Fluoxetine and Headaches: What Users Say (Page 4)

• 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."

• 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?"

• Kit...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2014

For Depression "First 3 weeks on the medicine and I felt worse. I started self-harming and experienced suicidal thoughts (though apparently this is quite common). I got worried, so I went back to the doctors who upped my dose to 40 mg. 40 mg gave me headaches, made me feel quite aggressive, lost a bit of weight due to decreased appetite, and kept me up at night. Went back to the doctors and told him side effects, so he dropped it back down to 20 mg to wean me off it so I could try Mirtazapine. A couple of days after speaking to the doctor, I started to feel a lot more positive and happy, and touch wood, a week later and I feel the same! I was meant to start taking the Mirtazapine today, but I think the Fluoxetine has slowly kicked in, so I'm sticking with it!"

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2021

For Depression "I’m on day 11 of taking 20 mg fluoxetine. This is my first time taking anything like this, I finally got so bad that I got worried enough to make a doctor appointment. The first few days were great, I felt like I was seeing things more clearly and taking more time to process things and remain calm in situations I feel like I’d normally lose my temper in. After the first few days, I noticed an increase in dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, a thick fog, unmotivated feelings, nausea, headache, sweating, feeling completely numb, and getting annoyed easily and quickly, and these have all gotten worse with each day. Today I had my first scary thought that was actually SCARY. To the point that I got up and tried to put myself in a safe place and calm down. Out of nowhere, I got very strong and vivid thoughts of suicide. I couldn’t see anything past the exact moment I was in, and it felt like there needed to be an end. Very scary for me as I’m a mom of 2, and I’ve never had a thought so strong and uncontrollable."

• Cat...
• August 8, 2014

Fluoxetine for Anxiety and Stress "Today is only my first day, and I have to say I got really angry with something that happened at work, and normally I can shrug this off, but it's like I couldn't control it, and was super quiet that morning. Then, through the day, I felt better. I've had headaches and bad diarrhea. The headache happened before the medicine, so I'm not sure it's related, and very slight nausea. I'll blog again once a little more time has passed."

• Jas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 11, 2016

For Anxiety and Stress "I have Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder, anxiety, anger. I came off 8 years of venlafaxine with a week of headaches, increased fluid loss, dehydration, and difficulty concentrating. The first day of fluoxetine seemed at first to be similar to the past week. After 5 hours, my mind started to feel a little dizzy with accompanying nausea. By evening, nausea heightened, and appetite decreased. The next day, within 1 hour, I felt the full effects: vertigo, metallic taste/smell, nausea, alertness, and heart flutter. Within 5 hours, I could no longer remain at a workstation, feeling very dizzy. The GP ordered rest, I went home and laid up. The second evening/night: difficulty falling asleep, violent dreams, electrical pulses in the brain, anxiety. The third morning: extreme tiredness, brain pulses continuing, vertigo."

• Ins...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2017

Fluoxetine for Major Depressive Disorder "I'm 18 and have suffered from major anxiety and depression, causing frequent panic attacks for roughly two years. I've been on Prozac for four nights now, and whilst it is too early to tell if the drug will help me, I am experiencing some side effects. In the last four nights, I've had about eight hours of sleep and constant headaches. On my first day, I felt drowsy and unfocused, and after that, I think it was a combination of depression, Prozac, and lack of sleep. I'm hoping these will wear off in time, like I've been told, but don't know if they will come back again (if they go away at all) if my GP ups my dosage from 1/2 a tablet to 1 a night. I don't know if anyone else has experienced this, but I plan to ask my GP at my next appointment."

• JoJ...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 3, 2022

Fluoxetine for Depression "I was prescribed this first before I started my ADHD meds. I have been on SSRIs before. I don't really respond to them, good or bad. The only positive I noted during my time on this medication was less frequent/repetitive thoughts and more indifference to things. I was only 5 mg for 1 year. I couldn't take 10 mg because I am sensitive to medication, and even 5 mg gave me the side effects I will discuss below. Insomnia: I could not sleep. I had to be prescribed sleep medication while on Prozac. I used to be able to fall asleep fine, even if I was depressed, I would rather sleep than not. I would get maybe 6 hours and then wake up with energy, and I didn't like it. I always felt like my body was secretly tired if my mind would just let it be. Headaches, teeth grinding made worse, and in turn, neck pain, shoulder pain. Less appetite, no weight loss or gain. Vivid dreams, some violent in the beginning. Weird digestion. Felt on edge at times. My nose is no longer stuffy either, so allergies?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2012

For Depression "Before I started fluoxetine 20 mg, I was so depressed, almost lost my job, couldn't get out of bed. I almost lost my family. I really don't know what triggers my depression. My doctor says it's stress. My month on fluoxetine, I didn't feel a change and had nothing but side effects, from flu-like symptoms to headaches. I've been on it now for 4 months, and this is the best medicine I've ever been on. My anxiety is gone, most of the depression is gone. I can actually talk to people without worrying if they have an opinion about me. The only side effect that I still have is a jerk pretty bad when I'm trying to go to sleep."

• And...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was on the max dose for OCD, which helped to some extent, although they were much more helpful for low mood. I had few side effects apart from minor headaches, which were manageable. However, after 10 years, they stopped working altogether."

• dgc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 1, 2023

For Anxiety and Stress "I, like many others, trawled websites like this before starting fluoxetine for my depression and anxiety. Having tried Lexapro and had a bad experience with side effects, I was very hesitant to try another SSRI, but can gladly say, 3 months later, I am glad I did. I take 20 mg at night, and for the first few weeks, to help with the insomnia side effects, I took temazepam or half a Restavit to help me sleep (crucial when you have a toddler to run around after all day). I had a range of side effects: headaches, nausea, dizziness, increased anxiety and depression, and suicidal ideations for the first 3 weeks at 10 mg (I did 10 mg for 1 month) and then the same for 2 weeks when I increased to 20 mg (on 20 mg for just over a month). I also see a counselor and am making other life changes to help combat my anxiety and depression, but this drug has saved me. I feel a world of difference compared to how I was feeling 3 months ago. You just need to stick out the first few weeks, which are hard."

• Kot...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 5, 2019

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I started Prozac for pain disorder, and the first two days were fine. After those two days, my memory got foggy, and I had insomnia and more anxiety attacks than I usually do, and horrible headaches. It also made me really jittery, so within a week, I stopped taking it. I'm currently still going through the side effects since I only stopped taking it three days ago. Hopefully, this anxiety goes back to being tolerable like it was before I got the meds."

• ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2014

For Anxiety and Stress "I have recently been diagnosed with stage I cancer (luckily it was caught early), but nonetheless it isn't great news. After surgery, my doctor described to me what to watch out for. Well, ultimately I must have had a panic attack and went to the ER with intense chest pains. My doctor prescribed Prozac. I have only taken it once and got a headache, plus I was feeling a little self-conscious about it. But after reading some of the reviews, I will go ahead and continue with the treatment. Because now when I start feeling stressed, those intense chest pains come back."

• Lab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 24, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "Week 1-4: 2 x 25 mg each day. Positive effect: None. Side effects: Tired, slow. Week 4-6: 4 x 25 mg each day. Positive effect: None. Side effects: Tired, slow, rash on thighs, rash on stomach, dizziness, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, nosebleeds, nightmares, crawling sensation in skin. Week 6-8: 6 x 25 mg each day. Positive effect: None. Side effects: Tired, slow, rash on thighs, rash on stomach, dizziness, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, nosebleeds, nightmares, crawling sensation in skin, bleeding from the gums of my teeth, memory loss, memory issues (short-term memory), no hunger, needle-like pain in skin and all over my body, vomiting, headaches, aggression. I'm now off the meds because of the reactions, and my blood pressure is high. My blood sugar is low, and I can't sleep, remember things properly, or 'work' sexually. I would not recommend it. Not even as your last choice."

• tsz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2018

For Panic Disorder "This medication saved my life. I am currently in my last semester of college and working at the same time, and the stress of everything (finding a job, graduating on time, etc.) finally caught up to me. I had my first full-blown panic attack 4 months ago. I felt like I was dying, and it was a downward spiral from there. I was prescribed Xanax, but it seemed like a band-aid solution as my attacks became more frequent. My PC started me on 20 mg of fluoxetine. It definitely got worse before it got better. My advice to anyone starting- BE PATIENT. This didn't start working for me completely until a few weeks ago. My side effects were a headache for the first week, but went away. Had some heightened anxiety at first and still struggle with insomnia, but I am transitioning to taking my meds in the morning, so hopefully that helps. Would highly recommend."

• Pur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 7, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "Even though my suicidal thoughts have decreased, I find I actually have panic attacks more than I did before I was on fluoxetine. I suffer with headaches worse than before, and I’ve lost a lot of motivation to do things from time to time. I am also a binge eater, and being on the fluoxetine has helped me lose 3 stone from not having much of an appetite. Guess my experience is a bit confusing, but when I weigh out the pros and cons. This is just a short list of my side effects, some good, some bad. I’m better on them compared to being off of them."

• Ale...
• July 6, 2016

Fluoxetine for Depression "I've been on Prozac only for a week now, but I've noticed a big change in my sleeping schedule and headaches. They've gotten so much worse! Can't think straight anymore, and my head's always pounding. My review on this drug will change if I begin to see positive effects, but as of now, I'm ready to ask my psychiatrist for a new drug!"

• JCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 17, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I firstly tried sertraline, but it was a nightmare. I could handle the skin flashes and peak anxiety, but then I tried fluoxetine, and oh man, my life changed. I started with 20 mg and felt better, but with 40 mg, I really see the changes all around. My only side effect is occasional nausea and headaches now and then, but maybe it's because my family suffers from this all the time."

• Ind...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2017

For Panic Disorder "For those of you worrying about taking fluoxetine, I hope this will help. I've been having crippling panic attacks for the last 3 months, and I was diagnosed with general anxiety disorder by my GP, then a consultant psychiatrist. I've tried CBT during this time, which helped explain about what my body was doing, releasing large amounts of adrenaline, fight or flight responses, etc., but it didn't really help. I also managed to convince myself that fluoxetine, which I was prescribed early on, could make things worse. Following some suicidal thoughts, I decided what the hell, it can't be any worse, and I took my first 20mg tablet 10 days ago, and it has helped so much already. Only minor side effects so far: headaches and a little dizziness."

• GAD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 24, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I looked on this site a lot before I went on fluoxetine, and it really helped me. So I have had anxiety all my life, it got bad as a teenager, and I started on fluoxetine in my 20s. I have good years and bad years, so I come off and go back on them. In my honest opinion, fluoxetine has helped me a lot. I use it daily, 20 mg, it helps keep my anxiety under control. Now it’s not magic, so I do still have tough times when I struggle, but overall I have less of those times than before. My panic attacks, headaches, crying, and physical symptoms almost disappeared after maybe 6 months. It did take a long time to kick in, but it was worth it when it did. Don’t be afraid to try it, and most importantly, find out what works for you and give it time."

• Fra...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 3, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I have been on it for 8 months because of my panic disorder. It has really helped me. The first two weeks, I had some little side effects, like nausea, sleeplessness, and headache, but I am really happy because I no longer have panic attacks or disorder anymore. I started with 20 mg and now 40 mg. I take it in the morning. I use some other helpful things, like chamomile tea and once a lavender pill too. So far, it has really helped me with my panic attacks. The main side effect I have had till now is weight gain."

• Sal...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 25, 2022

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve taken fluoxetine for almost three years, and my experience of it is extremely positive. I take a 20 mg tablet daily. It took a good 6 weeks to settle in. I slowly began to feel less anxious, and this is continuing to improve. My depression improved very quickly and has never been as deep as before I took the medication. Now I very occasionally get a bit down, but no worse than that, so I consider the depression dealt with. I very rarely experience prolonged negative thinking, and I’m beginning to be generally more happy, positive, and enjoy life. I do still consider myself to have some level of social anxiety, but I am definitely more confident in social settings, especially with people I know well. It’s significantly reduced PMSD for me, and I feel it is now helping with menopausal symptoms. For me, it’s worked well, and I don’t have any reason to stop taking it. No side effects other than initial headaches and disorientation, which disappeared after a week or two."

• Mda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 11, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I really liked Prozac initially. I was prescribed for OCD, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety. I have had depressive episodes in the past, but not my main concern. I was really sweaty and headachy for the first few days. After that, I had little appetite and no sex drive, which was disappointing. I could not sleep for the life of me on 20 mg or 10 mg of Prozac. My doc had me stop because I had a pretty lengthy derealization episode that was scary. It worked better than fluvoxamine for me though."

• Tea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 24, 2022

For Depression "After struggling with severe depression and after much resistance to medication, I was put on fluoxetine. Originally, I started at 20 mg but increased over the course of a month to 80 mg per day. The initial first week I started on fluoxetine was hard - I felt completely out of it and could think properly. However, this was such a little sacrifice to what it did for myself in weeks/months to come. This medication was the biggest blessing for myself - I was finally able to function properly and go about my day-to-day life. Side effects were headaches and feeling a bit out of it. I have now been on it for 12 months and noticed from the 9-month mark, I began to put on weight and could not lose it (5 kg). I am now tapering myself off the medication but have all the tools and practices to put in place to ensure I stick to a healthy routine and stay out of depression. Highly recommend for short-term usage but not long-term."

• Tax...
• August 23, 2015

Fluoxetine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been on Prozac 60 mg for 10 years. The drug is miraculous, it got me out of a hole. But as I suffer from OCD, I decided to self-medicate with drink and drugs, also, that led me to a 12-step fellowship! Now, 7 and a half years without a drink or drug, I'm self-medicating on Prozac, which is not very good! It got to last Friday, I had taken probably 4 tablets in 2 weeks and just crashed! I'm now back on 60 mg a day but having bouts of anxiety again and thinking it's not real. I'm hoping this is just the side effects of the Prozac again getting in the system. I'm tired, headache, and anxiety thinking."