Strange Fluoxetine side effects

Hi Everyone,

Started flu 5 days ago!  The side effects are noticeable, pretty much as everyone is describing here, but after reading through this thread i felt determined to see it through. Afterall, we're all here because we need whatever help we can get, right?

HOWEVER, after searching for more testimonials on the net, I just came across a very negative thread (from the Harvard Magazine) on how really only 1 out every 4 users benefit long term.  For the others, the beneficial effects don't last, there's potential long term damage to one's brain and the testimonials of everyone who's tried to ween off it show they continue to suffer even after being off it for years! Now I'm scared.

Before you go and read that thread, can any of the longer term users of flu please share with us if you're experiencing any of the negative side effects mentioned in the article? Those mentioned included involuntary muscle movements (eg constant lip-smacking, shaking), constantly spaced out, poor memory, rage etc.

Also, does anyone know of anyone who's successfully gotten off prozac/flu after prolonged use?

Thanks so much for responding.

http://harvardmagazine.com/2000/05/the-downsides-of-prozac-html

I've been on Prozac for 3 months (40mg) and my biggest side effect is weight gain, which is my worst nightmare as I have a history of eating disorders.  I don't feel any positive gain from the drug, am tired all the time and lacking motivation.  I have a drug review next month and seriously considering coming off them.

I've suffered from depression for over 30 years and refused meds up until now - regretting that now as no good effects.

Hi everyone, I am on day 14 of 20mg fluoxetine and struggling a little. I haven't been able to sleep more than 4 hours a night, I am eating probably around 1/4 of what I would normally eat and my anxiety is heightened, I feel extremely on edge. I was first put on fluoxetine when I was 11 years old and stayed on it until April 2015, I just turned 23 so I was on it for almost 12 years for extreme anxiety. However, my anxiety was the best it had ever been and I decided I would ween myself of them and surprisingly I didn't have any side effects at all as I managed to do it over time (I was at 60mg when I began to go off them). However, months later and I noticed the anxiety returning and it was getting worse rapidly so I am back to square one! The doctor said I may need to build up the doses again, but I am scared incase every time I go up a dose I will get these side effects. I start back to uni February 1st so I have another 4 weeks to go of 20mg and I hope I will have no side effects at all by then but the thought of increasing it is scaring me because I don't know if I can cope. Has anyone had the same side effects when their dosage increased? Or was it easier compared to when you first started fluoxetine?

After trying many ad's with no success (I think the doctors were ramping me to high dosages too quickly) I ended up on effexor for 8 months.

After not really benefiting from that I decided I wanted to come off the medications, so over a 3 month period I reduced my effexor significantly but as withdrawal side effects became near unbearable doc suggested I bridge with Prozac. Long story short I came off both medications and had the best 3 months of my life, I had never felt better or more free.

Unfortunately in just a single week everything came crashing down again, old symptoms returned... Anxiety, lethargic, low mood.

Doc decided to put me back on Prozac the medication chosen to bridge during my effexor withdrawal.

Day 20 now, 10mg for first 2 weeks and 20mg for last 5 days, nausea has passed, blurred vision has passed, I'm just left with an anxiety that feels 10x worse than what is was when I got back on the medication.

In the last few days I have had to take ativan just to get me through, which disappoints me as I try to avoid Benzos.

I know this increased anxiety is a side effect but it really takes its toll riding out the initial weeks. I do have hope though after reading that others found success at the 4-6 week mark.

I'm on day 5 of taking 20mg of Fluoxetine for anxiety and its been a roller coaster. Things im feeling, very tired, headaches, weight loss, loss of appetite, little sick to my stomach, and my anxiety seems to be worse.

After reading a lot of these replies on here im going to tough it out and i know things will get better. Cant wait to see this stuff kick in and i can get back to a normal day with crazy anxiety.

Im glad we have a forum to communicate on and we all dont feel so alone.

I'v been following as was on citalapram for 15 years but did not seem to be working as feel so low so doctor put me on flouoxidine 20mg on dec 1st, I have felt so weird, tired, anxiety but last coup,e of weeks struggling with feeling low again so it's upped to 40mg.

i really hope I pick up soon reading this dose give me hope xx