Fluoxetine & anxiety

[elsa]

I thought being on 40mg fluoxetine would completely take away my anxiety. I used to be confident, carefree and positive. I am still suffering from some anxiety after being on this dosage for months. Is this normal? Will I always have this issue now or could a change in meds have me feeling like my old self?

[NixonRulz]

I thought being on 40mg fluoxetine would completely take away my anxiety. I used to be confident, carefree and positive. I am still suffering from some anxiety after being on this dosage for months. Is this normal? Will I always have this issue now or could a change in meds have me feeling like my old self?

Elsa, is there any chance that you can increase the dosage?

You've probably seen in here that different meds work different for everybody

It's often a game of trial and error until you find the one that works best for you

It sounds like you at least feel better than you did prior to starting your meds so that is a good sign

Talk to your doc and see what options you have

[elsa]

Thanks :)
My doctor said she would change to a different medication rather than increase the dosage again, but I'll ask again when I go. I didn't know if it was worth seeing the doctor because I thought it may be normal to feel this way. I thought maybe no amount of medication could completely take away the anxiety.. But that's not the case?

[NixonRulz]

Thanks :) My doctor said she would change to a different medication rather than increase the dosage again, but I'll ask again when I go. I didn't know if it was worth seeing the doctor because I thought it may be normal to feel this way. I thought maybe no amount of medication could completely take away the anxiety.. But that's not the case?

I doubt you will find something that completely takes away all the anxiety

That would be too easy!

What seems to really work is finding a med that takes the edge off enough so it allows you to work on changing your negative thinking patterns

That isn't something you need to work on for hours at a time

Your meds should allow you to start doing a lot of things you stopped doing or at least did but felt anxious

Then you should be able to think clearly enough to not believe the false information anxiety feeds you

Doing that repetitively, rewires the brain

[elsa]

Thanks. I'm struggling to take control of it a little at the moment and at times resort to Valium if I'm at work and it won't go away. I've booked an appt with my doctor so hopefully he can offer me further advice.
It's just really frustrating to feel this way but maybe I can get a handle on it if I work at it.
Thanks for your advice :)

[NixonRulz]

You're welcome

You sound like you are doing the exact right thing