I started 20 mg of fluoxetine 7 days ago and I feel horrible. One moment I'm okay, the next I'm anxious about my health. I don't have much energy on these things and whilst I want to sleep I can't do much but just lay in bed. My concentration is poor so watching TV or a movie doesn't hold my interest. I cannot sleep at night as I wakeup within 2 hours of falling asleep and I wake up every morning panicking with an upset stomach. Is this normal? What are others experiencing on this medication?
Hi there,
I had some of these same symptoms when I was starting on 20mg of Fluoxetine. I had a hard time sleeping and would typically wake up every two to three hours and then sit in bed panicking for an hour before I got back to sleep. I found that my Ativan prescription really helped me during this time. If you don't have a prescription for Ativan or Xanax, I would suggest talking to your doctor. It can at least help with the sleeping piece.
I woke up panicked every morning for about two months before it finally went away. I'm now three and a half months in and I feel amazing. I wouldn't stop just yet - keep going and talk to your doctor about a supplemental panic attack medicine.
Best,
-Melanie
Thank you Melanie for responding. I'm sitting here crying because I feel so awful. Did you lose your appetite as well?
Hello,
The side effects are truly awful. I hated my time on them. I had the insomnia, night time sweats / panic attacks. No appetite. Constant sickness, and enhanced panic attacks being the worst! Also weird leg pains and neck / jaw tension. Had restlessness and shakes to.
I gave up after about 15 days as I couldn't take the sickness and was already worried about my weight loss -15 days of vomiting / d is draining in inself. It took me about a month to get over it before I felt normal again and my appetite / weight started coming back.
Initially I felt better for getting the tablets out my system but my anxiety and panic has come flooding back with vengeance less than a month later! Gah!
Looking at starting this whole process again with Sertraline now (although told that's more suited to Anxiety) and not looking forward to the side effects.
Everyone says give them 3/4 weeks to see how you are. Try and stick it out if you can, especially if it helps in the long run.
If your no better, go back to your doctor's and keep asking to put your mind at ease. You no your body, so don't suffer especially if your not seeing the benefit.
Thank you Thomas. I'm am just so off. I feel a ton worse than I did when I started. I'm going to try and stick it through since this is everyone's experience with this drug. The no appetite thing and losing weight is scary as well and it sends my anxiety in a tailspin because I then think something is medically wrong with me.
Hi,
I'm so sorry you're going thru this. The side effects are awful. I'm on day 22. Describing it as a roller coaster is completely accurate, that's exactly what it feels like. Most of the worst of my side effects have passed, but I still don't feel well yet. I'm told it takes a good 2-4 weeks for the effects to start to pass, and at least 6 weeks to see a benefit from the meds - so try not to give up! I know it's hard, I've wanted to quit many times but I'm glad I didn't. One thing you could consider is asking your doctor to switch you to 10 mgs for a couple of weeks while your body adjusts. Adding Xanax or clonazepam could also help with the panicking. (But I will add that I tried that, and it made my physical symptoms worse - so just be aware that may happen). Just take each day one at a time and know that every day is one step closer to feeling better. I have found these forums to be a huge source of comfort and support. Good luck to you.
Thank you Jennifer. I'm on my way to the doctor's now and I plan to ask her about getting on an anti anxiety med. I'm looking forward to hopefully feel some relief and maybe a half decent night of rest.
I think you're dose is to high see if your Dr will give you 10mgs.
I think you're dose is to high see if your Drs will give you 10mgs.
Was your doctor helpful?
IMO,
I think if you're having problems this early on, that you definitely don't let her or him talk you into a higher dose. And in my case, I had problems right off the bat and it has taken me 2 months to wean myself off of this. It has had the most serious side effects in my case even with being prescribed every benzodiazepine on the planet. I don't want to tell you what to do, so I will just say that there are at least 6 to 10 weeks of side effects that you will have to go through before feeling better. It was a horrible experience for me.
I wish you the very best of luck
Yes she explained the process of all of this and have me hydrazine (sp?)
She's telling me to stick to the dosage I'm on.
I am just ending week 5 and went through what you describe. Feeling worse in the morning seems to be quite normal when starting on these meds. Waking up all the time.. strange dreams.. bad concentration.. fuzzy head.. upset tummy.. headaches.. nausea... I have had it all. But I have worked out that these tablets do not work instantly.. they need time to build up.. they are 1 step forward 3 steps backwards to start off with.. but slowly it gets better. I am still getting some side effects evem now.
Good! Hopefully that will at least help you get some rest at night. Hang in there. Xxx
Thank you Jennifer. I'm trying to stick the course. She explained that it's going to take at least 6 weeks to feel better. So. I'm going to try to stay to it.
Can you please share what your experience was on this med?
Thank you for responding. Did you lose your appetite as well?
Try not to get discouraged. I have had every side effect possible - dizziness, nausea, weakness, headache, flu-like symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite, increased anxiety, rapid heartbeat, upset stomach, blurry vision...I'm probably forgetting some. But there have been definite improvements. The beginning is hard but if we can all tough it out, the benefits from this med are supposed to be really great. Xxx
I've emailed you.