Fluoxetine - doc has just prescribed this for me any one had any experience of it?

[pippypoppypanda]

Been feeling really low for a while now so I decided to bite the bullet and go and see the doc. I didn't really want to go on medication but he seemed to think it will help. Has anyone ever taken this? And how did you feel with it?

[whateverhappened]

hi, have taken it - am on it! beginning to feel better. it's been about 6 weeks now. have managed to stop losing weight, though amn't putting any on, have started sleeping better and am generally more cheerful - had been feeling v low for ages (PND but in denial, as ds is 2.5 . you need to take it in the morning because otherwise you can get nightmares. It makes lots of people feel sick, though I have problems that way anyhow, so I couldn't tell. I had what felt like the caffeine shakes for a few days, and woke up in the middle of hte night a bit claustrophobic a few times. It can cause increased symptoms of anxiety at first, but these should mostly wear off after the first two weeks. after about two weeks any side effects I had seemed to wear off, and by 1 month I was beginning to feel a bit better. Best of luck!

[pippypoppypanda]

Thank you. How much weight have u actually lost on them if u dont mind me asking? been reading some of the other threads and some people have said they make u put it on? I certainly dont want that as im battling with my weight after pregnancy anyway x

[wiggleit]

Hi ppp, i've been taking fluoxetine for years now and it has really helped me. initially i did lose weight but now i've put some back on again. The depression i suffered has definitely subsided and i can lead a normal life whereas before i just used to walk around the house and suddenly burst into tears for no reason, i had no reason at all at feel down. Went on fluox and within weeks felt more able to cope and generally much happier. I did suffer a few mild side effects like disturbed sleep,like i'd wake up really early in the morning (about 3am) and not be able to get back to sleep, but after a couple of weeks that settled down.

Don't worry about the weight thing. You'll probably lose some and may not put it back on but even if you do it'll not be much.

The main thing is if you're feeling down and these help then surely that's better? Hope you get on ok. x

[whateverhappened]

Lost about a stone. but I get an ibs thing going on if i'm stressed, so it's more due to that that the tablets i think. side effects list weight loss, not weight gain. also if you're likely to eat when depressed then if you feel less depressed then you're less likely to want to eat. You'll also hopefully feel more up to doing stuff - I'm enjoying running about whereas before I didn't have the energy too - which should all help with your weight anyway. So I agree with Wiggleit - they shouldn't make you put on weight, so don't worry about that, and if you're feeling better that's bound to help with your weight anyway. best of luck!

[TrinityTheProgressingRhino]

I took this for 2 and a half years for severe pnd after my first child
I did shake a little when I first starting the tablets but any side effects were gone after the first 2 weeks

It really did help me feel better, no doubt about it

[beckyvicky]

hi Pippy
i took it for about a year - I didn't know I was depressed till its effect kicked in and I returned to being the person I usually am - I hadn't realised the point I had got to before I felt better enough to see it. iyswim.
I was ok at low dosage, at medium I started getting occasional skin irritation and at higher level I got rashes that had me climbing the wall in pain (in some delicate areas) - very quickly dropped the dosage again!
this wouldn't put me off if I needed it again, I (and doctor) would just work out the right level to suit