1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Fluoxetine

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

Prev Next
  • teresa40467
    teresa40467 Guest

    Posted

    Hi 

    I had depression problems since my teens but didnt want to go on meds and refused to want to know that I had it, now Im 48 and have been on 40mg of Fluoxetine for 14 years for depression  and go well on it other than being tired. This is after trying 4 other types of meds. The Doctor has tried increasing me to 60mg a day 3 times in the last  years as I have been having really bad anxiety attackes with really bad chest pains but end up going back to 40mg as I get really bad migraine headaches. Have had 7 different lots of councelling over the years.. So at the moment Im not sure what to do next but feel that maybe Ive been on pills for to long.  

  • leannabanana
    leannabanana Guest

    Posted

    You feel tired bc fluoxetine has a sedative effect, wven though you can't get high on it. If it effects you that much, you can switch to taking it before bed, but I believe that taking it at night will effect how much it helps during the day. Also, if it makes you worse, definitely talk to your doctor and stop taking it.

  • Howie_the_Jew
    Howie_the_Jew Guest

    Posted

    Hey everyone. .While not responding to the year old post above directly, I am interested in communicating with anyone out there. Anyone out there?

    • Howie_the_Jew
      Howie_the_Jew

      Posted

      Oops! I posted the above as my first pist on this forum. I didn't know how to do it so I posted a cry in the wilderness as it were. Please forgive...I'm old - be nice.

  • Phoebepip
    Phoebepip Guest

    Posted

    Hi, I have been on these for three weeks and feel definitely worse! Doc says to persevere!
    • Luke7580
      Luke7580 Phoebepip

      Posted

      Hi Phoebe, Feeling worse is normal, particularly around the 3 week mark, I agree 100% with your doctor, and stay at the same doseage, I didn't, went from 20-30, so went thru 2 lots of side effects!.... all the best.

    • Phoebepip
      Phoebepip Luke7580

      Posted

      Thanks Luke appreciate the support. Also got betas for palpitations! Hey ho!!
    • luci11
      luci11 Phoebepip

      Posted

      I was also at my worst at 2-3 weeks. Much worse than ever before without medication. Now at almost 6 weeks I feel calmer. Nowhere near stabilised yet but also nowhere as bad as at 3 weeks. Stay strong and all the best! Luci
    • richard82284
      richard82284 Luke7580

      Posted

      My gosh, so good to hear Luke. I'm at Day 10 second time around on Flu. Worst depression I've ever felt. It's early evening and I've had to crawl into bed as don't know what else to do.

      I was taking it for 3 months (7 months ago) and stopped because I was feeling great. Never had any side effects first time round, just immediately felt amazing. Then 3 months ago began to slip low again.

      Finally got to the point where I've had to restart. The relapse has caused a horrific adjustment. Really don't know what to do, but hoping it will just take time to the old effects to kick in.

    • luci11
      luci11 richard82284

      Posted

      Hi Richard, I know what you are describing. I took fluoxetine before and no side effects, and suddenly this time around really awful side effects, increased anxiety like I never experienced before, shivers and just surviving the first 4 weeks. Then with week 5 it started to lift. Our bodies can react differently to it at different times, I hear. But what I read a lot on these posts here is that when you do get side effects you often get much worse before you get better, so try to stick with it and push through... I did a lot of bed time and generally not doing much for the first 4 weeks, just surviving day by day. All the best! lx
    • richard82284
      richard82284 luci11

      Posted

      Thanks so much Luci.

      Really needed to hear that, and to hold on to the fact that things will turn. Currently exercising damage control so I don't lose my job/business/girlfriend/friends! Really tough, but I'm going to stick it through.

      Thank you again.

    • laura61114
      laura61114 luci11

      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.

    • laura61114
      laura61114 luci11

      Posted

      Hi

      Has anyone noticed their skin getting spotty on these flux?????

  • chelsea45318
    chelsea45318 Guest

    Posted

    I have recently started taking this medication around 3 weeks ago. For post natal depression anxiety and severe ocd. But since about Wednesday i have been having what i now know to be anxiety attacks,ive always had anxiety over things but never an anxiety attack..      I will suddenly feel sick as if my stomach is empty then have heart palpitations its as if my heart is beating way more than it should be then there will be like a wave of hot flush where its like my blood is boiling,this can happen over nothing. I can just be lying in bed or making tea or driving and this attack will come over me and makes me feel like i cant breathe. My GP told me syptoms can get worse before they get better and i guess im wondering if this has been the case for anyone else and if this has subsided after a little while or maybe its a case i need a new form of medication. Thank you 
  • Jakota
    Jakota Guest

    Posted

    I don't have an answer, but reassurance that youre  not alone!   I too, just started 2 weeks ago, 20mg a day for anxiety/panic attacks.  It's Monday, 7 am and I just had to call in sick for work!   Week 1,  overactive thoughts,dry mouth and nervous/anxious. However,I could work through it.  Week 2 Terrible Anxiety/panic, hot flashes,sweating,fidgety,loss of appetite etc.     I'll try to get into the Doc.office today,  At this rate I'll loose my career.     I'll let you know the outcome.

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.