Hi all, I have just started flu, 2 weeks ago, for depression. My anxiety levels are higher now than they have ever been.....however, having read a lot of the posts on here, and being re-assured by my GP, I am determined to get past this, as I now know that it is a side effect. Hopefully short term??
My depression seems to have improved, I am not sat crying all the time.
Cross finger.
Hi Titchy
Sounds like we are both in exactly the same place - except I've yet to see my GP at two weeks. I'm about twelve days in and experiencing Flu effects just like you. I'm really trying to get out to a DA meeting tonight but - well, I'm trying.
Good luck and stay in there - I've made the decision and intend to stick to it, hope you can, too.
Hi Ttchy and Carl,
I'm on the same boat! Started taking fluoxetine 20 mg 13 days ago for depression (and also anxiety). The side effects are horrible! Never experienced such high level of anxiety for so long!
I will stay with the treatment until I get better!
Danilo
Yes! it's the anxiety that is creasing me! Trying to control the adrenaline surges with breathing and staying in the here and now but that only works a bit. The knot in my stomach is all but permanent! I shall be very pleased to get past this stage!!
Good luck to all three of us - and others just starting out.
Hi all
I'm on a different medication, but still an SSRI like you, which I've been taking for many years. Increased anxiety and many other dreadful side effects are very common initially (think everyone has them), but these will go. Takes a few weeks, but it's worth hanging on until you're through it all.
This medication has worked well for me and I've been well for ages! 
Good luck x
Hi Titchy
your absolutely right it is the side effects i felt worse on fluoxetine than i dod without them for the first couple of months it does get better honestly! i remember going back to my GP after 8 weeks feeling so bad but he said it was early days, they do take a long time to get in your system and balance out all they need to. now 7 months down the line i have been to new york, been away with my friends, i look forward to going to work in a job that i love, i have a wonderful relationship with my kids and best of all i get to see my beautiful granddaughter grow up, life is good, and that is something i could not have imagined saying 7 months ago, i hope this gives you some hope, take care, keep in touch and good luck love sharon xx
Keep it up! Keep it up! Please keep telling us it gets better and the anxiety goes away! I need to hear that constantly!!!!
My anxiety is still high. I had to leave the work earlier today, and I will probably work from home during the rest of this week.
Haha .... yes it really does go away :-)
Sometimes though people have to try a couple of different SSRI's as some people react better with one than another. But, don't worry as most people find they get better with any type of SSRI.
Just keep on taking the meds, getting through each day, and very, very slowly you'll notice the side effects will ease and you'll begin to feel lighter, warmer inside, and happier. You might get the odd dip, but they'll get less and less. These great feelings get better and better too.
It's wonderful being well again, and know it'll work for you all soon too!
xx
Hi all. Thank you so much for replying to my thread. It is good to know that I am not the only one that is feeling like this. carl58303 WE CAN DO THIS!!!
I know that it wil get better and that I have a life waiting for me to grab with both hands when I am ready to grab it. So yes I will stick with it. This time I am determined that a life that I have been living is not the right way, so I am moving forward...............one day at a time. Good luck to us all. Xx
Hi Titchy and Cate and Danio
How are we all today? It's only 9.30am but today I feel almost OK p not as good as I want and expect - but WAY better than I havr been for weeks!!
Pain killers for my leg pain has helped hugely - I've even been able to ID the muscle which is cramping and I know the stretch for it for hopefully I'll see an improvement in my mobility.
My really bad news is that my male cat has been diagnosed with a tumour in his head. If I can, if he's well enough, I'll have him home for the weekend to say goodbye. I have no idea how to tell the Vet to do what must be done but I will not let him suffer.
Ooh glad to hear you're feeling ok'ish - think that's the start of the feel good factor appearing! It should get better and better now :-)
So sorry to hear of your cat ..... that's very sad. As a cat owner myself (I have 2) I know how upsetting it is to lose a loved friend. One of my previous cats grew old and very ill, and when the time was right I asked the vet to come to my house as didn't want to stress my cat out on her final journey (she hated the vets surgery). Terribly upsetting. Take comfort knowing your lovely cat has had a good life with you and he'll be free from pain. Bless him x
Hi Carl,
Sorry to hear of your cat. I also love animals, but it is better for him to leave this life without much suffering...
I'm feeling better today than yesterday. I could sleep properly this time, without waking up often because of bouts of anxiety.
I have a boss that is very understanding. He knows about this and he lets me work from home until I get better.
I also found that not only my mother but also my father had/have problems with depression. So I guess I inherited a genotype that is prone to depression.
One day a time...
Best,
Danilo
Hi titchy
Have been on flu for 9 weeks now and am just starting to improve anxiety still bad in mornings but much improved am hanging in because sharon has given me such hope still struggling it will improve in time just got gritty eyes but as i have health anxiety i think it will take me longer hang in there.
Hi Sharon
Did you get blurry eyes and feel you needed glasses i am in week 9 and as i have health anxiety keep worrying but i know i am gradually getting better just have to stop worrying.
Thanks for your understandig, catecogs. Turns out I have "longer" with my cat than I had thought - a slow cancer so let him enjoy some extra time. He's eating for England right now - which is great because he had lost so much weight.
With pain killers working for my legs, life does feel better1 Two days now! I don't feel normal and good but way better than I have been.
Saw my GP this afternoon for the two weeks of Flu check-up. She asked if I wanted to continue and I said 'yes'. Next visit in six weeks time - eight on Flu. Jeez but I hope this stuff works for me!! and for you, too!
Hi danilo
I'm not at all sure about a depression genotype! I'm much more a nurture rather than nature person, admittedly because I know so little medically!! I'm fairly well convinced that depression is a learned thing because it's always an emotional trigger that brings on depression for me. I'm walking along, doing fine and then wham!!! big emotion I can't handle and my place of safety, well known for so long, is depression..
Not many people know that about me and now I've said it on line.
Sleep! Glorious sleep! Oh! gimme some! How are we supposed to get well when anxiety deproives us of sleep???
One night at a time .........
Be well
How's it going, Titchy? You still hanging in there?
We're looking out for you to post!
Be well
Aw glad to hear you have more time with kitty - enjoy every moment with him and spoil him rotten with yummy food :-D
The meds will work for you ...... :-)
Thanks, Kate - would you believe he ate 200g last evening! and just now a goodly breakfast. Each day is precious.
How are you feeling today? I hope you have blue sies as well as here.