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Side effects fluoxetine

Posted , 6 users are following.

ren123
ren123

I have been taking 10mg fluoxetine for a week now and start to feel worse instead of better. I know it takes time for your body to get used to it, so I'm hoping this will change.

But my question is,... Can fluoxetine also cause more frequent urination? This is what I am really afraid of because I already have bladder issues. If so, will this side effect go away? And how big is the chance that it's from the fluoxetine? This is making me really anxious and afraid.

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest ren123

    Posted

    Hi Ren123,

    I’m at week 4 (20mg) and what you are experiencing is unfortunately expected and normal.   The key is to hang in there and keep in touch with your doc.  Maybe he/she can give you something to help you through this stage.  But I assure you it will improve after a few weeks.  I still have up/down days but I’m starting to have longer periods of “feeling” back to normal.  Which is incredible.   Stay strong.  Your “not” alone.  Blessings.  

    • ren123
      ren123 Guest

      Posted

      Hi tsea,

      So that's also for the frequent urination? I am feeling so down about that.

    • Guest
      Guest ren123

      Posted

      I attributed my frequent restroom breaks, for me anyway, were due to my stomach being in “anxiety mode”.   I didn’t see it as An outright side effect, more of a result of how my anxious stomach felt.  Note: I would wake up 4-8 times at night to go (during the day too), with not much coming out.  Once my anxious/anxiety stomach calmed down my need to go to the restroom became less.  Hope that makes sense.  
    • ren123
      ren123 Guest

      Posted

      Could also be a cause. Anxiety can increase urgency etc, so you could be right about this calming down once the medication starts working. Stress levels can be a big influence. Hope it's the same for me in a few weeks

  • Guest
    Guest ren123

    Posted

    Ren, my going through this (recently) I dearly emphasize with what your going through. Today I am starting week 5.  The first 3.5  weeks were hell; with nausea, heightened anxiety, panic, shakes, and disparity.  But I kept telling myself that at 4-6 weeks things would improve.  And they have.  Not perfect, but improving.  Just stay-the-course an be patient with yourself.  Also keep your doc informed of your situation.  

    Things to try maybe: 

    - Go on YouTube and check out some meditation clips on Anxiety and Sleep.  Turn off “autoplay”.

    - Also learn to “breath” to help relax.  Slow breathing using your abdomen etc.

    - Exercise.  Running works for me although I don’t enjoy it much. 

    - No caffeine or junk food or booze. 

    - Don’t consume a bunch of liquids directly before you sleep.  Stop a few hours before. 

    - Don’t wake and use/check your electronics. 

    I’ll think of more...  Hope these help. 

    • ren123
      ren123 Guest

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice! 3,5 weeks....oh my.... I've only just had the first week and will probably have to double the dose in a week or so to 20mg. I will definitely try some of your tips..... Such as the one on the breathing. To focus on deep breathing helps to relax so this might help me get through panicky moments.

      My psych says to continue taking them, that it takes time, but I just want to feel better asap. smile

    • Guest
      Guest ren123

      Posted

      Just know that this is somewhat normal and expected, and that you are certainly not the only one.  Most everyone goes through this phase.  Feel free to reach out to me anytime.  
  • amy05881
    amy05881 ren123

    Posted

    Hi ren how are you doing I'm going into my second week on 10mg of fluoxetine it's tough but gotta hang in there I know what you mean about the toilet habits lol how are you doing with the side effects hope all is well tc xx

    • ren123
      ren123 amy05881

      Posted

      Hi Amy, fluoxetine wasn't the ssri for me. The side effects were a lot. So now I have been taking sertraline for five days, 25 mg, which is going much better. I do have some side affects with sertraline as well, but not as many and severe as on fluoxetine.

    • amy05881
      amy05881 ren123

      Posted

      Hi ren what where the bad side effects for you if you don't mind me asking? Glad to know you're doing better on the sertraline I did try them I was put on 50mg but was so zonked out I couldn't do anything I'm just trying to take each day as it comes x

    • ren123
      ren123 amy05881

      Posted

      Well fluoxetine seemed to increase all my fears and panic a lot. It made me feel awful! I haven been on AD before but never felt so bad in the beginning as with fluoxetine.
    • amy05881
      amy05881 ren123

      Posted

      Hi ren I'm finding it really hard today going into week 3 songs in my head can't concentrate feeling not with it don't know if I wanna keep taking them to be honest

    • ren123
      ren123 amy05881

      Posted

      Hi Amy, how long can you have side effects from fluoxetine? What does your doc say? If I'm correct they are the worst the first two weeks. So if you doubt whether or not to continue contact your doc.

  • amy05881
    amy05881 ren123

    Posted

    Hi ren just back from the docs he told me to stop taking them because of the side effects I mentioned i told him I wasn't depressed before the tablets either so put me on propanalol for the anxiety so see how that goes how are you anyway?x

    • ren123
      ren123 amy05881

      Posted

      Hopefully those will have less side effects. I'm now on sertraline 25mg for a week and next week I have to double my dose. I sleep better now but I still have lots of ups and downs during the day. Yesterday I had a really good day but today I have pelvic cramping again and feel anxious.

    • amy05881
      amy05881 ren123

      Posted

      It's hard ren I know but at least we can share and compare on here for advice and support

    • andrea220
      andrea220 amy05881

      Posted

      I was on 40mg of Fluoxotine for three years. I was begging my doctor and therapist to change them to something else because i was getting more and more depressed. They did nothing. So i went off them in April. The doctor said that was okay and upped my other meds and i became suicidal. I read that those meds could make you suicidal so i stopped them. For 10 days i have been so ill. Breathless, exhausted, weakness, dizzyness, wake up every morning with anxiety. I have had every blood test. Doctor says its nothing, im just hyperventerlating with anxiety and has put me straight back on 40 mg fluoxotine. Im not happy.

    • amy05881
      amy05881 andrea220

      Posted

      I can't go back on them I was awful with suicidal ideas songs on repeat in my head been 3 days off them now and I'm feeling all over the place terrible anxiety just don't know what to do or where to go from here x

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