What does it feel like if Fluoxetine is actually working?

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What are the common symptoms/feeling of improvement? Do you just wake up one day feeling normal?

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  • Posted

    i gradualy without really noticing felt better in my moods, i didnt fly off the handle as quick and i wasnt so irritated wither. This came on around the 4-5 week mark, but sadly im coming off it now at 4.5 months as i just cant deal with the exhaustion and tiredness and not being able to get out of bed after 11 hrs sleep a night. 
  • Posted

    I'm on day 34 (I was on 20 mg the first two weeks and moved up to 49 mg after that). I'm taking it for severe anxiety/panic. I have had no appetite this whole time, but last night and today my appetite has returned. Anxiety is still there, but do you guys think the return of my appetite means it may be starting to work soon?

    • Posted

      I've been on prozac 40 mg 1 week, 20 mg 2 weeks, total 3 weeks.  So far, I see no improvement, maybe even more anxiety.  The worst is when I wake up in the morning.  I've noticed everyone says that, is that side effect caused by the prozac?  I'm anxious from the time I wake up until almost bedtime, then I'm anxious because I know it's going to happen again tomorrow.  I can't wait for this stuff to help!  I'm also wondering if may hormones would help.  I'm 53 and my tests show I have almost no estrogen.  I've called my Dr. for help getting through the day but no return call yet.  I've been given Klonipin and Atarax, neither helps without putting you to sleep.  I need encouragement!!

    • Posted

      Hi Lexi13,

      I'm taking HRT and found this helps me, I'm in my fifth week on Fluxoline, still struggling with negative thoughts, lack of motivation, but much better than I was, try an hormone replacement I do believe this has helped me. ??

  • Posted

    I have been on Flouxetine 20 mg. For 3 1/2 weeks now. And I have noticed that I'm not so sleepy anymore and I am starting to get my thoughts together. But I have also been going threw alot of stress.with family problems and my sister trying to kill herself and I am wondering if the doctor can give me something that would help me. My nervous gets so bad I shake. And I know that the flouxetine is helping don't get me wrong there. But any suggestions for something that will help??

  • Posted

    I have been on it about a month at first i got really sick and stomach cramping and diareeah it was horrible, my dr. said don't give up keep up on it. I cried so many times to him I'm 47 and I just don't like pain but now crowds dont bother me as much, or noise, I feel more  calm sometimes at night it acts up but thankful for my hubby, and kids. I noticed it starting to help around the 2nd week I hope you feel better soon. hang in there don't give up on it or you'll just have to start all over again on a new one with maybe worst side effects.

  • Posted

    I know this thread is old but I'm on Prozac and hoping anyone can give me any reassurance. I'm almost 7 weeks in and I've had some okay days but don't seem to be improving too much, I have severe anxiety. Was anyone's anxiety helped after 7 weeks?

    Thanks good luck to all xx

    • Posted

      Hey there 

      I have been on fluox for nearly 8 months now and have been on 20mg up to 30 up to 40 and settling back down on 30mg for the last month. It's really hard to say when I started feeling better because it is such a gradual slow process. But I can say that 8 months in and I can finally wake up in the morning and know that I'm going to have a good day. It's probably not what you want to hear but it really does take AGES and the changes are SO gradual that you probably won't even notice them until you look back and realise.. oh yeah I do feel better than I did that day etc. 

      I'm on it for pretty awful anxiety and secondary depression. The anxiety was the last thing to go for me. I still have my moments of course but it's nothing out of the ordinary now. 

      I'm actually feeling so 'normal' that I'm thinking of very very slowly weening off of it.. but that's another story! Lol

      What dose are you on? I found when I first went on it 20mg didn't do much for me. I had to go up to 40 before I really started to feel better. But then I found I was having trouble sleeping so I went back down to 30 about a month ago and everything's fine.

      Hang in there.. you won't feel like this forever xx 

    • Posted

      hi, thanks so much for your reply!

      I'm on 10mg since i am really sensitive to meds and am pretty small (even 5 mg was a lot at first). I know its a low dose and i will probably up it to 20mg but just want an indication that they are working and for the dose to settle more. 

      Just wondering did you have any social anxiety as well? I have that as well as general, and i am really suffering sad im just hoping the 10mg settles soon.. thanks, trying to hang in there and good luck if you plan to taper! xx

    • Posted

      Hi  I also am just past 6 weeks on 20 mg and I take for anxiety and panic. I have had bad side effects, palpitations,chest pain,headaches and  more anxiety (mornings) just hoping for some improvement soon. Hope you feeling better.
    • Posted

      How long did it take the fluoxetine to start working? Did you notice any subtle changes or was it a sudden thing? I've been on 20mg for two weeks, and I don't know if it's helpng

  • Posted

    I'd love to know the answer to this! I hit 11 weeks tomorrow, and although my mood and motivation is much better, my anxiety around people still feels worse than before I started taking this med!! where does it end?! i hope we both get well soon!! Xx

    • Posted

      Hi steph, 

      since im in a very similar situation, at 10 weeks motivation and mood up but anxiety high around other people. i was wondering how you are feeling now since this post. 

      thank you, i hope your anxiety has decreased xx

  • Posted

    Dear M.

    I am sensitive to meds in general so for me it started working the next day. Following days continued to increase in amount of time it was working.

    My morning panic was still as intense, however later during the day there was a short period of calm seas, minimal anxiety. The second day, and preceding I also noticed periods of focus, quite short however. 

    With patience over several weeks it becomes effective for the majority of the work day.

    From, oceansailor, northern Canada.

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