Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 01:25:11 PM

Title: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 01:25:11 PM
I've changed from duloxetine to fluoxetine and it's been a week and no change anyone else on it and when do you feel better? X
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2024, 01:54:32 PM
Any idea why you changed, was the 1st drug not helping at all?  In which case, Fluoxetine may not either.  :-\

How do U feel overall?
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 02:06:42 PM
Duloxetine didn't really help and made me super tired. My Dr was going to try me on venlafaxine but said it required a heart stress test so try fluoxetine first. I need something to work my anxiety is crippling x
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Losingtheplot on January 25, 2024, 02:20:54 PM
Hi

Fluoxetine takes a few weeks to help. You should feel some benefits after 2/3 weeks however can take up to 6 weeks to feel full benefits. Stick with it and see how you feel in 6/8 weeks xxxx
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 02:46:07 PM
 :thankyou:
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2024, 03:55:02 PM
I have never heard of that reason for not prescribing!!! I would check that with a Pharmacist.  I've been on ADs since 1988 and never had any external examinations. 

Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 08:10:09 PM
Same he said venlafaxine requires a heart monitor test?? I was like what??? It's a joke x
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on January 25, 2024, 09:02:55 PM
'in people with known heart conditions ' - NHS -

Is venlafaxine bad for your heart?

The pattern of cardiovascular side effects reported with venlafaxine use includes vascular headache, angina pectoris, hypotension, dose-dependent blood pressure elevation, syncope, sinus bradycardia, first-degree arterioventricular block, bundle branch block, and acute heart failure.  11 Aug 2022


All new to me  ::)
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 25, 2024, 10:02:35 PM
You are always a font of knowledge @CLKD
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on January 26, 2024, 10:05:47 AM
Tnx but it's good old NHS information via GOOGLE  ::)

Wonder how many GPs are up2date about doing heart checks on some medications?  Quality of Life, Girls, Quality of Life ;-)
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 31, 2024, 10:07:54 AM
Day 13 and in hell. Will this ever improve. I'm so worried I'm going to be in this panic state forever
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Nas on January 31, 2024, 10:18:05 AM
Oh no Dawn, that is not good.
Really hope you begin to feel the benefits soon.
What symptoms are you experiencing?

I am planning on taking sertraline soon, but scared of the side effects!
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Penguin on January 31, 2024, 10:29:44 AM
Dawn how long were you on the first drug and did you suddenly stop the first drug or did they taper you off? I wonder if you could be experiencing withdrawal. My experience with other ssri drugs is that they need to be reduced slowly.
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 31, 2024, 10:30:54 AM
I just feel hopeless. I have health anxiety, cptsd and I'm just miserable. I just want to feel normal
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on January 31, 2024, 10:39:58 AM
I tapered then switched
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Nas on January 31, 2024, 11:11:47 AM
I just feel hopeless. I have health anxiety, cptsd and I'm just miserable. I just want to feel normal

Give them time, I am sure the meds will kick in soon.
Can you do some mediation/ deep breathing/ go for a walk/ etc, whilst you are feeling unwell?

Apparently, these meds do take while to start working (4-6 weeks average).
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Penguin on January 31, 2024, 11:13:24 AM
My experience with ssris is that they do take awhile to reach full effectiveness. Have you been referred for talking therapy too? Some Trusts let you self refer.
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on February 03, 2024, 09:26:17 AM
Paid for cbt and it didn't work. Dr doesn't really have any menopause or mental health expertise and there are no specialist Dr's or nurses on staff and when I asked about referral he said referral to where? It's absolutely so disheartening
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Nas on February 03, 2024, 10:02:17 AM
Do you feel any better Dawn?
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on February 03, 2024, 10:15:45 AM
Morning.  CBT did nowt for me though talking therapy over all helped me to vent  ::)

Some ADs take 10-14 days to kick in though I've always felt better within 3.  Part of that is being listened to and not being told that it's 'imagination'.  Suddenly during the late 1980s I realised that I was beginning to feel better.   I also try to get into the sunshine every day .......... and take a VitD tablet at night.  I continue with 5mg Escitalopram at breakfast and 10mg at night. 

The brain may take a while to uptake the medication.  Try not to panic!  Let us know how you get on.
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on February 04, 2024, 04:44:59 PM
Hard to tell, still anxious, hormonal and teary. I'm hoping after 3 weeks it will have kicked in but I'm in a pit of dark where I'm scared I'm going to feel like this forever x
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: CLKD on February 04, 2024, 06:39:32 PM
I was exactly the same, also when I withdrew the side effects lasted about 36 hours, then I realised that they didn't become any worse.  All the while both ends of ADs my brain was asking 'what if'  ::)

However: my ADs kicked in sooner than 3 weeks, in fact after 3-5 days I felt better.  Half a day at a time.  Try not to look for improvements so that U aren't disappointed. 
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on February 05, 2024, 10:43:23 AM
I think I'm just so desperate to feel normal I'm watching the days. My peri is a problem ar the moment with periods all over the place so I'm sure my hormones aren't helping.
Stopped all alcohol to see if it would help but no improvement x
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on February 05, 2024, 11:02:22 AM
Do you feel any better Dawn?
Thanks for checking in x
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Nas on February 05, 2024, 11:09:48 AM
Hopefully you will begin to feel better soon. It sounds tough right now.

Hang on in there! X
Title: Re: Fluoxetine
Post by: Dawn3129 on February 05, 2024, 11:11:24 AM
Thank you so much x