After a good few years of managing my health anxiety/ GAD without medication I am now back on fluoxetine 10mg only on day two anxiety is through the roof tired dizzy feel sick shaky unable to go out or even move much bad tempered, crying scared and really horried thoughts. I know you get worse before you get better and they did help me in the past but I can't remember feeling the way I am feeling this time round I did try other antidepressants the past year but none agreed with my and I fear these won't either. It is only day two but the feeling like utter Sh*te is making me question is it worth it?. I just want my life back I have been so isolated for over 6 months now litturally. Just don't no what to do.
I have tried and still trying mind training/CBT at home and just started counselling last week so hoping this might help too, waiting on referral for CBT.
Well thst was my theory if they worked before I hope they will work again although I looked at my posts from 4 years ago and I wrote I stooped them due to becoming lazy or feeling lazy. I remember being great socializing laughing having fun living. So it's making me second guess trying them again but I will try and forget the past and think of now and just go with it. How long has she been on them? Is it for anxiety?
about 4 years shes been on them shes on a lower dose yeah anxiety shes not as bad now im the opposite I take mirtazapine but im always out and about power walking through the hills.socialising is hard in bigger groups but more manageable in smaller groups.
That's good they help her and she's coping. Wow amazing go you wish I had your energy. Had a scare in January with my heart and although moving and getting your heart rate up is the best for your heart my fear is it will go to fast like it did in January but I had every test done even an angiograme heart is perfect so really I got a second chance to keep it that way and hear I am to scared to move just want my hyper confident self back and start to live.
glad you got the all clear I could be a bit more healthy but im trying went 4 hour walk today over the hills got home ate ten chocolate biscuits and an ice cream it was tiring mind you.once you feel better with the meds maybe you could take up something active but not to strenuous.
Thank you! Oh I do hope so not a life sitting in fear every day. Well we have all done that easy done. But 4 hours is amazing you deserved that treat so why not.
How did your health anxiety start? I too suffer from hypochondria, anxiety and panic. Just hit me out of the blue almost 4 years ago. I had a bad case of vertigo during the night and honestly thought I was dying. Never been the same since that night. It is so crazy how our minds can convince us we have every disease out there.
It was on new years day 2013 I had my first panic attack I honestly thought I was dying so did my boyfriend at the time called an ambulance got test done to be told it was a panic attack and from that day it was constant feeling of fear that somthing wasn't right. So really same as you out the blue but recently after talking and thinking about it it's always been there since after my first son in 1999 just not to the exstream it is now. Yes it is the brain is a very good trickster. Hope you are ok now it's a very horrible feeling are you on medication?
yes, I take remeron, Lexapro, and klonopin and if any of them help, I would have died without them. Honestly I don't know what to do any more. I am so tired of fighting this crap. Four years is a long time to be worrying about my health so much. I have had every test done and everything always turns out perfect. I was diagnosed with celiacs disease a year into this mess, but that should not cause all these symptoms. My worst fear is that this isn't anxiety but that I am going crazy. Do you ever feel like that?
Every day!! It's so frustrating you go get tests there fine. you think ok its all good am fine then boom you get something that makes you feel like you have something seriously wrong and you start to imagine the worst and before you no it it's took over your life!! Am not really sure about celicas disease but it could be partly to do with it worry stress can cause anxiety but a medical condition can cause anxiety too! Are you getting counselling or CBT? Are you on meds for the Celica? Could that be making your symptoms worse? I am at my wits end with it too got really bad in October suprised am still here to be honest but now I think karma will get me because I wished not to be here and now am like fuck it I need to be here is it going to finally happen? The brain is a very scary thing!
There are no meds for celiacs, I just have to stay on a strict diet. I get something on my mind and will research it to death. I have actually googled for hours when at my worst. I cannot believe one random panic attack can turn us into such hypochondriacs but it can. There are so many suffering just like us. I don't know the answer. I need to get a new therapist. My old one retired and never really helped anyway. He just wrote prescriptions and told me nothing was wrong with me except I was just sitting around waiting to die. I would give anything to go back 4 years and not have that panic attack and not be scared everyday that I am going crazy or dying. I couldn't drive for a year and my poor husband had to take me everywhere. I have told him I don't know why he don't leave me, but we have been together for 44 years, so he said he is not going anywhere. But I feel so guilty because I know I make his life miserable. I do still work, Lord knows I don't know how I do, but it is one way to get my mind off my health. Sometimes, I feel almost back to normal but it never lasts long and I am back to the panic and fear.
Oh am the same Google everything and because I am already thinking the worst I only seem to Remember/see the worst bits I find on Google. I wish you could to there is nothing worse that this constant worry and fear but hay your smashing it your still working your talking about it and of course your hubby won't just leave you it's bound to be hard on him but only in the way that he loves you sees you and can't take your pain and worry away but don't think you are making anyone misseable your doing the right thing your recognising it and that my lovely is an achievement in its self and we can all work through this together.. 💜
Thanks for that my friend. Yes we need each other because if you have never suffered from this, there is absolutely no way you could even begin to understand the sheer terror of thinking you are losing your mind. I am here for you!
Yes I know how you feel I think I have something do test nothing even though I don’t feel myself been like this for about 8 yrs and get better then it comes back with a force
I think it's always going to be there for everyone but it's how we deal and cope with it is the key. Yes I am on the medication but I no I have a lot of work from within to do to help myself. Are you on medication? Counselling?
A few years ago nothing. Now if my son gets sick or me I freak out and start thinking the worst I’m so scared of being sick I have my 8 year old son pass few weeks haven’t been well keep thinking it’s MS done tests everything ok but have body aches shaky inside trouble sleeping crying so scared of my son was older and can take care of himself I wouldn’t care what happened to me cause he can fend for himself just not right he depends on me
Bless your heart! I know exactly how you feel. I went through a spell of thinking I had MS. I didn't, I have had every disease out there in my head. It's been 4 years of this hell. I will get better and think I am finally over it and BAM, I start up on another disease. I cannot believe how strong our minds can be.
Yes I know I be ok a few days then I think it’s something else or think my dr are missing something I try to think positive but as soon as I get a pain it starts to a point where I can’t focus at all start feeling hot all over then cold all these weird feelings like wanting to faint so to drive these days
Sorry to hear you are going through this I really do sympathise with you and do hope it eases for you. It's hard when you are in a constant state of worry and panic and to be scared for your son to I get that I was the same with all my children even more after my 3rd. It's easy to say hard to do but try challenge your thoughts and start to think the opposite that you will not get ill as you need to be there for your son and that your doctor is right there is no illness you will be feeling ill as your immune system will be down as you are stressed and worried all the time but that can be changed. I wish you all the best and we are all here to help as much as we can.
It can be a very isolating situation if you haven't been through it I don't think you fully understand it. Are minds are a very impressive part of our body but also very dangerous thing. But we can do this we need to do this we deserve to do this for ourselves. 💜
Hi Antonia! I was on fluoxetine for 20 years... I don’t remember how much but it was a hefty dose.I decided last summer because I was feeling good and had been for so long to go off . I did it the wrong way ...cold turkey. I started feeling awful in Dec. with panic and bad depression. I am seeing a therapist and doing CBT but am still having bad problems. I have decided to go back on fluoxetine. I think I am going to need it to heal . Keep in touch about how you are doing with it. Are you feeling any better?
Wow that's a long time am glad they helped you. And sorry to hear you are having affects to you coming of them not so good. Yes cold turkey is not the best way but hopefully if you go back on them you can eventually get taking of them. I do feel slightly better but I am currently at my mum and dad's have been for a few days but really want to go home get a shower and try chill at home but so scared to be alone but suppose I need to pish through the fear and challenge it as I have been told this is goid way to work through it. How are you finding CBT?
My therapist introduced me to CBT. I do not see him very often so I think he thinks I can do it on my own. I just bought a book by David Burns. ( When Panic Attacks). It is also includes specific exercises to complete. I think this will help me more than therapy. I am also learning how to meditate.
Well av never tried CBT just the at home one but think most of it I need to do myself anyway. No quick fix or time scale I suppose just learning to deal with it think that's why so many get depressed to. Let me no how you get on with the book might be worth a read
Thats exactly how I was on that one. I really think I need antidepressants now but like you I have tried in the past and have had to stop through side effects. I dont know what to do its like SSris really don't suit me x
Hi jodary
How lony where you on them? Fluoxetine has helped me a good few years ago that's why I asked to try them again on Friday after trying few other ones past year. I am getting a few side effects and it has made my anxiety worse but I know we get worse before we get better so am sticking it out and hoping they help. 6 to 8 weeks to take acfect
Hi, I was just where you are now. I just started week three of Prozac/fluoxetine start up. I hit that wave of anxiety at about day 5. Yesterday was a tuning point day. I managed to get a number of things done and go to a get together with people I’m not close to and only had slight thoughts to the things I’ve been anxious over. So please hang in there, I know it’s tough but within a few weeks it should calm down for you. This has been about my 4th time starting Prozac and each time is a little different but the tough part always passes within the first (horrible month).
The last few weeks have been tough but what I found really helpful was jogging . I feel like the anxiety creates a lot of adrenaline and it’s important to burn that off rather than let it sit in you where it feeds the anxiety. It didn’t rid me of the anxiety completely but made it more manageable. I know not everyone has access to gym equipment or is in a mental state to do so, but if it’s a possibility for you I encourage you to try it ( usually when I’m anxious I sit like a lump in one place so I know it’s hard to find motivation).
Anyhow I just wanted to say hang in there, it will get better!
Thank you for your reply. And just at the time was just starting to let my thoughts get the better of me there and then my phone pinged. I do want to get move active and get back out walking and cycling as I no it will help it's getting over the fear that my heart will go to fast again and I end up on hospital but then I also no my heart is in good working order and I need to get my heart rate going to keep it good so I need to just do it. It's good to no someone else has experienced similar things it's a better validation that makes me feel a bit better about taking them.
Yeah please don’t fear that high heart rate when working out, it’s a good thing! I used to worry about my heart too when badly anxious, as do most anxious people. I don’t know why but it seems the easiest to fixate on. I know mindfulness is easier said than done, but if you enjoy walking, try taking a mindful walk where you focus as much as possible on the smells and sights of spring around you. Breathing exercises can be helpful too, I have the Oak app (because it’s free) and one of the rest time time breathing practices has helped me chill out. Also even 5 minutes of the Relax Breathing feature on my Fitbit has been helpful.
I see my self as a veteran when it comes to this, and yet every time I go through starting a drug, I find myself searching the internet for validation that things will get better. It really does help to get that confirmation that you aren’t alone.
Thank you! Lot of helpful tips there I really do need to get out walking I no I will start to feel better. I will download thst app and give it a try as well I have been doing a breathing app but it's just for social anxiety and i do struggle to go out some days bit its not the people I fear it's the what if o die or passout so recently I have been telling myself o am better dying or passing out in public than at home myself!! Just simple things like that to try change my fears. And yes that is so true.
I used to have the same fear, that I’d die crossing the street or out in public. I was never smart enough to think like you, that it’s better to be in public where help is! That’s how you fight this disease though, think you’re way around it, don’t let it bully you, and be smarter than it!
Hi Antonia. Have things improved? I’ve just started on Fluoxetine. I’m nearly 2 weeks in, taking them in the morning. I feel awful. It’s a beautiful day and I’m back in bed with the curtains drawn. I feel worse after taking them but it improves at the end of the day. Im wondering if i should swap to take them at the end of the day instead.
I found this forum after yet again returning to bed feeling terrible.
Thank you for your reply. I was like that at the start as well what mg does are you on? I felt tired all day then awake at night with the 10 mg and now the 20mg I am a more awake during the day still not sleeping great but a lot better than I was and when I say not great I mean I sleep but the min my eyes open no matter the time that's me awake so I have been keeping busy during the day appionment seeing friends to try get a sleeping pattern back as it's still early days. But yes forst 4 days I was the same in my bed up and down to get a drink bathroom then back to bed as side effects made me feel off. But hang in there it will improve am only on day 14 and feeling a difference already.
Hi Antonia. I’m on about the same day as you. I’m on 20mg. This is what my doctor started me on. I’ve had crawly skin, anxiety, lots of tears and the lethargy. I’m going to start taking them at night instead, see if I sleep through the side effects. I slept most of today and now I’m up and about. I may not sleep tonight 🙄
I’m glad things are settling down for you, if not perfect just yet it’s a sign that things are evening out I guess. Thanks for replying to my message. I was in a bit of a state this morning.
Sorry it took me so long to reply. And sorry You where not having a good morning it's not nice at all to feel like that. You can only try I have heard some people take them at night as it effect everyone differently. I hope it does work for you and you find a balance that suits you. Your not alone and you will get there just takes time. Really do hope you feel better soon. 💙
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Back with a vengeance 
Fluoxetine and anxiety
Prozac/fluoxetine 
Nearly time for back to work
