Side Effects

Treatment and medication
1

Hi,

I have been on Fluoxetine for just under 4 weeks and thought i'd got through the side effects (night sweats, insomnia), but have for the past 4 days been experiencing headaches and joint pain. Has anyone else had this at 4 weeks? Also if I decide to come off them, what is the best approach?

Thanks,

Stuart

2

hey hello Stuart,

It's not at all uncommon to be experiencing the side effects you mention at this stage, some side effects come in randomly after 5 or 6 weeks but it varies person to person. I had the headaches almost from the word go but some never have them, the luck of the draw. As for coming off them I would advise to stick it out if you can, you are only perhaps half way towards getting full benefit from them, 8-12 weeks average, it would be a shame to throw away your 4 weeks and go back to square one. Of course once again not everybody does benefit from Fluoxetine and may have to change to an alternative at some stage in their treatment plan. But if you can, hang in there Stuart, the end results are worth the pesky side effects in my opinion this site will provide you with lots of help and advice along your journey from people who either have or still are going through exactly what you are. It is a slow acting medication with no immediate benefits just a slow gradual build up over say 8 perhaps up to 12 weeks. Good luck with it Stuart, and I hope it works out for you

3

hi i have been on citalopram for 4 weeks and experiencing headaches which have only just started in the last few days its like a shooting pain all of a sudden does your feel different to any headache you have had before? i no your tablet is fluxotine but its still a depressent and probably cause similar effects 

4

Thanks for your reply David. Can I ask how long yu had the headaches for? They have continued today and as I was taking Fluoxetine for anxiety, the headaches tend to make me more anxious wondering what is going on. Perhaps I need to go back to the doctor or reduce the dose (i'm on 20mg)

Thanks,

Stuart

 

 

5

Hi, i would describe the headaches as tension type headaches, almost flu like.

6

hi Stuart my headaches appeared within a week of taking Fluoxetine, just a dull nagging headache morning til night, drove me nuts initally but I was able to tolerate them, I refused to take painkillers unless absolutely desperate, I reckon they were tension headaches brought on by worrying about potential side effects of the damn Fluoxetine! vicious circle or what? I still get the occasional one but try ignore them. I do'nt know about reducing your dose, that's up to you and your doctor, I started on 20 and got put up to 40 after 8 weeks. As time goes by and the drug gets to work your anxiety should ease thus easing your headaches, best wishes, David

7

Hi stuart

I had different side effects to the headaches though got the rest but id say most people feel worst weeks 3-6ish so youre not alone on that. And yes the physical stuff causes anxiety which then causes more physical stuff, a big viscious circle:-( If you want to give fluox a chance you need to give it min 6-8 wks I reckon but most seem to see biggest improvement nearer wk 12. My physical symptoms/side effects started to eas wk 6-8.

It can be a really long bumpy road, im wk 14 and not fully there but the difference between 4 months ago and now is vast and worth the heartache. Still have night sweats and some sleepless nights/some anxiety now though.

Talk to your dr and make sure theyre aware of and can monitor the side effects. Stick with it if you can, take it day by day -unfortunately it takes time and patience does not come easily with anxiety.

Wishing you all the best for a swift recovery.

Take care

Vix