mindfulrainbow

Date posted: Yesterday

Fluoxetine- help?

My ocd & anxiety is getting worse as the days are going by. Normally my ocd flared up lasts a couple weeks and it’s subsided and I can normally handle my anxiety quite well however now it’s there allllll the time. It’s really getting to me. I suffer the most from intrusive thoughts & im scared of trying medication. I’m looking at starting fluoxetine but I am terrified. I tried Sertraline last year I was only on it for 2/3 days & it blew my head off so as you can imagine I’m extremely nervous about trying anything else. I have seen fluoxetine is meant to be really good. I guess I’m just looking for someone who is in the same situation and has had a good outcome? Please help, I’m desperate at this point I don’t know how much more I can take 😞

Jessica B.

Date posted: Yesterday

I think it’s one of the safer ones. One of my dogs is on it for anxiety. Works great for her. Good luck, whatever you decide.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: Yesterday

@Jessica B. Wasn’t aware the same medication was prescribed to animals & humans lol. Thankyou I just hope anything works at this point

GracefulLunatic

Date posted: Yesterday

Im on fluvoxamine and it has changed EVERYTHING. I was so scared to start medication because of my anxiety about my health and worried the medication would make it worse, but this has honestly helped so much. The first week is great and then the second week is rough asf but by the third week & fourth week it starts to even out. Take it with food, trust.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: Yesterday

@GracefulLunatic I’m so happy you’ve found something that works for you! I’m really hoping I will come back and tell you I feel the same. If you don’t mind me asking and please don’t feel you need to answer but is yours for intrusive thoughts?

GracefulLunatic

Date posted: Yesterday

@mindfulrainbow I don’t mind sharing at all :) I have a bit of a “fruit salad” when it comes to my OCD and I was struggling with intrusive thoughts often and I still do! however, what the medication helped with was how intense the distress was. It went from an 11 to about a 5-6 at worst and that was a big improvement for my quality of life. Im on it for depression as well as the OCD and it has helped me be able to better recognize what thoughts to ignore and what thoughts are worth keeping. My therapist described OCD as having a faulty email system that doesn’t know how to filter the spam from the actually important stuff but the support of the meds and working towards being more mindful helps send those thoughts to the spam box with as little anxiety as possible. It ebbs and flows, it’s not a cure but it makes a big difference in getting closer to remission. I believe in you and I hope that taking this step on your healing journey makes you feel as brave as you are being, I can’t wait to see what good things come your way! Keep me posted :)

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 23h

@GracefulLunatic Like your self I am also abit of a ‘fruit salad’ (will prefer to that from now on 🤣) I have so many types of ocd but the main one is intrusive thoughts, they really really distress me. I would also be on it for depression too, I’m really hoping this will work. I overthink literally everything. I struggle to sleep because my mind doesn’t stop but when I do go to sleep I wake up and it’s in full force 🤦🏼‍♀️. Thankyou so much for your kind words it’s really helped me & has gave me some confidence in trying the medication. I will definitely keep you updated 🥰 how long have you been on it for?

DylanBazow

Date posted: 21h

Second week on fluoxetine currently and I can validate it is rough lol

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@DylanBazow What mg are you on if you don’t mind me asking? I’m dreading it 🙈

DylanBazow

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow I started off at 10mg capsules becasue I am very sensitive to medication especially SSRI,s. I will say though I have tried lots of different kinds and so far this has been the most gentle.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@DylanBazow I’ve only tried Sertraline I can’t remember what mg I was on I think it was 20 and it blew my head off after 2/3 days. I’m more scared about it making my intrusive thoughts worse.

DylanBazow

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow I had a very similar experience with setraline. I had a palpitation episode from hell! So far fluoxetine has been very helpful and I look forward to seeing it work in its full effect.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@DylanBazow If you don’t mind me asking how long have you been on it and what have the side effects been so far?

DylanBazow

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow Today is the second day of the second week and I havent had any side effects just my brain trying to adjust to the new medication, mostly just anxiety that wavers from time to time. But the anxiety is rough compared to how good i felt the first week. I heard weeks 3 and 4 are much better though!

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@DylanBazow Yes another member has said the first week is ok second week is rough but 3rd & 4th week even our so hopefully it will get better for you! Keep on going, you got this 💪 hopefully I’ll have no side effects 🙈

Mr JRS

Date posted: Yesterday

I tried multiple SSRIs, but the actual inhibitor that worked or the ones that work for me are SNRIs - Mirtrapazine, it kicked in instantly and takes the edge off everything. I’ll always have OCD but they work better for me. SSRI just didnt cut it for myself personally. But everyone is different. For me my OCD is Pure O so another approach was needed, thankfully it works. For now haha. But the medication is one way and the rest of it is up to you to be able to find what works or helps the most. Here’s a list of things that helps me, hopefully it can help you: 1) Medication 2) Proactivity (Keep busy, do whatever makes you happy) 3) Meditation 4) Acceptance and Reflection We are in this together, you’re not alone and don’t ever think that you will be. I place strong emphasis 2,3,4 more than “1” because medication is the aid but true progress comes from within. Don’t just rely on meds. Here to help if you need anything else. I know OCD stokes the mind and it’s difficult to let it be but you have to realize it comes in waves and the more you practice being a mindful person it will subside. Just treat yourself well and try your very best to find the balance.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 23h

@Mr JRS I have only tried Sertraline & it blew my head off. I’m really sensitive to anything hormonal I.e contraceptions and any sort of medication, I was put on iron tablets & had to stop taking them as they was making me feel worse 🙈 so to try anything is a massive step for me. I have started meditation I use the app ‘calm’ not sure if you’ve heard of it or if you have anything you can recommend? . Proactivity, I honestly don’t stop from the moment I wake up until I go to bed around 11pm, my body & brain doesn’t know how to chill 🤦🏼‍♀️. Step 4 would probably be the hardest for me as I don’t want to accept what pops into my head purely because of how much it distresses me, I am hoping with medication & more therapy I will be able to not let the thoughts bother me as much. I was pleasantly surprised when I came across this app as for a very long time I thought I was the only one who suffers and although I wouldn’t wish it on anyone it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one going through it. I’ve tried for over 10 years to stay away from medication but over the last year it’s just becoming more & more exhausting & I have no quality of life so I do feel now is the time to try & enjoy what time I have

smarshall5150

Date posted: 23h

@Mr JRS I’m on Effexor myself. First 3 weeks were horrible but I battled through. This drug saved my life. Combining it with grounding meditations, and facing avoidance fears head on helped a lot.

smencia

Date posted: 22h

I am on 80mg of Fluoxetine and have been for over 6 years now. I think it works well. I did try titrating off of it sometime last year, got down to 60mg and it was not a good time. I ended up having crazy high anxiety and went back up to the 80mg and feel a lot better. I do notice some night sweats which I believe to be the result of the medication but otherwise I don't have any other side effects.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@smencia Night sweats are something I have anyway so not overly bothered about that. Did you have any side effects when you first started?

smencia

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow Thankfully not really. My biggest concern, cause I'm paranoid, was serotonin syndrome but that never happened lol. I did have a small amount of insomnia

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@smencia Yeah im not great I over think literally everything & I already have insomnia because im scared to sleep 🤦🏼‍♀️ feel like im in catch 22 all the time

smencia

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow Yeah I totally get that. If it makes you feel better I am certainly the same way but I do think the Prozac has helped significantly

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@smencia Am I right in thinking Prozac if fluoxetine?

smencia

Date posted: 20h

@mindfulrainbow Yes they are the same medication

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@smencia Hopefully it will work well for me. Thankyou for your help I really appreciate it

Angelaka

Date posted: 22h

I use fluvoxomine. I don't know if it's the same thing or not. No side effects

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 20h

@Angelaka I have no idea lol. Hopefully I won’t have any but I’m so sensitive to medication so I have a feeling there will be

Krisalyss

Date posted: 16h

I'm on fluoxetine and been on it for a couple of years! I think it's been gentler in my system and good with managing anxiety and some ocd compulsions. Just a forewarning, in my experience, the two week adjustment period when starting out was a bit rough but was told it is normal and did some healthy regulation techniques like meditation and Journaling to help me get through it easier.

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 16h

@Krisalyss If you don’t mind me asking how has it been regarding intrusive thoughts? That’s what distresses me more than anything. A few people have told me the second week is rough, I haven’t started them yet & im already dreading the second week 🙈

Krisalyss

Date posted: 13h

@mindfulrainbow I think it helped me build breathing room for the moment to asses if the intrusive thoughts are being rational or not. Basically breaking them down in a more manageable way. Just do your best but also very important to give yourself kindness and grace as well. I believe in you!✨️

mindfulrainbow

Date posted: 9h

@Krisalyss Thankyou for your help. I appreciate it, hopefully I’ll be ok 🙈

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