Fluoxetine

[gingerbreadgirl]

Well I had a drink and it was fine although I did conk out as soon as I got in - probably not the meds and just me being a lightweight  

[gingerbreadgirl]

I think I am experiencing some side effects now. I am getting tremors in my hands and also feel a bit strange and twitchy, with restless legs and not great sleep. Is it normal for side effects to only set in after a couple of weeks? 

[Gemma7]

I have no experience so can't help with that, but hope they go soon for you x

[Avo]

I have had a quick look at the leaflet with my fluoxetine, these symptoms do seem to be on there. In terms of how long into your course these take effect - its not very clear on this. I can't with all certainty advise on that part of it., I know people are different. I didn't get all my side effects immediately and some went before others also. 

Just thinking - do you think its possible these are part of your caffeine withdrawal? 

[lostinme]

1 minute ago, Avo said:

Just thinking - do you think its possible these are part of your caffeine withdrawal? 

Was just thinking the same Avo 

[gingerbreadgirl]

I wondered the same thing too  I don't think it is that though - I've been off caffeine for eight days and I had withdrawal for the first 2-3 days but nothing after that. 

Hopefully it'll pass soon anyway! X 

[lostinme]

Yes let's hope so flower could you not ring your doctor's for a little advice ? x

[gingerbreadgirl]

Getting hold of my doctor is a bit like trying to get hold of big foot  I'll ride out out I think. Thanks  x 

[dksea]

12 hours ago, gingerbreadgirl said:

I think I am experiencing some side effects now. I am getting tremors in my hands and also feel a bit strange and twitchy, with restless legs and not great sleep. Is it normal for side effects to only set in after a couple of weeks? 

At the risk of giving you a little reassurance, yes I've definitely experienced those side effects on both Fluoxetine and Escitalopram, mostly the restless leg thing and if I take the medicine before bed I sometimes have trouble sleeping.  I've had occasional muscle twitches too, it spooked me a little at first, but my doctor explained that its fairly normal as far as side effects go for SSRIs because of how they work.  For the sleeping thing I started taking my meds in the morning instead and my sleep improved, I haven't noticed any extra drowsiness during the day but your mileage may vary.  I think you are making the right choice to just ride it out for now, good luck!

[gingerbreadgirl]

Thanks dksea. I thought I'd been lucky and avoided the side effects as I had none for a couple of weeks. Oh well!

I already take it first thing in the morning but I am still experiencing insomnia which is v unusual for me. I get to sleep fine but then wake in the middle of the night. 

Did you find the side effects went away with time? 

[lostinme]

Let's hope gbg that as your body adjusts to them things will settle down very soon x

[dksea]

2 hours ago, gingerbreadgirl said:

Thanks dksea. I thought I'd been lucky and avoided the side effects as I had none for a couple of weeks. Oh well!

I already take it first thing in the morning but I am still experiencing insomnia which is v unusual for me. I get to sleep fine but then wake in the middle of the night. 

Did you find the side effects went away with time? 

 

Maybe switching to evening would help as far as sleep goes then?

I still do the restless leg/leg twitch thing from time to time, less so on Escitalopram than when I was on Fluoxetine.  The other muscle twitching was only an issue for a short time about a year ago, after years of never having that particular side effect, so not sure what to make of that one, but yeah that one went away.

[gingerbreadgirl]

Thanks dksea. I may try taking it at night. 

Currently tempted to come off it and try cbt alone again. 

[Binxy]

Hi GBG,

Sorry to hear that you're still struggling, OCD sucks- but it's great that you've taken a big positive step and asked for some help/support. I was on Fluoxetine between January 2011 to the end of 2013. At 20mg I was fairly side-effect free. It went up to 40mg, some time in 2012- then it started to affect my sleep mainly. In 2013 I dropped back to 20mg and then came off them thinking I was "out of the woods"- six months later (July 2014) my OCD got out of control, big time (I think you know about my time in hospital)- I attribute this mainly to the lack of good therapy rather than it solely being about the meds. During my stay in hospital they ramped it up to 80mg (Fluoxetine as well as some Respiridone) which affected my sleep again (it's pretty much all the psychiatrist could think of doing while I was waiting for a higher level of therapy).

I take Clomipramine now, after a second hospital stay and complete re-review at the end of 2014.

My advice, don't give up on it yet- you may not even be at the therapeutic dose yet. This said, therapy in parallel with some medication was the answer for me. I'm not fixed but I'm a lot better a defending myself these days.

Hope you feel better soon. Take care,

Binx

[gingerbreadgirl]

Hi binx

Nice to hear from you - I'm glad you're doing so much better although sorry you're not totally out of the woods yet. Hang in there! 

I hear what you're saying. The insomnia thing spooks me because I've always been very fortunate with my sleep, in that sleep has almost always come easily, and knowing that has been a great comfort in bad times (knowing I will get away from it during the night).  I am loathed to lose that as I know i am very lucky with it!

I will think it over today. I have recently given up caffeine which has had a very positive effect on my mental health and I'm tempted to come off the meds and see if those positives are enough. I think it's not too late to come off them now without too many problems as I'm on a low dose and only been taking it a couple of weeks. 

[Handy]

Congrats for getting off caffeine. It’s a bit of a trip. 

[gingerbreadgirl]

Thanks handy. It has made a really positive difference. 

[gingerbreadgirl]

Quick question - has anyone experienced a temporary worsening of ocd after changing dose? I went from 20mg to 40mg just less than a week ago and I've felt worse the last few days after getting considerably better. Obviously could be unrelated but thought I'd ask. 

Edited August 5, 2019 by gingerbreadgirl

[Avo]

Hi gbg

I followed a similar path going from 20 to 40 mg daily, which remains my current dosage. Can't honestly remember mood wise as I was in a bit if a bad way at the time struggling with OCD and various other things quite up and down really. I don't remember any of my initial side effects returning when I upped the dose though.

I am guessing but it could just be coincidence , you said you didn't really have any side effects when you initially started on the medication ? 

[gingerbreadgirl]

Thanks avo. I didn't have any side effects at first although I did after a couple of weeks. I'll just see how it goes  thanks, and hope you're OK. 

[dksea]

First, sorry that you hit a bit of a rough patch. That can be particular frustrating after seeing improvement. 

It’s probably too early to real draw any definitive connection at this point. It might take time to really kick in at 40mg anyway, so it could be unrelated and with limited information (only a week) it could just be normal OCD fluctuations at play. Probably best to take a wait and see approach so long as things don’t get real bad. 

Hang in there!

[gingerbreadgirl]

Thanks dksea. I'll do as you suggest and wait and see  

[Black]

I definitely had a worsening of symptoms when I moved from 20 to 30 then after 10 days it subsided so I’d give it another week if you can.

[gingerbreadgirl]

Sorry to hear that black although I'm glad it sent away! I'll stick with it and hope it subsides like it did with you. 

[gingerbreadgirl]

Can I ask, anyone who has taken fluoxetine, how long did it take the insomnia to wear off?

I am otherwise having a good experience with it, but my sleep is absolutely abysmal, I am hardly sleeping at all and it is becoming really difficult as I'm so sleepy in the day! just hoping it is temporary!