Dosage of Fluoxetine too low or are other meds needed?

[cpdash]

Hi, I have been on dif meds for over 20 yrs. Paxil, made me fall asleep and totally out of it. Then Zoloft for years, felt like zombie, then Venlafaxine for years. Added ABilify, thought helped a bit, then added mirtazapine but didn't take long enough before I had a surgery with complications this year so they stopped all meds in hosp so decided I wanted to try something new. Over a month suffered cuz Psych wouldn't fit me in. Primary care dr finally put me on fluoxetine. current dose 40mg It helped the crying stop and the anger subside a bit. But still not feeling that much better. Nothing helped me feel good enough to do anything in my life. I have no friends, sit at home and do nothing can't motivate to clean or do anything, no energy. Feel worthless. How do you really know if the meds are working enough? Am I expecting too much from them? How do you know if a combination is needed, higher dose etc.?? My Psychiatrist doesn't seem to be up on things! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[RIO-heart]

I'm right there with you! So tired no motivation to do anything don't even want to leave the house. Just feel sad and empty. I'm on Venlafaxine 150 (for 18yrs) Mirtazapine 15mg and Buspirone 10mg. They seemed to stop working about 8 months ago. My Psychiatrist added 10mg of Escitalopram, was on it for 4 months with no real effect. Two weeks ago he switched me to Prozac 20mg. So far not doing much except making me tired! Will give it a few more weeks to see if it improves

[Talkwater]

Hey there!I'm so sorry none of these have helped you enough.

I did treatment with escitalopram and it really helped me while I was on it.

But I have only been experiencing depression for 4 years, took me 2 years to start taking medicine. I took it for a little over a year than decided to stop. Not very smart of me. I really want to go back now.

The difference was subtle at first but it was definitely there, I started on 5mg and went all the way up to 20mg. I didn't really have any side effects, wich was a major plus for me.

Honestly, it sounds to me, you need new doctors that care more about you and will keep track of your treatment to make sure it's working.

Good luck!

[faucet]

Didnt work well for me. On mirtazapine for over 2 years, 90 mg but not working much anymore. Not sure what to do.

[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. Is this accurate? 2 months seems so long

[cpdash in reply to MAtoNE]

I have had a loss of appetite as well. Never connected it to Fluoxetine, but it makes sense now.

[MAtoNE in reply to cpdash]

Do you remember when your appetite started to return? Dr said to give it 2 months but I’m hoping I will start to feel hunger sooner

[cpdash in reply to MAtoNE]

Well, I just started the 40mg and actually my appetite hasn't really come back yet.

[MAtoNE in reply to cpdash]

Okay I’m on week 3 and hoping it will come back because I can barely eat.