Side Effects of Antidepressants

[UnhappyinTas]

Hi, can anyone shed some light on whether they had side effects? I have been taken medication now for only 4 days, which I know is early days.  But I have luckily been in the office on my own for that - as I have actually felt so tired I have slept on the work couch for 2 hours each day as I have so exhausted.  I am ok when I wake up - and actually waking early (around 5am) but going to bed around 9pm as well.  I also have nausea - I would swear I was pregnant!  I am unable to eat either as I have no apetite (that bit doesnt worry me) and no headaches (as my Dr suggested might happen).

Plleeassee - did anyone else have these same symptoms?  It says in the leaflet that these symptoms are normal - but the

tiredness bit is the worst as it will effect my job once my boss is back and I dont want to have to explain why!

 I have the next 4 days off work, am hoping by then it might all settle down.

[Zeal]

Hi there,

You are right, side effects are quite common with antidepressants. If you are worried, make another appointment with your GP to discuss your symptoms and concerns. I didn't have any major side effects when I first started taking my antidepressants. From memory, I did feel a bit fatigued though. Ask your GP if there is anything that could help to improve your energy levels in the meantime. Once you have been on the medication for a few weeks, hopefully the tiredness will be alleviated. If this continues, ask your GP about alternative types of antipressants. Some types may be better suited to you than others.

Try to take your antidepressants at about the same time each day. For the next 4 days, try to do some form of light physical activity each day. This could actually help with your low energy levels.

Have a nice break from work, and good luck

SM

[UnhappyinTas]

Thanks SM!  I asked a friend today as well and he said he had same problem made him tired.  Afternoon is ok, just the morning around 9am.  I have been taking the tablets at night time - figured that way they have a good 8 hours in my system to not make me as sick whilst im asleep verses taking them at day time!

[Beltane]

Hiya.

Side effects starting antidepressants are very common. the most common side effects are fatigue, daytime drowsiness (even so severe you fall asleep), or nighttime awakeness (insomnia). Loss of appetite or mild nausea is another very common one.

These occur as your brain adjusts to the medications. They most often occur in the first week and should certainly start going away as your brain adjusts over the next week or two. By the 6 week mark you should be seeing the full benefits of the medication, with most or all side effects gone.

if these side effects continue beyond the first couple of weeks, your doctor may consider changing you to another medication, or reducing your dose. 

The good news is that the right medication should help quite a lot- that's their job, in combination  with therapy. Mine certainly helps me enormously.

Give yours a little bit longer to adjust. You should be seeing your doctor at least weekly while adjusting medications to discuss side effects and make sure it's working for you.

[geoff]

dear Tas, welcome to the site and thanks for posting your comment which is a common concern for when you start taking AD's.

There's not much more that I can add to than what SM and Beltane have said, other than you may not feel sexual stimulated, this may improve but chances are it won't and then you have to go back to your GP so your AD will be changed.

Sometimes this won't worry you, but circumstances may change down the track, so you feel as though you wish you had it back.

One AD I was given made not being able to be aroused, so this lowered my self esteem and confidence, not that I had much anyway in depression, so my doc changed it straight away. Geoff.

[Blue85]

Having had several changes in medications (not just anti-depressants, but mood stabilisers and anti-psychotics) I can say that I've had my fair share of side effects. Not all have caused them, but one in particular gave me nausea within an hour of taking it, and that lasted about 3-4 weeks until my body adjusted.

 Be kind to yourself during this time, and try to support your body with good food, light exercise, and some sunlight (about 10 minutes a day to keep up the vitamin D is good). Definitely keep track of the side effects and speak to your GP if you are concerned. In some cases the medication may need to be changed if it isn't right for you, but in many others, it is simply a case of adjusting.

Good luck with it!