Advised to start fluoxetine 1 month before an important trip
Hey! Due to various circumstances, I've decided to see a psychiatrist 1 month before a really important trip for me. I'll be working overseas but basically on vacation, because it's my long life dream to visit these countries.
I explained I've experienced inconsistent periods (every time more frequent) of really incapacitating anxiety and panic attacks since 2020, when I stopped being addicted to ketamine. I had two electrocardiograms done at home in the past two months because I swore the doctors I was dying (I wasn't) on top of several false alarm ER visits. I also have a severe binge/restriction eating disorder for as long as I can remember that I've only been controlling for the past weeks because the "control stage" weights more now that I'm close to leaving. None of this is related to the trip, as these were a thing way before I started to truly plan it.
The psychiatrist advised me to start fluoxetin 20mg and see how it goes throghout the next 25 days, but I fear this might not be the best time to start. I'll be overseas for the next 6 months, lots of things are going to change so I wonder if Ill be prone to anhedonia/sabotaging this emotional experience. At the same time, maybe this medication might finally help me feel truly better and not shaking at the thought of dying all the time. I read people saying how much it's helped them and I wish I could feel that way.
I guess the smart move would be to postpone it - I explained this to my psychiatrist and she insisted I'm a good candidate, but she also minimized the alcohol risk even after I told her I'm prone to physically violent blackouts, which made me doubt her word. I'm not asking for medical advice but perhaps a similar experience, or help weighing options.
Thank you so much in advance! Sorry for the long post