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Side Effects

Posted , 5 users are following.

Stuart143
Stuart143

Hi,

I have been on Fluoxetine before some years ago and started on them again 3 weeks ago due to Anxiety. However, i'm experiencing alot of side effects that I can't recall from last time i took them. (the past 2 weeks have been hell to be honest)

I'm having:

Headches (mild), loss of appetite, increased anxiety, feel sick, sleeping problems (awake at 2am), increased urination, difficulty concentrating, muscle & joint pain, burning skin sensation and loss of libido (had that one before)

I wondering if I am havng a bad reaction to the medication and should stop taking it.  Has anyone else got expereince of this?

The side effects come and go.

Thanks,

Stuart

 

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • jo91394
    jo91394 Stuart143

    Posted

    I had severe headaches, but I did try to cut caffiene out at the same time which I think was part of the cause of the headaches. Increased anxiety definitely, I felt nauseous and my sleep was horrendous, so was my concentration due to racing thoughts but it all settled eventually. 
  • karen76145
    karen76145 Stuart143

    Posted

    Hi, Stuart. These are normal symptoms.  I also had a worse time coming onto the meds. the second time. It might take a good while to get evened out and feeling back to normal again. With some people it takes only a few weeks and others it takes months to get better. You will start having periods of feeling a little better, then back low. This will continue back and forth until the good moods will be more and more and the bad less and less. Mornings are usually worse and as the day goes on the anxiety eases. (for me anyway).  This is how recovery usually happens, but not always. Keep coming back to this forum, as there are a lot of good people that can really help you get through this, and you WILL recover. It just takes time. It did for me. Bless you, Karen
    • Stuart143
      Stuart143 karen76145

      Posted

      Hi Karen, 

      thanks for the reply. How long did it take for you to have an effect? It's just some of the side effects are awful and I don't feel good with the anxiety as it is, I hope there is light at the end of the tunnel.

      I think you're right about the burning skin sensation. The more anxious i am, the worse it gets. 

      i feel like i'm stuck in the fight/flight mode and seem unable to properly relax. 

      Thanks again,

      Stuart

    • karen76145
      karen76145 Stuart143

      Posted

      Sorry I just saw your post. It took me about two months before noticeing any good changes. But for some people it's sooner. I know what you mean, the anxiety is terrible for a while. Hang in there and keep posting. There are many people here that are just where you are. You are not alone.

  • karen76145
    karen76145 Stuart143

    Posted

    I forgot to say that the burning sensations are a symptom of the anxiety and not specifically the meds.
  • Chochka
    Chochka Stuart143

    Posted

    I had different side effects than previously when I took it for a third time a couple of years ago.It made me very drowsy and fatigued to the point that I couldn't function properly. I continued taking it and after a few months it settled down only to flare up really badly when I then lowered the dose. It took 5 months for it to settle again and then it flared up again 3 months later when I took some different medication which was similar but prescribed for something else. It didn't settle for 4 months and eventually I went to the doctor (for the second time - the first doctor was a trainee and gave me the wrong advice) and he told me that it wasnt working for me any more. He said that bodies change over time - I am 45 and just starting to experience menopausal symptoms and I think this was the reason it stopped working for me. In the past I had always had a really easy time gonig on and coming off it. I came off it completely about 6 weeks ago and the symptoms have finally disappeared. I must admit that I am scared of trying anyting else now as it was so unpleasant. I am axperiencing some symptoms of the original anxiety disorder I went on them to treat but I am trying to treat it using meditation and exercise this time. I hope this was helpful and good luck with it.
  • KatyLost
    KatyLost Stuart143

    Posted

    Hi Stuart,

    I had all of those side-effects and more. They do get better, took me about 6-8 weeks before I felt better but it really did work for me and i'm fully recovered now.

    If you are worried, do see you doctor.

    Hang in there - it feels like forever but it won't take long before you're back on your feet xxx

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