Been on 20 mg for 22 days. Last few days have been awful with sleeping. Maybe 2-4 hours a night. I read this is a side effect. Could someone please please tell me this will go away? Thanks soo much!
Hi Susan
It goes away. Promise.
Unfortunately, typically, you have another three to five weeks of this hell. It only lasted three or four weeks for me, on 20mg same as you. The dosage is the deciding factor, however - it just varies person to person. I hope you are one of the lucky ones.
It doesn't suddenly start to work, it's a very gradual process. Look for brighter or less down moments - they will increase over time and, hopefully, you will emerge from the nightmare and stand in the light, feeling like yourself.
Only thing I know until then is to distract yourself and treat yourself and be as kind and gentle as you can to yourself. Never mind a few pounds gained, you can deal with them once you are well again.
I've been on 20mg for a couple of years now - three? - more? - sleep like a log and have never been happier.
Disclaimer: apparently fluoxetine doesn't work for everyone but you have to give it three months to find out, barring bad reactions to the drug. At three weeks, you'd have known that so perseverance is the way to go. The pits, innit?
Good luck and may you find happiness again.
That should have read, "The dosage isn't the deciding factor.." Is not.
Thank you - you put my fears to rest. I thought I was going to have to start another AD and I didn't want to lose my progress on this. Glad to hear it will clear. I can handle that. Thanks for responding
I appreciate the insight as well. I am only on day 4. Horrible anxiety, and depression and just want to cry all the time. For me sleep is my only reprieve. Although it is full of dreams. Too scared to take the clonazepam my doctor prescribed.
Good luck to you Susan. I hope you heal as quick as possible.
Yes Susan. It will get better. I was dealing with insomnia and then I began taking 20 mg and it just didn't get better and I was so worried and tired all the time. But around the 4th week my sleep began to improve. I am at 8 weeks at 20 mg and it's better now.. I am positive you'll go back to regular sleep patterns too just stay positive and hang in there!
Thank you. I was gettting soo afraid and not sleeping makes it worse, as we all know. I can hang in there!! Glad I found you guys.
Hi Susan
I had the same. I actually had insomnia as I developed anxiety towards sleep before taking these meds. I was taking a stack of sleeping meds and they were not helping at all. When the SE kicked in I didn't sleep for a few days
=( and thought I was going crazy.
At the end of week 4 things improved for me - now at week 7 I take a fraction of the sleeping meds and I'm getting 6-7 hours most nights (a bit broken still). I actually feel like natural sleep may only be a couple of weeks away =).
This is the toughest journey of my life, but I'm determined to get well for myself and my family.
Hang in there - there is plenty of support here, as we are all going through similar challenges =).
Cheers, Craig