Success story with Fluoxetine
Posted , 9 users are following.
Hi everyone,
I used to post here fairly regularly and visit daily when i was at my really bad phase. I always looked forward to the day that I'd be able to come back and share a positive experience. And that day has come! 
I came down with glandular fever (mononucleosis) in October 2015 and ended up with chronic fatigue and a plethora of mental health issues due to the drastic change of life circumstances and worry about health. In July 2016 i had what i can only describe as a nervous breakdown. Although i had been experiencing severe anxiety and depression on and off for months before then, it hit in full force in July. The depression and SEVERE anxiety was unbearable. In August 2016 i was diagnosed with OCD amongst other things and started on fluoxetine at only 5mg with the intention of gradually building up to 20mg because i was so SO sensitive and in a really bad way. Things got a lot worse before they got better, and I'd say it took about 3 weeks on a steady dose of 5mg that i felt comfortable going up in dosage again. However i didn't feel anywhere near better on 5mg. I knew i had to continue on.
It took from mid August to mid December for me to comfortably get up to 20mg. Every time i would increase dosage even by 5mg it would throw me off for at least 3 weeks with worsened depression and a return of panic attacks. Once the 20mg settled into my system, i have not had a panic attack since.. which is a huge feat because i was having multiple severe panic attacks a day before meds. In January i went back to work after 7 months off. For the first month i had to get my partner to come with me to my shifts (im a part owner of a retail business and have flexible work). I started going by myself in February. It was a huge challenge but every day i felt a tiny bit stronger. I really feel like this slow and gentle exposure back into regular life helped me so much. It would have been traumatic for me to jump straight back in, taking into account i was basically house bound for a very long time.
Overall i am feeling SO MUCH BETTER. I wish i could go in to thorough detail here but i feel like i would forget important bits. Please if you have any questions, just ask. I never thought the nightmare would end. It was such an awful awful experience. I don't feel 100% yet but very close to it. I think the only thing affecting me now is the residual chronic fatigue symptoms. Its important to note i didn't drink at all during this period.. only recently ive been having the very occasional alcoholic drink and i only have 1.
Im able to cope with stress so much better now. I haven't had a bad depressive episode in at least 3-4 months. If something quite stressful happens, i still get anxious but it never eventuates into a panic attack even though i expect it to, it never happens. I don't get that "crazy" feeling anymore, like im about to lose my mind. I feel stable and much more capable.
2 likes, 14 replies
Aquin
Posted
danny06999 Aquin
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That's great your feeling well. I'm almost 4 months at 40 mg. Sure hoping things turn around.
barbara_k88137 Aquin
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Hoping this will soon settle down and will be able to share the same positive results.
I also have a rare healh issue. Thankful you are so much better! My day will come! Thanks!
katecogs Aquin
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Hi Aquin
I remember you and am so pleased to see you back here with your success!!! That's absolutely brillint and am so pleased for you - I knew the meds would work in time for you ........ it was just getting on the right path, getting through it all and waiting it out for the meds to kick in ?? It certainly is a journey isn't it, and one you learn from. I certainly did when I went through it.
I still say now 'I'm strangely grateful now for having ever experiened this illness, as its made me a stronger person'.
Enjoy every moment of life xxxxx
K
Aquin katecogs
Posted
Hi Katecogs, you helped me soooooo much. Honestly you're doing such a beautiful thing here by frequenting these forums and giving everyone hope. You're amazing and we appreciate you!! ?
katecogs Aquin
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Luke7580 Aquin
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Great post Aquin ...... thank you 👍🏻
andrea49412 Aquin
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What good news ! Good to read . It's a long journey x it's been 3 months on 40 mg fluxotine - I'm a lot better but still not 100% . Went on holiday this weekend which was great for me as about 4-5 months I was finding it hard to get out the house without having a panic attack or intrusive thoughts . Well done and thanks for posting .
karen60759 andrea49412
Posted
Hi Andrea,
i'm so pleased to hear you're feeling better gives me some hope - I'm a month now on 40mgs and have been very up and down - seem to think I'm turning a corner after a few good days, then have another bad week - was it like this for you?
carol62649 Aquin
Posted
Hello Aquin,
thanks so very much for your post telling us about your journey!
you have given me more hope that I too will soon be saying the same things as you, and advising others to keep plodding on with prozac.
i came down with an illness way back in 1994 diagnosed eventually with CFS, i also went through depression back then, my road has been a long one with many ups and downs, i coped after a fashion, paced myself, didnt take on much social life. I couldnt work, No employer would hire me in that condition lol.
years passed i did improve tried many different vitamins, tonics, herbals etc
i knew eventually menopause would arrive so i would struggle with health, but this has been an awful 12 months after having gallbladder op.
its all triggered depression anxiety, rrom menopause? A combination i will never know??
i asked to try prozac, after trying a couple of others, in hindsight i didnt give cipramil long enough to work. drs dont really know enough about these meds. They say you will feel better in two to four weeks, what a lot of bull dust!
it has been a slow slow journey but my anxiety improved when i upped my dose to 40 mg, im still having odd feelings and nausea, mornings are not nice.
Your words have really given me a boost, a long with Categogs, Woo and other members i dont feel so alone anymore.
Blessings to you,
🌸🌷💐
barbara_k88137 carol62649
Posted
Hello! As an older woman, in my 70's, thought I would add something about hormone replacement therapy since you mentioned menopause! My problems have manifest because of this!
Doctor said female hormones calm your anxiety. Would not admit they can CREATE MORE anxiety!
Be true to yourself, listen to the doctor, but, have the courage to keep searching for solutions! You are the steward of your own health and some things just do not work for eveyone!
Please continue to improve! Mornings are difficult, social contact limited for me! Will keep praying and trusting God for direction!
Have a better day!
carol62649 barbara_k88137
Posted
thank you for your post, its such a shame Drs are not very informed about hormones. Hormones play a very important role in our bodies, when they are depleted and off balance this causes a huge chain reaction.
I wonder if as our society is living longer, future studies into menopause etc will increase. In years gone by women didnt talk about the problems so openly, therefore they were dismissed as nervous types, hypochondriacs, or placed in insane asylums.
You are right Barbara we women have to look out for ourselves, search for those solutions, we are all unique, what works for some may not for others. Trial and error, being kind to ourselves also, understanding why our bodies are doing such strange things to us. Learning coping techniques, less stress etc.
its a hard road but we have to travel it the best way we can! With time we will all be over this bumpy ride.
regards, Caroline
barbara_k88137 carol62649
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Aquin
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Thanks for your responses everyone ? i hope recovery comes for you all soon. I understand how isolating and scary things can be in this high anxiety and depression state. Remember you're not alone, and things WILL get better.