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fluoxetine problems

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Posted 7/4/2010 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
those of you who have read my posts recently will know i am suffering from panic disorder with possible OCD or GAD. I was on fluoxetine for a year and a half but came off of it last summer and was completely fine for about 6 months, but then slowly and surely i started to get ill with panic attacks again. At the moment i am having on average 3 panic attacks a day and trying so hard not to become agoraphobic again.

The docs have put me back on fluoxetine (its not been a week) and i feel competely awful. I know things get worse before they get better with these drugs, but i just want some reassurance as at the moment i'm doing the anxious black and white thinking and worrying i will be this way forever. I feel sick quite a lot, couldn't sleep at all last night, then had a big nose bleed this morning and was too scared to go to work. Yesterday i took a walk with a friend thinking it would be fine and do me good - but in the middle of the country side i got the most painful stomach cramps ever, i felt so sick, and being as i have a massive vomit phobia this was terrifying. I was 20 mins from home so it was a horrid walk backl and i was so embaressed in front of my friend (luckily they are very understanding.)

has anyone had simular problems with fluoxetine?

I don't remember feeling this bad on it before, but it could be that i wasn't working before so i have the added anxiety of work (my job is pretty horrible and bad at understanding)

i don't know what i'm asking really :-( sorry it this seems like a big waste of reading time, but i feel like i need to reach out for help. My friends and family are great, but anxiety and panic and feeling unwell are all i talk to them about these days and they must be so tired of it. I can never talk to doctors properly i get too scared or i feel like they don't care.
Posted 7/4/2010 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Box,
It sounds like you are going through a number of things at once. The stress of your job and going back on a med that you really hoped to avoid and the fact that it takes a while for it to get back in your system so as to start working...PHEW! And the constant thoughts of "what if" can be very depressing! With all that said, I just want you to know that the fact you are still fighting this are great! Do NOT give up! I remember when I was started on the paxil after being on zoloft for so long...it seemed like the paxil was never going to start working!!! But it finally did! But it was hard waiting! This is likely what will happen as regards your prozac.
I am glad that you have supportive friends. Keep them in the loop. Don't bore them to death by only talking about your health problems (I'm NOT saying that you do this though!) but do explain to them about what you're going through. Let them know you appreciate their consideration. So many people have NO clue what folks like us go through and so they tend to draw away. That's why I've said the above.
When you know you are going to go to the doctor, sit down and make a list of any questions and concerns you may have. If he still doesn't listen, find another doctor. Afterall, these doctors work for us! We pay them! HA!!!
You keep posting here and again I encourage you to find some books by Dr. Claire Weekes. She gave really fine advice back when most didn't have any clue about anxiety issues.
Take care!
KEEP POSTING!
hugs,
janet
Posted 7/4/2010 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yes i agree make a list of all you want/need to ask/talk to doc about n if he does not satisfy you with answers you need a doc that will
you are going thru so many different issues and i really suggest you try working on one or 2 at a time
Claire Weekes books are very helpful imho
know others hv gone thru what you are and have made it ..
keep coming n getting support n input from others
tk care you
hugs
lyn
Posted 7/4/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
Great advice from Janetlee and Lyn. The way I calculate it you have been on the Prozac about 6-7 days which is usually the rough time of trying to get onto a med. The side effects this bother you for about 2 weeks till the system settles down and will only make you feel bad if you think about it all the time. Try not to dwell on the side effects and do balance your work with your rest.

Remember to be kind to yourself while getting on to a new drug that makes you feel "different"

I agree that talking about your anxiety to much will make you feel bad and this is a topic that people don't understand unless they have been through anxiety. My hubby used to tell me to "get a grip" or "toughen up". I took him to the phychiatrist with me and now he understands why I need medication and why I can not just "get over it" sometimes.

Take care and keep on taking those little steps towards controlling your feelings. You will get better but be patient.

Kindly,

Kitt
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