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Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Hi everyone:hugs:
Thanks for opening the thread and reading.
I'll introduce myself, I'm Julie, married with 2 children. I was diagnosed with a GAD a few months back, October time. It was just before a holiday and I was anxious about everything and anything ... it was just ridiculous. I have a good GP and who would see me every other day and listen to my ramblings. At first I thought I had vertigo as I was feeling dizzy all the time and my brain/head felt funny ... like it was moving. Soooo, I was given Citolopram and within a few days I felt worse than ever and stopped taking them. I was given diazepam and that's how I got on with the holiday.. but I had to go back to visit my GP when I returned. I never went back, well, not for a few weeks. It's now middle of November and my GP refers me to the mental health team at the hospital as she is reluctant to give me any Anti D's as I've got such negative opinions over what happened with the Citalopram. Fast forward the hospital appointment and I prescribed Fluoxetine. By this time I was so poorly I was ready to take anything.
So my journey starts 1st December, I am prescribed 20mg of Flux. The first night was dreadful, but I knew I would be bad and just kept telling myself it was a SE and that's it. Then I felt almost euphoric for a few days, again another SE, but that's a fab SE :yesyes:
Then my son came to have an minor procedure in hospital and I felt really bad. Not depression, just my anxiety way out of control. It took about 4 days to calm down.
Then came 30th Dec and I bite into a bacon sarnie and I have the most horrendous pain, next day I am at the dentist and getting the tooth taken out. It was a difficult extraction. But the fear I have been left with is immense.
I feel like every tooth is going to give me toothache. I am shaking and not eating.
I've still stuck with the Flux and don't want to stop, I've read lots of threads and I'm wondering if I have hit the blip that Flux users can get and bear in mind the tooth ache, it's taking me a bit longer to get over it.
So ... I'm finding it over whelming to do most of the basic stuff, get the kids to school, making a meal, cleaning the house etc .. but I am forcing myself to do it. Apart from eating, I don't feel like eating at all, but then when I do eat, I eat my food like I am hungry.
So today, I made myself do some ironing, it's been building up for a while and then I felt great that I had done something. But I want someone to talk too, I have no close friends and although my hubby is sympathetic he has no idea what I am going through as he is the most relaxed person ever and doesn't appear to have a nervous bone in his body - lucky him!
So, who fancies sharing their flux journey with me. I will keep this like a diary style, so what I have done each day, how I am feeling etc and hopefully with sharing I will start with my recovery.
And well done for getting to the end! Blame all the spelling mistakes on my shakey hands :roflmao:
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Day 36 of taking Flux
Not had the best of days, but I made my first post on NMP so that's a positive. I did some ironing - another positive and I helped my youngest tidy his room. Negatives, only eaten 2 bananas and drank brews all day. Couldn't face cooking so sent hubby out of a take out. The outlaws (inlaws) turned up and felt quite anxious whilst they where here as I just wanted to sit down and try and relax.
My gum is still sore where my tooth was extracted and I'm jaw clenching so I'm proper fed up with all that. Feel quite anxious and shaky but it will be bed time soon. Just taken a sleepease tab, I can only take one tab, the recommended dose is two tabs but two knock me out way to quickly.
Here's hoping for a better day tomorrow.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
It took me around 70 days to start feeling sort of back to my old self. I was a mess. Daily writing on here helped me a lot, as did keeping busy. You WILL get through this, but it may take a while. I hope your breakthrough is soon, I'm interested to read how your journey goes.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks Big, hopefully I will start to feel better soon.
So... I got my days mixed up, I am actually Day 39
Day 39
Got kids to school, which is a massive achievement. Came home and I felt tired so went back to bed. Woke up feeling much more positive about lunch time. Did some housework, actually, quite a bit of housework compared to what I haven't done these past few weeks :roflmao:. Still not feeling hungry, even though my tummy is growling at me. But I've had a banana, some choccie biccies and some grapes. Picked kids up from school and went to shop - now that is massive! Bet it was Christmas when I last went into a shop. Bought some crumpets to have later before bed. I've prepared tea for hubby and kids but hubby is cooking it when he comes in. I'm going for a bath now and then later I'm having reflexology.
So today, woke up feeling all anx, prickly skin, no appetite, but not feeling shaky like I was yesterday. Felt great chatting to other mums at school which was nice too. No over thinking either today too.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Good posts :) I'm the same
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Hi Claire :byebye:
Thanks for posting.
Just had my reflexology, I've eaten a crumpet and decided I am phoning the dentist tomorrow. I've got a chipped tooth at the back and although it's not causing me any pain, I am convinced it is going to start soon ... so, I've made an executive decision to phone the dentist and get him to sort it out, then that's one less worry .... sure I'll find something else to worry about though :D
Just taken a sleepease tablet so it won't be long before I will be taking my sorry bum to bed.
Here's to a better day tomorrow!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Day 40
Had the worst night sleep ever! Didn't sleep a wink, anxiety through the roof and my skin feels like it's crawling. Hubby took kids to school whilst I phoned the Docs, got an appointment straight away. I was prescribed Propranalol 10mgs 3 times a day. Came home and took a tablet straight away. Oh my days!! The relief was instant. Felt so much calmer and relaxed. Went back to bed but didn't sleep, just relaxed. Right now I am waiting for my tea to cook, first time in days I have felt hungry and I can't believe how hungry I am feeling :yesyes:.
I'm hoping I sleep well tonight, I could really do with a good night sleep.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
I had to have propranolol as well and am still on it, my doctor gave me a slow release version and I had an 80 mg one to start with and then had to up it to 160mg when the side effects got worse, I just have to take one tablet a day which is good and they do help.
J
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks Janine
I was so worried at the docs, that I would end up being sent to hospital. I'd never heard of Propranolol until a couple of days ago but I had no idea what it was for. It worked a treat for me today. To have my skin feel normal has been fantastic. And, I have eaten pizza for my tea!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Day 41
Not really slept again, but managed to stay in bed till about 10am :wacko: Got up and had a shower, not feeling as anxious as yesterday which is brilliant, but I do have some anxiety, I'm slightly shaking. Take my Flux and go and get showered and ready for the day. Then I take a Propranolol. Feel quite calm and hungry around lunch time so I have a fish from the chip shop :yesyes: Spent most of the afternoon just doing little bits around the house, like washing and drying. But I spent most of the time reading. I do feel quite relaxed but not hungry. Going to chill with my hubby and kids tonight just watching tv. Going to try and early night but even though I'm not sleeping, I just don't feel tired. But I've loved my lazy day today. I think being kind to myself helps me. If I don't put to many demands on my myself I can cope with the day better.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Just take it one day at a time, your sleep will get back to normal but it does take time, the same with your appetite, eat what you can and try and eat little and often, I really struggled with both to the point my husband was literally feeding me banana, but as you improve and the tablets really kick in you will be sleeping and eating normally.
You sound like you are coping really well, there will bad days and better days until they are all better days.
J
J
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks Janine :bighug1:
Yeah, I'm not worrying to much about the food as I know at some point my appetite will come back and then what ever I have lost will all go back on quite quickly and I am led to believe that my sleep will be better than ever too. I'm counting down the days till the Fluoxetine is in my system fully .... looking forward to it! :)
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
DAY 41
Complete wash out. Worst day ever! Felt anxious all day even with taking Propranolol :ohmy: Did some ironing but only because I made myself do it. My skin felt like it was crawling, I was so agitated it was just a horrid horrid day.
DAY 42 (today)
Not had a great nights sleep, tossed and turned all night. Got up feeling like rubbish, decide to let the eldest stay off school so he can take youngest to school ... I know, that's really bad, but I just couldn't face the school run. Feeling anxious most of the morning. Then hubby decides he is coming home from work, he has been given some time off to look after me :hugs: which is so nice, but I'm feeling so bad about what I have done to my eldest I have given myself a good talking too. I went for a 3 mile run and burnt off some of this nervous energy. Felt great this afternoon. Took the kids to the dentist and managed to go into a couple of shops. Came home, hubby had cooked tea and I ate a huge bowl of spag bol :yesyes: I'm feeling ok this evening. Got the dentist tomorrow (still convinced every tooth is giving me toothache :blush:, just as well my dentist is understanding of my GAD. I hope I sleep well tonight. Plus, I've told hubby he has to go to work, I HAVE to get up, I HAVE to take the kids to school, I HAVE to do housework .... I have to keep telling myself, what I have is not going to kill me, I am far better off than some people and I should thank my lucky stars it's just anxiety and I've not been told that I have, well, you know what I mean ... I am lucky!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
You will have days like today when it all goes horrrible wrong and you feel bad for part or whole of the day, take the help from your hubby if you need it, it will stop you feeling guilty about your son and you need looking after when you are like that. 4 to 6 weeks was a horrible time for me and you think you should be getting better and then you feel so so bad, you are doing well, you are right it is just anxiety but it is really hard to deal with when you feel so bad and it is an illness, if you had a broken leg you would have to rest it until it mended.
---------- Post added at 22:43 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------
Oh and good luck at the dentist. hope you get sorted out.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
So I've deliberately kept away for a few days as I seemed to stay at a low. The low week has really thrown me, especially as the first four weeks on fluoxetine I felt fab. Saw the doctor yesterday and she upped my propranolol to 40mg twice a day, I go back in a weeks time and I'll probably have the dose go to three times a day.
I woke up this morning and I just felt awful, like a real impending doom. To be honest, I've felt like this for a few days ... I can honestly say until I took fluoxetine I have never had depression. I didn't sleep well last night, but after taking the first 40mg of prop I fell asleep, woke up after half an hour and the sunlight was shining through the house, my first thought was how beautiful it looked to have sunshine :yesyes: It was like a lightbulb going off, my first positive in a couple of weeks.
Anyway, I think I'm about day 45 and I really hope that the blip I hit is on it's way out now. My appetite still isn't fantastic, but today I have done well, I had a banana for breakfast, ham sandwich for dinner and pizza for lunch ... I'm still conscious of what I am putting in my mouth in case I get toothache :wacko:
I'm starting my first course of CBT on Monday evening, NHS taking to long so I've booked a private therapist, I don't mind paying for a few weeks till the ones on the NHS come through.
Have a good weekend everyone :yesyes:
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Well, I'm week 8 now and boy oh boy, I feel amazing!
I can honestly say week 5 - 7 where just dreadful. I would quite happily have taken a pill that would have let me sleep through those 2 weeks. But I'm so glad that I stuck with the Prozac/fluoxetine.
This past week has been amazing. I went shopping!! That's massive as I was starting to become a recluse. Actually, I've been shopping a couple of times and enjoyed each trip. I managed to take my eldest to visit a new sixth form college and not worry or stress about it at all. My appetite is back, actually I am eating anything and everything in sight at the moment haha. I don't seem to have the same sort of worries, or I am less anxious about what I would worry about if that makes sense.
I know it's still early days and I am prepared that I might have a couple of bad days, but this past week has been amazing. I'm so glad I stuck it out with the fluoxetine and didn't stop with when the lows go too bad.:yesyes:
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Good news, is it amazing when it works for you and it is a great feeling, I felt just like you when it happened, I hit such a low ebb around 5 weeks and then suddenly came out the other side.
I have had a few blips along the way but they do not last long and they worry you less and less as time goes on and you cope better each time they happen, the good thing is they always go away.
I am so glad you persevered and you are having some good time.
xx
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
So happy for you, I hope you have many more weeks like this one.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks BMP, this week has been pretty awesome too. I've stopped taking (tapered off) the propranolol too. I just feel happy. But then I have nothing to worry about right now .... lol
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
MrsCav, you seem to be doing so well after the rough start. Gives me hope.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Yip, it wasn't the best of starts, but life is good now. I use to read posts on this board and read people saying what a good time they where having on Prozac/fluoxetine and wish that was me ... well, it is now! Stick with the meds, it will all come good.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
So happy for you, that is great!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks BMP, I need to read your thread to see how you are getting on, but I know you will be doing pretty good too.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
So it's been a month since I last posted on my thread and things are just as fab as a month ago. I've had two grumpy days, but I know what caused that, tiredness. I'm much happier, much calmer and far more positive. Life is pretty great. Kids think it's wonderful as I'm much softer with them now haha. Mind you, last night was fun. I was helping my youngest do his homework and I don't do homework at all, I hate it! I started losing the will to live and my youngest said 'mum, I think the happy pills are wearing off' ... it made me laugh anyway.
My appetite is all back to normal, actually I can eat things that I wouldn't eat before, like pastry. I could never eat pasties or pies as it would give me indigestion, I don't get indigestion anymore. I like other foods that I didn't before, like crisps. I'm more a chocolate girl than savoury girl. But despite all that I haven't put any weight on. I'm still exercising and my meditation classes have come to an end.
The only negative I can say I have found is I do bruise more easily, not big massive bruises, only little tiny ones but it's something I will bring up with my GP when I go to see her in a couple of weeks. I'm pretty sure it's because I took nurofen for a headache and I'm sure that nurofen doesn't sit with Prozac well.
But as I keep telling everyone, if this is normal, I have never felt normal before. I genuinely believe I have poorly for years but I have never realised how poorly I have been. What I'm feeling right now is amazing. Stuff that would send me off in a complete panic just doesn't happen anymore. I'm loving life and finally, I'm living life!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
MrsCav
Day 36 of taking Flux
Not had the best of days, but I made my first post on NMP so that's a positive. I did some ironing - another positive and I helped my youngest tidy his room. Negatives, only eaten 2 bananas and drank brews all day. Couldn't face cooking so sent hubby out of a take out. The outlaws (inlaws) turned up and felt quite anxious whilst they where here as I just wanted to sit down and try and relax.
My gum is still sore where my tooth was extracted and I'm jaw clenching so I'm proper fed up with all that. Feel quite anxious and shaky but it will be bed time soon. Just taken a sleepease tab, I can only take one tab, the recommended dose is two tabs but two knock me out way to quickly.
Here's hoping for a better day tomorrow.
Hello
going through similar,, plus lack of sleep
can you take Sleep ease as well as Prozac, that is good.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
I did, in fact, I still do every now and again. I don't think there is a problem with Prozac and Sleep Ease, but there 'could' be with Propranolol. Both tabs act to lower the blood pressure ... but I will take one when I haven't slept all that great for a few nights.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
It's been over a month since I last posted. I am 5 months in now and just reading back to how I was last month, things have changed. I've stopped with the bruising, that went as quick as it came. I don't crave pastry like I did.... that was odd, I never eat pies or pasties but I couldn't get enough of them. Bet it's been over a month since I had a Cornish Pasty LOL. I still don't 'do' homework with the kids, I hate it with a passion!! Nothing in the world will ever change that. And I've not had any off days either. I forgot I had had some grumpy days last month. Anyway, life is still fab, I'm still here, there and everywhere, I like going out and doing things much more now. I've joined a gym too, just so it's something else to do .... that and perv at the hunky men working out, just don't tell my husband that LOL.
My CBT was cancelled because I am doing so well, which I understand but think it's unfair too in a way. I'd much rather the therapist help someone who is on the brink but I think I should be given some tips and advice on what I could do to change my mindset. It was funny at one point, I was asked what I worry about and I said 'Nowt, at the moment, I think I am on enough meds to never worry about anything ever again' ... which is true!!
My GP has said that I will start to taper off Prozac early next year, which suits me. I thought I would be able to stay on long term but apparently the drugs are designed to work for a 6 month period. You can do longer, but it's not designed to be taken for years and years. I only take one 40mg propranolol tablet a day, that will be cut down again when I visit my GP in a few weeks.
I Hope everyone is doing well and if you are reading this because you are going through bad side effects and feel so terrible, just remember, it does get better .... actually, it gets bloomin' brilliant, stick with the Vitamin P!
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
HI MRSCAV , Just a message to Thank You for the help you gave me when the anxiety was taking over me but now I feel loads better and things are good , I hope you are still fine and feeling good , I am so glad I listened to you and I do try and help others in the same way as you did for me THANK YOU , YOU REALLY ARE A GUARDIAN ANGEL xx
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Soooo I haven't been around here for ages but I thought it would be good to come back and update and finally finish my diary.
With the help of my doctor I have now finished taking Fluoxetine :yesyes: It was arranged with my GP I would start to come off in January, however my husband had a heart attack (44 years of age !! :ohmy::ohmy:) so it was put back by a few months. So I started to withdraw a couple of months ago, I've taken it slowly but I am finally off Fluoxetine.
I can honestly say, it was the best medication for me to take. My anxiety had been through the roof for years it was getting where I was a rambling, jittery mess most of the time. I had the best year ever last year and this
year has been ok, but it was time to come off.
So for all of you starting, you will hit the odd blip, normally about 5 weeks in .... don't stress to much about it, it's just your brain fighting against the serotonin. I promise you will start to feel good and I can't begin to tell you how bloomin' good it feels to be 'normal' after years of an illness creeping up on you. Good luck to everyone of you .......... but I tell you what, if I ever got prescribed Fluox again, I would take it in a heart beat :yesyes:
I should also say, there has been no effects coming off at all. Doing a slow withdrawl seems to be the way to go. I did one tablet every other day for a few weeks, then one tablet every third day for a few weeks and then one tablet every four days for a few weeks and then one tablet every 5 days for about 3 weeks ... then I stopped.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks for the posts MrsCav
I'm just on day 1. It's great to hear it worked so well.
I'm looking forward to getting a few weeks down the line to see where I am with this....but dreading the onset of the side effects.
xx
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
I found the dairy MrsCav! Thank you for telling me about it. I have to say you really have made me feel soooo much better. I am going through the exact same side effect as you but you have given me hope to carry on with the meds.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Not sure if anyone is around these days??
I'm bringin my flux buddy diary out of hibernation if anyone would like to chat?
I'm back on the Vitamin (P)prozac. Ive been off for just over a year. However, Im back on it again, today is day one. Lots of reasons, mainly not coping very well. Not so much anxiety, just low mood. Mainly to do with Covid but other niggly things, noisy neighbours who like to party. Menopause. Not able to go and do things, like nippin to Asda. All whilst still working. And yes, I know I can 'nip to asda, but I'm scared I'll get the virus'...
So a quick phone call to the GP's and Im back on Prozac. I'm not to bothered about the side effects, I know what to expect and I've got propranolol just in case.
So anyone fancy a chat?... I'll check back daily
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
So I'm nearly 2 week in and no problems as yet. No anxiety, nothing. I'm not sure its even lifted my mood. But its still very early days. I just remember being so poorly first time around and nothing this time.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
That's weird. I'm back on 40 mg after being off for a couple of years. Now on week 10.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
How are you finding 40mg? Any side effects or are you cruising?
I dont understand why I have no side effects this time around. No ramped up anxiety or low mood, nothing.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Hi,
I've just read your thread. You did really well in the end on the Floux. Just curious as to why you say you're back on after a year when you came off in 2015 according to the last page?
I was prescribed Floux about a week but panicked and didn't take it. My doctor then prescribed Lofepramine but I took it yesterday and couldn't stand up without nearly passing out and I kept having hot flashes. I phoned the out of hours and they said to stop taking it. Sheesh. The Fluox was easier to take I think.
What scares me about the fluox is the insomnia and anxiety. I wake up at 4am every morning anyway and have done for 3 months. I've been depressed for nearly a year. My anxiety is more a restless nervousness and is manageable. I just get no enjoyment out of life and have no desire to go anywhere. I'm just existing really...
Did the fluox make you agitated and nervous...and a bit manic at all?
Thanks
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
LancsBlue
My doctor then prescribed Lofepramine but I took it yesterday and couldn't stand up without nearly passing out and I kept having hot flashes.
One of the common initial lofepramine side-effects (and of many other ADs) is orthostatic (postural) hypotension, i.e. a drop in blood pressure if you stand up too quickly, probably exacerbated by being started on a high 70mg dose I'm guessing? It usually resolves fairly quickly and can be limited by changing how you stand up. The hot flashes may have been caused by the med, but could also have been driven by anxiety in response to the hypotension symptoms. Lofepramine has a very short half-life, only about 1.5 hours with a single dose so side-effects usually stop quickly once the med is discontinued.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Lancs Blue - Its actually my third time back on, second time I hadn't been off that long and wanted to go back on. This time around I lasted longer. I'm a better person on fluoxetine. Off it, things really annoy me and so I snap or get picky. And I'd quite happily tell my husband everything is his fault. On it, I'm calm. I shouldn't come off, but after a few years I think 'right, Im normal, I can come off the meds'... but I reckon I have to tell myself to stay on forever now. I am, my own worst enemy.
First time around, yes, I was nervous and agitated. I had read the side effect sheet from front to back so I was waiting for everything. I found NoMorePanic and read some diaries, so I knew what to expect and what time period. There was one morning I thought I was going to get sectioned as I could barely talk I was that nervous. I got a GP's appointment and they put me on Propranolol. Best thing they ever did. Calmed me right down. I stayed on that for a couple of months till the fluoxetine got in my system and then came off. Second time around I asked for propranolol with the fluoxetine. No side effects at all. This time around Im purely fluoxetine. I do have some propranolol here if I need it. But I know the good times are coming, my mind set is different. And I'm wondering if that is why I'm not having the nervous anxious side effects??
I don't have depression. However, I can say during Covid I am experiencing low mood. I miss my old life. I miss so much of what I use to do. Not so much pubs/restaurants. I miss mooching around shops. I miss that I don't always have the house to myself. Husband now works from home. And I've been lucky to work all through this, but I feel I can't escape anywhere at the weekends... if that makes sense. I think if I didn't take the fluoxetine the low mood would become depression.
I'm 2 weeks in and no side effects. I've not lost my appetite. I don't have loose stools. I'm not anxious. Just nothing. I know the good times aren't that far off. First time around, like I said, I thought I was going to be sectioned. Our minds are strange, so powerful. Thinking more positively is definitely a game changer for me.
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Re: Who fancies being my flux diary buddy?
Thanks for your response MrsCav. You seem very positive, knowing they've worked before must be a great help.
Day 1 for me today - I took a massive 5mg! Felt weird all day but levelling out now. Not much anxiety. I hope I sleep!!
Hopefully life post-lockdown returns to normal for you soon. Take care.