SSRIs and time to work

[AnxietyGirl74]

Hi There,

I started on an SSRI 11 days ago and have not yet started feeling any better. I had to come off an SNRI. Anxiety is really bad and I’m awake from 4am. It’s really tough! How long should it be before I start to feel better? I need some hope that this is going to work. Anyone have any ideas of things that might help?

Thanks.

AnxietyGirl74

[PamelaR]

Hello Anxiety Girl

Welcome to Beyond Blue (BB) forums. You'll find the people here are supportive, friendly, caring and respect individual's privacy.

We're not counsellors or therapists. Though we do try to help, sometimes through sharing our experience of mental illness, to let you know you're not alone.

I have anxiety and depression, when I first started taking antidepressants it took at least 4-6 weeks to have any affect. However, each person is different and I would suggest you talk with your gp if you are concerned about how you're feeling.

If you want to talk about how to manage your ongoing anxiety and depression - do a google search for:

Beyond Blue - anxiety

Beyond Blue - depression

Kind regards

PamelaR

[AnxietyGirl74]

Thank you! It’s great to know I’m not alone... 😊

[PamelaR]

Yeah, isn't it AnxietyGirl

There are quite a number of us out there.

P

[geoff]

Hello AnxietyGirl, I agree with PamelaR everyone is different so we can't really determine how long it's going to take.

For some people it works straight away, they are the lucky ones, while a lot of us have to wait until it gradually settles down in our own symptoms.

I also take SSRI and have for a long time, however I was put on them straight away on a low dose so there was no dry out period, that's what my GP thought would be the best.

This depends totally on your doctor and each one is completely different.

Geoff.

[AnxietyGirl74]

Thank you, Geoff. Do you recall how long it took for sleep to return?

[geoff]

Hi AnxietyGirl, thanks for getting back to us.

I'm sorry that sleep seems to be a problem for you, this can always be a major issue for many people.

I have to take a heavy dose of 2 anti-epileptic medication which also makes me sleepy but it's annoying to me and I only wish I could pass some on to you.

Once your body becomes accustomed to the drug then your bodily functions should return and if not then go back to your doctor, they need to be advised either way.

Please let me know.

Geoff.

[AnxietyGirl74]

Thanks Geoff and PamelaR,

I’m seeing the doctor again tomorrow. I am just so sick of feeling so rotten. I’m really worried I will never feel normal again...😢 It has now been 2 weeks on the new medication and I am sick of feeling like this. It’s really wearing me down.

It will get better, won’t it?

AnxietyGirl74

[PamelaR]

Oh, yes it will get better AnxietyGirl74. So glad to hear you're going to your GP.

You won't know yourself once you're there. Something to remember is - it is ongoing self management to get the best out of life. Total pits! However, caring for yourself does help in the long term. Have a look at the Staying Well forum for hints about what we all do to keep us feeling good. And what we do if we have a downer. There is loads of positive stuff.

Good luck with the doctor's tomorrow. Thinking of you.

Kind regards

PamelaR

[IreneM]

Hello Anxiety Girl

I was on an Antidepressant for over three years and it wasn't an SSRI. SSRI is just one of several Anti-depressant drug groups. Do a search for SSRI if you want to know more, just like PamelaR suggested.

You said also, that it's only 11 days since starting on it. I would allow up to a month to start receiving benefits. As PamelaR has suggested, the forums here are great as well especially when you're still down and waiting for treatment to kick in, or waiting for an appointment with a Psychologist or Counsellor.

There are many natural things that you can do for Depresssion and Anxiety also. For example, I took my other half to see a Dr who wanted to put him onto an anti-depressant and he refused, due to seeing many people die from the long-term effects of anti-depressants. So the Dr suggested Fish Oil. This got us curious so we did some research.

We found that one Fish Oil benefit is that it increases Serotonin, a substance in our body that makes us feel good and happy. So we did more on Serotonin and found that Sunlight increases it also. So we started our day with a cuppa in the sun, this makes a big difference.

So hang in there, Anxiety Girl.