Strange Fluoxetine side effects

Helen I have sent you a private messge

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Hello All

I have been on the medication about 6 weeks now and still feel anxious if I think about anything. I get a burning feeling in my stomach. I do exercise every day which does help. Tonight I watched some comedy on Youtube which has made me forget about thinking. Walking or cycling outside for two hours is good for you too. I just have to believe I will get better as the tablets have always worked in the past. I feel anxious about the past and anxious about the future. Does anyone else relate to these feelings?

Gill

hi gill - totally - whenever possible I'm tyring to just stop mself thinking bcause wherever my mind goes it's anxiety and dread - mornings are hideous - I've been on it before and don't remember it this bad - and it did help before - but some advice is maybe change the meds, some is to stick with it - well done for the exercise - that's so positive - I think that would help me too but can't quite make it happen - like you when there are no demands and I can manage to distract myself it's bearable - hope today goes ok - take care - Helen

Gill, as Helen says we can totally relate to these feelings of constant anxiety - horrendous! I am not feeling too bad at present, with the help of anti-anxiety drug for couple of weeks only. Don't really want to take it but I was so bad a couple of nights ago I went to the GP and he prescribed as a temporary measure. Don't know about you folks but I can cope with most of the side effects EXCEPT the anxiety. I guess we have to persevere - having been on them before until Jan this year I know they work.

Regards and best wishes to all

Thanks Helen and Sue for your support. I hope your day has been ok for you. Today tried to be to be mindful but had the burning stomach when i did this. have been to the gym and stomach does not burn at the moment. I am going to stick with the flu as it always works and try and stay on it rather than keep stopping. Yes Helen I agree about stopping yourself thinking as it always leads to a bad place! Let's see how we all get on and report any upturn in out mood. Gill

hi all - on the negative side mornings are no worse - usually 3 or 4 am really awake and horribly filled with ddread and anxiety = even when I managed to avoid thinking - 3 weeks on meds today - lots of people say 5/6 weeks so here's hoping - definitely feel less anxious and more human in the evenings but very flat and bored - not happy but definitely better than the mornings - actually had a bit of fun yesterday - took kids to park, not expecting much (usually have to drag them - they'd prefer to be watching tv) - it's not an inspiring park so just thought it was better to get them out than not but stopped at tennis courts on way and played a wee bit with my eldest and it was fun - a genuine smile! - let's hope the balance shifts soon. how are you all doing? think I might go back and re-read the - 'it was hideous for 4 weeks but now I feel so much better that I stuck it out' stories. I have lost 17lb in the 3 weeks - weight I can afford to lose for sure but I also wonder if not eating for 3 weeks exacerbates all the bad feelings - any thoughts? take care of yourselves today...

Hi Helen

I always lose weight at the beginning of taking Fluoxetine. Try and make everything you eat as healthy as possible. Fruit, Veg, fish, cereals, chicken. And water. Things that exacerbate feelinig bad are alcohol, coffee, tea, and smoking.

Glad you felt better yesterday - it was because you went outside. Try and be outside for two hours per day for the best effects. And do exercise - walking is fine. Watch funny videos on Youtube or where ever. Be with other people as much as possible. You are very early days on the tablets so please BELIEVE with confidence that you just have to be patient as you will feel normal again.

Take care

Gill

hi - 3 and a half weeks in now - don't remember ever feeling this bad - sometimes crippling anxiety (even when I avoid thinking about anything real) but mainly despair - absolutely no joy in anything - 2 weeks of school holidays now with kids has never felt so bleak - wondering how much is depression and how much is wworsening from Prozac before (I fervently hope) getting better. eating a tiny bit more. will see gp again this week. how is everyone else doing? take care of yourselves

Hi Helen

I don't feel too bad. I have taken two tablets daily for the past two days.So maybe it is that or I am just feeling better. The burning has gone from my stomach. Please remember that you will get to this stage. You just have to accept how you are feeling and know that you will definately feel better eventually. Try meditating and breathing. Take one moment at a time. I KNOW how you feel exactly. Try and live one moment at a time. Keep telling us how you are feeling. We understand. Gill

HI Gill - that's really good news - how long have you been on it now? thanks for your words of support - hanging in there - this too shall pass - hope you have a good day - Helen

Hi Helen - I started about 6 to 8 weeks ago - not sure exactly, am I have periods of relief from the anxiety which is caused by the tablets. Its amazing when it stops. Today I feel almost normal. Deep breaths remember. - Gill

wow gill - almost normal - enjoy the relief - good for you - take care - Helen

Hi Helen and Gill

Glad to hear you are both on the up albeit slowly. Have just had a weekend away in Devon, terrible weather but the stomach anxiety has gone, I just feel flat. Back to work tomorrow probably - that will tell but I am determined my job will NOT make me ill again. Think I am over the worst anyway, 2 weeks in.

S

Oh and I am not taking any extras - diazepam,lorazepam either :-) , don't want to get addicted to them - they are for desperate times only!!! I took 1 lorazepam and was knocked out so I am throwing them away.

hi folks - just reaching out for some solidarity today. I'm finding this process so painful. it's really hard to function at all - 4 kids and easter holidays and I am just doing the bare minimum and even that feels torturous - definitely feel slightly more human in the evenings but all I want to do then is reward myself for getting through the day by vegging with a boxset - just sending an email or doing the washing up feels huge - seeing doctor tonight - I'm 3 and a half weeks in now and I just feel so much worse than I ever remember feeling - know for lots of people this phase was followed by much better about 6 weeks so expecting that's what doctor will advise. be nice to hear some friendly voices today - take care - helen