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New to Fluoxetine feeling worse

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amanda50801
amanda50801

Hi all

Sorry if this has been posted before.

10 days ago I started on 20mg Fluoxetine and I feel worse than before! I've read Fluoxetine can take longer than most meds, but I'm so flat and irritable -I wasn't even this bad before I started! Previously I've been on Citalopram and I remember those working within 2 or 3 days! When will I start feeling the benefits? Thank you

0 likes, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • julie15270
    julie15270 amanda50801

    Edited

    Hi! This is only my experience but it took my daughter (teenager) exactly 6 weeks to have the "full benefits". She started feeling better after 2 weeks, as in not feeling completely sad and hopeless constantly. I was reading a lot of forums then and for adults, many people said "2 weeks" until they felt better but i kept reading (and dreading) this "4-6 weeks until people have reached the full benefits". My daughter became suicidal around week 4 (can happen in teens on prozac). I had to watch her like a hawk. I asked the psych what to do, about the link between fluoxetine and teen suicide. They decided it was up to me to decide if she stopped taking the meds or persevered. Lots of forums said you feel worse before you feel better and once it kicks in, it's all worth it. She was starting talking therapy that week and we decided to alter one variable at a time and just watch her very very closely. She is now at week 7. There has been improvements. The urge to die seems to have waned (I hope she is telling the truth). So I would say, 6 weeks. Although we are still in it, to really be sure. Good luck!!

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