Fluvoxamine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 5)

• mar...
• July 26, 2017

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was prescribed this medication when I was 14 for OCD and panic attacks. During my time on it, I took between 150 and 200 mg and had a very negative reaction. The medicine made me unbearably tired, so much so that I experienced visual hallucinations due to such extreme exhaustion. Also, I now have major gaps in my memory from that time. I think Luvox can be effective, but be careful with it, especially if you're young and/or very small (I was less than 100 pounds at the time, so you can imagine how I'd react to a dose like that). It got rid of many of my anxiety and OCD symptoms, but at what cost? By far the strongest SSRI I have ever taken. Tread carefully."

• OCD...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 25, 2015

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was having major anxiety and depression. I sought therapy for a year, and nothing was helping. I tried amitriptyline, Prozac, Lexapro, and I don't know what else, I can't remember. I found a psychiatrist that immediately diagnosed me as OCD at 30 (!!). Mainly O, with some compulsions that are highly functioning. This drug stopped the depression in weeks at 50 mg. Compulsions were so much more manageable. After two years, it just stopped working. We've gone up to 100 mg, and I started getting blurry vision. At 125 mg, I was highly agitated and depressed. Not sure where to go from here."

• Jen...
• May 13, 2018

For Post Traumatic Stress Disorder "This medication has worked wonders for me. I stopped Cipramil, which I had been on for 10 years, as I was chronically depressed, drinking all day and startled at any noise, afraid of everything. I couldn't shop, cook, sleep, or care for myself. I developed PTSD from work and was medically retired. After a stint in a psych ward, I was slightly better but still chronically depressed with intrusive thoughts, panic attacks, a sense of dread, obsessive loop thoughts, and ruminating that I could not stop. I decided Cipramil was no longer working. At first I felt great, but then crashed at 4 weeks. My psychiatrist put me on Luvox. It took two weeks, and I smiled and laughed for the first time in four years. This was three months ago. Already I am a different person. I cook, I can go to shops, and nothing worries me as it did before. I am so grateful for this drug and for my recovery back into life again."

• Qte...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2016

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Use this drug with caution. I am a female in my early 20s. I was prescribed Luvox for severe OCD, and within a week on it, my OCD spiraled out of control and impaired my ability to function. My psychiatrist initiated the weaning process way too quickly, and I am currently experiencing sickening withdrawal symptoms (throwing up, vertigo, hot flashes, quivering). Everyone's body is different, so for some people, it may be of help. Just be honest with your doctor about whether you feel any adverse reactions and make sure you get on the medicine gradually. My psychiatrist put me on a high dose too rapidly. Good luck, guys!"

• Jes...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 22, 2018

For Depression "I have treatment-resistant depression, and over the years, I have been on a roller coaster of 14 different medications. When I was finally put on fluvoxamine after taking a metabolic gene test, it was the first medication that actually worked for me. When I say it “works,” I mean it keeps me stable enough mentally to hold a full-time job. I still struggle daily, but this medication has really leveled my mind and at least keeps me stable enough to function most days. This is a huge change from me not having a job and never leaving my bed. I’m not where I want to be mentally by any means, but this medication truly changed my life. I have been taking it for 2 1/2 years now at different doses, but I am currently at 100 mg/day. I will say that if I stopped abruptly, the withdrawal for me is TERRIBLE and starts happening within 48 hours of my last dose. Other than that, it’s been a miracle in helping me get back on my feet."

• din...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2018

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "After many years of depression and anxiety, and many different meds, my psych started me on Luvox. Right away, I had trouble sleeping; I was awake by 2:30 a.m. and then restless the rest of the night. Still, I woke up full of energy and feeling good and was very productive. After a few days, I noticed this energy turned to severe anxiety. I was also, from the start, feeling chilled, almost like I was getting sick. Body aches became more prevalent and feeling totally run down. The last 2 days, chest pain on and off... not sure if anxiety or something worse. It's sad; what started off as promising soon turned out to be another reject."

• Med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 27, 2023

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I developed permanent chronic fatigue/hypersomnia that I did not have before taking SSRIs. It started with Luvox and then Prozac, and even after being off them for 3 years, I still have the same fatigue issues. I was not warned that side effects from these meds can be permanent and detrimental, literally ruining your life even more than the original issue did (depression or anxiety). My heart goes out to the people suffering. I can never recommend a med that ruined my life; I think all SSRIs/SNRIs are horrible and ineffective long-term. While on Luvox, I was a zombie with no desire to live, other than to sleep for 17 hours of the day and lay in bed the rest of the day. Now, three years off, I am not that bad, but I am still suffering and feel like I am lugging around 200 lb weights and need to sleep constantly. Imagine how depressed I am now. Figures that the only thing that helped my severe OCD was ERP therapy anyway!"

• Anonymous
• January 31, 2012

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I have taken many SSRIs in the past, and this one worked far better for me than any other. Unfortunately, I no longer have health insurance or a job and can't afford it. I now take Celexa, but it doesn't work near as well."

• tot...
• July 19, 2011

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been taking fluvoxamine for a long time. I had tried various antidepressants and had terrible side effects because finding the correct one for each individual is not an exact science. I am taking it for clinical depression and also OCD. My OCD manifests in that I can't still my mind from racing. If, perhaps, I were angry at someone, I would just keep going over and over about it in my mind. I told my doctor, 'I just need my brain to shut up.' I have had absolutely no side effects from taking it, and it has helped tremendously with clinical depression. Before being diagnosed with clinical depression, I thought everyone felt like they were in a fog, with no interest in life. Now I know and am very thankful."

• Cho...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 26, 2021

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "Luvox has been a great drug for me! I have been on it for over 20 years. I had big problems with OCD, and now I’m doing great. The repetitive thoughts that would go through my head are gone, and the compulsion to do repetitive praying is also gone or at least greatly diminished. OCD sufferers, take heart!"

• slo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 19, 2014

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "Was prescribed for anxiety/obsessive thoughts. Couldn't make it to max therapeutic dose -- at 200 mg, the medication caused me to lose my voice for over 2 months. As soon as the medication was stopped, my voice came back."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2020

For Depression "They say fluvoxamine is quite a sedating SSRI, and I would concur. Even though it was co-prescribed with Wellbutrin for depression, I was falling asleep in the afternoons while on this. The break-in wasn't nice either - very dry mouth and a lot of nausea. It lifted my severe suicidal depression, but didn't improve my optimism or motivation. I just felt nothing. I didn't care about anything at all and basically stopped trying. Generally don't recommend and prefer Prozac, which is more stimulating."

• GRM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 30, 2020

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have suffered from severe OCD for many years, been put on many medications that did not work. Luvox-Fluvoxamine, the generic version of Luvox-is what I found worked wonders for my OCD. It takes time, you need to give it time. I started with a small dose for a couple of months, then the dose was doubled a couple of months later, and this continued until my dose was at 300 MG, 150 in the morning and 150 at night, and my OCD is barely noticeable any longer. After trying many different medications, this is the only one that helped with my OCD. It took me a while for this to work, and with every increase in dosage, my OCD was better until I reached 300 MG, and now I feel great and am in control of my life once again."

• Anonymous
• July 13, 2011

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have taken Luvox CR for 2 years and regular Luvox for 5 years before. I was taking 150 mg at night, but I have much better results taking it in the morning. Usual side effects (dry mouth, etc.) dissipate in a few weeks. Best medicine for me, and I pray it keeps working, but 7 years total is pushing it."

• Bab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 9, 2020

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I've been on Luvox for around five to six months. I'm taking 150 mg, and it is not working at all. Intrusive thoughts and OCD are worse than ever. I really am considering taking myself off this horrible medication."

• Jlr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2020

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "Horrible experience! I switched from Paxil to Luvox, and it was a terrible experience. I had a panic attack an hour after taking this medication. I felt like I couldn’t breathe and had tingling in my arms and legs. I called my doctor the next day, and she switched me to Lexapro. I feel much better and have no side effects at all."

• Mar...
• August 21, 2019

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on nearly every SSRI there is, over a period of nearly 2 years. I suffer from severe depression coupled with anxiety and OCD. My doctor wanted me to try Luvox, and it took almost 8 weeks for me to finally feel better! I started at 50 mg, then went up to 100 mg. When she had me go up to 150 mg, I was unable to tolerate it because of the terrible side effects (waking up with severe chest pain, severe anxiety, burning lips and mouth, no appetite), so I backed down to 100 mg again. Then she had me try 150 again. This time the dose was great. I woke up one morning, and for the first time, I had no chest pain. I felt actually like my normal self. I was able to eat, I was laughing, and I cleaned my house (and boy was it dusty). Just an FYI, I am also taking 200 mg of Lamictal and 200 mg of Seroquel - I sleep very well! Just want to share my success. Depression definitely stinks! I had to quit my job as an elementary school teacher, and I went on disability."

• pin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "This drug I would HIGHLY recommend if you are struggling with OCD/anxiety/intrusive thoughts. I have been put on many other SSRIs for my OCD, and none worked till my doc prescribed me fluvoxamine. It works specifically for OCD, so it's effective in most people. It has saved my life. Now I can get out of the house and not be plagued by my intrusive thoughts. The only downside for me is decreased libido, weight loss (not having an appetite most of the day), and sleep problems (the sleep problems stopped in a week or so). But hey, I would rather have those side effects than OCD. I think this drug is good to get your mind back on track from OCD. Not sure if there's a time in the future when it would stop working or not, but so far it's been amazing."

• Atw...
• September 21, 2016

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I was unaware that I was suffering with OCD for a long time. Obsessive thoughts constantly plagued me, but so did general anxiety. I was unable to drive on the highway at all, use public transportation, or even go out to eat and be comfortable. All I could focus on was the thought of being sick, getting sick, gagging, etc. Over and over, the thoughts would escalate, and it wasn't until I actually started gagging that I started seeing a CBT, who helped a lot, but in the end, I'm the type that needs talk therapy and medication. I'm so happy and free because now the thoughts either do not come at all, or I have the ability to shut them down. Side effects were minimal (waking up in the night) and only lasted the first week or so."

• Ann...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 17, 2023

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have tried everything under the sun for my OCD, anxiety, and depression which all contributed to binge eating disorder as well. I've been through my fair share of side effects from other medications - even rare ones like urinary retention. Fluvoxamine was kind of a shot in the dark after having so many past failures. I experienced none of the side effects (Not common!) and I feel better than I have for years. Even the brain fog has lifted. I am now on 100mg daily. I take it at night before bed, which is much easier for me to remember to do than when I've been on morning medications. My self-control has been so much easier to manage and I'm now down 30 lbs (Purposeful weight loss, not a negative side effect). While everyone is different, I hope that it can help others just as significantly as it has helped me."

• Adr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 1, 2016

Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress "I'm a Brazilian boy, 21 years old, and I suffer from mild depression and GAD. Effexor was the holy grail for my HUGE anxiety, unfortunately, it came along with sexual problems. My doc said Luvox had a lower chance of having these kinds of side effects. It's been a month since I switched to it, and I felt nothing but a 70% return in my anxiety using half of the maximum daily dosage. Still can't ejaculate, neither have the same libido as I used to."

• Bec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 7, 2018

For Panic Disorder "This has been the only medication that has worked for me. I was debilitated for two years with obsessive thoughts and severe panic attacks. I have now been on this medication for 23 years, and it is still working for me. My 20-year-old daughter is on it with success, as well as my grandmother was on it as well. Don’t let other people’s comments make you second guess about trying this medication. Everyone is different, this pill is definitely worth trying."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2020

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "My daughter has been on Luvox for 2 years. She started it when she was 11 years old due to extreme OCD symptoms. We didn't see a difference for about 6 to 8 weeks. She is currently on 150 mg. This completely stopped all of her horrible intrusive thoughts, however, she was still dealing with other OCD traits, for example, not letting anyone touch or pat our dog for fear of germs. This would cause severe agitation and anger dysregulation, so she started to take Abilify 5 mg in the morning. This hit the spot perfectly, and her OCD started to fade away, and of course, no agitation or anger bursts. We have just started to reduce the Luvox to try and get down to 100 mg, and so far, no problems, but it is still early days. We did take her off the Abilify for 4 months, but the agitation and OCD symptoms showed up slowly, and we decided to put her back on it. We are hoping to try again soon as, being more mature, she can use the skills she has learned through CBT to manage her thoughts."

• Ren...
• August 16, 2015

Fluvoxamine for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I immediately noticed my anxiety went down, but I had to stop taking the medication because I would sleep up to 16 hours a day, which was not practical as a law student. I also experienced severe nausea and headaches. I felt extremely frustrated that I was prescribed this medication by my doctor."

• SEB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2018

For Depression "I was on an antidepressant and an antipsychotic for bipolar depression. I developed serotonin syndrome and tardive dyskinesia and sunk deeply into depression. I went back on a low, low dose of Abilify and Luvox, and within 3 days was feeling nearly myself again. After 4 days, I doubled the Luvox, as I had read, and am doing very well. I do recommend it for internal suffering, which is the worst thing to go through. Good luck to you all."