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Taking Fluoxetine from 20mg to 40mg

Posted , 13 users are following.

HopeNFaith
HopeNFaith

I had been taking fluoxetine for years and decided to come off them. After a month I started to suffer very bad depression and anxiety. Having negative thoughts and wanting to hurt myself. I went to the doctors straight away and went back on Fluoxetine 20mg but after 6 weeks it wasn't working well. So the GP put my meds up to 40mg. It started working well and I started feeling a little better then I was advised to go back to 20mg. After a week I started to feeling awful again so I'm back on 40mg again. Just wondered how long until I start to feel better again? GP also gave me propananol when my anxiety plays up badly.

2 likes, 76 replies

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  • Neratius
    Neratius HopeNFaith

    Posted

    Hi.

    I switched two weeks ago from 20mg to 40mg because of anxiety.

    My anxiety is better. It is worth doing it.

    It is true that increasing the dose is not pleasant. After two weeks I feel.some drowsiness in the day. I sleep well at night though. It is not as tough as starting the drug. You can still feel that something is happening in the brain.

    Hope this helps.

    Take care

    • vanilla27
      vanilla27 Neratius

      Posted

      I just switched from 20mgs to 40mgs for anxiety but mine seems to have gotten worse. Today is day 9 of the new dose. I'm worried the new dose is making me worse. How long should I give it before I go back down to 20mgs? thanks!

    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith Neratius

      Posted

      I am scared but have been taking 40 mg for 4 days now. Work has been really tough and I'm finding it hard to concentrate. I feel like running home and curling up in a ball. I do hope I start to feel better. Thank you

  • jayne27926
    jayne27926 HopeNFaith

    Posted

    Hi Hun I feel for you am on Flouxitine 20 mg been on them for nearly 5 weeks an been that bad the doctor has put me on propananol for my anxiety I just wish it would all just work out hope ur ok thinking of u Hun good luck x
    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith jayne27926

      Posted

      Good luck Jayne. I hope it starts to help you. I just want to get back to doing the normal things. X
  • HopeNFaith
    HopeNFaith

    Posted

    Day 5 on Fluoxetine 40mg. Was not a good morning. Went to GP again in tears as I couldn't even swallow my tablets, was sick. Took me 45 minutes to take them. Felt so low and anxiety with negative thoughts hit me hard.

    I have been signed off from work and I feel bad about that too but I need to get back to being myself. I have noticed though that in the afternoon I start to feel a little better and can actually eat something. I do hope these tablets start taking full affect soon. I don't want my family worrying about me 24/7.

  • HopeNFaith
    HopeNFaith

    Edited

    Day 6 - was a little better for me. Morning was hard and I spent a lot of time in my room. I tried to relax and didn't get as many bad thoughts. Around noon I managed to eat something. Went out in the car with the family and felt a little better for it. During the afternoon anxiety came and went but was manageable. Slept better and woke up 6am which is great for me as I normally wake up 4 times during the night. I pray to god that these tablets are starting to work a little more each day. Hope you all are doing better.

    • jayne27926
      jayne27926 HopeNFaith

      Edited

      Made up your feeling a bit better , love seeing story's like this x

    • deeb35
      deeb35 HopeNFaith

      Edited

      Hi

      You sound like you need some support from a cognitive behaviour therapist. Worked a dream for me. It's not telling all your life story just the practical things that are going wrong. It can seriously relieve anxiety and interrupt the normal thoughts you have about stuff that is driving u nuts. Eg.not swallowing meds. I only go once a month now but you might need more until you understand how to challenge your thinking on your own. Ps ask for liquid fluox. Or practice taking vitamin tablet before your meds. Or take meds while you are at work or with your mates. A chnge in your company can take your mind off.

    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith jayne27926

      Edited

      Thanks Hun. We will get there. This site has helped me a lot. Also it's somewhere to log how I'm doing and keep track. It helps to see it and shows myself I may not always feel good but there are days I do. We need to try and stay positive, which is so hard when we feel so bad. X

    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith deeb35

      Edited

      Hi Deeb35,

      I think that may be a good idea. I had CBT before but only a day course. It may be a good idea to help me long term. Hope you are doing well x

  • HopeNFaith
    HopeNFaith

    Posted

    Day 7 on 40mg - overall was not a bad day. I actually managed to take the dogs for a long walk and did some cleaning. Also ate a little more than I have been. The feelings of being low came and went and the negative thoughts weren't as bad as before. Mornings are still hard but not as before, I

    Hope thins continue to improve. I feel asleep very quickly last night but woke up after 4 hours. Feel back asleep but it was not a comfortable sleep as i felt I was still partly awake. I hope things to continue to get better.

  • HopeNFaith
    HopeNFaith

    Posted

    Day 8 on 40mg - yesterday was another good day. I webt for 3 walks and took the dogs. Also went to visit my Gran and helped my mother in law to tidy up. Appetite was better today. Again I can't eat in the morning but after 12pm I can eat a little. When going for the walks I had to concur my anxiety when it started, told myself the thoughts are not me and not to be afraid. Just keep going. Slowly I find I am getting there. I pray when I'm frightened too which also has helped me. Started taking vitamins at the advice of family. It will take 7 weeks to kick in so hopefully that will help too smile. Hope you guys are all doing well. God bless

    • jennifer0204
      jennifer0204 HopeNFaith

      Posted

      So glad to read that you are making improvements! Hopefully each day will get a little better.
    • HopeNFaith
      HopeNFaith jennifer0204

      Posted

      Thank you Hun. Each day has gotten a little bitter. Hope you're feeling better too x

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