Retaking fluoxetine and having unusual symptoms
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi everyone,
So I used fluoxetine 2 years ago for like 3months and it worked very well for my anxiety. Lately, I am having anxiety problems again so I am retaking fluoxetine. So far I took only one tablet (10mg) yesterday (as last time when I started using it, in the first week I was taking it in every two days) and I am not on any other medication. However, this time I observed some side effects which have never happened to me before. These side effects were: mild fever, strong headache, dizziness, feeling anxious and stomachache. I know that the last four symptoms are usual side effects (although I didn't experience any of them when I started fluoxetine the first time) but is fever any normal? Should I immediately stop taking it as it might be a sign of mild serotonin syndrome (and it can get worse if I continue using)?
Thank you!
0 likes, 8 replies
Tabitha2609 gemma24622
Edited
I'd definitely suggest talking to your doctor/psychiatrist about it. I'm in exactly the same boat with sertraline, so I don't know if it's a common thing with antidepressants or not. It's best to take the fluoxetine as prescribed, unless the side effects outweigh the positives
katecogs gemma24622
Posted
They're all normal side effects of SSRI's. Its not serotonin syndrome. You were incredibly lucky taking them for only 3 months as these meds usually take many months for any effect to be noticed, and then many more months on top to recover. Many people get a completely different reaction and timescale when restarting the meds.
These are tough meds to take for many - you can't take them every few days - they need continuity so need taking every day.
All I'd say is just keep going as it does get better - first few weeks or months are the worst.
gemma24622 katecogs
Posted
I know most of them are normal side effects but having a mild fever made me a bit scared. Also all of my family members used SSRI once in their life and none of them had any of these side effects when they first started it neither.
katecogs gemma24622
Posted
Mild fever can happen for some people - some people feel like they've mild flu symptoms. If you still have the feeling of fever then take your temperature as it'll tell you if you do or not.
Have any family members taken this for a second time? It really can be very different second time around.
Anyway, take your temperature and if high then speak to your doctor.
K xx
yu69395 gemma24622
Edited
Hello
please contact your doc.
The similar thing happened on me with LEXAPRO. i was on it for a long time till i came off. One year later,i tried to be on it again due to the relapse of severe depression. But it caused me so many serious side effects. i gave it up. i'm on FLU 40mg for 22 weeks now.
gemma24622 yu69395
Posted
What kind of serious side effects did you have?
yu69395 gemma24622
Posted
Hello
it caused fever, headaches, raised my blood pressure , dizziness and stomach problems. ive never had such things while i was on it fir such a long time.
yu69395 gemma24622
Edited
Hello
please contact your doc.
The similar thing happened on me before with LEXAPRO. i was on it for a long time till i came off. One year later,i tried to be on it again due to the relapse of severe depression. But it caused me so many serious side effects. i gave it up. i'm on FLU 40mg for 22 weeks now.