dosage to build up in your system? Does it take the same amount of weeks to work even though ur on it for weeks at a different dose?

      This forum has really helped just reading the experiences of everyone makes u feel like your really not alone.

    • Posted

      Hi keke!

      Im not a doctor but i do believe you have to go through another little adapting phase. This could also mean you get some side effects too but it shouldn't be as long and hard a process as beginning with the meds.

      If you need a higher a dose it will indeed take a little while for the desired levels of the drug to build up in your system but dont get discouraged and allow your body time to get there smile

      How much are you on?

      My doctor last told me she was looking to up my dose to 40mg (given my history) on my next app (this coming thurs or fri) when i would have been back on 20 for 2weeks.

      I think it's prob very soon but will trust the doc on it and see how i do. Have actually been doing quite worse since starting (mood wise) and side effects are still very much here but hey! I trust the process, i felt awful before and was doing nothing to help myself so if i have to feel awful now but im walking (or crawling) towards something better it will be well worth it!

      Keep me posted on your progress! Its good to hear how people are doing!

    • Posted

      Hi Ana I am now on 60mg almost 2weeks now coming from 10mg in about 2 months. I was on paroxetine 40mg for years and it really worked for me. Found out I was pregnant in February so my doctor said flu. Is better to be on while pregnant than paxil, so I switched starting at 10mg flu.

      After a couple of weeks I had a miscarriage and had to have a DnC along with other things going on in my life. My doctor started titration and every week or so I was upping the dose.

      I'm now on 60mg as I said for almost 2 weeks and I am just praying to God that I return to my normal self sooner rather than later. My husband is trying to be understanding but he really doesn't know what I'm going through.

      Thanks and I hope we start feeling the benefits soon. My next app is next week and I really hope I feel better by then. Plz keep me posted on your progress.

    • Posted

      Sorry to hear you've had such a difficult few months, i myself have been going through the toughest 6 months which have culminated in me being back on meds.

      Take into account you're having quite a steep increase in dosage in a short space of time added to all the hormonal changes you must have been going through, that's a lot of changes for ones body.

      i understand what you say about your husband, i think unless someone's been through it it's probably very difficult to even attempt to understand what is happening, good he is trying and being supportive though. That's where this forum comes in handy, there's always someone here that knows where you're coming from, sort of thing.

      Hope tomorrow is better than today!

      let's keep each other updated x

    • Posted

      Ok hun i will keep you informed.

      Thanks for the advice.

      I hope it really starts getting better for us soon.

      Stay blessed.

  • Posted

    hello Lucy I'm Michael I have been on 20mg for about 4+years now it does take a while I take myne on a morning it will get better I have what I call bad weeks even with taking 20mg u will get there

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