New Meds

[charley1894]

i started my new meds today.. Fluoxetine 20mg. i was on them before as a kid (17) but can’t remeber how they made me feel. all i remember is a really rough couple weeks to begin with. Can anyone advise or educate me on what i should expect. thanks in advance

[gerg]

I have been on Fluoxetine for several years, it does take some time to get to a level that works well. I recently had my dosage increased and I felt a little off for a while. When I went on it originally I was in pretty bad shape, so I'm not sure it made me feel worse. I like it now and I am happy it is working as it should.

[dillydally1 in reply to gerg]

hi, I have been on fluoxetine 20mg for one week, depression feels worse, I can't sleep, my husband went to pharmacist, he told him things can feel worse to start with, and can take at least 3 weeks to notice a difference x

[charley1894 in reply to dillydally1]

i can’t sleep either! have no appetite and constantly cry.

[GregariousGrace]

My primary care doctor put me on it. Everything I have read about it says to take it in the morning when you wake up. Some doctors prescribe an extended release that is weekly and some prescribe the regular where you take it when you wake up and then take another one at noon. But only follow what your doctor is suggesting. It says it can cause serotonin syndrome which didn't sound good.

I didn't think it was working for me (my allergy drugs give me fast relief why doesn't this? ). I finally got into the psychiatrist. She told me that she didn't want to change it until after at least 8 weeks. She told me people who have a family history of depression or mental illness usually take longer to respond. So I am also trying it out.

But there are so many ssri today. If you have been on it for 8 wks and are having negative side effects or not feeling better, call your doctor. Some mental health doctors have a call service and sometimes people just need to go to an we and tell them you need help. If you really think you need help, see if it is possible to go to a psychiatric hospital or at least one with on-site mental health facilities. If anything else they can sedate you and monitor you or determine if you have another condition (hormonal changes, enzyme levels out of wack, vitamin deficiencies, etc)

We can all tell each other what to do, but it really comes down to you are the only you. You know what you are feeling and if is real or not (or real to you) and as embarrassing as it is, try to communicate it to your doctors.

We are technically taking drugs that no one really knows exactly how they work so then might not even work for you. So be open and honest with your medical team