Side effects after 4 weeks

Treatment and medication
1

Hi

I've been taking 20 mg Fluoxetine for 4 weeks for anxiety and agoraphobia. Several times I have thought about stopping due to side effects and I'm just not sure whether to stick it out. My main problem is digestive issues - occasional loose stools, stomach ache, nausea and generally just feeling ill. They seem to come and go and some days are worse than others. Last night I woke up after a few hours sleep and just felt really awful - very jittery, anxious, upset stomach and my head, arms and legs feel very strange - not even sure how to describe them! I've had to phone in sick at work and still feel very weird now. Also have sweaty palms and feel as though my body can't cope with heat. Are these effects likely to go away? I want to ideally give it longer as I know it can take a couple of months before it starts to work, but can't cope if the side effects continue. Any advice?

2

Hi talla Iam sorry your having a hard time with side effects my advice to you is to stick it out it took me two months to work and the side effects went away worked wonders for three years best of luck to you

3

I'm getting ready to start on Prozac again. My anxiety was horrible. I'm already experiencing anxiety from coming off of Paxil because it stopped working. My doc is starting me on a very low dose this time of 2.5mg because I'm very sensitive to medication. They also want me to go on a low dose of Zyprexa to help with the symptoms. I've heard the side effects do get better eventually.

4

Thanks Crystal - I will try and stick it out in the hope I feel better. What dosage were you on and did you get more side effects as you increased the dosage?

5

Thanks Tonia - I hope they work for you. I'm thinking that my doctor should have started me on a lower dose.

6

Your welcome🙂I was on ten mg for several weeks then up to twenty and I stayed on twenty for three years and very happy on it,Iam hoping it works the same again so I'll see but yes def stick it out n the long run its worth it🙂

7

My psychiatrist said he had to start one patient on 1mg on the liquid. What did you start at? I'm trying not to take the Zyprexa.

8

I was started straight on to 20 mg. I didn't see my usual doctor though, so that might be why.

9

When you say your arms and legs feel weird... Is it like they are really heavy and a chore to move? That's the way mine have been feeling, on 20mg

10

Yes, they do feel heavy particularly my arms. Also feeling quite tired and lethargic.

11

I've been the same way. Been on the 20mg for just couple days past 4 weeks now. Sometimes it's worse and sometimes I feel a little better but lately it's been worse.

12

Yes that's exactly how I feel! Sometimes I feel quite good and others I feel dreadful! Do you take them in the morning or evening? Do you think there is a pattern for times of day when you feel better or worse?

13

I take it about 10 at night and then off to bed about 11. I always feel my worst in the mornings and sometimes lingers into afternoon, usually by evening I feel better but sometimes it sticks all day.

14

I take mine at about 8.30 in the evening and go to bed about 11.30. I can't really make out if there is a pattern or not with my symptoms - it all seems a bit random! Hopefully things will improve over the next few weeks

15

Is 20mg what you started with. My doctor started me on 10 which is almost nothing and then after a month upped me to 20mg. Had side effects after upping and at the beginning.

16

That's the bad thing. Whenever you up your dose the side effects come back again

17

Are these your side effects from Prozac?

18

Yeah I noticed and that's no fun. Went back for a follow up last Wednesday and she wants me to up to 40mg... I haven't done it yet. She started to call in 40mg tabs but I asked her if I could just take 2 20mg that way if it didn't agree I wasn't stuck with the 40mg tabs.... I still haven't taken 40 though from fear of the effects again.

19

Yes, was put straight on to 20 mg.

20

Talla-

I'm on my fourth week as well, 20 mg too.  i'm having really bad nausea and it just is debilitating sometimes.  I've only thrown up a few times but most of the time i don't and I just wish I could so I could feel better. I've had some terrible bouts of irritability and anger.  My left arm feels weird.  Heavy like someone mentioned. It's like a weird growing pain.   I've also had to pee like every minute but obviously i'd take that over nausea so...

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone.  I'm just trying to tell myself this will all be worth it.  I just can't wait for the side effects to stop.  I go see my doctor next week for a check up. When I started it she said she's probably up my dosage the next time she saw me so we'll see how that goes.  

I wish you the best and hope you feel better, physically and mentally. 

-Dawn