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Strange Fluoxetine side effects

Posted , 182 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi everyone.

Started to take Fluoxetine just over 2 weeks ago after being prescribed them for depression and anxiety. I'm hoping it will get better with time, but at the moment I'm feeling so tired constantly, and like I've lost all my motivation. I'm also feeling quite self conscious around people, and my anxiety has increased a little. If anyone's had a similar experience, how long was it until you started to feel better? I'm not planning on stopping the medication as I've heard it does take time, but can't help wondering how long I have to endure these exacerbated feelings :?

12 likes, 415 replies

415 Replies

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  • ryan38052
    ryan38052 Guest

    Posted

    I started fluoxetine a year ago to treat really bad OCD. 

    The doctor said I could possibly feel worse before I got better. But the only side effects I really felt wAs extreme tiredness all the time, upset stomach, and excessive yawning, and a couple other things. It only

    Took me about a week or so before the side

    Effects eased up, except the yawning, even a year later I still have that problem, but even if it takes 4-6 weeks to motice any signs of improvement, it's worth the wait. Because once you start improving you notice it gets better day by day, and you notice it too. It helped me a bunch, though I might stay on it forever just because when I try to come off of it the effects start to come back. 

  • joyce54540
    joyce54540 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Im new on here and have been prescribed Fluoxetine for hot flushes!!!!!.I have been advised by my G.P. that I will get all the side effects that your all having (or had). I have been on HRT for over 10 yrs and advised me to come off them and give theses a try. I am a little aprehensive tho. Any advice please?Joyce
  • heather57213
    heather57213 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Guest,  wanted to see how you are feeling now. Did you stick with flu?
  • sally56219
    sally56219 Guest

    Posted

    Hi

    I am on day 23 of Fluoxetine. I have suffered lots of horrid side effects but I am feeling much better in many ways although I am desperate to feel normal again. I took these 17 years ago and remember feeling like I had walked into a whole new world by week 4. The first 3 weeks I told the Doctor that I felt worse! I am hoping that my body will respond to these tablets within the same time scale again. The mornings are definately the worst as I wake feeling anxious, nervous and hot. I feel sweaty and my palms are clammy. I have been nack at work for a week and although the tiredness sometimes overwhelms me and I yawn all the time, I do think work helps to distract me from the symptoms. I just don't remember the side effects last time but I had a young baby then and so maybe just thought I was tired etc because of the baby. I have stayed on the tablets because they worked last time but I think otherwise I would have come off them as they just seem to exxagerate the anxiety etc during the first few days/weeks.

  • sally56219
    sally56219 Guest

    Posted

    I also take my tablet at night. I don't know if it makes things better or worse than taking during the day. Has anyone any advice on whether taking it in the morning or evening is best? Thanks
    • heather57213
      heather57213 sally56219

      Posted

      Hey Sally, I asked my Dr. about and she said that it just depends on what works best for me as far as taking them in the morning and/or night. I have been taking 10 mg at night and 10 in the morning for about 2 weeks now and I think it's working out. I was taking 20 mg at night and the anxiety I was feeling in the mornings was too much. And you are right, it definitely helps to stay busy!  Keep going!  Also, have you considered that you could be perimenopausal?  The symptoms you are experiencing could explain that. 
  • magia
    magia Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I've been on fluoxetine for 3 weeks now. 

    The side effects I've experienced are headaches, loss of appetite, tiredness, shaking, feeling nauseous, and I've had a couple of anxiety attacks. 

    I have suffered a set back the past few days and had a rather significant anxiety attack. I was just wondering if others had felt they were doing a bit better then rather suddenly felt like they were back to square one? 

  • jeanette_00444
    jeanette_00444 Guest

    Posted

    its my 6 day on fluxetine dont feel any diff at mo other than bangin headache let me no how u r getin on please
  • magia
    magia Guest

    Posted

    Just started week six of taking fluoxetine and feeling more like my old self again. Still getting some headaches and very mild shakes but no longer feeling nauseous. 

    I'm even back to training fully now which is awesome! 

    • vix167
      vix167 magia

      Posted

      Hi

      Sorry just saw your post in this thread. How are you feeling now?  I was put on ssri 3.5 months ago due to constant nausea aand over time low mood. Did citalopram 8 weeks but still nauseous shaky n extreme tiredness so changed me to fluox. Just coming to wnd wk 6 n nausea is still constant.

      Wondering if you had nausea first too or if only came a side effect and if you found any other way to ease the sickly feeling?

      Hope youre still feeling good. Wishing you all the best.

      Thnx

      Vix

    • magia
      magia vix167

      Posted

      Hi, the nausea came after  I started taking Fluoxetine and it's just reared its ugly head again this past week and I'm now 3 months into taking it. 

      Been going through a bit of a rough patch lately brought on by new issues but I feel a bit better "equipped" to cope with it. 

      Sorry it's a short post I'm just about to go into rehearsals! 

      Magia

    • vix167
      vix167 magia

      Posted

      Sorry to hear youve had rough patch but at least you feel you were more able to cope.  Youve probably tried it but ginger ale does help with the nausea a bit.

      Hope it all settles down again for you soon.  Thnx for reply

      Vix

  • iamchris
    iamchris Guest

    Posted

    I have been throigh this before but am struggling again

    this time. On week 4 coming up. Had a really bad few 

    days and have increased wind and belching. Does anyone 

    ever experienxe this. Had to take a diazepam yesterday 

    to calm down as was so anxious. Would be glad of reassurance even though i should know these are all side effects. Im seeing a counsellor too and going to docs every week nearly. 

    • vix167
      vix167 iamchris

      Posted

      Hi

      I get a lot of wind and belching too with the nausea,  over the counter indigestion tablets help a bit as does ginger ale . Pretty certain its all just side effects while our bodies adjust. Not very comfortable or attractive I know but be reassured all quite normal with this type of med.  

      Im into wk 6 now and although mood better im still struggling with tummy,  nausea n wind etc with anxiety thrown in  it's sometimes hard to know which causes which isn't it?

      Hope it eases for you soon. And me! 

      Vix

    • iamchris
      iamchris vix167

      Posted

      Thanks. Yeh been to docs today and confirmed the same. Its very hard atm.  Hard to stay positive. Not sleeping either which  makes it all worse. Crying today and yesterday too. Been through exact same before but doesnt make it easier. Fluoxetine worked before so going to stick it out. Just so annoyed and agitated today. Stomach gurgles are sending me batty. Got some anti sickness meds too and sleeping tabs. Ill be rattling for a while.
    • vix167
      vix167 iamchris

      Posted

      It seemed with me the crying was first to go. It is really hard the whole thing. I find basic sleep aid from sainsburys does the trick for me tho if I take 2 I struggle to get out of bed even more so I stick to one, weekdays anyway. 

      Ive started laughing at the noises my belly makes, soooo loud and embarrassing sometimes I have to make a joke of it so people dont think its wind escaping elsewhere :-)

      Keep going one day at a time, you know you're on a journey somewhere happier and calmer.  And def give the ginger ale a go.

      Take care

       

    • iamchris
      iamchris vix167

      Posted

      Thanks. Ill defintely try the ginger ale. Yeah trying to get through this week slowly but surely.

      thanks for your replies.

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