Evening all,I posted just before Christmas about my concerns taking fluoxetine and Propranolol.
I recently spoke to my doctor who advised taking 10mg to start with half dosage.
Anyone else taken this drug and dose and had a positive experience?
I'm still anxious to start and ride the antidepressant road.
Just want to feel like me again.
Are the side effects worth it for the positive outcome.
Thanks
Smudger
Hi Smudger0122. I can't respond about propanolol, but I have been taking fluoxetine 20mg for nearly 5 years. I understand your concern and hesitation about starting an antidepressant, but sometimes we need that little kick from medication to get us through the toughest times. I don't want to say anything to discourage you from giving medication a shot. If you find you don't like it, you can always taper off and/or try something new. That being said, it has been a mixed bag for me. I am probably alive due in part to Prozac, but I have yet to achieve lasting positive results. Life is still a struggle, but the fluoxetine makes it more bearable. Unfortunately for me, I often feel numb and distant from my emotions. I am making it through the day now, but I definitely don't feel normal or "like me again." Emotional blunting seems to be the major trade-off. I hope this helps and I wish you peace and happiness.
My psychiatrist once put it in perspective for me: Would you rather take a pill every day or feel like this every day? The pill wins. Just give yourself time for it to work.
As for the Propranolol, that I would question. It's off-label for anxiety, and only works for physical symptoms - plus it has a LOT of possible side effects. If it were me, I'd start with just the fluoxetine and give it 4-6 weeks to work before resorting to propanolol. Good luck!
Let me preface this by saying that everyone's experience with fluoxetine is unique. In my case the fluoxetine helped with my anxiety for a time, but things changed. After being on it several months I started feeling "foggy" all the time and I gained 18 pounds. For a time the tradeoff was worth it, but that changed. I was on the lowest dose of 10 mg and eventually went to 5 mg and to 5mg every other day to get rid of the "foggy" feeling. I finally stopped taking it, and the withdrawl was hell. I wish somebody would have told me about the withdrawl before I made the decision to try it. Maybe I should try another antidepressant, but after experiencing the withdrawl I don't think I want to go through that again. I am currently managing my anxiety with meditation, exercise, playing the piano and with CBD oil. I realize that some people need the help that medication provides. I just wanted to share my experience with you because you asked.
Thanks Punkster,I am using CBD oil with no THC in. This is due to my job, I have to be drug free.
I'm wondering if THC included would be more beneficial?
When I tried setraline in june, on day 3 I suffered intrusive thoughts.
These thoughts scared me and have stuck with me. To the point the anxiety feeds off them.
I just want to try something that after 7 months of trying breathing and meditation will make me feel normal again.
I think my negative outcome in June has scared me in trying a different anti depressant.
I'm just lost and confused really, wish there was a magic wand that did help.
Thanks
Smudger
Smudger, my CBD doesn't have any THC in it. I had sleep issues related to my anxiety where I would wake up at 3:30 a.m. and not be able to go back to sleep. I tried all natural remedies and all the conventional sleep medications and nothing worked. As a last resort I tried "edibles" CBD with THC (essentially pot) to help with sleep. I took 1/4 of the edible and was awake ALL NIGHT LONG. It was funny because I have never smoked pot and I was curious how it would effect me. NO THC for me. However, like I said before, everyone is different.
I would be careful about trying THC if u have anxiety issues. It gives me horrible panic attacks & paranoia. There's no way i could smoke marijuana after being taken off of Klonopin, but orally, it's a bit more manageable. I would caution against it, or at least know what u are getting into before trying it, & mentally prepare for a bad experience, just in case u have the same symptoms i did. I had a counselor recommend a beta blocker or Propranolol, but said the side effects may be rough. I couldn't afford to see a psychiatrist, tho, & a general practitioner won't prescribe that here, nor would the online psychiatrist from minded. I obsessed over my heartbeat & it causes great stress, but I've been doing much better recently. I suggest not taking any drugs if u can help it, even prescription medication. Some have no other choice, but many could overcome their depression & anxiety with natural means, & get needlessly dependant on medication, which causes just as much harm as good in the long run. Most medication, especially antidepressants, are only meant for temporary relief, but then it's taken for a lifetime. That's a different debate to get into, & not sure how welcome that would be here, the anti-anti depression meds, or pro homeopathic/natural remedies methods, but u can research the big pharma companies urself, & see there's a reason they don't 'heal' anyone, they want to keep us as patients for life, so be sure & avoid any medication u would be dependent on for life, if possible. I'm only telling u what i wish i knew before i started on antidepressants, but after i have had progress getting off of Klonopin after 20 years, it makes me wonder if i could be medication free, which would be great, if so, but i have doubts.
I smoked weed daily for about 10 years when i was younger, but always had prescription Klonopin available for the paranoia, just for reference. I have done just about every drug available in the early 2000's except crack or heroine, so i have experience with most drugs. I think that's what caused most of my current mental issues, personally, so i definitely regret it. I would try everything possible before u try medication. I wish the best for u, tho.
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