My experience taking Fluxetine (with some retalin)

[Ihatesnow]

Great diary! I'm starting day 3 and read soo many horror stories last night had made up my mind to stop! Nice to read experience of somebody who's carrying on with life and not being carted off to the er with horrendous side effects - maybe I will be as lucky. Well done and thanks for the insight!
Susan

[ChristopherT]

Hi Susan.

Glad that I could help a little and give a alternative experience.

Oh, day 3 wasn't great. I seem to remember days 6-10 being around the worse time...

There was a day or two there, where I thought "really?" But after around that time, I stopped getting as much anxiety.

I think the couple of days I got some sun and went for a swim in the ocean, were the most positive. I guess sunshine, and excercise and the water helped... Also a (feel) good movie, might help too.

Anyway I'm still not over the hurdle, but I guess by about week 5 I will feel the full effects.

---------- Post added at 07:48 ---------- Previous post was at 07:45 ----------

Day 29. Wednesday.

Hmm well, I guess I'm still keeping a level head and kind of positive in thought. I do have this heart break physical kind of feeling, that seems separate from my mind, which makes is easier to deal with but still not great. But I guess that's what heart break is, and at least I'm not over thinking or dwelling on it. I still confident, that things are moving forward, and while I'm not perfectly back to normal yet, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully.

[ChristopherT]

DAY 30 THE DAY I TRIED RITALIN AGAIN. (with Prozac) First time since day 13.



First thing in the morning I felt a bit down. 9am.


Then I felt really up for two hours. I thought this is the most up that I have been, since I started, and probably for quite a bit. 11am.


Then, I had my tablet, about 30 minutes after, the effects of taking the 20 mg Fluoxetine, must have hit me, because I felt slumpy again. I noticed my hands a little bit sweaty, a good indication of the side effects, as I had never had that before... Though it must be said, I can say they are not that sweaty. Very slightly, so perhaps that side effect is improving. I also think this slump I had before, after taking the Prozac pill. But it lasted two hours. So if i'm improving, these effects should be gone soon. 1 pm.


Another thing, is I am tempted to start Ritalin again, if only in small doses. I need the pick up it gives, and I think it should be okay to test to see if depression still happens with it... Anyway I will see how I go. 1pm


2pm Feel good. Instead of Ritalin, I had some caffeine to perk me up.


2:30. Decided to take 1 10 mg tablet of Ritalin. For the first time since day 13. (2 and a half weeks ago, the same time my Fluoxetine symptoms got better. at the time I was taking 30-40mg) It's effect usually lasts about 3-4 hours.


3:30 Felt Amazing. It's so weird. I went to the beach, it was colder than i expected, storms coming over... But I had no hesitation jumping into the waves, and it felt and looked so good! It was only when the rain turned to bits of ice, and i thought i better leave. But what a rush.


4:30 I felt really good. I have more focus, and seem to get more out of my time.


5:30 Still feeling very good, happy, focused and motivated. The Ritalin might wear off in an hour. Will have to see.


6:30 Still felt could and focused but perhaps a little more irritable than usual. Deciding to have one more Ritalin 10 mg tablet, for the next 4 hours.


8:30pm Well I feel good and positive. But I feel a slight faster heart beat, and perhaps a little bit of anxiety... But luckily tonight i don't need to be social.


My thing is, I do like the Ritalin, it keeps me focused, motivated, and quick on the ball. But I don't like that it seems to add to my anxiety and depression, and makes me a bit fidgety. In a perfect world, by day 36, I will be very relaxed and happy from the Prozac, whilst being focused, and motivated from the Ritalin. Then I will no doubt be, able to not only get over my depression and anxiety, but also excel when I do. That is the plan!


I love the way both drugs, make me feel and act, when they are working well, I just hope that I can find a good combination for everything. Considering I was heart broken two days ago. I think I'm doing pretty damn well!!

9:30pm, now... Today was a step forward.

[Ihatesnow]

You seem to be doing so well! Good for you. Heartbreaks really are a part of life but you have a good attitude and I'm sure you'll be fine and fall in love again.

[ChristopherT]

Ihatesnow.

Yeah, heartbreak is an interesting thing. About 6 years ago, I didn't really open my heart to anyone, for about 5 years.. I guess it was after the last pains... But I decided what was the point, if you were not 100 percent into it. I guess I just have to remember that, without going back to the way I was, afraid of something deeper.

So we will see, but I should probably take my time, get energized and meet someone when I feel better about myself and life in general.

---------- Post added at 23:25 ---------- Previous post was at 23:05 ----------

Day 31 Friday. (And Day 32 Saturday)
I decided to lower the amount of Ritalin I had with my 20 mg of Fluoxetine. And had just 10 mg of Ritalin (1 tablet) which I halved and had over the day.

I wasn't as productive, but I was okay. At night I went drinking, I felt some slight anxiety, more than the week before. So it seems, even at this stage, the negative side effect of having Ritalin with Prozac, is it gives me more a bit more anxiety. Still though it was manageable. The day after drinking I did have some depression, but it was manageable I guess. I have read on here, that it seems like after 5 weeks, the Fluoxetine takes care of depression, however for anxiety it can take longer, up to 8 weeks.. So maybe after 8 weeks, I would have more success, taking both medications at once.

Still on days I don't need to socialise as much and need to get a lot done, I'm thinking I will keep taking the Ritalin.

[ChristopherT]

Sunday Day 33
All good today. I had my 20 mg Fluoxetine tab as usual. I felt good, I didn't feel the need to take Ritalin. Just had my Vitamin B, and Omega Oil 3,6,9... Until night, when i had half (5gms) of Ritalin, and felt fine.

All in all a good day, and very promising that the Fluoxetine is doing it's job.

[hopey]

to once wasasuperegirl.

Hi I have been on fluexotine

How long were you on it before it took hold please? thanks

[ChristopherT]

Hi Hopey, in case you missed it

All my close friends n family know I'm on fluox, to be honest if someone treated me differently because I'd been having a hard time I'd be inclined to not bother with them as they're very small minded.

Hopey, I'm afraid fluox takes awhile to work even longer for the side-effects to diminish nothing to do with age I don't think. Personally I didn't feel a real difference till about 10 weeks, I noticed improvements before then like improved sleep n eating but by 10 weeks I was feeling positive about recovery x x

[OncewasSupergirl]

Hopey, will be 16 weeks this Thursday but as posted above it was 10 weeks before I felt confident of recovering. However even after a week I noticed a small difference, have to say its been amazing though never had this effect with an antid' before despite the side effects x x

[ChristopherT]

Once was Supergirl That's great you feel so positive about it, especially since you went through such a long battle with the side effects. Hopefully you will be like the others who mentioned in changed their life.

---------- Post added at 11:41 ---------- Previous post was at 11:33 ----------

Day 34 Monday.

I'm a bit sleepy now, but I want to write this anyway. So today I had a bit more Ritalin... I felt okay with it, I didn't need to socialise much though. I perhaps had a little down turn, that I wouldn't have had without it, but basically I think the two are going well together.

The Fluoxetine seems to be doing good. I'm actually looking forward to the morning when I have another one, because now i have in my head, that with each one i seem to be improving.

I can't really feel any side effects now from the Fluoxetine. I didn't even notice the sweaty palm thing i had, in the middle of the day before... which was mild anyway. And I seem to be sleeping and eating well again. I also seem to be coping a lot more with the problems in my life that were bringing me down.

I even thought, I could meet someone new in the future, today, where as recently I couldn't think like that. An old friend even offered to introduce me to some of her nicer female friends.