Hello AnotherOne.
It’s true that like all medications there can be some side effects and that they can be physical. Some are more common than others depending which medication you’re on and the dosage. It kind of depends what physical symptoms you’re talking about. You’re doing the right thing by talking to your doctor about it. I wonder if it would help to take a list of what you’re experiencing so that you and the doctor can go through it one at a time. It might put your mind at ease to break it down and feel like it’s more in control than just one big issue.
Something that might also be helpful is to talk to your Pharmacist about what you’re experiencing. They’re usually pretty good at explaining what to expect and can also give you print-outs of the official medication information. Something to be aware of though is that the list of potential symptoms is often very long, but that doesn’t mean that they’re common side effects, or that they shouldn’t be checked by your doctor if you experience them.
In my personal experience with SSRIs, yes I’ve experienced physical symptoms. In particular it affected my sleep (vivid dreams, night sweats and insomnia). Different SSRIs have also caused me nausea and headaches. I checked in with my doctor about these and was put at ease. Also, over time (weeks) the side effects mostly disappeared as the medication settled in my system. There was one medication where I kept having side effects though and my doctor instructed me to start coming off it. Each medication affects people in different ways, and sometimes it takes a few trials to find one that will help your mental health and also be tolerated well by your body. But don’t be discouraged, it’s a common occurrence.
I hope this helps. Please stay in contact with your doctor as they are in the best position to help. But also know you’re not alone in this. Take care.
Alexlisa
