terrified to take fluoxetine at important time in school

Posted , 4 users are following.

i've been depressed for a few years now, but have just been prescribed antidepressants after a long battle with parents who don't believe in conventional medicine. i'm to pick my prescription up tomorrow, but despite the fact that i've fought so hard for this, i'm terrified. my main issue is that next month i'll be sitting exams that are crucial for the rest of my life, the doctors think it shouldn't be an issue but seeing all these horror stories has me terrified. frankly, i'm so depressed i can barely study in the first place, i feel starting the medicine could hardly make things any worse. does anyone have any experience with symptoms that could make it impossible to sit my exams? thank you <3

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Della, everyone is different, some people struggle with fluoxetine others find they work it’s minimal side effects. Unfortunately until you try them it is not possible to know how you will be. I wish you all the very best with your studies and your exams
  • Posted

    How old are you if you don't mind me asking? Only asking because when a younger person starts a antidepressants it can cause different side effects after my personal experience I would wait till after exams some side effects are really unpleasant but most people don't get as many as I did I'm on week 6 and my side effects have only just started to lift over the last week it can take up to 8 weeks for them to kick in properly for depression and anxiety hope this help it's your choice though lovely x

    • Posted

      i'm 17, and i'll be taking 10mg to begin with. i have about a month till my exams, i'll be taking it mainly for depression but also some symptoms of anxiety. the doctors told me i'd have very little side effects, only sort of gastro-intestinal things, but then i looked online and found out there's a lot more to it. i keep thinking i should wait but i just can't keep going anymore : ( 

    • Posted

      If you feel you need them take them the doc starting you off on a very small dose so you should be ok my son is 17 and suffering with anxiety and depression but he won't take any help I would back him all the way as I have suffered most my life so I understand you have made a massive achievement asking for help it's not easy xx

  • Posted

    My advice is to avoid starting these drugs. You are young and you need to find other ways to help you- exercise, friends, diet, sleep, interests, hobbies, etc.

    These drugs have horrible side effects. Listen to your parents!🙏

    • Posted

      my parents dont believe in any form of medicine, they were hesitant to take my brother to A&E when he broke his arm. I've been depressed for about five years now, and have tried everything, st john's wort, other herbs and vitamins, exercise, meditation, acupuncture, CBT, a vegan diet. anything you can think of, i've tried it. i dont know where else to turn sad

  • Posted

    Because you are young, I am concerned about you starting ADs which have side effects and horrendous withdrawal symptoms. I understand your predicament but I would still recommend exercise as it increases seratonin and other feel good factors. ADs change brain chemistry and there is now a lot of concern about their long term use. Many people simply cannot get off them once they are on them. Doctors do not know much about withdrawal and say that people are relapsing. I am currently suffering badly from withdrawal. I used to run 30 minutes each day and feel great. Now I am walking and counting the days when the meds are out of my system. So try to increase activity and look after yourself. Keep posting..🙏

  • Posted

    Personally I struggled with fluoxetine and after 3 weeks my doctors took me off. If you can manage without then Personally I would, I feel much better without than with but we are all different. I hope you find your happy place

     

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