30 days on Fluoxetine - when will nausea/shaky stomach stop?

[Antha]

I have been lurking this forum since I started fluoxetine. I started on May 4th, 2012.

I had a couple days of insomnia early on and appetite decreased significantly. The insomnia only lasted a couple of days, the decreased appetite has continued. It feels like my stomach is a thinly stretched balloon and cannot hold much food. I may be really loving my food and want to eat more, but I will gag or throw up if I try to push it. Seems like my stomach cannot only hold so much weight.

I can deal with that, I suppose. My real concern is that I have pretty bad nausea and "sour stomach". All day it feels like it's very possible I could throw up. I've actually missed a lot of work lately. I missed all of last week because my stomach was churning so badly.

This side effect didn't come on until about mid-May (about 2 weeks). It has persisted for the last 2 weeks. I have read a lot hear about getting through the worst and riding out the side effects. Any ideas on how much longer I'll have the "sour stomach"? I've already had it for 2 to 2 1/2 weeks. I don't mind the decreased appetite (I've lost 5 lbs and I need to lose more) and I'm sleeping just fine. If the stomach doesn't get better, I have to wean off fluoxetine because I can't lose my job because this drug makes me feel like I have the stomach flu.

Just yesterday morning, I even vomited a few times. I had nothing in my stomach so it was just heaving up spit but the contractions were just like throwing up.

I've tried motion sickness pills, Pepto Bismal, TUMS...nothing helps the stomach.

Also, just curious: anyone feel a tightness in their forehead? I picture it like someone injected Botox into my forehead. It doesn't bother me. I just find it strange. I have had that since I started fluoxetine.

[LAURA48]

Hi

Sorry you are going through a rough time - I was on Prozac for 15 years! and was really good to me. However I remember the side effects very well - especially stomach problems - they did eventually go.

I think you are still suffering from side effects - my side effects started the second week. People tend to think you will get them straight away but even now I am on Citalopram (5 weeks) and no start up problems but the psychiatrist asked me a couple of weeks ago to jump to 40mg - well the second week (just gone) has been awful - anxiety/acidity has had me in tears. So I have dropped to 30mg as of tonight although he said side effects happen in the first week? Never in my case.

Have you any Losec/Omeprazole - it may be called something different in the States.
Would try and give a couple
more weeks or may be that fluoxetine doesn't suit you - have you tried Celexa - the one I am taking as start up effects were more gentle than fluoxetine.

I guess you are on 20mg? The tightness in the forehead may be tension. Try and have some soup and probiotics yoghurts have helped me along with a hot water bottle on my stomach.

Hope you start to feel better

Laura

[RockShox]

Hello :) I changed over to fluoxetine for only a month, i had constant stomach pains and really pale skin. I thought my anxiety was causing the pains but when I got a capsule stuck in my throat, the drug leaked and started burning my oesophagus, it is surprisingly acidic. So there is a chance they may never go unless you discontinue.

[LAURA48]

Hi - I had a lot of acidity/dyspepsia when I first started to take fluoxetine for weeks but it did go and I got a capsule stuck in my throat - only did that once! doesn't it burn, but I am definitely not knocking the drug as it served me very well and got my life back for 15 years.

[Antha]

Thank you guys for answering my questions.

The "so sick to my stomach feeling" eventually did pass. Seemed like it lasted about 3 weeks. It was very rough. I'm writing this to not only thank you but in case someone else searches for a question like this. So to those people, it did pass for me. I was hoping side effects only lasted a few days, maybe a week or 2. Maybe I was just unfortunate, but mine lasted 3 weeks and then GRADUALLY eased up and got better. The "sour stomach" did not just stop one day as I was hoping it would do.

Maalox is helpful (or an off-brand of that; they don't seem to sell Maalox anymore). Coats your stomach. Couldn't do anything about the motion sickness feeling (getting up and walking around I'd feel...unsteady).

[LAURA48]

Hi Glad the stomach has got a better and just bear with the fluoxetine - it does take time.

I am just been diagnosed with Gastritis - been on Citalopram 7 weeks - feeling a bit better mentally but used the stomach issue - been told by the professionals it is not the Citalopram causing it! Hopefully the Omeprazole will help but it is painful!

My side effects lasted quite a while on fluoextine may be 6 weeks - but I did get better and found it a miracle drug for 15 years until it had stopped working - but hey feel as though I gave it a good run for its money! Hope the Citalopram will do the same.

[elili]

Hi guys
I'm on day 12 fluoxetine...I'm feeling sick now. I have ranitidine (zantac) at home I'm temptated to use it, I feel my stomach so acid. Yesterday I waited too much to eat and felt terrible after: dizzy, troubles to breathe, nausea... don't know if it is prozac or the food I ate!! :(
Still feeling a little like this now. Please help!

[spawn]

Hi Elili, im on around day 14 on flux, i have the same problem as you.
I was even sick if a look or smell food at some point recently, i am taking Stemetil and Colpermin to help settle my stomach. Ive lost a stone in weight in 3-4weeks through not eating. Gav

[lala53]

I had been on anti-depressants for the last 8 years. 4 years ago I switched to Prozac (generic form). The first 3 years I tolerated it well, with some occasional indigestion after taking it. I begin to be severely nauseated and thought that I had a virus that was going around. After a few weeks I was still nauseous and had a complete loss of appetite. I went to see my doc and he treated me for gastritis. This went on and off for 10 months, with severe abdominal pain in the upper stomach that was only relieved by taking Hydrocodone. After many tests it was determined that my gall bladder was bad and so out it came. I did well for the next year, I did not take the Prozac that year. Later, I decided to go back on it and I took it for only four days. The fifth day I was back in the ER with severe abdominal pain, dyspepsia and nausea. It never occurred to me that the Prozac was what was making me sick but looking back now I can see all the times that it did. after going a year and then taking it only to be suddenly sick with the same symptoms is just too coincidental. Its been 2 weeks since the ER visit and I am still suffering with gastritis symptoms and it is very painful. I will never, ever take it again. I lost a total of 20 pds over the last 2 years. I don't think my stomach will ever feel the same again.

[Supersal1984]

Can I ask if you had diarrhoea also with the sour stomach. I have a churning stomach throughout the day and it has been here for over a week and I am getting fed up xxxx

[lala53]

I had very loose stools and sour stomach as well.

---------- Post added at 14:12 ---------- Previous post was at 14:05 ----------

[k77be]

I'm on week 7 (4 weeks 20mg, 3 weeks 40mg) and I've had a bad acid stomach for the past 2 weeks, today its been really bad plus a bit of the runs. On top of this I've felt right down, which is not something I normally get. I'm debating if I should go back to the doctors to change to something else. Do I try and hold out til this batch of pills runs out (another week and a half) or try to change now? My anxiety is the worst it has been for ages, I'd of thought the pills should of kicked in by now.

[sickandtired]

I had terrible diarrea for the first 3 weeks and lost a stone! it was usually in the mornings,the minute i awoke from my pathetic few hours of fitfull sleep, then panic would set in.Mornings were vile!!!! now i love mornings would u believe!

[Supersal1984]

Pleased for you Sick and Tired. Hope you are no longer sick and tired.

How long did it take for you? I am on 2.5 months and I still have a bit of depression, anxiety, and stomach problems and I am thinking of giving in.

xxxxx

[sickandtired]

i am no longer sick and tired.I am busy and happy.
its taken nearly 12 months,councelling,alot of tears and good family and friends help.
please dont give in.....
you say you have a bit of depression......is it better than a few weeks ago ?
I know you wont want to hear this....but it is such a gradual process.....its so painful....each day,waiting for the old you to resurface.
I still had the anxiety after a few months,but it wasnt nearly as bad as at the beginning.try and judge how you feel,week by week,rather than day by day.do you feel better in the evenings?

[Supersal1984]

Yes i tend to feel better in the evenings, as I feel glad that I have got though the day.

I will persevere, as long as I know that it is worth it. It is just a lot of people say that they feel better after 8 weeks, and so i am started to feel, at 11 weeks, that I am doing something wrong.

Thank you so much for your reassusrance. It means loads right now.

[sickandtired]

thats exactly how i used to feel! id be elated that id not had a meltdown and would have a lovely long bath,get in my comfy pj's and look forward to watching TV even if it was rubbish.....
in the early weeks,i couldnt even watch the news and certain programs....would have me crying my eyes out,as though it was the end of the world
try a few more weeks,then if you dont see that much of an improvement,then i would go back to the docs.Must go and drop my daughter off at ballet now,but i,ll probably be back on later x take care :hugs:

[Supersal1984]

thanks Sick and Tired, you are a massive support. xxxxxx

[Janine]

Supersal don't lose heart and give in you have come so far, you helped me so much, have you thought anymore about trying the 20mg, I know you are scared but you know what the side effects are and it could be what you need. You have to do what you feel is right though, but just to say we are here for you.

Janinexx

[Supersal1984]

I have had the most awful night. First of all I woke up with lower abdominal pains, which stopped after I went to the loo! And then just before I got up my stomach started feeling as if it was full of mucus! I am not sure what to do. I am so fed up. Has anyone else felt just like this and recovered. It has been over a week now and I am hardly eating anything x

[Piano]

Dear supersal, are you on 10 mg?

[Supersal1984]

Hi piano, thank you for your message. Yes I am on 10mg x

[Piano]

When I passed 12 weeks on 10 mg, I had some bad blips. I was almost admitted to a hospital because of suicidal thoughts. I took a blood test, and it turned out that my fluoxetine level was way below the therapeutic level. So I upped my dose to 20 mg three weeks ago. The side effects haven't been nearly as bad as when I started fluoxetine, and I feel more even now. Had a blip yesterday, and I feel nauseous today, so my body is probably adjusting to the higher dose.

[Supersal1984]

How are you feeling now? X

[Piano]

Dear Supersal, right now I'm feeling optimistic. It feels like 20 mg is a better dose for me. And I was scared of upping the dose because I went through hell when I started on 10 mg. I have been a little anxious today and yesterday, but not nearly as much as when I started on 10 mg. If I were you, I would get a blood test from my 'doctor to check the fluoxetine level.

[Supersal1984]

Thanks Piano. It is nice to see you are doing well, especially after you had to wait so long. I would ask for a blood test, but our doctors are very money conscious and so I doubt they would agree to it. I am going to try 20mg from Saturday and see how I get on.

I hope you continue to feel optimistic and your anxiety goes xxxx

[laineystod1]

Im on week 3 of 20mg fluoxetine and since yesterday I have had severe nausea with dizziness/off balance. I was starting to panic about it until I came across this thread! Im on it for anxiety/panic attacks and it seems to be making it worse just now so much so that I was going to stop taking them!! Ive lost a stone in 3 weeks which I needed but didnt want to do it this way. After reading some of the replies on here I am determined to stick it out and let them work! (Fingers crossed they work :wacko:) thank you xxx

[emorgan]

My appetite has been iffy since I started this med a few weeks ago - I sometimes go two or three days without eating, which jin turn means I can't take the meds and feel generally really bad. There must be an alternate solution, I don't think this is the right medication for me. Anyone have alternate advice? I came home from work today feeling so weak and tired from not being able to eat. Any info from anyone is totally appreciated :)