Fluvoxamine for Anxiety and Stress User Reviews

• Raa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 6, 2020

Fluvoxamine "Luvox has worked well for me. One issue is how it interacts with caffeine, it can be very unpleasant. I feel sped up and then hungover, sometimes for days. I don’t feel like this is mentioned enough when discussing this medicine, so I thought it was worth pointing out. As someone who loves coffee, this has been very frustrating."

• MPa...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2021

Fluvoxamine "I have been on Luvox for 21 years at varying levels. Yes, it has its issues getting on and off it, but I can't imagine life without it. To the people who have issues getting on it because of gastrointestinal issues, you have to go on it slowly. Yes, it makes you tired for 4 to 6 weeks, but when I went on this the 1st time, I was in a bad way and almost immediately I saw little improvements. Slowly over the 6 weeks, the doctor raised my levels and life returned to normal. After one year, I weaned myself off the medication only to go back on at a lower dose. I never come off it, but I now know from the way I feel when to up and down the level and have played with how much I take for 21 years. Never come off cold turkey and always raise the amount slowly. Hope this helps."

• Emi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 21, 2019

"50mg fluvoxamine a day has led to me being without panic and obsessive thoughts for the first time in my life. I used to read these forums for hours and resist meds but I'm so glad I finally tried them. I feel relief."

• mic...
• August 26, 2013

Fluvoxamine "A year ago I was prescribed Luvox in a psych ward where they took me off Prozac. I felt really okay! I had a follow-up visit 2 weeks later with my psychiatrist of 30 years. He immediately took me off it, saying in no way was Luvox right for me. He put me on Parnate. After one week, I felt like I had been poisoned. He then told me to go back to Prozac. Time for a new doctor, my new doctor put me back on Luvox. Now, at 4 months, I feel really well for the first time in many, many years. I rated this an 8 because 10 means perfection to me, and there is no such thing as that with any medicine."

• Aus...
• August 2, 2013

Fluvoxamine "An excellent medicine for me for controlling thoughts and anxiety. I use 50mg at 8 pm. I can't describe what a difference it has made to my life. I'm happy to take it for the rest of my life. I tried going without it for about a year because I was feeling good, but I will never do that again because of how horrible it was without it. When I've gone on Luvox, I feel the effect almost overnight. It is really important that you take it at the same time every day and that you follow a good sleeping schedule and not go to bed very late (i.e., after 11 pm) for best results. There is only one downside for me and that is more difficult to reach orgasm and libido is reduced. If it was not for this I would give it a 10."

• lis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 8, 2013

Fluvoxamine "I suffered from anxiety, excessive worrying, and ruminating to the point where it was obsessive and led to a bad depression. I have been this way off and on ever since I can remember. I have been referred to as a worrywart and possibly obsessive-compulsive. I tried Zoloft and Lexapro. Both helped with my depression symptoms, however, neither helped my anxiety at all and both killed my appetite and sex drive. I also tried Xanax occasionally and Buspar. However, although these relieved my anxiety, they made my depression worse. It was a catch-22. Finally, the doc put me on a low dose (25mg) of Luvox. What a relief! I have not noticed any side effects other than drowsiness at times. This medicine has worked well so far, even in a low dose two months now."

• Mr ...
• June 13, 2013

Fluvoxamine "I started on 50mg daytime and 50mg at night. Had upset stomach with vomiting for a few days, then that subsided. Eventually, my dosage was increased to 100mg during the day and 100mg at night. I had some life-changing events occur, and I was able to accept them and keep on track with life's daily trials and tribulations. It just helps keep your thoughts clear so that you can deal with life's challenges. The biggest side effect was that I wanted to sleep all the time. I decreased the dosage back down to 100mg, but I only take it once a day at 5:00 pm. It wears off enough by 7:00 am. Then I have motivation to do things throughout the day yet still remain somewhat calm and focused."

• SVe...
• February 27, 2017

Fluvoxamine "I have been on Luvox for many years. It has normalized my emotions and anxiety levels. I have gone off it once or twice, but depression and anxiety have once again flared to the unbearable. I sometimes feel tired, but I also have fibromyalgia, so that could be causing it. I often have a dry mouth and experience low libido, but nothing as bad as the hopelessness I felt when not on it. Luvox has improved the quality of my life."

• FSI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 4, 2017

"Don't let the bad reviews fool you! I've tried about 10 different antidepressants. This one's the best. Yes, there is no 'perfect pill'. But this one's close to it. I finally have had a break with my obsessive thoughts. I definitely feel less anxious and depressed. This is the only SSRI to not make me feel numb. And the only effective antidepressant for me. It doesn't make me feel jittery either. When I first started this medication, I had issues with drowsiness, insomnia, and sexual side effects. But all of that went away in a month's time. I really hope this medication doesn't disappear! It's quite literally a lifesaver. So thankful to whoever made this drug."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2019

"I woke up having a severe panic attack shortly after starting this drug. I thought this was odd, but figured it was just a fluke. A few weeks later, I was given the extended release. The first night in my system, I woke up having the 'mother of all panic attacks.' It would not stop. I felt like death had its grip on me. I called 911. Long story short, I took my clonazepam and was able to avoid having the ambulance come. The nice 911 operator talked to me for a while, which helped. My doctor said this was an atypical reaction, but I wanted to share my story in case anyone else experienced this. I would like to know why this happened to me."

• The...
• January 23, 2017

Fluvoxamine "I've had severe depression with anxiety. I must have tried countless products, one worse than the next. I've been on Cipralex for 15 years - but it stopped working. Latuda was terrible - why did they give it to me? I can't even recall half the names. Finally, there's a perfect solution for me. It's so terrific, I need to share it. I take Cymbalta (min. dose) in the morning (with my Synthroid) and take Luvox (min. dose) at night, along with half a zopiclone (7.5 mg) for sleeping. I haven't felt this well since I can remember. The Cymbalta takes care of my fibromyalgia/headaches, and the Luvox has cleared away all the anxiety. It's a miracle. It's been a month now. I'm back to work and feeling well."

• Woo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2021

Fluvoxamine "Been through a lot of meds, and Luvox was the one that worked the best for social anxiety/GAD. (For me, anyways). When it worked, it almost completely knocked out my anxiety. Hope to give it a re-try to see if it will work for me again."

• Awd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2016

"It's been about a month. And I really see a change. I used to be an emotional girl with obsessive thoughts that ran my mind all day long. Now, I go to work, I work (usually would think about my worries at work while being stressed at work as it already is). I handle complex situations with more confidence and less anxiety. I'm on 100 mg, can't wait to try 150, think that will be perfect. No major side effects at all. Really believe this helps give me that push at living my life in the now and helps stop the ruminating. I've tried other stuff and nothing compares. With Luvox... I stress less, cry less, and focus more on what's important. Can't wait to continue and see more improvement ..."

• Lem...
• March 30, 2014

Fluvoxamine "I was prescribed Luvox for anxiety and panic attacks. Initially, Luvox just made me tired. After about 2 weeks, it started making me feel depressive. Continued taking it for about 2 months, the depressive symptoms only got worse. I had to discontinue medication because it caused depression for me. Did not help for anxiety or panic at all. When tapering off, I suffered severe nausea and headaches. Didn't work and has bad side effects."

• Cam...
• December 11, 2019

"I started taking this about 7 weeks ago, and it’s really, really been helping me. I used to have to step on my shoes before putting them on, check everything a million times before closing at work, and feel anxious literally every time I left the house or did anything even mildly stressful. But now it’s like I can actually feel anxious without it overtaking my entire life. I still feel anxious, but it’s something I can handle now, it’s no longer this overwhelming thing to be terrified of. The scary thoughts pop into my head, and then they just go. I no longer obsess over distressing feelings, I’m able to let negative feelings come and go. I also haven’t experienced dissociation since I started taking this, which is nice. The only downside is I’m really, really tired. I can sleep for a long time and still feel exhausted. Living with manageable anxiety is worth it for me. But overall, this medicine has really helped me, and I’m so glad I started taking it."

• Anonymous
• December 6, 2011

Fluvoxamine "Luvox did help with my depression and anxiety symptoms, but it had an extreme sedative effect on me. Unfortunately, my doctor did not realize my extreme fatigue was caused by this medicine, and I spent money on sleep studies, blood tests, and various medications trying to figure out why I was so tired. I could get through my work day, but I would crash. I was sleeping 4 hours after work, getting up to make dinner, and then returning to bed. I was so frustrated, feeling like I was missing out on life. I wasn't depressed because of a chemical imbalance, but because I felt like I didn't have a life. I saw a different doctor, and as soon as he took me off Luvox, my energy returned. Definitely not the right medicine for me."

• DPM...
• January 20, 2017

"When I found out I had severe OCD and anxiety, I was prescribed this med. I was so scared to take it at first because literally I thought I would die. Then my anxiety got so bad that I eventually promised myself I would take it for one month, push through the side effects, and if I didn't feel better, I would quit. I've been taking it now for eight months, and I can honestly tell you this was the best decision of my life. I feel like a real person... thoughts come and then leave. I don't get caught up on them like I used to. The only reason I'm giving it a nine and not a ten is for side effects in the beginning. But the negative responses I see from everyone else seem like choices that they chose. This isn't a fix-your-life pill, but it helps."

• Dad...
• April 15, 2020

Fluvoxamine "Had a pretty positive experience on this med. Took about a month to really kick in; OCD intrusive thoughts lessened. While I continue to deal with anxiety, it’s been better overall on Luvox. Currently on 100 mg."

• Anonymous
• January 3, 2011

"I've suffered from panic attacks and anxiety for years. I took Paxil for many years, but its effectiveness waned, and I hated the weight gain and sexual side effects that came with it. I switched to Luvox, starting with 25 mg, and it worked miracles. Eventually, I had to move up to 50 mg, and now for the last two years, 75 mg. I have had no adverse effects, and it has been a lifesaver. Eventually, when my son was diagnosed with panic disorder (certainly inherited from me, much like I inherited it from my mother), his doctor tried Luvox for him, too. His assumption was that our genetic similarity and our similar diagnosis might be treated by the same medicine. He was right. Both my son and I are living anxiety-free, panic attack-free lives."

• Sue...
• April 15, 2012

Fluvoxamine "I tend to go on and off it when I am well. I hate the sexual side effects, but it works almost immediately for me. I get headaches and trouble sleeping, but when it works, I feel so normal, it is priceless and worth the grief."

• 0os...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 27, 2013

Fluvoxamine "I took it for over a year for depression and mood swings, but it didn't help me much. The mood swings were a little less, but I felt very empty and like a zombie. No happy feelings, and I still felt depressed/empty. I felt much better when I stopped taking them. I did have withdrawal symptoms, I was extremely emotional the weeks after stopping. But after those, I felt happier and less depressed."

• Dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 26, 2020

Fluvoxamine "On this for depression and anxiety. The first couple of days on Luvox made me feel very flat, almost more depressed, but without the crying. On the fourth day, it made me feel so physically sick: diarrhea, nausea, weak, shaky, labored breathing, faint. I felt like I had been poisoned, stopped right away. After doing a bit of research, studies show it has a 40 percent chance of giving you gastrointestinal side effects. Very angry at the psychiatrist for prescribing me this after telling him my anxiety manifests in a tight, shivering ball in my stomach."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 31, 2012

Fluvoxamine "I was put on Luvox for anxiety and depression. I had never had anxiety before, so this was the first medicine I had tried. After 4 weeks, it gave me very bad anxiety and intense 'racing thoughts.' I was only on 25 mg and then upped to 50 mg. Once I got off, I learned better ways to cope by seeing therapists and working on my problems. Not the medicine for me."

• jbl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 21, 2013

Fluvoxamine "My psychiatrist prescribed me Luvox 100 mg that I've been on for close to 2 months to help me deal with symptoms of stress and social anxiety. I would say the medication works, but the side effects aren't worth me continuing it, so I'm going to see about something else that is proven to have fewer side effects. Some of the side effects I was experiencing were difficulty staying asleep and waking up with night sweats, dry mouth, and sore throat. I think Zoloft worked better for me."

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

Fluvoxamine "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."