I am in 2 minds about this..?

Question

My doctor recently told me I had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, he has prescribed me Fluoxetine (20mg), I am in two minds about whether to take them or not because I have heard a common side effect is tiredness/drowsiness, basically I am tired constantly because of my CFS. Should I take them if they may make me even MORE tired? Why would he prescribe me these (I am not depressed) knowing that drowsiness is a side effect? Thanks!!

Answer 1

I do not understand why he would prescribe an anti depressant if you are not depressed. It is not gonna cure you from CFS/ME, might actually make you worse, and I do not understand why it would do you any good. And you do not want to become more ill!

I fully go with answerer 1, go for a second opinion. Find yourself a doctor/ specialist who knows more about CFS/ME.

Some doctors still seem to think that this is all in between the ears. Your doctor might think so, hence the prescription of anti-depressants. Or maybe he just doesn't know what to do.

The thing is, if you yourself do not have enough understanding of what is happening to you, you might get worse and it might take you much longer to recover.

Some tips:

- stop doing anything BEFORE you get too tired. Sometimes, you don't immediately feel the results of the things you do, but after a few hours or sometimes days, you might feel a lot worse. Learn what your balance is, and that itself might change constantly. On one day you will be able to do more then on an other day.

- take enough rest! Sometimes you might not feel too tired, but even then, make sure you don't do to much.

- Really start to know your body, and the symptoms. What do you feel, when do you feel it, what makes it worse or less?

- try to eat healthy. Not too much sugar or fat.

- avoid everything that costs you too much energy. The more you know your body, the more you will recognize the things that cost you too much.

Again, learn to stop before you get too tired!

Some websites that might interest you:

http://www.cfids-me.org/

http://www.meresearch.org.uk/information...

http://www.recoveryfromcfs.org/chapter1....

Go find yourself a second opinion, from someone who takes this disease very seriously.

Take care, and all the best!

Answer 2

Good point; I would seek a second opinion and make sure I described my problem completely and thoroughly. You may have heard wrong. Wikipedia states that insomnia and somnolence (drowsiness) occur as a side effect about equally (11-12%). LOOK UP "FLUOXETINE" IN A yAHOO! WEB SEARCH.