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Strange Fluoxetine side effects

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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

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  • chez11
    chez11 Guest

    Posted

    Hi all, I'm on day 5 of taken 20mg fluoxetine just starting to get symptoms now sad I've read through most of the posts and understand that this is when they are most likely to start, I can't keep my feet and legs still it's driving me mad ive also got the shakes and insomnia dry mouth and heartburn. Hope these don't last too long it's making me feel worse than I've ever felt and don't know how long I can carry on taking these tablets has anyone else had restless legs and how long does it last for about please sad getting sick 
    • iamchris
      iamchris chez11

      Posted

      Hi yeah all seem like pefrectly normal (but rubbish) side effects. I had a tremor in my hand but just comes and goes. Keep checking in with your doctor and tell him her side effects. It is normal for things to get a bit worse before better. Its early days. Keep at it but remember you arent alonr and these forums help, docs are there to help. I suggested writing a mood diary and track your progress. There will be days where u are up and down days. Keep fighting it. smile
    • Richo67
      Richo67 chez11

      Posted

      Chez

      How are you feeling now?

      I have just started - day 2 - had my med this morning around 07:30 (now 11:30) and feel a little disorientated...

      I do hope it has worked for you, i need it to work for me too!

    • chez11
      chez11 Richo67

      Posted

      Hi, the side effects do get better thank god! I've been taking them for just over 5 weeks now. Some days I can feel my mood getting slightly better I'm still very irritable and snap at my family quiet often 😁 but they are very supportive and understand that it's not my normal self. The restless legs have calmed down and I take ranitadine for the heartburn, my sleep pattern is still all over the place but I've never been the best of sleepers anyway.

      Sometimes I feel like I'm living in my own little bubble and forget things but it is getting slightly better.

      I'm due back at the doctors on Tuesday for a check up and to see how they are going I'll keep you informed.

      The best advice I could give you is to try and stick it out at least for a couple of weeks until they get in your system and then you will know for sure if they are right for you, and 2iamchris is right these forums do help even if it's to read what others are going through and to know you are not alone in your struggles, I do hope you start to feel better and just take each day as it comes one step at a time I know that's what I am trying to do, let us know how things are going and take care

    • Richo67
      Richo67 chez11

      Posted

      Hi Chez

      Thanks for the reply.

      I have been back to the docs for a chat and talk about the other concerns I have just in case of a clash of meds.

      My own little bubble is a little weird and feel very slightly tingly all over - weird, but not too worrying. I have told many of my co-workers and managers that i am on these (and also friends)....They are all keeping an eye on me - in a good way.

      I will keep them going and have been sleeping a bit more to reduce the stress levels (and i suppose to try and get to the point where they make me feel better a bit quicker) and help the slight anxiety i am feeling.

      Thank you and Chris for the encouragement...we cant turn the clock back when we want to, just facing the future with an air of optimism would be nice.

      I will get there - i am determined.

      Good luck to you all on your journeys too!

  • jitendra80159
    jitendra80159 Guest

    Posted

    Hi Gaz and others? sorry to hear Gaz that u had problems for a few years, i bet u wondering what the hell is going on?
  • pippa85162
    pippa85162 Guest

    Posted

    Hey, I know this is a really old post but I have just started fluoxetine and am really anxious about weight gain as I'm on it for bulimia and I'm a dancer and model. Did any of you experience weight gain? Also it's been two weeks and I'm feeling no better, is this normal?
  • k28154
    k28154 Guest

    Posted

    I just wanted to say thank you to everyone that has posted their experiences. My 16 yo has been on flu for 9 days for depression and anxiety resulting in attempted suicide. The last 3 days have beeen hell. They cry constantly, "don't want to do it any more", don't sleep and panics if I'm not nearby. The school is understanding but lessons lately are a no go. I am scared and worried sick and  lucky that work is understanding. Having read of others experiences i can see a possible light at the end of the tunnel albeit a way off. I have reassured them that this is normal and put on a brave face myself. I wish you all well with your medication, and again thank you. 
    • pippa85162
      pippa85162 k28154

      Posted

      I, like you, found this forum very helpful as I started flu. I am still waiting for the benefits to kick in. I wish your teenager the best in their recovery and I hope that everything works out well. I'd love to hear how they're going, maybe you could keep up a regular post in this forum, like I and others do, and keep us updated on you teen's recovery and would love to hear how they are feeling and getting better! smile
  • k28154
    k28154 Guest

    Posted

    Thanks for asking sometimes i am feeling like it's just me and my teen in a bubble. We have taken up walking in the late afternoon and evening (for miles) as it helps them to sleep a little better. Luckily i'm in a position to help with GCSE work and revision so their self-esteem is good at some points. things are a little better today and they are at school. They have found a way of showing moods by colouring salt and pouring into a glass jar. All the colours are labelled by mood and they have said it is easier than trying to explain how they feel in their head as "it's all messed up" and it means that i'm not tempted to ask every 5 minutes.

    I see that your post is about weight gain and my teen has voiced concern about weight gain and has an increased appetite but so far no gain but i suppose the extra walking helps, would the dancing not help maintain a healthy weight? Sorry if that seems ignorant but i don't know a lot about dancing and what sort of size you hope to maintain. As a parent i'd say to try and sort out feeling better about yourself  mentally then concentrate on your physical self. But as a woman i realise they are closely linked together. i hope you start to feel better soon, but suspect this could be a slow journey with set backs on the way for all of us.We will get there though. 

  • sheilaIL
    sheilaIL Guest

    Posted

    My mom had been on 20mg for a year or so but went off to see if another medication would work better. After reactions to two, she's back on 20mg. At day 3 she is not even getting dressed. Says she has dizzy spells (which she is prone to and takes meclazine for) & she's popping the meclazine like candy. She has been diagnosed with degenerative neurological condition so lots of OCD and anxiety among other things factor in also. I'm praying the 20mg starts working sooner rather than later for everyone's sake. Any thoughts appreciated!
  • paul29655
    paul29655 Guest

    Posted

    HI All 

    I feel really terrible about life and have been on fluoxentine for 6 weeks. I find that all i want to do is sleep. Trying to hold down a job that i really hate. I feel that this is dragging me down but i cannot give it up as i have to pay my morgage. 

    I have a wife & 2 children. We dont seem to have a good life because of finaces and my terrible mood. Not sure how I can snap my self out. 

     

    • VaJaJa
      VaJaJa paul29655

      Posted

      Hi Paul 

      How long have you been taking fluoxetine & what strength?

  • VaJaJa
    VaJaJa Guest

    Posted

    Hi Guest

    I have been on fluoxetine now 4 weeks tomorrow.  The 1st 2 weeks I took 20mg & then 40mg.  The side effects initially were shaking, more anxious, depression & crying  

    plus loss of appetite, nausea & tiredness.  I can honestly say that I didn't think they were working but when I woke up yesterday I felt better than I had for months so it's really worth sticking with them.  I do still have no energy or motivation but I'm now going out of the house for a couple of 30 to 40 minute walks on a daily basis.  I now feel that in a couple of more weeks I will feel even better.  I was initially prescribed HRT for anxiety & panic attacks that came from nowhere turning me from a confident outgoing person into a totally wreck.  This did not work for me & after 3 months of hell I was referred to a different doctor who put me on fluoxetine.  The doctor explained to me that I would feel worse before I felt better but to stick in there & she was right because now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  So stick in there it will get better.

    • vix167
      vix167 VaJaJa

      Posted

      Thats great to hear! Hope your improvement continues. Thanks for posting.

      Vix

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