Fluoxetine - symptoms and advice

Hi. I've suffered from IBS, anxiety and depression on and off for about 10 yers. I've just been prescribed Fluoxetine 20mg a day, and been taking them for 11 days now. The anxiety symptoms have worsened and I feel v anxious and queasy quite a bit of the day. I've read that these are passing symptoms and that these side effects will go after a couple of weeks. can any one offer a word of kind reassurance? Thank you.

[Shanna707]

Yes I suffer from the same problems as you describe above and have been on and off fluoxetine for several  years for major depression and I can reassure you that the side effects as far as increased anxiety at the beginning of treatment are common and I have had to take an antianxiety medication for the first couple of weeks to combat this effect.  In 2-3 weeks it should subside and that's usually when I also start to feel the desired effect of fluoxetine.  I'm not sure about the queasy feeling, but especially since you have IBS you may want to take the medication with a meal or snack.  The reason it can increase anxiety initially is because the fluoxetine is known to energize or stimulate your nervous system, which if already having some anxiety can definately worsen it just like caffeine would.  Not to worry though, give it a couple weeks atleast for your system regulate and get use to the new drug and its effects.  Of course if after 2-3 weeks these side effects remain bothersome contact your doctor, it may be this is not the anti-depressant for you.  I hope that helps.
Good luck, Shanna please private message me anytime as I have much experience with fluoxetine.

[marynel]

Hi Shanna. Thank you for your reply - that is reassuring. I had read about the side effects of increased anxiety, but it helps so much to know that I am not the only one. Initially, the panic of the increased anxiety sets everything off gain, and after the first week I really thought that things were just getting worse - however, I will certainly continue to give it a try and hope that in another week or so the anxiety will lessen. Even just a kind message from some one experiencing the same thing is a conmfort. Thank you. x