Fluoxetine and Nausea: What Users Say (Page 5)

• Jul...
• May 26, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I have GAD. Depression. My anxiety is so bad I will be seen in the ER at least 4 times a month and about the same at my primary doctor. I am always scared something is wrong with me. So I go get help “behavioral health.” They started me on Prozac (10 mg). The first 2 days I felt okay. Then, as the week turned into “weeks,” I think I was on it a month. My anxiety shot up! I was not able to eat, sick to my stomach. I lost 3 pounds in just a short amount of time. Dizziness, blurred vision, the inability to concentrate. Rapid heart rate that led me to the ER. Palpitations. My heart rate would get up to 150 beats per minute, and my BP was 174/120. I NEVER had high blood pressure. This drug had/has me losing my mind. All my labs, EKG, everything is normal. I took myself off this drug after taking it for a month and knowing this drug is a “long-lasting” meaning it will stay in my body for weeks!"

• Ang...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 28, 2022

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have BPD, PTSD, and panic disorder. This was great for my depression, doesn't make me feel zoned out or numb, and has dramatically reduced my suicidal thoughts. I have had some anxiety and struggled with some insomnia when going up to 40 mg for a month or so, but the trade-off has been worth it. It's also reduced my need to take Klonopin as frequently, which is nice since I've been through so many meds for panic disorder that didn't help, and since so many doctors are so hesitant to prescribe benzodiazepines. The biggest downsides I've experienced are a drop in libido (I didn't have any issues on 20 mg, in fact, it seemed to work the opposite, but 40 has numbed me out in that one regard quite a bit), sweating a lot (this is actually probably the most annoying side effect), and some nausea in the mornings."

• 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!"

• Chr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2021

For Depression "I started on fluoxetine 5 years ago as I was in a very dark place, had a horrible depression and felt suicidal. It felt like the world was a grey, dark place. I'm a mum of three teenage children, but married to an alcoholic, which brought so much stress. I reached out for help in the form of 20 mgs, had awful side effects for about six weeks: yawning, nausea, just felt weird, then slowly but surely felt better. I have never looked back until two months ago when all the original symptoms started creeping back. Felt sad, had that awful feeling in the pit of my stomach, couldn't leave the house, and once again everything went grey. I began to hate my husband as all the pain of the past seemed to enter my every thought. I felt irritable and had no energy, so had my dose upped to 40 mgs two weeks ago. I felt worse or numb, but now feel it's starting to kick in. I don't hate hubby, started cleaning, walking the dog, and eating healthy. So pleased that there is light in my life again."

• Joh...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 3, 2021

For Depression "I have been taking fluoxetine for a year at a 20 mg dosage per day. I suffered from severe depression, anxiety, and insomnia (I used to take Ambien/Lorazepam), and it took me about 9 months to accept getting any medication. I was pretty skeptical, but for me, it worked great. The first couple of weeks, a little nausea and dizziness. I noticed some tangible improvements after 10-12 weeks, combined with running/swimming 3-4 times a week and therapy once a week. I am not planning to quit any time soon, but eventually will taper it off very slowly."

• lor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2022

For Depression "I’ve been on fluoxetine 20 mg for about a month now, and I cannot begin to describe just how much it has transformed my life. Before I started taking it, I had lost all hope and had a plan to kill myself, I couldn’t see any way out of the hell that I was living through. Now my thoughts are clearer, I have so much more control, I am happier, my mood is stable, and for the first time ever, I am starting to love myself as a person. I have a new lease on life because of this drug. I had minor side effects (nausea mostly) when I started taking it, but they don’t bother me at all when I think about how wonderful I feel. Even if you’re stuck where I was, please remember a new, better life is always closer than you think."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 17, 2011

Fluoxetine for Depression "I had never taken an antidepressant before. I was recently diagnosed with gastritis and irritable bowel syndrome and have been dealing with many emotional issues for quite a long time before these health problems. The constant nausea from the condition only worsened my mood and outlook on life. I was on Prozac 10 mg for exactly a month. After 2 weeks, I noticed a HUGE difference in my overall mood and outlook on life; it was wonderful! After 3 1/2 weeks, my entire body started to itch: palms of my hands, in between fingers, behind ears, feet, legs, arms, you name it, it itched! Finally, I talked to my doctor and decided to stop Prozac and start Paxil. I hate that I had to switch, and I'm not too excited about it. Hope this time is a charm."

• hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2017

For Anxiety and Stress "I was recently put on fluoxetine 20 mg. I started with 10 mg for one week, then for the last 2 weeks, I've taken 20 mg at bedtime. I feel very anxious, agitated in the mornings, and wake up with dry mouth and feel nauseated. Has anyone had this experience, and how long were you on it when you started feeling better, less anxious? I take hydroxyzine 25 mg at bedtime too, and Pepcid. Thanks!"

• Pro...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2022

For Dissociative Identity Disorder "After taking it for a month, in the beginning it seemed to help, then, towards the end, I felt suicidal and tried to overdose, and that was very unlike me. Made me feel nauseous, like I was pregnant, lightheaded, and out of sorts."

• Dae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I was prescribed fluoxetine for anxiety, panic disorder, and mild depression. The first week was really rough, I was so sad, weak, and had tachycardia. My anxiety also spiked, and I wasn't able to relax a bit. By the second week, I started eating a bit more and felt a bit less nauseated, but I still felt dizzy, and my sleep was all messed up. Week 3 was better, I felt less anxious but still struggled, and then on week 4, I woke up and felt different. I was more emotionally stable, cried way less, and started feeling present (which was something I haven't experienced in a long time). I'm one month in, and I'm hoping to see more improvements soon. If you are struggling and you are scared, don't be! You got this!! If I made it, anyone can."

• LOL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2019

Fluoxetine for Panic Disorder "I have Major Depression and Panic Disorder. It seems like every antidepressant and benzo I have tried just does not work. My Dr. has now just prescribed me Fluoxetine (Prozac) 10 mg, to go along with my Klonopin 1 mg that I had been taking for 6 years (I eventually developed a tolerance to my Klonopin, so it stopped working properly). After being on Prozac for nearly 4 months now, I have gone through horrible side effects of nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, and head exploding syndrome. I am in a constant fog. I get confused very easily and 'space out' all the time. The only beneficial thing I have gotten out of taking Prozac is that I have somewhat better control over my emotions."

• 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."

• mia...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 11, 2021

For Depression "I’ve been on 20mg for about 3 months now and thank the lord for this medication. It was a bumpy ride at the start... nausea and insomnia for a few weeks. But altering the time I took it and just getting used to this medication has changed all of that. I had fears it would kill my sex drive, but there have been no changes to it! I feel much more capable of dealing with my problems and seeing things objectively, compared to before when I was quick to have meltdowns and make rash decisions. I have had a good experience with it so far, with only minor bad moments."

• 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."

• sag...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 21, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "Fluoxetine can really help, but you need the right dose or else it will mess you up. My psychiatrist has me on 40 mg right now for depression/anxiety, and it makes me feel extremely nauseous if I don’t eat something with my meds and in the morning. Keep in mind I’m 18, about 5’7" and weigh around 120 lb, so based on the other responses I probably shouldn’t be on that high of a dose. I also can’t cry and have no sex drive and have been experiencing night sweats, which I know can come from fluoxetine. I went up to 40 mg within the last few months, and I’m pretty sure I'm worse off for it, so I’m going to try to lower my dose at my next appointment. It does help stabilize my mood, and I feel better in general, but I wouldn't say they make me happy, just more numb to negative emotions."

• Vic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2020

For Anxiety and Stress "At first, I felt really positive the first few months. But when it became summer, six months after medication, I became really down. It has completely taken away my feelings of wanting to stay inside for weeks. I'm somewhat better, but this medicine slows my concentration and thinking. It also makes me feel nauseous and too hot in shops, even inside my house. I used to always be sad, but now I just have a breakdown for about one week a month. It helps a little."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2020

Fluoxetine for Depression "I take Prozac because I have stomach issues of nausea. I have been on 40 mg for some time now. I really do not remember having many side effects except that it made me tired. It is supposed to be a happy pill. I will go off of it for a week or two, and I do not notice my being unhappy or being happy when I go back on it. When I go off it because I am too lazy to get it filled, after about a week or two, I feel like I am coming down with the flu, i.e., body aches... even to my fingers, shoulders... all over. As far as making one tired, I have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and need a lot of sleep and still feel like I need more. I just zonk out. So I did not notice any ill effects in taking this drug."

• mzc...
• May 16, 2016

For Depression "It's only day 3 on Prozac for severe depression and anxiety. First day, I was only tired and couldn't think straight (had trouble finding the right words), but my family helped by laughing it off and going along with me when I'd use the wrong word. Day 2, tired, nauseous, and foggy. It feels like I'm not in my skin, but watching life as a movie. Today is day 3, and while I haven't cried today, I'm just exhausted, sad, and not hungry. I pray this gets better after a couple of weeks. It's strange because even though I'm exhausted, it's hard to sleep at times. I'm hopeful this will work. I'll try to come give updates."

• 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."

• Mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 30, 2021

For Depression "Started on 10 mg for 10 days, then 20 mg. After 5 days, I had to go back to 10 mg. 20 mg made me way too tired to drive. I drive long distances for work, so it was too dangerous. Here are the symptoms I was having before Prozac: suicidal ideation, major depression, and anxiety. I no longer suffer from any of it. I felt the effects after the 2nd day of taking it. I do take it at nighttime now because it made me so tired. I'm still tired, but nothing as bad as I was. It has definitely given me the mental break I needed so badly. I did experience nausea and dizziness at the beginning. I'm on my 4th week and have lost 2 lbs. I don't feel as hungry."

• sks...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 11, 2022

For Depression "I've been on Prozac (fluoxetine) for 10 months, and let me tell you, it feels amazing to be able to feel alive again, to be able to feel the wind, the sun, nature, and enjoy almost every moment in life. At first, the doctor gave me 10 mg of fluoxetine for 2 weeks, and now I'm on a 20 mg dosage. There are side effects at first, for me, I felt nausea, and my mood swings were really crazy for the second and third week. But now I feel really great. For whoever reads this, please know that it's okay to take meds for your mental health, and it takes time to heal."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2021

For Anxiety and Stress "I’ve been on this medication now for close to a year, and it has been absolutely amazing! I suffer from anxiety, OCD, insomnia, and an eating disorder. All have pretty much gone except for a bit of OCD, but it is much more manageable. I feel exactly like myself, except less stressed, sleep amazing, and just overall happier. The first two weeks had some mild nausea, but that passed quickly. I was unable to fall pregnant due to being underweight and so obsessed with food. After starting this medication, I was able to work through my disordered eating and put on the appropriate weight, and I fell pregnant naturally. The medication did not make me put on weight, I had to actively work on that by eating a healthy amount. Best decision I have ever made, wish I didn’t wait till I was 30!"

• Poi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2019

Fluoxetine for Depression "Stay away from this drug. I took 20 mg for a week and then my heart was racing so bad that I became nauseated and couldn’t eat at all. I couldn’t focus, and I seriously felt so awful. My doctor told me to keep taking this medication, but I couldn’t keep taking it, so I stopped it. It made my anxiety so much worse. I remember lying on the floor almost in tears. Please don’t take this drug. I thought the reviews were wrong, and they weren’t! Stay away! This is really bad."

• hma...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2016

For Depression "I was switched to this coming off of Lexapro, from which I was having severe withdrawal symptoms: dizziness, nausea, a poor time sleeping. I got switched to Prozac because I felt Lexapro wasn't covering all my anxiety enough, and so far, the experience has been... eh. Like a lot of other reviews have said, you'll feel great for the first few days and then things'll probably go downhill. I often feel I'm not in my own skin--empty. I have strange dreams. My self-motivation is poor, and I can't spend money without crunching numbers fifty times over. I can never seem to do things I enjoy without feeling guilt about something else. It saved my ass from the side effects of Lexapro, but I'm not sure if the 20mg dosage is going to be enough."