So just had a telephone consultation with my GP after he stopped my antidepressants for 5 days to start new ones as I’ve clearly got “anxiety” he asked if I was still taking them and I replied no, the 5 days I stopped fluoxetine I thought my head was going to explode on day 4 & 5. By day 2 on the new ones I felt totally spaced out so I’ve not taken anymore!! He asked if I’d like something else and I replied, no as anxiety is not the problem. I also asked for confirmation for my B12 injection, due in January after getting loading doses in October. He said due to us going back into lockdown he can’t guarantee that I will get it but as my levels were in the 900’s I’ve enough stored in my body to last well over 6 months!! I’m currently signed off work as I’ve gone downhill quickly after my 5 loading doses.
The other week though I plucked up the courage to SI. I’m glad I did as now I’ll get proper treatment. Today will be my 6th SI and will continue every alternate day until there’s no further improvement then work out how frequently I’ll need them. I’m also taking folic acid tablets too this time as my levels were low according to support groups advice but Dr said was fine (was 5.2 in October)
How often should you get your levels checked for folate, iron, potassium etc?
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Bamboo71
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Potassium is only really an issue if you have macrocytosis and that should have been cleared by the loading shots.Continual testing of vitamins and minerals isn't really required. Only if you feel that you may be deficient in terms of checking folate and iron and I would do that through the GP.
Depending on your dose of fluoxetine and how long you have been on them you will most likely get some withdrawal symptoms if you have stopped abruptly. Either persist with new medication or go back on fluoxetine and do a gradual withdrawal. I am a mental health practitioner so I am aware of the implications of abruptly stopping fluoxetine, your GP should be aware of this too & should have advised you, however it would have been ok if you where switching meds. Withdrawal shouldn’t be dangerous but it can be unpleasant. Hope you feel better soon.
Hi, I was on 20mg of fluoxetine starting from May this year, he upped the dose about 4 weeks ago as I was starting to get headaches etc again. He told me to stop for 5 days to start the new medication and by day 3/4 I felt my head was going to explode. After 2 days on the new one I felt totally spaced out. I have to drive so didn’t feel safe so stopped. I’ve not taken anything for over a week now but started SI every alternate day so just had my 6th injection yesterday. I’ve been feeling better than I have all year tbh. I told the dr I’d stopped taking them and he didn’t say anything, just asked if I wanted to try another one. I said no as it’s not anxiety that’s my problem, your just masking my undertreated PA......silence
If your feeling better now that’s good. If it’s just anxiety as your main issue I would suggest looking into some talking therapy rather than medication. Have a look on the NHS website, also you can ask your GP to refer you as talking therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy is good) is often more effective than medications but you could also ask for medication that is specifically for anxiety. (I don’t want to recommend medications as it’s not professional on a forum but your GP will know which one!). Good luck
My decades of "depression" that did not abate with any antidepressant nor any form of psychotherapy has gone now. I began to self inject every other day in February this year and by May - no more depression.
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