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day 4 flouxetine, fatigue

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Posted 2/2/2012 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

1st and 2nd day with flouxetine, I noticed my mind was clearer, and had a few hrs break from anxiety.

3rd day, loss of appetite, mild headache, nausea, crappy and tired in the morning but better in afternoon.

4th day, loss of appetite, heightened anxiety, nausea and toooo exhausted, and can barely open my eyes.

will these side effects go worse before getting better? cant even finish my glass of milk, had a little bite of egg and  rice.

a little encouragement please. and thank you for listening!

Libra

Posted 2/3/2012 5:00 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have personal experience with this, but from what I understand, yes-the side effects will build as the medication builds in your system, and then similarly level off.

I can take a few weeks, but hopefully the worst of the s/e's are over. It is ironic that meds for anxiety actually cause heightened anxiety in the beginning...but this will pass, and then you will get relief.

Hopefully someone who has used this med will chime in soon...but until then know that I have read many similar posts, so this is not unusual.

Hang in there, good luck and let us know how you are doing soon.

S.C.

p.s. If you are having trouble eating...I always recommend a meal replacement drink like Ensure...it has lots of calories and nutrients and is easy to get down.
Posted 2/3/2012 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Good Morning,

The general concensus is that the side effects will decrease as your body adjusts to the medication.  However, each of us will react to the many different medications in our own unique way.

I used to give up to soon when starting a new medications as I felt I could not tolerate the side effects.  I now accept that when I am starting a new med (AD) that I most likely will feel crummy for awhile and plan my life accordingly.  I do not put high expectations on myself during this time when the side effects are nasty but tell myself I need to be patient.

My Dr. told me that normally the side effects from Prozac are typically short-term and do not cause permanent harm.  Do feel comfortable in calling your Dr. if you feel the side effects are getting to be to much for you to handle.

I was on this medication many years ago and it did not help my depression however I seem to be medication resistant to many of the drugs. 

I wish you peace,

Kitt

 

Posted 2/3/2012 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Kitt, however I was on put on prozac years ago, and it didn't do anything but make my anxiety even worse. I tried to give it time, but it just wasn't the right med for me. Hopefully it will help you though.

Please don't go by my experience, because everyone does react differently. Just give it some time, and if you find that you really can't tolerate it, then call the doc.

Good Luck! Fox
Posted 2/3/2012 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for the replies. If these side effects don't go after 2 more weeks I'll call my doc. (I hope I have the patience to wait up until then.)

Hey Fox, I see you are taking Zoloft, did it help your anxiety? Do you think this is a good substitute for me if I dont succeed with my current med? And are you taking the xanax regularly with your zoloft? Sorry for asking too much. I too am taking .25mg xanax 3x/day since I started with the generic prozac, takes the edge off the nasty side effects and anxiety but very short term.

Kitt, I am curious as to how you manage your anxiety without meds? I managed mine years ago without any meds too, but recently for the last two months I needed xanax quite more often once or twice a day. But since I started with flouxetine, I take it 3x a day (lowest dose of .25mg).

Libra

Posted 2/3/2012 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
Libra,

I have a dx of major depressive disorder, anxiety and PTSD.  I do not manage my mental health problems without meds.  I manage with a combinations of meds and therapy.

My current meds are Zoloft 50 mg daily,  Trazodone 150 mg at bedtime, Valium 2 mg as needed but not to exceed 10 mg in a 24 hour period. I have only been on the Zoloft since December however I had tried it many years ago and did not like it.  This time around it seems to be helping but it could be the combo with my other meds.

Don't give up hope as there is help available and if you do switch meds down the road I hope you find one that works good for you.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 2/4/2012 3:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kitt,

Thank you for your reply. Hearing people's success in medications give me a sense of hope, that I will get better soon too! That I can be my old self again, because I am mising my old self so much!

I see that you just recently started with Zoloft and I am so glad that you found relief from you combo meds and therapy.

Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Libra
Posted 2/5/2012 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Libra,

You are very welcome and I am glad I can be of support to you.  I know exactly how you are feeling as I have been dealing with this disorder for so long. 

I do have wonderful days and actually had years of remission since I was first dx in 1982.  Stick with us and remember when you notice negative thoughts come into your mind, quickly let these thoughts go and replace them with truthful, positive thoughts.

I believe in you.

Gentle hugs,

Kitt

 

Posted 2/7/2012 4:02 AM (GMT 0)
Awww, Kitt, that was very thoughtful of you! Thank you for the wonderful advice!

I am having a rollercoaster of emotions right now! Cant wait until the meds work, and I hope it works for me and that I wont need to try another and then be back to square one!

I am glad I found this forum, no one in my circle of friends can relate to my daily struggle. I just feel so much by myself. We can have family and friends who can be supportive, but it is definitely a relief to be talking to some people who are actually in the same or similar situation.

Hugs back to you Kitt!
Posted 2/7/2012 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Libra

You are correct that your loved ones cannot understand how you feel, unless they too are afflicted with this problem. I've described my obsessions/anxieties to my wife on rare occasion, and she can only say 'it must suck going thru life like that". Which is how we all feel.

Just keep telling yourself that you will START to feel better in about 2 weeks, although the acclimation is really quite unpleasant. If it doesn't work in a satisfactory way, give celexa/lexapro a try because they are somewhat less activating than prozac. Although I think prozac is probably better for treating depressive symptoms.

Posted 2/8/2012 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
"Hey Fox, I see you are taking Zoloft, did it help your anxiety? Do you think this is a good substitute for me if I dont succeed with my current med? And are you taking the xanax regularly with your zoloft? Sorry for asking too much. I too am taking .25mg xanax 3x/day since I started with the generic prozac, takes the edge off the nasty side effects and anxiety but very short term."


Libra, I'm so sorry, I didn't see your post until just now. As for your first question...
The Zoloft has always helped me tremendously, that's why I chose to go back on it. I was on it 3 times in the past, so this is my fourth trip.

Second question...
It COULD be a good substitute for you, however, everyone reacts differently to meds, but it's worth a try if you get no relief from your current med.

Third question...
Yes, I am currently taking .5 xanax twice a day, every day, but I hope to be able to wean off of it once i'm at the correct dosage of the Zoloft and just keep it for an "as needed" crutch in case i'm having a super rough day.

Hope this helps you, and again, sorry it took me so long to respond. Hope you are feeling better!

Fox

Post Edited (Fox7) : 2/7/2012 11:21:23 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/8/2012 7:06 AM (GMT 0)
Deer Slayer, my husband is supportive of me, he reminds me that what I'm going through right now are just side effects and to be patient with myself. But at some point, I wished that he himself for once get an anxiety/panic attack for him to understand fully what I am going through most of my life!

Im with you with the positive self talk. Im imagining myself feeling better 2wks from now, and I really hope that this is the right med for me, fingers crossed!

Be well. If you are open to it maybe you can also share your journey with whatever meds you are taking! Beginners like me get the motivation and inspiration from success stories!

Libra
Posted 2/8/2012 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
Fox, no worries! I always enjoy reading your posts as I learn so much from them!

Thank you for taking time to answer all my questions. I'll keep in mind the zoloft in case my current med dont work.

Xanax is of great help this time that the side effects are at their peak. I am on my 9th day, and the past two days are the most difficult. Sleep deprived and too agitated.

Looking forward to better days soon, (that is if I have enough courage to go on!)

Hugs to you Fox!

Libra
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