Seems I can't tolerate the SSRIs. Anyone else been like this?

pud · 04-01-2008, 10:33 AM

Hi Everyone,
Well, this morning I had to go back to my doc on an emergency appointment. I have been on my third type of SSRI for just over 2 weeks (Citralopram/Celexa- before have tried Lustral and Cipralex, all increased my anxiety). Although I felt like the Citralopram had lifted my depression and made me feel happier (though I did feel some of this was a bit manic-like, but tried to persevere with them) they had sent my anxiety through the roof, and I felt like by now these side effects should be wearing off.
Anyway, I woke up this morning feeling like I was truly going mad, severe obsession .

Fortunately, I was aware through researching the SSRIs that some people can have these side effects, so dashed off to doc, taking my younger daughter, who's home from uni, with me. He has now put me back on my original tricylic, which worked for years (until I hit the menopause and my hormones went bonkers!) to see if they will now work again, also some tranx.

I wonder if anyone else has had any experiences like this? Very frustrating as I know many, many people have been helped by the SSRIs!!!!

Much love to all
Pud
x

cvoor · 04-01-2008, 11:46 AM

Yes, Yes, Yes, I also cannot take them. I just got off Celexa, and had tried Paxil in the past. They made me very sick, extremely anxious with panic attacks. Everyone is different. You might want to try to decrease the dosage so your body can get use to the med and lessen the side effects.

aussiejono · 04-01-2008, 08:42 PM

1. Start low, and go slow.... start with 10mg per day, then after a week, go to 20mg per day etc

2. Ask your doctor if you can give mirtazapine 9Remeron) a try, start with 15mg at night for a week, then 30mg at night

3. Doexpin (Sinequan, Deptran) might be worth a try

joebloggs2 · 04-01-2008, 09:03 PM

Yes, start low and move up gradually. Break the pill in half or take only a quarter at a time.

They *do* increase your anxiety, and they *do* make you feel "not yourself", or very introverted, but these are side effects and fade away after at least 4 weeks. We hear "it might take 5-9 weeks for the effects to kick in" but rarely do any of us wait that long. But in my experience, things do get better after 3-4 weeks.

I had a bad experience with Remeron, but I only took it for about two weeks. First few times I took it, it literally knocked me out. I had the best/deepest sleep of my life, and VERY (VERY!) vivid and strange dreams. After that, I just felt hungry and tired all the time. You'll gain a massive amount of weight on it, but YMMV - ask your doc about it.

pud · 04-02-2008, 09:43 AM

Thanks guys,
Although I've stopped taking this med now, I am seeing a psychiatrist in 2 weeks, so am going to discuss this further with him. It's encouraging to see that it takes a long time because I was thinking after 2 weeks things should be settling, but perhaps it takes longer, as you all seem to comment. Anyway, will discuss all this further with the experts and maybe give SSRIs another go!!
It's so great to have guys like you to communicate with - don't know what I would have done otherwise because no-one seems to know, not even the doc!
Keep healing and keep posting.
Lots of love,
Pud
x