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Fluoxetine side effects

Ummpeter profile image
13 Replies

I started on Fluoxetine 3 months ago. After about 6 weeks I realised my mood was much better, sleeping better and feeling more motivated. However, this last week or so I’ve been waking up feeling very nauseous. All I want to do is go back to sleep. I can’t face breakfast until about midday which throws my attempts at healthy eating out of kilter.

Anyone else with these symptoms? How do you deal with them?

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Ummpeter profile image
Ummpeter
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13 Replies
Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner

Hi I had this when started up on my medication it’s a killer but u have to put up with it and it will go In time I found I used anti sickness ask your doctor to give u some and that will help somtimes getting up and moving makes it better I find you have to stay positive that’s all u can do but the side effects of the meds will die downs in time sometimes tho it leave u with some side effects but u have to way out the pros and cons at the end of the day would u rather be in the state u was before or have the small side effects to deal with over the state u was before and also u have to think positive that this is only going to be a short term fix and u hopefully won’t be on this medication for life x

Ummpeter profile image
Ummpeter in reply toJessicawarriner

Thanks Jessica. I find if I get up that I am dizzy so just lie in bed waiting for it to pass. Thankfully I am retired so have all the time in the world 😊

Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner in reply toUmmpeter

Well I have to work so I have to force myself and I would try and walk and sit in a chair and hopefully that could help I would talk to your doctor about this and they could give u the sickness tablet I said about and if not and all else fails move to a different medication all come with side effects tho so tbh I would stick it out otherwise the next med could still cause the same side effect as all in the same class of drugs x

MrRigatoni profile image
MrRigatoni

Hello pleased to meet you.

The medication you are on is a natural side effect due to the reaction of your own bodies systems.

When we injest something the body is not used to in your case the medication you take.

Causes nausea, sickness.

There are ways to cope with this .

I know feel not eating but try to use simple gentle breakfasts.

Oats porridge milk top with yoghurt honey.

These are Priobiotic foods as well Prebiotic these help the gut fight the nausea.

Antibacterial berries, Cherries Blueberries, Blackberries, Leeks , Onions, Garlic.

Pears, Apples.

Include Eggs poached scrambled omelettes.

Include also lean meat, fruit and plenty of vegetables.

Leafy greens, Nuts, Vitamin C citrus fruits.

I included yoghurt buy ones with added cultures.

Beans pulses make soups simple ones if stuck as me happy to help.

I would like to add if you not got any support do not have a support worker .

Please consider looking at the links provided.

Offer all mental health charities support with welfare wellbeing and health.

Often can help with what you are going through right now.

richmondfellowship.org.uk

mind.org.uk

rethink.org

Please if I can help any questions please ask.

Happy to answer.

Have long term mental health happy to help.

Please take care

Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner in reply toMrRigatoni

Hey thanks for ur help the other week with advice I forgot to mention that to u that I am greatful and I am now settled on this med

Hi,

over the years Flouxetine has done wonders for me. Perhaps with life’s uncertainties with this Virus etc and strange times, your Anxiety may have increased ?

Perhaps speak with GP on increasing dosage for a short while then in the near future look at decreasing. Sounds like morning Anxiety. I use to take an antihistamine to relax my excess nerves whilst on Flouxetine. It would slightly relax me and encourage an appetite.

For that reason I thought I would swap to Citralapam, which seems to be more calming on nerves, however, calming to the extent where I feel tired a lot on it, and mood not so lifted.

I even increased the Citralapam as instructed by my GP, but was totally exhausted. Perhaps that’s the point of it, to make you relax and rest. However, whilst working it’s not always useful, and I need to be alert for my job.

At the present time I am not taking Citralapam,... I reduced dosage gradually to stop it, and have noticed my balance problems are better. The Anxiety is still with me, but ‘at bay’ ! Perhaps the HRT patch is helping, who knows.

However, if I begin to feel low mood and Anxiety worsen, I will not hesitate to start on medication again. I will try Flouxetine again.

Xx

Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner in reply to

I have some nerve pain in my head but that’s nothing compared to the anxiety i had before it was a killer

in reply toJessicawarriner

Anxiety is a vile condition. Battled it all my life. x

Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner in reply to

I agree no ones knows about it till u have it I had a friend with it for years house bound and I never understood her pain till I suffered it myself and then I felt a terrible for how she was suffering and I felt like I should be there more for her as I no her pain now and it’s a nightmare it’s like u are always on edge at the moment I am calm I am able to spend some time alone in my house without being scared x

in reply toJessicawarriner

It’s finding that safe place, and feeling comfortable. I get you on that, about spending time in house alone. You were not at fault for not being more available for your friend at that time. We know that until Anxiety is experienced personally, it’s a very frustrating/draining thing, for others to grasp who have not experienced it. It’s a battle, but thank god there is more awareness of it now. There wasn’t when mine first reared it’s ugly head, in my teens. I thought I was the only person in the world that struggled with weired characstics or behaviours .. such as: catastrophizing illnesses or situations, severe nausea hour before Id have a Social Event. Severe nausea and sickness in the mornings before work every single day for years. It was part of the norm for me. Years later to find out it was symptoms of PTSD/Anxiety. Feel a little angry tbh that I missed out on so much in my life .. on an occupational side mostly .. due to lack of compassion or understanding from family or professionals at that time.

Sorry to rant, I haven’t stopped talking for 3 days. Iv had some quality time alone, and I start looking over things. My daughter is at an age where I was when my Anxiety became difficult for me.. so I guess i’m tending to reflect on things.

There are many many tools available now, as help, but more importantly awareness ! Still got a long way to go I think .. on good Mental Health being the utmost importance in life .. without it, life can become a daily battle for people.

Take Care x

Jessicawarriner profile image
Jessicawarriner in reply to

Take care as well I am hear if u need a listening ear don’t worry x

PositivePD profile image
PositivePD

I had no problem with the medication. I was very fortunate.

MAtoNE profile image
MAtoNE

I was put on 40 mg of fluoxetine 3 weeks ago. Week 1 was fine. Week 2 was low appetite. I am on week 3 and its nausea and no appetite. I went to the doctor and she says to give it 2 months!!!!! Anyone have similar experiences? I know it is helping anxiety but the nauseous and no appetite is so hard to tolerate. 2 months seems so long

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