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why am I slipping backwards after 5 weeks? - fluoxetine

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liz19864
liz19864

hi all! so ive been on 20mg fluoxetine for 5 weeks to the day now for mostly anxiety and depression. the first couple of weeks were hell on earth, the mornings especially were terrible - thoughts racing, heart pounding i felt worse before i got better! so the last three weeks ive felt happier and calmer, its like if bad thoughts came i was able to not care whereas usually my thoughts spiral. Fast forward to the last two days ive felt myself slipping backwards, ive woken up with pounding chest and racing thoughts again and even though the anxiety lifts throughout the day i still feel on edge. the only thing ive done different is had maybe a few too many xmas drinks in the evening so wondering if this has had negative effect on my medication? or maybe im still in early days and meds are still balancing out? would be grateful for any advice thanks

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • alison31706
    alison31706 liz19864

    Posted

    Hi

    I can only offer advice from whats happened to me.

    Having been on fluoxetine for years I have learnt to understand it.

    Fluoxetine has been and is a life saver. It takes weeks to balance out, with good times gradually showing bit by bit. Taking it does not mean you are never going to have moments of anxiety again. When I am faced by added stress (like Christmas, work, poorly kids) it flares up due to my seretonin levels unbalancing. At first I would panic. I take Propananol now to help with the symptoms of anxiety and up my dose of fluoxetine for 2 weeks until my levels balance out again. I only take the propananol for roughly two weeks also. Once my body starts to respond to the 40mg Fluoxetine i stop taking the added medication. Alcohol is a serpressant which will interfere with the fluoxetine working. If you are unsure pop along to your doctor.

    • liz19864
      liz19864 alison31706

      Posted

      thanks for your reply alison - i think it was just such a shock after a few weeks of balance and calm to wake up to such an anxious state again. i have also been prescribed propananol but am reluctant to take them yet as taking new medicines makes me more anxious too (ridiculous i know!).but will maybe have to bite bullet as they help with the physical symptoms i hear. think i am just having a 'blip' due to xmas stress/alcohol/ also remembered i missed a dose last week and the other day! 😦 i dont drink much, never have been a big drinker but do on ocasion. will have to watch my intake as its not worth the anxiety at all. Hopefully my mood will pick up in next few days....

    • liz19864
      liz19864 stephanie49853

      Posted

      thanks for the reply Stephanie - I just brushed it off when i missed the dose because I've heard the half life of fluoxetine is 1-3 days so stupidly thought my mood would still be balanced if i only missed the odd pill but it must have knocked me off kilter.

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