Positive stories please. is there any hope?

Thank you so much!

I'm going through the motions right now, part of me wants to stop the other part says keep on going. My doctor told me I have to give it a chance to build up into my system and warned me about the side effects because he knows I have really bad health anxiety. I'm starting to do mindfulness now to get me through these hard days.

Hearing your story has given me hope. Thank you. X

Anytime! I hope it works for you as it does for me! I would definitely agree with your doctor to stick at it. There are lots of known side effects for fluoxetine - all the ones you mention! - So try not to worry if you can! I freaked out a bit too, and my sleeping isn't great (which is hard because I used to be on a sedative anti-depressant) but now I know it's all worth it - and it's how I know it's working, because normally when I don't sleep I want to kill everyone!

What bothers me the most is the insomnia and the loss of appetite, I find I'm living on apples, cereals, toast and soups, at least its something I suppose until everything settles. I always think worse case secenrio when I feel the side effects I think that's it lol Nice to know I'm not alone. X

Arya, what you are experiencing is very normal. I've had all of those side effects that you mentioned including the heart palpitations and still do once in a while. My appetite was down to nothing for awhile and have lost a lot of weight. Appetite is still a little less than normal, but is slowly coming back. I take Trazadone at night for sleeping and it works wonderfully. It is not addicting and goes well with flouxitine. There are alot of unnerving side effects, but they will fade in time. I don't have the hot and cold spells anymore and tired all the time and wanted to sleep all day. Still have some lack of motivation. The anxiety which was crazy is now just a background type, but is slowly getting less. I agree with your doc and Neodreams, you definitely need to give it more time. Keep coming on here to talk, it really helps to know that your symptoms are normal and you are not alone.

Forgot to mention, take flouxitine with food. I know it's hard when you don't have much appetite. I usually take mine with some yogurt or milk kefir.

The insomnia is hard and I hate feeling tired, but for me it's the best option. I was taking nytol for a while, although was then told not to because apparently fluoxetine makes you drowsy too (which I have NOT experienced) - so now I take the herbal one which is just as good.

The loss of appetite was an interesting one for me - my previous medication caused my appetite to be enhanced and I consequently put on quite a lot of weight. So I had been on weight watchers for six months before I started on this - I have lots a significant amount since then but I couldn't tell you whether that's down to the drugs or not! I've spent the last two weeks craving crisps though so any lost appetite I've felt has certainly gone!

Thank you so much

I always take my meds with food, I don't care how sick I feel lol. Gone out for the first time in days also, and noticed I'm not so anxious like I use to be so that's a good sign. Just take it day by day, little steps I suppose.

I was really anxious about starting medication again, because of the side effects, but in the long run will be better for it. Thanks for your help x

The insomnia is insane I wake up at 6 then I'm wide awake not to mention the disturbances. I think I will probably sleep after my little adventure out mind. If I have a big meal it turns my stomach and puts me right off, I've already lost a little bit of weight and really can't afford to lose much more as I'm so small lol! The one thing I have managed today is beans on toast xxx

I had all of that to begin with too, which is why I started on the nytol.

Well done on getting out though! It's the first step!

As long as you're eating something, you should be okay - I would speak to your doctor if it continues just in case. I wouldn't worry about big meals, eating little and often can be good for the body anyway!

The other side effect I noticed is feeling dizzy - but I'm not sure if that's purely down to the meds, cos it could be due to the weight loss, the weather and the fact that I'm planning my wedding and just bought a house (which would be stressful even to those who didn't have mental health issues!). Just something to watch out for and not be too alarmed if it happens!!

Hi, a little update.

Entering week 2 now and must say starting to feel a little better, I'm a lot more talkative, my appetite is coming back and those horrible hot flushes have gone. I still have a bit of an upset stomach and feel sick from time to time but not 24/7. Also still have a lot of nervous energy and have a little brain fog, as for the palpitations I think I'm the cause of them as I'm so anxious but I'm getting a hold of them and tend to ignore them now instead of reacting to them - I don't know if anyone else is the same but I always feel worse in the morning kind of like a hangover feeling but as the day goes on I'm okay. Hope things are on the up now, as I could dowith some luck!

Hi, Arya. I have palpitations, also, and am going to cut back on the coffee to see if that helps. I know it's got to help with the anxiety. I also feel worse in the morning and feel better as the day goes on. I feel very bad in the morning not wanting to get out of bed, just wanting to go back to sleep, but once I get up and get moving that also helps. Glad you are improving.

Definitely cut back on coffee. I've haven't drunk tea or coffee for 4 months and I haven't drunk alcohol in nearly 3 years (wasn't a big drinker anyway) must say it feels good. I drink camolile tea now its absolutely fantastic. I can relate, the longer I lay there the worse I feel, as soon as I get up have breakfast take my pill and do some mindfulness, I feel ok. Hopefully things with start to look up for all of us! 😊

Glad you are feeling better! It's slow but I'm sure it will continue!

The upset stomach is a common side effect, and it's something I still get - my doctor told me it's so common that I just feel like I have to deal with it now, if this is my only issue then it's all good! 😃

I believe they recommend no coffee or alcohol at all with fluoxetine. I still have the odd one of either but luckily that's not cause much effect to me - but some other people certainly can't handle either anymore: