Fluoxetine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 3)

• tou...
• December 2, 2013

For Anxiety and Stress "I was suffering from anxiety and stress primarily, but also from depression. I have been taking fluoxetine for about 5 weeks. The biggest thing for me has been some pretty heavy side effects in the first two weeks. The side effects were headaches, nausea, insomnia, and less so, some agitation. I started on a 20 mg daily dose for nearly two weeks, but when I complained about the side effects, my doctor cut the side to 10 mg per day. I took 10 mg for two weeks after that and was then able to go back up to the 20 mg dose. The side effects have subsided to a very minor level. I have also noticed a decrease in my anxiety and stress levels, I started noticing an improvement in symptoms after 3 weeks."

• Anonymous
• November 22, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I was diagnosed with cancer 5 years ago and have been cancer-free since. But my anxiety about cancer or anything recurring was getting the best of me. I tried Cipralex, but I got bad headaches, so my doctor put me on 20 mg Prozac, and I have been on it for 3 years and feel great!"

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’d read these reviews daily. Several reviews mention giving the medication time and a worsening of symptoms. I found this to be absolutely true. I’ve suffered from severe anxiety all my life and have resisted medication. Following a period of out-of-control anxiety, daily panic attacks, and living in constant fear, I ended up off work and started fluoxetine (20 mg). Side effects were tiredness, headaches, dizziness, decreased appetite, bruising easily, an increase in anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. In week 5, my mind felt calmer. I was no longer walking around with a loop of negative thoughts, fears, and worries in my head. I thought I’d have to live with anxiety forever. I never thought it was possible to feel relief from my anxiety. Give this medication time. Make sure you exercise, even if it’s just walking. Eat healthy. Try therapy. Keep a mood diary. Take inventory of your life and ask yourself what changes need to be made and if you’re living true to yourself."

• Str...
• December 28, 2018

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed Prozac at age 13, about 5 years after being diagnosed with OCD. Since then, my OCD had been moderate but stable, but I had developed anxiety, depression, and disordered eating habits after years of bullying in school. My psychiatrist was an arrogant older man who had zero interest in listening to the (serious) concerns of a 13-year-old girl. He prescribed me Prozac and failed to address the headaches I experienced on the drug. Needless to say, it didn’t even touch the symptoms of the mental distress I was experiencing. I went from mildly depressed to suicidal in a matter of months. Every psychiatrist I’ve seen since then has insisted on prescribing this glorified placebo, despite my insistence that no dosage of Prozac has EVER helped my anxiety, depression, or OCD. I’m now 19 and have tried this drug and varying doses 3 different times with ZERO success. I feel there is little hope that I will ever be completely happy and healthy."

• zfl...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 7, 2014

Fluoxetine for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "One week ago, I started Prozac, and side effects have been bad for me. Fatigue, headaches, body ache, forgetful, sleepy, nightmares, yawning. My doc told me to give it another week. Hopefully, everything will work out. I am tired of PMS."

• can...
• March 29, 2019

For Panic Disorder "I started having disabling panic attacks 3 years ago, to the point where I went to the ER multiple times-ruined my social life and negatively affected my career. I tried therapy, exercise, diet change-all of it helped some but did not cure it. Finally, I caved and started Prozac at 10 mg. I had a panic attack the first time I took it because I was so worried about the side effects. But I actually experienced zero. Yes, I had an upset stomach and headache, etc., for the first few days-but I already had those things! (From the anxiety). Within a week of taking fluoxetine, I was feeling better, within a month, worlds better. I titrated up to 20 mg over the next six months and have been on 20 since. I have had maybe 1 true panic attack in the last 2 years, and it didn't last but a few minutes, and I was quickly able to calm down and go back to my life. This has been an absolute life changer for me: back to my old social life, sleep better, traveling, less headaches and stomach issues, significant drop in resting heart rate."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 3, 2021

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I am currently on my second week of Prozac/Fluoxetine, and honestly, I can already start seeing the changes. The first 4 or 5 days were very emotionally draining, I had heightened anxiety and trouble staying asleep, along with the common side effects such as headaches, nausea, and lack of appetite. But now I feel like my body is getting used to it. The headaches are slowly disappearing, the nausea is subsiding, and the heightened anxiety isn’t such a problem anymore, and I can successfully say I haven’t had a panic attack since I started taking it. It’s hard in the beginning to stick to, trust me, I thought of quitting many times! But it’s worth powering through!"

• Mom...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 18, 2017

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "Starting it, I had a bad headache for about 8 days. On day 3, I contemplated stopping, I felt unfeeling, like I wasn't myself, but stuck with it. Those feelings passed, as well as the headache. I didn't feel any symptoms of PPMD the first 3 months. After that, I would say I feel 80% better during my episodes. I fear it will get worse each month, but it is tolerable. I feel that dark cloud want to return, but it never gets too bad. Will be asking my doctor if I may need a bump up in dose from my starting dose. So glad this medication has evened me out."

• pan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 1, 2016

For Depression "I was diagnosed with depression/anxiety. I'm 19. I was put on 50 mg sertraline, which made me constantly have a headache for the week I was on it, made me very tired, and I was quite achy too. Went back to the doctor, and she put me on fluoxetine 20 mg. I have been taking this for just over 2 weeks now, and even though I'm still quite tired (might just be me), I already feel a lot better. Before fluoxetine, I was always overthinking things. I didn't want to leave the house or go out. I was off work for 3 weeks as I could not stop myself from crying. I was worried my relationship would end! Now I'm a lot more positive. I'm going out and not crying anywhere near as much. I never felt happier, and my relationship has never been better!"

• Kat...
• February 2, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "Started with an awful upset stomach, but that's now passed, and we've progressed to a constant nagging headache that painkillers won't touch. Also feeling shaky with it, physically jittery - but these are all common symptoms, so I'm sticking with it as in the long run these symptoms will fade. I'm on 20 mg daily, my appetite has vanished, so forcing myself to eat. Sleep is disturbed by weird dreams and general restlessness. So overall, feeling exhausted. Sticking with it, feeling positive that once my body adapts, I will feel the effects!"

• Oka...
• July 14, 2016

Fluoxetine for Depression "Prozac was the worst for me. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I was using it for depression and anxiety, and when I first started taking it, I felt terrible. Stayed on it for another 4 months or so till my psychiatrist (who did absolutely nothing for me, spent a total of 15 minutes with me in 3 appointments) upped my dose to 20 mg. I started feeling really tired all the time, got headaches, felt sick, my head was ALWAYS foggy, couldn't remember much, drained me right out. So without my doctor's word, I stopped taking it, and I still feel depressed and anxious, but I feel much more alive and much better. Prozac didn't work for me at all."

• Gre...
• December 16, 2020

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Have had GAD and SAD since early adolescence. 22 y/o now. Was on Prozac 10 mg for 3 weeks, felt like I was drunk and high for the first 2 weeks, and not in a good way. Couldn't feel much, couldn't orgasm as easily, and wasn't getting any relief from my anxiety. I was so weak. I had to stop going to the gym when I got on them because I couldn't summon the energy and strength to lift like I normally could. After those 3 weeks, I got off the Prozac. The withdrawals hit 2 weeks later, and now I'm almost 6 weeks out from my last dose, and the withdrawals are still as bad as ever. Horrible headaches all day, bad anxiety, dizziness, ridiculous fatigue. I'm having a horrible time. Intense cardio gives me about 2 hours of clarity if I can muster the energy to do it. Alcohol gives me relief from the withdrawals, which has become a new problem for me that I'm going to address."

• Cat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 25, 2018

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I started on Prozac in 1990 and went off just over a year ago. So it was a total of about 28 years. I was on 80 mg a day, but at one time they had me on 160 mg! This is a great life-saving medication. When I first started, my family called it my 'chill pill.' It made things not seem so bad, sort of like, oh no, you cut your arm off. Let's just pick it up and go to the doctor's so they can sew it back on. You have to work at finding the time of day to take it so that it works best for you. The side effects that affected me the most were the headaches. They triggered my migraines in numbers and strength. At times I would forget and/or put off taking it, and I could definitely feel myself hitting below rock bottom. The original doctor prescribed Prozac and Phentermine at the same time. He wouldn't do anything unless I went through therapy too."

• Cad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2018

For Anxiety and Stress "I am 59 y/o male with anxiety on and off since I remember. I work on the computer as a full-time job. Last year I had a severe tension headache for a month from work-related stress. Couldn't drive the car at night, panic attacks, dizziness, vertigo issue, body shaking, etc. My GP provider listened to my story. She put me on 10 mg fluoxetine for 1 month. First 4 days okay. Then headache started so bad, I was ready to give up after a week, then 4 sleepless nights in a row. Insane. I had panic attacks, tremors, missing workdays. Then I started to get my sleep back more and more. One month later all side effects were gone. Felt good but not fully. She put me on 20 mg fluoxetine. After 1 week on it, constant ringing in my ears during the day, but sleeping at night was good. She/GP put me on 10 mg and 20 mg on alternate days. It took 1 month to settle it down. Now on 20 mg for 2 months, I can tell you now all: LIFE IS GOOD for me, after 4 MONTHS. PLEASE be patient. Love it now, thanks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I felt it was necessary to let others who are worried to take this medicine, the experience and benefits it had for me. After years of anxiety, I never took any antidepressants or other drugs for it, and I hit rock bottom. I started having dizzy spells while driving, which turned into actual panic attacks while driving. I went 40 days without driving, which, as a mom, crippled me and made me feel useless that a seemingly thoughtless process to get in the car and go turned into actual fear of another attack. I was prescribed Fluoxetine in October but waited a month to take it for fear of the side effects. After a follow-up appointment with my doctor, I decided to start taking it. I had almost no side effects: an upset stomach and a mild headache daily, which was all tolerable for about a week, and that was it. I felt happier. After about 4 weeks of taking it, I was able to drive, I am driving now, and I take 20 mg daily. I definitely suggest this medicine."

• eli...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 12, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I have always had issues with anxiety, mild panic, and OCD, but it was manageable. I developed panic disorder in the fall and became reclusive and a hypochondriac because of the panic attacks. After a litany of tests that came back normal and time with physical and mental therapists (which both helped but did not completely cure the attacks), I caved and started fluoxetine 10 mg. The first few weeks I was jittery, but that is the only side effect, and it went away. My panic subsided days in. I've been on it for 2.5 months now and have been panic-free for the last month. I've also noticed a reduction in the amount of headaches I get. I was TERRIFIED to give this drug a chance, but glad I did. I finally have my life back!"

• Gma...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2021

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Ok, I just started taking Prozac, and it didn't help me at all. It made my anxiety worse, but it also made me feel numb. It didn't give me happiness, it's supposed to make people happier. I also got a headache and started to feel dizzy when I took it. Perhaps it has different effects on different people, but it wasn't for me."

• Cin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 10, 2018

For Depression "This is the single worst medication I've ever, ever been on. From the first tablet, within two hours I felt drugged, heavy-headed, very weak, woozy, not right, hyper-anxious even though I also take benzos, and my heart kept racing. Couldn't sleep the night. Would wake up round 2 am unable to get back to sleep until 5 am. I kept taking the tablets for two weeks and then finally stopped after nearly fainting while driving. An absolute nightmare of a drug. I normally tolerate meds pretty well. But this one? Never, ever again."

• Tan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "I was prescribed fluoxetine about a year ago, but I didn’t start taking it because I was so depressed and anxious I could barely do daily tasks. I’ve now been taking it for about nine months, and I can’t imagine how I dealt with things before taking it. I had anxiety that confined me to my house, and I also cried for about two months straight. I committed myself to taking my meds every day, and I’m grateful. I tend to wake up in the middle of the night, I have mild headaches, and I lose interest sometimes in activities. It is more than a fair trade!"

• 29 ...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2021

Fluoxetine "I suffer from PTSD. I have been in therapy for years, and nothing has helped the obsessive thoughts, nightmares, depression, and anxiety. In fact, I felt like I was getting even worse. I was very resistant to being prescribed medication for a long time, as I didn’t want to rely on it and was scared of the side effects, but finally did, as I felt it was my last resort and was having suicidal thoughts. My doctor put me on 20 mg of Prozac daily, and it’s only been a week, and I feel amazing. It is hard to put it into words, but I feel NORMAL finally! I still get bad thoughts, but I don’t obsess over them. My anxiety is gone, and I actually have interest and hope in the world and future. My friends and family have noticed the change in me! I have some mild nausea and headaches as side effects, but they may go away soon. If you are on the fence, please give it a chance. You deserve to have a good life!"

• Amy...
• November 18, 2013

For Depression "I'm 19. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and told to take fluoxetine. I have been on it for 3 weeks, and since then, I have stopped having panic attacks but have experienced some horrible side effects, including headaches, vomiting, heartburn (that lasted hours), insomnia, fits of giggles, lethargy, muscle aches, loss of libido, dizziness, sensitivity to light, and a general feeling of not being altogether. So, the medication has stopped my low mood and constant anxiety but has made me feel ill."

• ric...
• April 27, 2021

For Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder "I was diagnosed with PMDD a few months ago, but it's something I've struggled with for most of my life. I've taken Zoloft before, and it made me feel so nauseous and like a zombie. I thought Prozac was going to do the same thing, but it didn't at all. The first few weeks of taking it, there were some mild side effects, like headache, fatigue, insomnia. I've been on it for about 7 weeks now, and I have no more side effects. I take 20 mg of Prozac for my general anxiety every day, but need 40 mg of Prozac for about 4 or 5 days a month to manage my PMDD symptoms. I feel so great, I never thought I would get here. It feels like a miracle, truly. I do notice the 40 mg makes me a bit manic when I'm experiencing PMDD symptoms. I would way rather have mania than this crippling anxiety/depression. But for those 4-5 days, I'm way less inhibited, which is not necessarily the greatest thing for every situation (mainly when I'm at work). But overall, I'm very happy since I've started taking it. I feel so free."

• Geo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

For Anxiety and Stress "Been on paroxetine for 17 years, but it pooped out. Had nightmares getting off. My psychiatrist suggested overlapping with fluoxetine. I currently take 8.5 mg paroxetine and for the past 4 weeks, 10 mg of fluoxetine. The plan is to increase to 20 mg and then come off paroxetine. At week 4 on fluoxetine, I feel anxious, shaky, tired, generally unwell, headaches. I am questioning whether to stop fluoxetine, but then I read the forums and the messages that say I need to give it more time. Is this the slowest-acting SSRI? Should I give it longer?"

• jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 7, 2012

For Depression "Taking 20 mg fluoxetine for 6 weeks, 200 mg bupropion for 4-5 months. The 1st week was rough, experiencing many side effects. But I felt more mentally and emotionally balanced within a couple of days, and it has only improved. I experienced total appetite loss during the first couple of weeks and consequently lost 10 pounds, which was a welcome side effect. I'm not hypersensitive to rejection and criticism, and I feel more at ease interacting with others. The negative thinking is still there, but I can more easily counter those thoughts with rationale and positivity. I know it's cliché to say, but I feel like 'me' again for the first time in years. I give it 9/10 because I still get frequent headaches, but the positive far outweighs the negative."

• Har...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 22, 2015

For Anxiety and Stress "The first three weeks at 20 mg were tempestuous at best, however, I truly felt as if I was turning the corner, so to speak. I suffer from somatic anxiety more than the mental part of it. Fatigue and headaches were common. Sleep disturbances, also. I had some great half days. After increasing the meds to 40 mg a day for two months, I decided to drop back down to 20 mg. I lost a fair bit of weight the first six weeks, around six kilos, however, after three months, I've put it back on and then some. I will be discussing other options with my doctor soon. I would also say that anxiety or manic episodes were increased during the dosage increase, which was treated with clonazepam."