I took flu for a week last week and had to stop as i feel totally off the planet stopped two days ago but still feel totally off the planet not sure if its the flu or im losing my mind (feels like im losing my mind) dont know what to do? feels like im in my own bubble and everything is in slow motion is this normal? I mention it to people close to me but i dont think they take me seriously i even been having suicidal thoughts, its like there is a voice in my head that just wont be quiet. It just talks away all day about everything i feel like screaming. I sound like a right nutter! im not im just scared dont know what do do for the best.
Hi,
If you have suicidal thoughts and hear voices then you should go see your GP as soon as you can.
During my first week on flu I felt like I was disconnected from the world. I also had some weird impulsive thoughts, although I wasn't hearing voices. Other weird things like everything was in slow motion - for example I found that I could not read properly or think clearly. I was also more anxious than I was prior to flu. At one point I found it a stuggle even to say my own name aloud to myself.
In my case these side-effects passed after two to three weeks. After the third week many of the side-effects went away and I felt much much better.
As I said I would go see your GP, he / she may be able to prescribe a sedative to help you get over the first couple of weeks on flu. Other people on this forum have said that this helped them over the first couple of weeks.
I found the first week or two really quite scary, but I stuck with flu and now feel much better (now my 4th week). But please please see your GP as there is really no need to suffer - and going cold turkey (stopping) them without talking to your GP first may not make things better.
You're not going mad, it's probably just the initial side-effects. See your GP!
GARCH ;-)
Hi, I have just started my 4th. week of fluoxetine and during the 1st. three weeks felt dreadful, disconnected, suicidal anxious and sleepy at the same time. I did go to my GP and got some help to get me through the side effects and now at the beginning of the 4th. week I am starting to feel much better.
Don't just stop the medication, if you are ill you'll just have to start again or on something else and believe me all antidepressants make you feel like hell (or at least some people) for the first few weeks. I have found with fluoxeting that at least the side effects go fairly quickly. The reason that your still feeling bad, even though you say you've stopped them is because they have a very long half-life, which means they stay in your system for 3-4 days before the level even begins to drop.
I hope this gives you some help, I am sure there are many people who visit this site are feeling or have felt very similar to you - its not abnormal, just horrible, but it does get better.
Go see your Gp ASAP and the very best of luck.
Hi again, I just thought I'd add a bit to the reply I sent you earlier, in case you can draw some hope from it. Three weeks ago, even as little as a week ago, curling up on the sofa and watching TV all day was almost too much effort and I was really wondering whether any of it was worth while.
To-day I went horseriding in the morning, cut the grass this afternoon, and am just planning to take dogs for a walk. Yes I still feel fairly knackered but its getting better by the day.
As you start to feel that you just may be able to join the human race again, make sure you pat yourself of the back for the things you have managed to do, and don't beat yourself up about the things you haven't.
When you feel as though you can do a bit again, try and start off doing things you might enjoy, don't just try and catch up on all the dreary stuff - it will still be there (unfortunately) when you're feeling really better.
Again all the very best.