Started 20mg of fluoxetine per day on 4 April, with instruction to increase to 40mg after 1 week
Initially things felt easier, noted improvements
But things went awry on 7 Apr. Couldn't repelled off intrusive thoughts, overcome doubts and got stuck with the obsession/compulsion to execute things/thoughts to precision....ended up stuck in toilet for 6hours
Then mind was also too active to sleep since started dosage. Become restless as I am getting little or no sleep, very easily agitated.
Yesterday night, it was unbearable, Totally can't sleep as the active brain impaired REM.
Should I stop to take a breather? Or continue to endure till the side effects taper off?
It does get worse before it gets better plus I'd also say don't be in a rush to increase the meds, it can take months to start feeling the first sign of recovery too which often comes in waves - here one minute gone the next, That's normal.
It can be a tough journey - but it is worth it for many people.
K x
Hi Chee Hong Tart,
First weeks or even a month on the medication can be really bad. I also had a lot of restlessness the first 3 weeks and would be up most of night or keep waking up every half hour, fidgeting, anxious, restless, mind racing. My GP prescribed sleeping tablets. Those really helped with falling asleep! I would still wake up some 3-4 hours later, so would sometimes do half the pill to fall asleep and half the pill after 4 hours to top up, and at least I was getting some rest. Had lots of dreams too, processing the anxious thoughts in the first few weeks.
I would recommend trying sleeping pills during the first few hard weeks; it doesn't help the anxiety if your body is not getting any rest.
All the best.
Luci