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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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  • Henrys_mum
    Henrys_mum Guest

    Posted

    Hi my son has just started fluxotine once s day on Friday to day he was in tears shaking sweating panicking has anybody else experienced this? He feels really spaced out and I think he was having a panic attack as a result of feeling so rotten with the fluoxetine. Any advise?
    • Troubled_Mind
      Troubled_Mind Henrys_mum

      Posted

      I am a week in to my course and am now experiencing much the same. Sweating and shaking. Deffinatly upped my blood pressure as I can feel in on the top of my head. On the plus side I have stopped crying, which was a big issue, and am able to talk about things where before I would break down. I am hanging in there with the medication and hope the negative symptoms subside. I am also getting councilling which is putting things into perspective and explaining whats going on. Good luck
  • kim59492
    kim59492 Guest

    Posted

    I'm on day 8 today. I'm feeling a little happier already. The only thing is an on and off headache and waking up really abruptly and feeling anxious. Once I'm up I'm not too bad.

    • blondedonnakeba
      blondedonnakeba kim59492

      Posted

      hi im on fluoxitine to been on for a month i also wake up sudenly with anxiery its weird isnt ity
    • MelanieGordon
      MelanieGordon blondedonnakeba

      Posted

      This happened to me for about two months and then it slowly subsided. I don't wake up this way anymore so hang in there!

    • Henrys_mum
      Henrys_mum kim59492

      Posted

      Thank you for taking the time to comment glad your feeling better. My son has stopped taking them as felt so bad after 3days and is heading back to the GP as he's now worried he feels that bad again taking them. You take care and glad your feeling better 😊

    • Henrys_mum
      Henrys_mum MelanieGordon

      Posted

      Thanks for the advise but he's decided to stop them as was so anxious and had a panic attack. He's lost faith in them and really worried about the symptoms returning. I'm really pleased they have helped you and hope your doing well 😊

  • bob73254
    bob73254 Guest

    Posted

    I was recently put on fluoxetine 20 mg once a day ..3days ago. I have been sluggish over the past two months with little or no motivation. I was told by my doctor that this isn't a miracle pill and won't work right away usually takes a few weeks to kick in . However for some it does work immediately and I guess I feel blessed that I'm getting positive results right out of the gate. The worry of the unknown is the worse feeling and just wanted to share some positive results here as I see most are posting about the unknown and waiting for results. I feel that I have a more strengthened mind to get up and go , feeling more motivated and have gone from wanting to just lay down and sleep to getting up and doing positive things like walking,working around the house and getting back to work. I realize it's only the 3rd day but so far so good. I have zero side effects and I'm also trying to remind myself not to let things get into my head ( like thinking once I might feel a certain way) that it's a side effect...I treat it as if I never went through this and it's not real..the mind is very powerful DONT let it trick you into thinking something that doesn't exist.. I am hopeful this positive lifestyle stays consistent and will keep updating..Stay Strong Everyone

    • Shell66
      Shell66 bob73254

      Posted

      Hi Bob, it is good to hear the positive side and it is working for you.

      I have been off work for a while now, suffering wuth severe anxiety, OCD and depression (I have only just admitted the depression to myself last week).

      Sat reading the package leaflet for Fluoxetine with not much hope.

      Reading your thread has made me feel positive. Was on Certraline for 3 months but the extreme tiredness and continual low mood, made me feel much worse so came off gradually.

      Had first CBT session last week and saw a pyschotherapist who recommended I go on Fluoxetine to help. Reading through the thread I am going to take at nightime, 20mg so lets see how I go.

      Good luck.

  • nspired
    nspired Guest

    Posted

    Hey everyone, I'm new here. Figured I'd chime on this discussion. I started Fluoxetine 40mg/day last week after switching from Trintellix (Trintellix was costing $100/month). The problem is today I had another "out of body" experience, extreme exhaustion, paranoia, no appetite, unhealthy thoughts, and extreme anxiety. I don't think I can stick with this. I may have to just bite the bullet and continue paying for Trintellix. I didn't have any of this with that. Although it worked some days better then others, being on Fluoxetine has been a nightmare. 

    Have any of you experienced this severe of side effects? In the past week and a half they have actually become more extreme. I know it takes weeks to feel a difference, but I can't function this way. I pretty much locked myself in my room all day trying to wait it out (still struggling). Tomorrow I will have to go to work, and I'm not sure I can function feeling this way. What have your experiences been?

    • april04956
      april04956 nspired

      Posted

      I too was in my room for nearly 3 weeks thought I was being tortured I'm now 2 mo the in feel million times better but you get effects then you will get them severe but I feel I was going to give up but decided to stick it out so please struggle through i got lora3then off that onto propanol then pericyazine for anxiety as I was losing it non stop,,,,,you will get there i promise you x

  • valoree42598
    valoree42598 Guest

    Posted

    I started taking these 2 days ago . I also feel extremely tired and my head feels confused should i be worried.
  • Dree24
    Dree24 Guest

    Posted

    Hi there, I'm now on day 8 of 20mg flu daily. 1st 2 days were ok then bam got smacked with the worst anxiety and sleeping problems I have ever felt. I've started keeping a diary. Today on I woke up with flu like symptoms and haven't really been able to do much. Just feeling like I'm constantly on edge. I so want to stick this out but these effects are way worse than I felt prior to the medication! Reading people's posts is encouraging I just hope it works for me. Really need someone to talk to who is going/gone through this. I have amazing support but just need someone to relate to. Xx

    • fran25vance
      fran25vance Dree24

      Posted

      Hi there my name is fran, im not a doctor but am a cma, it is common for these side effects for up to 4 weeks as the prescription is entering your system. Keep a diary it is helpful because after 4 weeks your body may just be saying hey i cant handle this and u can seek another type of prescription. I know its hard getting a new med to cooperate but give it 4 weeks from the start date and if u r still experiencing problems they usually only worsen. I hope u find this helpful. I was on this for depression but had to switch to lexapro for the same reasons.hope this helps you a little bit.
    • laura61114
      laura61114 fran25vance

      Posted

      Hi , After 20 years of suspecting I'm depressed although I've masked it with alcohol , I'm now 43 and have had to bite the bullet to get blood tested and diagnosed. As my blood tests, thyroid and hormones and completely normal, I've been put on 20mg fluoxetine as doctor suspects I'm bipolar. One day in bed for 12 hours next day non stop jabbering to people I've not seen for ages who look at me like I'm on drugs which I wasn't.

      I'm on day 11, and have stubbornly refused to stop drinking alcohol until 2 days ago , where I read alcohol and caffeine (I love redbull) makes u so much worse.

      Anyway I'm struggling to get out of bed, I've heart palpitations, my legs and arms are heavy and have like a horrible unpleasant tingle and my chest aches. I've also got headaches and finger tremors. Did you go through this in the early weeks??? Can someone tell me I'll feel better soon?????? Uuurgh.

    • lisa48485
      lisa48485 laura61114

      Posted

      Hi Laura I'm on day 10 today I've had a headache for 2 days and seriously can't be bothered today but I'm not getting stressed or feeling anxious because I'm not motivated as I usually would feeling more normal today just a bit drained x

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