Can I lower my dose

Treatment and medication
1

I've been on fluoxetine for about 10 weeks, went up to 40mg about 6 weeks ago, I've really tried to be patient with the side effects but his last week my anxiety is just as bad as before I started these and my depression has increased. I don't have a doc appointment for 2 more weeks but want to get off of these, if I go from 40mg to 20mg until my doctors appointment will it have a lot of side effects?

2

Recovery comes in waves so your anxiety will be up and down for a while yet. This is quite normal. It is tough on these meds but persevering does pay off.

However if you want to withdraw try and stick it out until you see your doctor. Reducing takes weeks / months so you can avoid withdrawal.

K x

3

I have just passed my 6 month mark on 40mg and only in the last month have I felt totally stable. Stick with it.. life happens.. 6 weeks is still way early after an increase.

4

Thank you for your reply, I am trying to be patient but I thought the worse of it would be over by now, I just want my life back. I'll try to wait until I see my doctor

5

Thanks, I'll try and stick it out.

6

Thanks Lookingonwards. I'm just know getting to my 5 month mark. Been up for a two week span then down for 9 to 10 days. Then up for a month then down a few days. Was it like th S for you as well? I remember that you said you were on citalopram as well before fluox. As was I. Should I give it a bit more before adjusting?

7

I've been talking with Katecogs as well. It's been long too long it feels just wanna feel well again. It feels like when I do have a good span I'm wondering ok when's the blip?

8

Thanks Danny for replying.

I have been reading this for am for a month now, I never said anything, all of the stories I read got me through when I upped to 40mg and the side effects I figured ok it's normal but at 10 weeks, 6 weeks on 40mg I thought there would be more good days than bad, the last couple of weeks have been rough. I'll try to stick with it longer but it's affecting my life just as much if not more than without meds. I'll be strong for awhile longer.

9

Hi Sam

I would stick with it a bit longer love as it will kick in soon enough. Tell your doctors you need an emergency appointment because your struggling with your medication.

Good luck x

10

Thank you Lisa for your reply, I'll try for an earlier appointment.

11

Yep... exactly like that for me!! Up where I think ohhh this is actually going to work...then down... but now the off days are very rare! I am also mindful when I do have an off day if it is situational that is causing it. My Doctor got me thinking about that... he said it is very easy to just blame things on the tablets but you need to look at what is also going on in your life at that time.

12

In essence when you do an increase it is like starting over again... so in my eyes I would say you have only been on them for 6 weeks!

13

Thank you lookingonwards, I'm going to be patient, was just getting frustrated, the comments helped.

14

Not really - took me 6 months to recover.  Some people recover sooner and some even later.  You can't hurry recovery - it'll happen for you in its own time.  It really is worth persevering as many do give up before the meds kick in.

But we are all different of course..

K x

15

Thanks, I will keep trying

16

Hi Kate 

I'm only just starting my 6th week - going ok up and down. Do you have any advice on how to reduce to minimise withdrawl side effects when you make the decision to stop? My plan is to only be on these for 4-6 months all going well. I take 20mg per day. 

Thanks in advance.

Cheers Craig  

17

Hi Craig

I've read that its best to stay on meds a good year before thinking of coming off, which minimises the return of the symptoms.  When I came off meds I spent a year doing it and reduced by 5mg each time going from 20 / 15 / 10 / 5 / 2.5 / 1.25 / 0 and I didn't get any withdrawal at all.  I came off once before and that time reduced by 10mg each time over much less time and had withdrawal.  So doing it the least possible over the longest time I found was the best.

K x

18

Thanks K 

That's really interesting and encouraging. Docs push to do it fast. 

I have had a hell of a time going on to them and will prob stay on for 6 months (this is what the doc recomended). I was put on them as I lost control of my sleep and developed massive anxiety towards sleep and the sleeping medication I was taking - this was on the back of a business trip overseas. What I didn't realise before this is that am prone to anxiety and I loaded a heap of stress on top! Even at the start of 6 weeks, I think I know know my self so much better. 

Anyway need to keep focused on my recovery, but typical of me I jump to the end goal =). 

Thanks for the advice. It's really appreciated. 

19

Thanks Lookingonwards. I'm just know getting to my 5 month mark. Been up for a two week span then down for 9 to 10 days. Then up for a month then down a few days. Was it like th S for you as well? I remember that you said you were on citalopram as well before fluox. As was I. Should I give it a bit more before adjusting?

20

Thanks. I'll keep focusing onwards. Just so ready for an upward trend.