SOCIAL MEDIA

Sunday, 18 February 2018

My Experience With Fluoxetine


Last week, I wrote a post about my experience with Sertraline, the first antidepressant I tried that worked. I was on Sertraline for a year or two, but when I resumed taking it after a hiatus from the drug, I found it didn't work anymore. Turns out you can become resistant to certain drugs. Who knew? Not me! So I was put on a new SSRI; Fluoxetine. 

Fluoxetine, like Sertraline, is a type of antidepressant known as an SSRI. It is often used to treat depression, and helps many people recover from depression. It has fewer unwanted side effects than older antidepressants. 

And so, fast forward to today, I'm on 20mg of Fluoxetine (better known as Prozac) a day. This is the lowest effective dose, and I'm in the process of waiting to hear back from my doctor about increasing the dose to 40mg a day. But even at 20mg, it's safe to say I'm noticing the benefit on being on Fluoxetine. 

I've been on the pills now for over eight weeks. So it's safe to say they're in my bloodstream, now! I was a little worried about side-effects from starting a new drug, but all I've experienced so far is a loss of libido, and the inability to orgasm. Which aren't great side-effects to have but it could always be worse! 

And how's my mood? Because that's the important question here, isn't it? Do the drugs work? Am I feeling better? And I can tentatively say, yes. It's taken a while, a lot longer than I anticipated, but I feel my moods are, slowly, stabilising. I feel they're taking a turn for the better. I feel things are definitely improving. 

I can't recommend Fluoxetine. It's important to remember that what works for one, may not work for the other. When it comes to taking antidepressants, it's a lot of trial and error. You'll find what works for you eventually though. It's certainly a drug to consider if you're struggling with depression and/or anxiety. Bring it up with your doctor, and remember to always follow your doctor's advice!

When, or if, I come off Fluoxetine, I'll write a blog post talking more in-depth about my experience with the drug. And my experience in coming off the drug, too. But for now, it's safe to say, I'm doing okay!

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