Anxiety medication

[awrt]

Hi,

 I have been suffering from anxiety for the past couple of years. I have just started a new job which has been very stressfull over the past week and has made my anxiety even worse. I saw my GP last week and he has prescibed my some medication for the anxiety. This is the first time I have taken medication for my anxiety - which is making me even more anxious.

 Has anyone else used an SSRI for anxiety? I have been feeling average over the weekend and have taken work off today again becasue of the side effects of the drug. I am also worried about what my boss at work is going to say as he is unaware that I suffer from a mental illness.

Thanks for listening

[Zeal]

Hi,

Welcome to the forum! I have taken the same SSRI medication for close to 3 years now. When I first started taking it, at a lower dose than I am currently on, I think I just had fatigue as a side effect. After a few weeks, the side effects often settle down. It depends on the individual. Try taking the medication at about the same time each day - I think this is helpful.

If your boss says something negative about your job performance (while you are experiencing side effects), I think it's a good idea to privately tell him you have recently started a new medication which is causing temporary side effects. If you tell your boss calmly and confidently, he will probably respect you for your honesty. Many people take SSRI's these days. It seems just as common as taking blood pressure tablets!

Try not to feel anxious about taking the medication. If you, like me, have a great doctor, they will closely monitor your progress. The SSRI I take hasn't caused me any long-term issues or side effects. I am really happy and healthy now, and I have accepted that I may need to take an SSRI for many years.

Hopefully the side effects will ease soon. If they continue and you are worried, make an appointment with your GP. If need be, you could get a certificate from your GP to give to your boss. You probably won't need to do this, but this will ensure your job position isn't jeopardised.

Good luck with everything.

Best wishes,

SM

[MissyA]

Hi,

I also have just started taking an SSRI for anxiety. I am now on my 8th day and my dose has now doubled  and it may have to increase more depends on how I am managing. I must say that I have been feeling worst with nausea and headaches which in turn has made my anxiety a lot worst but I have been told that the side affects should pass in about 2 weeks so I am going  with that. Believe me I know how hard it is for you and understand how you are feeling.

Hang in there

[awrt]

Thanks for the encouraging words guys, it helps so much hearing others success stories. I saw my GP this morning again for a certificate for work as well as a referral to the psychologist who I have been seeing for the past while. She has also prescribed me a bezno so that the anxiety can be managed temporarily while I wait for the SSRI to take effect.

 I have my psychologist appointment this afternoon then will try to tackle work with the benzo in hand tomorrow

awrt

[Beltane]

This is a common side effect.

SSRI's are basically aimed at changing how the chemicals in your brain work- mainly the chemical "Serotonin" (SSRI of course stands for Selective Serotonin reuptake inhibitor).

The brain and mental illness is still somewhat mysterious. There are many short term and long term medications for anxiety- short term such as benzodiazepines, and long term such as antidepressants (SSRI's, SNRI's, MAOI'S, and atypicals), while these are called antidepressants they are also effective in anxiety, and can even help insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome.

Because these drugs change the chemicals in the brain, its is super duper common (like almost certain) that you'll feel some minor side effects. Increase in anxiety or even in depression is a common one- thats why the brochure you should have gotten with your medication says to watch out for mood changes. Other side effects common are nausea, loss of appetite, insomnia or hypersomnia (too much sleep) or fatigue.

These side effects are worst in the first week or two, and should be going/ gone by week 3ish. The full positive effects of the medication can be expected to be seen at week 6-8.

Unfortunately the doctors dont know which drug will work for which person- the medication that is my saving grace might make someone else feel terrible. Everyone is different.

So basically, the side effects should start going soon and you should start feeling better- less anxiety and depression- over the next few weeks. If by week 5-6 you're still feeling awful with no signs of positive effects, its possible you may need a different medication. The doc might switch you to another SSRI or try another class.

Most people get the right one the first or second time. Rarely it can take a few goes to find the right one. It took me a few goes to find the right one, but that was because i was misdiagnosed as having depression when actually i had bipolar.

Sometimes its also a matter of changing the dose- you could ask to start off at a smaller dose and work your way up to the full dose, this tends to lessen the start up side effects (you do the same thing when coming back off them by the way- NEVER stop an antidepressant straightaway, always wean off as the doctor tells you).

Also for those that are having insomnia, or nausea, speak to your doctor about whether you can change the time of day you take it- e.g take it at night if it makes you drowsy, have it with food if it makes you nauseous.

[MisterM]

I have been on an SSRI for 2 weeks now.
First day I took it I had a mild headache and felt light headed like I was floating.
Second/Third day I was trembling.
Since then I just yawn a lot and have been waking up during the night (but that could be due to very hot nights).
I feel more calmer and my depression has improved.
But I do still get times when I feel worried but less than before.

[Beltane]

Thats a good sign MisterM, that you;'re starting to feel positive effects and the negative side effects are starting to go away. You're only in week 2 and you;'re already feeling a bit better. Full effects of antidepressants are felt at 4-6 even 8 weeks so you should expect to continue getting further benefits from it and for side effects to dissappear.