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Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
First of all I'd like to say thanks to everyone who's posted their experiences about Fluoxetine here - they've helped me a lot.
Secondly, I'd like to offer a message of hope to anyone going through the hell of Fluoxetine side effects. I've had bouts of depression on and off for seventeen years; I've tried medication, Therapy, counselling, meditation... you name it. Not much helped, really. But then I had a particularly bad bout in late summer and was really reaching the end of my tether.
I went to the GP and she put me on fluoxetine. The first few days were okay, but the next few weeks seemed like absolute hell - insomnia, terrible anxiety, nightmares, crazy turning thoughts... all much worse than the symptoms I was taking the pills to remove. I was very scared, very anxious and feeling desperate. I seriously thought about coming off the drug and discussed the options with my GP. But, something inside me said "stick it out". As I didn't have to go to work for a week or so, I did stick it out, and after that low point I started to feel better.
I've been on it (20mg a day, taken in the mornings) for over two months now, and I have to say I feel much better than I did - brighter and more positive - the side effects have really diminished too. I'm working okay (and even enjoying it!) sleep from 11pm until 7am and as an added bonus have not felt like a cigarette for two months! The only downside has been that I have to severely limit my alcohol intake as I find that anything more than a galss of wine or a beer makes me feel awful the next morning. But that's probably better for my health anyway!
Obviously everybody's different, and the drug may not suit everyone who tries it, but as I remember reading some of the horror stories about side effects and really relating to them, I thought I'd just post about the positive experience I've had since the side effects diminished. When you're right in the middle of them, they seem like they'll never end, but they did for me. So if you're trying to get through them, my thoughts are with you and good luck.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Wow Tontoe everything you have mentioned is what has been ahppening to me....I am actually thinking of increasing my dose as I am begining to think maybe its not enough to make the anxiety feelings go!?
I have been on since Sept and have to say you are so right on the wine / beer! My anxiety the next day is horrendous and I end up taking diazepam to ease it....this edge can last for a couple of days after too!
Glad to hear things have finally turned for the better....I am so chuffed for you
Nic x
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Tontoe, likewise, I have just got through the side effects and the drug is beginning to work, it has taken just over a month for me to get any where resembling a human being, but it was all so worthwile. I actually smiled because I felt happy the other day, I can't remember the last time that happened!
So glad I stuck with the fluoxetine, it has made the world of difference to me.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I also want to thank everyone who has posted information and support here.
I have experienced many of the symtons. I was at the end of my tether, I couldnt have imagined how bad the side effects of fluoxetine would make me feel. I also didnt have any effects for the first few days, then increased anxiety, depression and numerous side effects set in - Feeling dizzy, sick, could bearly eat for a week, shakes, fear, scared and increasingly desperate. I wasnt sure if it was fluoxetine making me worse, or if i was just getting worse, until a good friend directed me to this site.
The doctors dont give you this sort of information and you feel so alone, desperate and that nobody can understand. I can say I dont think I could have understood unless i'd been there. But I am glad to say just about three weeks in I have had my first day of feeling slightly better. So anyone thinking there is no light at the end of the tunnel hang in there becasue THERE IS!!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Are there any other success stories out there after experiencing hellish side effects?
I could do with some encouragement right now cause at the moment I feel like quitting cold turkey, today is my 12th day.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
No solly don't do it, remember we are doing this together to make us strong enough to be able to beat anxiety!
I am 100% that these side effects will go away and leave things looking brighter for us.
Its going to be hard but who wants any achievement in life to be easy! Don't give up on yourself
Xxx
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
hi i have been on this drug since i got the advice from this site and was a great help to me i was on 20 mg but i lost my mother in 2010 and my dad in 2011 so i could feell the anxity attacks creeping back into my life so i asked the doctor igf i could increase the dose to 40 mg of witch im hoping will work as i would not want to go back to my state when i was having these attacks but i feel a few side effects from the increase iis this natural
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hello - I am new to the forums. I just wanted to say how fantastically helpful and reassuring I have found this website to be. Tontoes' post in particular has bought me great comfort over the past few weeks.
To explain, I am an OCD sufferer who has occasional & really not very serious 'flair ups' if I can put it in those terms! I went to my (new) doctor and she suggested Fluoxetine rather than my usual Cipralex, so I went along with this.
Well essentially I have just spent a month having OCD, panic attacks (never had those before) - terrible depression, unable to eat, absolutely crazy turning thoughts you name it! I ended going back to the doctor who said 'oh yes those side effects are listed, don't worry'! She gave me some Diazapam which I have used very sparingly (in fact, only 5).
I am now at the end of week 5 and am definately beginning to feel better, the OCD thoughts have subsided a lot and the terrible depression (something I wasn't in fact suffering from before) has lessened. I really feel I am turning the corner. I really wanted to add to the messages of hope though as I have never experienced anything like this, in my 43 years!, the Cipralex just used to make me sleepy.
So my very best wishes to all of you suffering out there and so many thanks to those that have posted here - this is a fantastic resource.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I am on day 3 of Fluoxetine....Ive heard good things about this AD so Im going to battle it out......anything to feel like i used to.
felt a bit 'manic' today,upbeat,even chatty........weird,as ive not felt like that for a while.maybe its just a good day....am i in for a fall tomorrow?
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Quote:
Originally Posted by
sickandtired
I am on day 3 of Fluoxetine....Ive heard good things about this AD so Im going to battle it out......anything to feel like i used to.
felt a bit 'manic' today,upbeat,even chatty........weird,as ive not felt like that for a while.maybe its just a good day....am i in for a fall tomorrow?
I felt exactly the same some days - I went running to get rid of some of the manic energy! A good day is not necessarily followed by a bad one. What'll you;ll find after a month - 6 weeks is that the good days outnumber the bad by a significant amount. Keep going
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
we can do this together.
we have to stick with it.
we have to believe this.
we have eachother, for me that is enough to get past these aweful side effects.
much love, peace and light to everyone out there
xxx:hugs:
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thank you so much for the positive posts... you all have been there, so you know firsthand how the side effects can rip off hope for beginners!
I am on day 10, and misearble! But I'll try to stick with this med for as long as I can!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi Im new here and going through years of terrible panic and anxiety, my doctor recommended fluoxetine and I had awful side effects with it so I stopped. They had terrible effects on my eyes and gave me mydriasis which is one pupil going a lot larger than the other, it sent me into a complete world of panic I ended up having a brain scan which thankfully was normal but Im so frightened to go back on them, I have a heart condition and my Gp says they are the safest ones for me so Im wondering if anyone else experienced any change in their eyes whilst taking the flouxetine, any pharmasist Ive asked have never heard of them effecting the eyes which is making them even more difficult to take. I really need to be on something as the anxiety and depression is escalating to a much higher level which I didnt even think was possible. Please Help!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi - I was on fluoxetine for 15 years and found it fantastic - the side effects were horrendous and no internet then - for me anyway! I suffer with OCD (Pure O) - only just had a diagnosis and had none whilst on fluox 20mg. It took 12 weeks for me to feel good - it gave up the ghost last October and have suffered since. I am seeing a psychiatrist (private) because of the rubbish NHS system in Mental Health and having tried Sertraline to no avail on Citalopram going up to 40mg on Sat. I asked him if it would be as effective as fluox and he replied at the end of the day it is an SSRI which work better for OCD.
One word of warning - I tried Fluoxetine again a couple of months later and it was a nightmare and felt suicidal. My advice if it works stay on it for life if you have to - I will stay on Citalopram as second time round on them they do not have the same effect from what I have read on here too.
I have found the initial start up effects on Citalopram are no where near as horrid as Fluoxetine - just hoping they work as good.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thanks for all the encouraging posts on this thread. I am on day 12 with fluoxetine 20mg which was prescribed for deprssion/anxiety/panic attacks. This has definitely been the worst day for side-effects so far - jittery, dry mouth, lots of nervous energy, poor sleep quality - but no full-blown panic attacks like before (used to get excruciating abdominal cramps, diarrhea, heartburn, palpitations and high blood pressure). It looks like I will need to stick with treatment for a few more weeks until I start getting the full benefit but I am glad to see the fluoxetine will work eventually.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I am loving reading about all these experiences! I'm on day 8 and I am feeling kind of the same as I was before, maybe a little bit calmer.. I know sometimes the side effects take time to build but I weaned off the cymblata right before changing to prozac so maybe I'll be one of the lucky few with a smooth ride? Thinking of you all and hang in there!!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
ok, so how is everyone doing? I spoke too soon and as soon as I hit week three the side effects got me.. Waking up trembling and heart pounding every morning and then that eases up and them I am just on the edge for the rest of the day. Does this pass by soon you think? I don't want to quit yet. I'm a day away from starting week 4. :)
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thanks to all that have posted their experience with Fluoxentine. I am on day seven , and have been going through many of the side effects; nauseous , anxious, tiredness , head fog, etc... It is reassuring to know that things will get better if I continue through this. Today was my worst day, but yesterday was my best... I guess it's a day-by-day thing.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Sometimes the side effects can last several weeks. I've recently started on fluoxetine for the third time in my life, and the side effects were terrible - felt so on edge for several weeks, though I had been feeling that way in the weeks beforehand anyway (previously I just felt down and lethargic when I went on them). Around the middle of the 5th week on them the side effects seemed to go away pretty quickly and now I'm feeling so much better.
I could have tried a couple of other SSRIs for pure O OCD but I decided to go back on fluoxetine as I had managed to live a fairly normal life on it before and I didn't want to be messing around with new meds again.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thanks to all of you who have posted your experiences, your posts have helped me greatly for the last month. I have been on 10 mg fluoxetine for a month for anxiety, and three days ago i increased my dose to 20 mg. Now I feel very anxious again. The first two weeks on 10 mg were terrible, but then I gradually started to feel better. Have anyone experiences the anxiety coming back after increasing the dose? I feel so alone and desperate, please help! And I really hope all of you struggling with side effects get better soon!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi everyone , I just wanted to say how this site has really helped. its a shame my Dr coudnt of at least warned me of how these fluoxetine tablets were going to make me feel.
I am on day 12 of 20mg. I had a nasty fall and was knocked unconsious back in May, been diagnosed with Post Concusion Syndome and Dr put me on Fluoxetine. The anxiety is awful, going out on my own is a nightmare. Luckily the dr put me off work. They really make you feel weird dont they. Out of worry one night I googled for side effects as the tablets had no leaflet with them. I stumbled on this website, thank god I am not alone in all this. Thanks to all of you, and good luck in the coming weeks, lets hope we all start feeling better soon . x
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi, now I have been on 10 mg fluoxetine for 5 weeks now, and I have been gradually feeling slightly better after the first two terrible weeks. But today I was hit by a sudden and intense depression that lasted for more than an hour, I just went to bed and felt desperately low. My doctor has told me that 10 mg probably is enough, but I wonder if my dosage is to low or I may be on the wrong medication. Please give me some encouragement, i really thought I was getting better, but now I am so low....
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi first time on this forum nice to see all the posative messages i started taking fluoxetine 6 days ago and the side effects are terreable so far i feel like iam getting worse. Unable to go to work today headache,can't sleep,restlessness ,agitated etc etc when will they start to get better
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi guys
First time poster here - am taking Fluoxetine (20mg) prescribed to me by my doctor for supposed Chronic Fatigue - although after a lot of work with a therapist it seems more and more likely it is my perpetual state of anxiety which may be causing my physical symptoms.
I'm on Day 8 of taking it, initially just felt a bit woozy but have found the initial side affects to be pretty damn full on at times. Getting the dry mouth, occasional itching on my back, increased sensitivity to things in general and weakness but also last night had a really disturbed night's sleep, sweating loads almost like those dreams you have when you get flu!
I've found it really helpful to keep a journal of how I'm feeling each day, every few hours I write down how I'm feeling to keep track of my progress - also it's a little boost as you chalk each day off!
Am going to speak to my doctor today to discuss - I hope this is all worth it :wacko:
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I have just started taking Fluxetine 20 mg prescribed by my doctor. It is day 10. I have been feeling ok lately and to be honest I dont know if its the drug as its aerly from what I have read. I am getting really stressed as I am sweating so much and not at night. As soon as I do the slightest bit of physical work I sweat buckets. Will this pass? I cannot keep taking this if it wont stop as even my work collegues must be noticing . I work in an air con office and have little physical work to do usually but am quite a fit person . I hate taking tablets but am trying to keep with it. HELP
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
This is my third attempt at getting back on Fluoxetine. After taking a break for a year I decided I needed it again a few months ago but I keep stopping due to the side effects- bad headaches that last for days, nausea and disturbed dreams. Plus hardly anyone knows I'm on them so people keep remarking on how ill I always am :mad: I'm really going to persevere though, I know the side effects will wear off and I do need anti depressants. Good to read other people have had similar problems and got through it :)
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi all. First ever post on anything like this .Been on 20mg of Fluoxetine for 3 weeks exactly and just want to give some details of what I have experienced to date.Take the pill first thing in the morning after I force down some breakfast and continue to feel rubbish until late afternoon when things do improve.My appetite returns in a fashion at around 6pm and from then until bedtime (about11pm) I feel not bad at all.Also try to get out walking in the evening which does no harm. Sleep pattern has altered quite a bit. Wake up about 2am feeling great ,wake again at 5am and so so but by 7am bang the clouds are back and the day starts all over again.
On the up side I decided to stop drinking alcohol and coffee and have not missed either.
It has been good reading other peoples posts and it has given me the encouragement to give the medication time to work.With the help of my wife and family I know I will get through this bad spell .Stick in everyone.....there is a good day coming! :)
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I persevered with the fluox this time and I'm happy to say I'm still taking them. I've had a niggly headache today & yesterday but on the whole side effects don't seem too bad this time. Fingers crossed! Not sure whether I feel happier yet but it has only been 3 weeks. Deffo recommend sticking with them if you can because the side effects will wear off and it might change your life :yesyes:
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Margie1
Hi Im new here and going through years of terrible panic and anxiety, my doctor recommended fluoxetine and I had awful side effects with it so I stopped. They had terrible effects on my eyes and gave me mydriasis which is one pupil going a lot larger than the other, it sent me into a complete world of panic I ended up having a brain scan which thankfully was normal but Im so frightened to go back on them, I have a heart condition and my Gp says they are the safest ones for me so Im wondering if anyone else experienced any change in their eyes whilst taking the flouxetine, any pharmasist Ive asked have never heard of them effecting the eyes which is making them even more difficult to take. I really need to be on something as the anxiety and depression is escalating to a much higher level which I didnt even think was possible. Please Help!
Hi,
I am new to this site but I have just been given Fluoxetine and I have got to say I was thinking of coming off them. Its mainly the nausea thats bothering me but they are making my eyes feel weird. My eyes feel heavy and they are making me feel dizzy. I have been given them for the symptoms of the menopause, hot flushes, but if these symptoms dont subside soon I will quit.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hi Redfox 77, so sorry to hear about your parents!
Yeah it is natural to feel some side effects when you go up in dosage, but they don't last and nowhere near original ones,
Love and prayers,
Stephen
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
My eyes are blurry and my reading vision its good since starting Prozac if that helps
Joy
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hey all!! I have suffered with anxiety for sometime! I am a terror for coming on and off but im sticking with them this time!!.......Just reading this has made me feel better! I was sure I was going crazy loosing my mind! Recently split with gf (my fault) and even tho she came to see me yesterday and said she'll see me again i've been thinking she's seeing someone else and also all sorts of CRAZY thoughts! I am getting the impression its the fluoxotine doing it to me now. Honest the thoughts wud seriously only make sense to me!....I keep just beliving the worst when really I should be pleased she's even speaking. Surely thats a good thing. I am going to try my best to persevere with the tablets and ignore the thoughts I am having!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hey, it's day 3 for me - what is it with the pins and needles?? Plus this is the first time I've had OCD symptoms for about 6 months. Seems like regression somehow. Please someone tell me this is normal/or not. Should I go back to my GP or stick it out?? Any words of wisdom would be very welcome right now. Thanks.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Y,ou need to stick it out unfortunately, I went on it for anxiety and my anxiety got worse after taking it, to cut a long story short, lots of different side effects at different times over 5 weeks, and at times I hit rock bottom and thought I would never feel better, I lost loads of weight because I could not eat, couldnt relax etc. there were better days and really bad days, however it will seem a long way a way because it did for me but at just over 5 weeks I started to feel loads better and like me again, I have had little blips since but am now at 10 weeks and feel great.
I did have diazapan to take as when I needed it and some sleeping pills and they both helped the rough days, am also on 160mg slow release propopanhol which has helped so much with the anxiety. I wish I had found this website at the stage you are at as I did not find it until I was about four weeks in, but reading that others are going through the same thing and that they got better plus the really important support that I have had has helped me get where I am now.
Good luck and I am happy to be here for you if you need it.
Janinexxx
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thank You Janine!! Yeah the site really helps!! Not enough advice and warning given by the doctor at all!
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Thank you everyone for posting your experiences.
I am about to start fluoxetine (maybe tomorrow) but am too nervous because I have heard about the anxiety increase in the first few weeks.
I'm assuming that most people with anxiety problems get this, but I have a fear of being anxious and I really can't find the courage to take fluoxetine if it can make it worse.
I have been having nocturnal panic attacks and have to phone NHS direct every night to help me calm down. I'm also worried that the added anxiety will make it even harder when looking for jobs and going to interviews.
Please could someone offer my any advice?
Thank you in advance.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Hey BellaBella88
Sorry to hear you are having a rough time at night with anxiety attacks :/ Ironically the people who really don't want to/afraid of taking SSRI's are the ones who really need it and yes it may increase your anxiety for the first few weeks and you may experience some unpleasant side effects but you have to evaluate where you are now, can you live like this? Will enduring the side effects for a few weeks and then getting on that road to recovery outweigh the way you are feeling now? If you are having to ring the NHS for reassurance then they are pretty bad anxiety attacks and maybe you should give Fluoxetine a try?
I know the side effects can be daunting but maybe you could try the "Cranzac" method? A couple of people use this method as it may offer some alleviation from SE's which are not nice :/
http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=123840
Let us now how you get on in general and what you decide to do. Maybe a diary or your own thread on here detailing how you feel day to day may help, you will certainly get some kind words of encouragement and you can look back and view your progression :)
Nathan x
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Quote:
Originally Posted by
BellaBella88
Thank you everyone for posting your experiences.
I am about to start fluoxetine (maybe tomorrow) but am too nervous because I have heard about the anxiety increase in the first few weeks.
I'm assuming that most people with anxiety problems get this, but I have a fear of being anxious and I really can't find the courage to take fluoxetine if it can make it worse.
I have been having nocturnal panic attacks and have to phone NHS direct every night to help me calm down. I'm also worried that the added anxiety will make it even harder when looking for jobs and going to interviews.
Please could someone offer my any advice?
Thank you in advance.
I found it was worth a few days of increased anxiety in order to get to where I am now. If you really find it unbearable you can always ask to be switched to a different medication, but there's nothing to lose by trying it.
Don't put yourself under too much pressure to look for jobs and go to interviews at the moment as it may be too stressful right now. I would say give yourself some time to recover from your anxiety and then you can focus on finding a new job.
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
Unfortunately I'm eight days in and expecting a reply about a second interview this week. Eep! I would call it off but it's my ideal opportunity and my bosses at work make my stress
so elevated that I have told myself 'I am going to get a new job'. I'm hoping its on a good day as if I wake up like I did today it's going to be a struggle :(
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Re: Fluoxetine side effects - a message of hope
I have been on fluxotine for 2 months now and my anxiety/depression has improved but I get awful bouts of nausea everyday. I worry alot about my health anyway even though I am healthy and I'm worried that the nausea is from underlying disease I could have. I just wish it would go away. Maybe I need to increase my dose