I have started fluoxetine for nearly 4 weeks - the 1st week was fine - from 2nd week the side effects have been terrible , palpations , anxiety , panic attacks , feeling sick , shaking , depressed . I am now experienci g flu like symptoms . I have been on this drug before but I used to forget to take the tablets regularly . How long will these symptoms last ??
Hoping someone else will answer you soon! I'm only on day 6 and feel dreadful, had a good day yesterday but have been majorly anxious all day today and not able to eat,I've lost 5lbs in 6 days! Do you feel more anxious than usual? Not sure if it's just my brain or the Prozac side effects 😩
I'm hoping so x yes I've lost weight too and I haven't got that much too loose . Yes I feel So much more anxious . It awful but I determined it's just the side effects that is all . I have had all side effects listed lol . Try some relaxation techniques and keep busy .
The worse side effects for me lasted just over 2 weeks that being no appetite, nausea, shakes, tiredness, excess anxiety, headaches. Side effects slowly dropped off till around week 12 now I generally am side effect free at 6 months.
I don't know if you realise that serotonin is produced in the gut and feed to the brain, hence stomache & bowels can be effected.
It does get better so stick with it
Thanks for this x I am going stick with it x so hard tho .
I am on fluoxetine about 16 weeks now and can say everything has settled down. It's along trip and I have had lots of symptoms, stomach, bowel, loss off appetite, anxiety, depression, cold sweats at night....... The first week was fine then it all kicked in but at the end things settle its a mater of being patient and managing the fact that anxiety causes anxiety and many of the symptoms that come with it. Keep at it, don't give up and don't feel tempted to up dose until you see how it works for you weeks in......
Thanks for your reply . 16 weeks is a long way to go . Been on this medication before. Did you feel flu like ?
Yes I did...... It did take its time with me to settle but everyone is different. After 6 weeks I had a good week and thought it was over. Then I had a bad week again it takes its time to settle but eventually the bad days get less and less. Just stick it out I made the mistake of stopping and had to start all over. Good luck and be positive.....
Thanks for your reply . Yes I'm finding improvements with insomnia . 6 weeks is a long time to wait . Still feeling anxious and I've had a few near panic attacks and sometimes relunctant to go out . keeping your mind occupied is very important . Can't believe all these side effects from taking fluoxetine .
Hi Andrea,
Im also on week 4 and i have had terrible side effects. Things have improved but then i get days like today where i feel im back at square 1 i feel so sick and no energy at all. Iv been off work 4 weeks i just want to be back to normal but it still feels far away x
I've switched to sertraline as my panic was unbearable on fluoxetine, I feel much calmer already. terrible diarrhoea though, always something!!
Hi Katie - where exactly the same - off work too four weeks also . Give it a bit longer. I ' ve been told by docs give 6 weeks for it to kick in fully x We can do this . Also I booked to go on CBT in the new year . Yes sometimes I feel like no energy but I think it's my Pmt and cold I've got. I'm having proems going too and I have to fight it and go with it.
I've not heard of that medication . Hope you don't get anymore side effects and good luck .
It's also known as lustral and Zoloft. It's very similar to fluoxetine as it's an ssri but has fewer side effects and is less likely to cause increased panic etc in the first few weeks. I feel so much better but am aware this could be placebo effect as my head is not reliable! Struggling with awareness of my breathing now but will take that over panic any day! Good luck with fluoxetine, hope it works for you xx
Good luck too. I've been on fluoxetine before but I used to forget to take now I'm taking it every morning so just got ride out these side effects .
one month and still big anxiety issues...worried too, i am only at 10 mg soo loong
Aw it's been terrible . Spaced out dizzy everything . Hoping it will level out very soon. I'm on 20mg . Been on these since 2012 but stopped taking them regularly.
i think i'm going to stop it , too awful everyday, i cant even stand up from the bed and i understand anything of what to do in my flat ( a zombie that can not think)
See your gp - try berewith a little longer - I am .
i ll see him tomorrow if i can move, i have really chest pain with it and cant breathe , i ll take 5mg now , they put also on lamictal 50mg since three months, no improvement; if you can stick on it ; but for me, i always have big trouble with antidepressants now (before it was ok) as if my body cant stand stand them anymore, dont know what to do when the depression is a major one ; think of herbs but afraid to change always and always , a real circus this year , we changed every two months the medecines; as for you hope it will go better