5 weeks on SSRIs

Hello everyone!
I'm already 5 weeks on Escitil and everything it has done is that I feel much worse mentally than before.
I felt a little bit better last week soI thought it started to really help but this week is horrible so far :( Every day in school I feel like I'm going to fain, I even look so pale, much more depersonalisation and derealisation than ever before, have a lot of digestion problems and so on :/
I'm not sure if these are still standard symptoms of taking SSRI even after 5 weeks or not. Not sure if I should wait a little bit more or contact my doctor or what. :( What are your experiences?

Thank you for your responses!

I agree. Let your doctor know you are still struggling, as you should at least start feeling better in the first six weeks.

Everywhere is stated that it should take 2 - 4 weeks until I will feel better but it took me about 2 weeks until I started taking 10mg pill so it could make an influence on that time, right ?
However, thank you for your quick answers, they helped me a little :)

Den,

So I when I read your first post...I was going to ask if you have done an increase...because that could be the cause of your increase of symptoms this week...

...and it looks from your second post here that you have.

I am sure that is the reason for not feeling great currently. Anytime you make an increase...until you are at full level and your system has adjusted to it...you may have side effects returning temporarily.

Hang in there...the fact that you had some good resultls initially, is likely a sign that you will feel the same soon.

S.C.

Den,

SSRI's and SNRI's are similar, but work on different neurotransmitters in the brain.  SSRI's=Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitor  SNRI's=Serotonin and Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor...

If one is not perfoming optimally for you, then trying the other may be what you need...in order to balance the 'feel good chemicals' (scientific terminology, lol!)

I hope that this transition is a smooth one for you...sorry your first try was not what you had hoped for...but this is not unusual.

Keep up the good work, and know that with patience, you will fine the right Rx.

Keep using those coping skills as well...and updated us soon.:)

S.C.

Okay so I've tried benzos and SSRI's about 5 different medications and either had bad reactions or side effects or it didn't do anything. I started an SNRI and it has been wonderful for me. The first day was very intense and full of panic attacks but after 2-3 days I was feeling great! So don't panic yet, try to stay calm and let the medication get into your system before you pull yourself off. Luckily I have Klonopins to take on the side so my bad days weren't as bad. Do you have anything fast acting like that? Maybe your doctor could prescribe a few while you are trying these new medications out.

Good luck and I hope everything works out for you.

Den,

Let us know if you feel better today...I am hoping so!!

Sending thoughts and prayers for relief!

S.C.

Okey, so some side effect came again approximately 4 hours after taking a pill, but they weren't that bad as yesterday so I'm going to sleep now with a good feeling :) Good night there!

Hello again! :)

My side effects from SNRI are gone! However after 10 days of SNRI I don't see any improvement :( My breathing problems are back so I'm starting to be pretty sceptical about these meds :(

Yes, exactly like you said. :( I had escitil 10mg and my doc told me thatvtherw is no need to increase my dosage because it wont have ani big effect so she told me about snri and prescribed me Alventa 37.5mg. She told me to take one in the morning and the other one in the evening. After I got through the bad symptoms I was 3-4 days without any change and now it is starting to get worse and worse and now I've got again big breathing difficulties like 2 months ago :(

I just read this entire thread and I understand your concern. You want to feel better and you want it now! Lol at least that's how I feel :)

Unfortunately the way these medications work take time. I started an SSRI about a month ago. The first week was hell. Everything was worse. More anxiety, insomnia, body aches. I was perscribed a benzo to mask my side effects. Started feeling great right around week two.

Fast forward to week 4, don't feel as well. Although SSRIs (and probably SNRIs) can start to be felt in the first 2-4 weeks you won't feel the FULL benefits until 6-8 weeks. Seems like forever.

I contacted my doctor and told him I was more anxious so he upped my mg from 10 to 20 on my celexa. Now I'm thinking maybe I should stick out the 10 mg and just wait it out.

Use whatever your perscribed to mask your symptoms when you need it. Not familiar with the one you mentioned. Do be wary of tolerance. Not sure if yours causes that but benzos cause tolerance and dependence so now I'm stuck wirh my dosage and it does nothing for me. Oh well. I'll manage symptoms by other means, you should try to as well If you can :)

Great advice above!

I will also add that medication are just part of the equasion...

Do you also currently do therapy? (sorry I can't remember)

If not, I highly recommend it. It will help to round out your treatment...and you will likely see a marked decrease of anxiety and symptoms with both your Rx, and your therapy skills working for you!:)

S.C.

You can check with your school first of all and see if there is any stress relief resources for you to plug into there. They may have counselors that can help, or a group to join.

Also, getting a referral from your doctor is always a good bet. He/she may be able to find you a therapist who can work with you on CBT...a highly effective method for managing anxiety.

...and finally...if you have not yet explored our Resources here, I highly recommend doing so. There is a ton of FREE self-help there, as close as your fingertips. It takes some time and effort to find what works for you...and put it into practice...but in the big picture of things...it is worth it!

S.C.