I've been on fluox for 8.2 weeks now, first 4 weeks up and down, some fleeting thoughts/feelings of 'niceness', weeks 5&6 I steadily got worse, but at the start of week 7 I had 5 great days, I felt refreshed, positive, it was great, now the thing is im not sure if this spell of positivity was due to me giving meds time (maybe it was 20mg kicking in after 6 weeks) or because two days before my good spell I increased to 30mg.
The remaining time has been hell, the last 5 days I feel like I'm 'losing it', anxiety is stronger now than before I started on fluox (I know everyone says you get worse before you get better). Does anyone think this horrible spell is Maybe due to the dose increase? I'm seeing a gp tomorrow, I will of course discuss this with her..... thank you
Sounds like a roller coaster 😳 From what I understand from reading others posts is that an increase can put you back to stage one, therefore the side effects come Bk
I've been on them for 16 days @20ml not feeling too hopeful when I hear of others recovery process, but I know that I'm better than I was, so the meds are doing something good.
Is there no one on here who can Postively say this is going to work!! Hang on in there Luke, we are all going through the same in one way or another, I'm on here quite often ( looking for respite lol ) if you wanna talk 🙌🏽
Hi Angie, There are people who say it WILL work, it's all part of the process apparently, I've had a pretty awful seven days if the truth be told, but (and might be sound weird) I can actually feel the medication in me, I suppose they're side effects, when I had my good 5/6 days I felt literally like another person to what I'm feeling now, which of course was great, so If can happen once it happen again. I've never known a med like this tho..... it's bizarre.
Hi Luke, as Angie said lots people reported starting to have bad side effects again when increasing a dose as the brain is getting used to a new level of serotonin production, almost the same as when you get on the medication first. In my first week on fluoxetine I didn't know that and there were some days I took a double doze (I am on 20mg) and really bad states started then, anxiety like never in my life and serious ups and downs for like two weeks. My Dr said to stay on same at least for 12 weeks to get the body and brain get use to a consistent level of serotonin, then we can review if increase is needed. The fact you had the good days probably means that the meds are starting to work, so stay patient and hopeful, the blips are part of the process i hear. Best of luck! x Luci
I understand what you mean about feeling the medication inside you, I find when I feel that easy when I yawn🤔
I glad there are ppl who fully recover, it's like a pipe dream to me right now, been struggling for two days, just want my mojo back 😢
Not sure if I will ever be the same, I had depression years ago, never took medication, somehow I managed, ( by Gods Grace !) but this time although it's VERY similar, I just couldn't cope anymore,hence the Flux, just wanna be normal again...I've had it since Jan bloody tired of this mighty fight.....
Sorry you feel that way. Its a horrible feeling, but let me tell you, its normal. After I passed my first series of side effects from the 20mg and started to feel better, my doctor upped my dose to 30mg and boy did I feel awful. Nausea, loss of appetite, terribel headaches, dizzy spells, anxiety, crying like crazy, etc. It took about three week after the increase for me to finally wake up and feel normal. Looking back at it now, I want to say its so worth it, but I know its hard hearing that when you're in pain. Stay strong. You'll get there.
Hi Luci, Well the last 14 days have been so much better, literally the day after I sent the original post it felt like the volcano inside me stopped erupting. The last couple of days I've dipped slightly but I was expecting that, negative thoughts and tight chest have popped back slightly but it's no biggie. I'm about 99.9% certain it was the meds doing their stuff (side effects), so many people have mentioned the 3 week mark as a particularly bad time regarding side effects. I'm starting an 8 week group therapy course tomorrow, see how that goes, nothing ventured and all that! All the best Luci x
Hi Luke, that is so good to hear! So the increase did not cause too many side effects! That's really reassuring to hear...I am also considering going to 30mg after next GP review which will be at 10 weeks of 20mg.
Group therapy is an excellent idea! I did group therapy for one year. It helped me immensely to feel less alone with my anxiety and other issues. It can be really challenging to participate at first but it is so worth it, in my experience. Good luck with it. xxx
Hi Luci, the increase DID cause side effects definitely! One of the toughest weeks of my life tbh, but all the while I was feeling hideous I kind of knew it was the meds making me feel like that, there was no way on earth it was a 'blip'
Not feeling great this morning but this DOES feel like a 'blip'!
How are you getting on? How many weeks for you now? X
Today is the start of my 5th week. Feeling very low. I'm not sure how much longer I can give it to work. I have had moments when I thought I'd turned a corner. Struggling to think straight this morning.
I'm only on day 3 I've bin battling severe anxiety for 8 months now..tryed 7 different meds was having severe panic attacks that made me go hospital and that but now panic attacks have gone.. I was diagnosed of gad and emotional dysregulation on 28th Feb by my psychiatric and they gave me pregabalin felt good with that but then pharmacies kept giving me different brands which messed me up so psychiatric put me on fluxoetine 10mg I started 3days ago felt good alday yesterday but last night I was waking up with severe sweats dizziness and heart racing I only managed to get 3hrs sleep .. I've read so many posts to hang in there and they will ease.. I have 5 young kids 2 with severe behaviour problems my husband doesn't support me makes me feel so small.. I have to have long term psychological therapy which I start this year bin waiting 8 months already it's taking too long but I'm hoping these are the meds for me as battling anxiety is so awful and I don't wish this on my worse energy I feel for all and I hate it when people say you will be fine get over it.. I feel for you all that has to battle this.. xxxxx
Oh I see. Uff, I don't think then I am ready to up the meds to higher dose. I don't think I would be ready for a new batch of side effects this soon. I am just under 8 weeks now. For past couple of weeks the craziest anxiety has stopped, the meds are dumbing it down and I feel calmer but I have 'blip days'. Last Thu-Fri were really bad again, I felt discouraged, but since then I am calmer again. Just feeling a bit numb at times and unmotivated and very physically tired. The head pressure and head fog are not ceasing, it has been the same since day 1 of the medication and it really worries me. Did you also have this as a side effect? I am thinking at week 8 this should start improving now
How was your blip you wrote about 4 days ago? Are you feeling better?
HI Kirstie, that does sound quite awful what you have been battling, with such little support, and for sure changing all the meds coud not have helped The sleeplessness, dizziness, heart racing are also side effects I had for some 3-4 weeks on fluoxetine, then it got better. 10mg is a very low dose. What were the other medications you tried, were they also other types of SSRI meds? Therapy is so crucial in my opinion in managing anxiety, it's good you get to start soon. All the best and hug, Lx
I can relate Andrew. I am now 7 weeks and last week I had such a bad blip I felt like giving up too...then a few ok days came again, now I feel like another blip is about to come, I guess it is a rollercoaster for the first few months, not just the first weeks! Have you had any good days or parts of days at all on the medication? I remember having a couple of okey-ish days for the first time around 4.5 weeks in, not great but improvements. More better days came with each week, I would say I feel ok about 50% of the time now, but the blips are certainly still hard and disciouraging at times.
Hi Luci, Andrew and Kirstie, I started week 12 yesterday, first six 20mg second six 30mg.
Yes I had that head pressure, to be honest, although unpleasant, I prefer to have physical symptoms or side effects, so when I get that head pressure (side effect) and that horrible tight chest (symptom) it doesn't bother me too much.
The blip is still there slightly, although today has been a really good day, some lovely thoughts and feelings have decided to pay me a visit!
100% 8 weeks is still early, I've been told 12 weeks is still early.
Hi Lucy I'm on day 5 now but pharmacys have ran out of capsules so I'm on the solution fluoxetine now.. 10mg a week and 20mg onwards and today I have felt just a little tired and lazy but nothing else.. actually felt happy today.. but now on my pms so that wud drain me too.. yea I have been on citalopram propranolol sertraline diazepam pregabalin risperadol and now fluoxetine.. but fluoxetine seems to be the better one for me.. I have had such an awful time thru these 8 months that my psychological said it's because I can't deal with my own emotions also it's my past that's haunting me also dealing with a lot of hell off my hubbys babymom and dealing with my sons behaviour also it doesn't help that everyone keeps blaming my mental health on my sons behaviour even tho 1 out of 5 is badly misbehaved but i am hoping the fluoxetine is the recovery med xxx
Hi Kirstie, hopefully this will be the right medication for you for your recovery; that is a positive sign you have felt some happiness, despite the pms! Dealing with own emotions is something lots people struggle with, you are not alone. Hopefully therapy will help with that. We will get through this!! Hugs x
Hi Luke, how are you doing couple of weeks on? Are blips getting less frequent now, and shorter?
After my 8 weeks I had very good 12 days of almost no anxiety and lots of energy, motivation and enthusism and experiencing joy again, taking up even new hobbies like running. Now today at 10 weeks, a bad blip struck again that has completely paralysed me all day and sent me into anxiety, fear and emotional pain and exhaustion again. It feels very discouraging .I hope it will be very shortlived, and good days will come again soon