First time user - six months in

Hi, all. I started fluoxetine about six months ago for anxiety, depression, and OCD. I spent a long time scrolling through here reading people’s stories and wondering about side effects so I thought I’d go ahead and give my own story in case there’s someone like me out there.

First off, everyone is different. But fluoxetine has changed my life drastically. For the better.

I was started on 10mg a day for two weeks, then upped to twenty for two weeks. Little to no noticeable side effects so at my next check in with my psychiatrist I was upped to 40mg for a month before another check in. I did have some GI upset for a while on the 40mg. Nothing too bothersome, usually in the morning, but it was enough for me to ask for another month to get used to it.

After two months on 40, I was upped to 60mg. Two months on 60 and I’ve just upped to 80mg (max dosage) a couple weeks ago.

I first started noticing an improvement in my anxiety and depression around the time my body got adjusted to the 40mg. Started pushing more boundaries while on 60 in regards not only to my OCD but some long term anxiety triggers as well and started feeling a little iffy again, but I’m starting to feel pretty good again on 80mg.

I should say: my anxiety/depression/OCD were on the moderate-severe side of things. But I’ve made progress within all of them (combined with therapy) that I absolutely never would have thought possible before the medication.

Again, obviously everyone is different. But if you’re out there wondering if it’s worth it or terrified of the side effects, if a doctor recommends the medication don’t be afraid of trying it.

It has, without a doubt, turned my life around.