Starting Fluoxetine Tomorrow...
Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello All,
I'm starting fluoxetine tomorrow for anxiety. I have been suffering with chest pain for the last four months and after numerous tests, anxiety has been defined as the main cause...
Has anyone else had chest pain and been on fluoxetine? Has it helped?
I am aware of all the side effects, I know it will take time to kick in. Ive exhausted myself in thinking it will heal immediately and know i have to persevere. Reading all your posts has been inspiring. I hope to stay strong and get better 
Ste
0 likes, 8 replies
beth14381 theladstey
Posted
I was diagnosed with severe anxiety disorder months ago and the Ativan seem to help a lot. I am paying a huge price for being on FLU
jeremy1979 theladstey
Posted
I've had chest pain as well as part of my new found friends anxiety and depression
I had concern so I had an ekg done at the doctors and other tests. All is well physically and I'm told it's anxiety. So I have been removing stress from my life, as much as I can. I go to therapy weekly which helps a ton. Doctor prescribed me fluoxetine I started with 5mg to start, I was so scared of the side effects, but I took it for 5 days and quit. I was to scared to keep taking it because I had huge things(multi million$)things going on at work that couldn't be postponed and I didn't want bad side effects to affect me. I've been so much and haven't been brave enough to start it again. The first week on 5mg wasn't bad, side effects were just from my anxiety of taking the medicine really, not form the actual medicine itself. I was told to bump to 10mg the next week and stay on that till comfortable enough to move to 20mg. And stay there at 20. Keep me posted about your journey on the meds, I hope it helps you and even though I don't know you I'm proud of you for being brave enough to give it a go! P.s. I take generic Seroquel 25mg to sleep at night and it helps a lot. I take one during the day if my anxiety is to crazy, but not to often. Just fyi for if your having sleep troubles as I have been. Regards
katecogs theladstey
Posted
They don't suit everyone, but for many these meds are a godsend. Do you have other symptoms too?
Take it slowly and expect it to take a long time. It will help you though.
K x
theladstey katecogs
Posted
The chest pain is the main symptom. I get worked up so much. If the pain goes then my anxiety will go.
Spent most of the weekend crying and getting worked up. My colleagues joke im pregnant with ever changing hormones. I think pregnancy would be preferable to this :p
First day today. I feel ok. Feel like my throat is closing up but cracking on.
katecogs theladstey
Posted
Anxiety thrives on stress, and then we get stressed because we're suffering with anxiety. You get caught in a viscious cycle, and the meds help to break that cycle. Being emotional is part of it - I've cried bucketfuls in tha past.
I used to say the same - I'd rather have anything but this illness. Other people will find it difficult to understand - nobody can, unless they've sufferred with it.
These meds will really help you, but the first few weeks can be quite tough as your anxiety often gets worse before it gets better.
Other things to help (especially whilst waiting for the meds to work) are exercise (helps to burn excess adreneline) ... even a daily walk, yoga is great as it helps to relax the body, eat healthily, sleep well, socialise if you can. Be prepared to also have a long wait for the meds to kick in - you'll need lots of patience.
It will get better.
K xx
beth14381 theladstey
Posted
I really hope that you reconsider. I believe for chest pain it's more anxiety. Benzos work best for that. This Is A Dangerous Drug.
thomas96833 theladstey
Posted
Hello Ste,
I was perscribed Fluoxetine for Anxiety (20mg) and I found that the side effects were far far worse that the original problem for me. Violently being sick, not sleeping - 4 days straight is horrible, not being able to eat, constant panic state, restlessness, aches and pains etc. I only lasted about 10 days before coming off them. Other than the side effects, I really didn't like being emotionally blunted and just "Out of it" all day, it's like you're not you anymore, it's a horrible experience. I was a cabbage. At least with anxiety I could function day to day albeit exhausting.
It took almost a month to recover and finally starting to feel like my old self, it even introduced mild depression (which I have never had) and today I still wake up with sweats, shakes, leg pains, fatigue and jaw ache - all due to the side effects.
Like Beth, I am paying the price and wish I never started this awful med. The doctors are too quick to hand it out.
The only up side to it is my anxiety now seems trivial compared to the chemically induced anxiety attacks from the meds.
If you feel you can learn control you're anxiety, I would strongly advise trying therapy and techniques to reduce the problem. Exercise helps a lot, breathing techniques. Surprisingly I found swimming and yoga to be the best.
I don't want to put you off, just really consider alternative options.
vanilla27 theladstey
Posted
Hi there, I am currently weaning off Effexor and starting Prozac. I've been on the Prozac for 6 days now and I don't know if it's the decrease of Effexor or the Prozac but my chest pains have gotten much better. I also haven't had any side effects from the Prozac. It's different for everyone so don't be discouraged by others bad experiences.