Week 5 on Fluoxetine and struggling to cope - what to do?

Treatment and medication
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Hi, I’ve not messaged on here before but have hit a very low point and struggling to cope. I’ve always had anxiety and had some spikes throughout the years - the last one was about 8 years ago and i was put on fluoxetine 20mg. After a couple of hellish weeks it worked brilliantly and gave me the calmest years of my life…finally felt what it was like to enjoy things rather than enduring them. I decided to come off it when I had my baby as i felt in a good place.

3 years later and i’ve hit a very hard point (I won’t bore with details) and my anxiety was starting to effect what I was doing …started cancelling events etc. I went to doctors where they suggested sertraline but because i’d taken fluoxetine before i requested that again. I remembered the side effects so started on a lower dose - just 10mg.

I’m now in week 5 and it is the worst i’ve ever felt. I did start having a few good days so thought i’d turned a corner but my anxiety attacks the last few days feel almost constant - i’m not sleeping, hardly eating and heave or vomit a lot. My anxiety has always hit my stomach. This has happened since about day 5. The fear is excruciating. I know you’re supposed to sit with it and let it happen but it’s impossible not to freak out and think about calling 999. I keep thinking one more week but it doesn’t stop. I’ve read some people on here saying week 5 can be awful? Did it improve after that?

My brain is obviously racing with the worst outcomes - made so much worse now i’m a Mum looking after a 3 year old and can’t just hide away. The lack of sleep is also making me feel like i’m going crazy. GP says we can stop / switch / increase dose but it’s up to me - i have no idea what to do I just know that I’m beyond exhausted and can’t see the light.

Any reassuring words or advice gratefully received …thankyou

2 Likes
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I managed 20 minutes sleep last night before i was awake and dry heaving / vomiting. I almost called 999. Really struggling

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Please keep engaged with healthcare professionals! Speak to local MIND and other charities, they can sometimes be more sympathetic than GPs! Certainly it’s well worth investigating other medications; fluoxetine is quite ‘old’ now in terms of such things and I don’t think it’s as efficacious as newer drugs.

Personally I moved on from it years ago, and have settled on Vortioxetine (20mg) and Quetiapine (50-100mg).

You’re not alone, don’t worry :hugs:

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Thanks for your reply. It actually got worse since my post and i had to call an ambulance - they were very nice about it. I have agreed with GP to raise my dose to 20mg as she says i’ve come so far on it, it makes sense to give it a go before switching to something else. I know it’s a bit more old school drugwise but it worked for me before so i think that makes me more keen. Fingers crossed for improvement. Glad you found something that worked for you x

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Always worth looking for alternatives and second opinions. It’s your life and you are important!

Also see if there is rTMS treatment available in your area (there isn’t funding in mine, yet).

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I don’t know if this is any help but I suffer with anxiety and depression and was taking fluoxetine which worked for a while then sertraline which was okay for about a year but eventually I was put on esciteropram 20mg which suits me best. Depression is much better but my anxiety goes through the roof at any sudden unexpected noise. Hope you find a solution soon.

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