SSRI Immediate Effects (First Week)- Normal??

[EmmaP]

Hi Everyone,

My doctor started me on a SSRI Anti Depressant last week for anxiety and depression. I just finished my first four days of the half dose and now I am on the first day of the full dose. The first day I took them I didn't really feel anything, just a bit drowsy a couple of hours after taking it (I took them with food).

The next day in the afternoon (I took the dose in the morning) I started feeling like I couldnt concentrate, like I would be staring at something like my computer at my desk job and I knew I was looking and I was trying really hard to work out what I was looking at but It wasn't computing or concentrating properly (if that makes sense). Kind of like when you have a dead leg and you are trying really hard to get it to move but It wont listen to your brain or it feels like its in slow motion. I felt fine to drive (wouldnt drive if I thought it was unsafe) but when I was stopped at traffic lights on the way home I would find myself staring off into space much more than usual, my brain still wasn't computing that I was staring at something. Then when I got home I had the absolute giggles, everything was funny which was strange. I felt silly I was jumping around overly happy and excited over everything but I felt good!

Saturday was much the same and when I went out and didn't drink I still felt like the life of the party, on a 'high' if you will, whereas usually if I had gone out and not drunk I would have felt boring and not as fun. Everything was funny and exciting and I was much happier than usual.

Sunday I had an anxiety attack in the morning and felt anxious once more, and had another couple of attacks in stressful situations. Then the afternoon I felt good again.

Today (Monday) the first day of full dose, about two hours after I took the dosage I felt slightly drowsy, and I just had a wave come over me and I felt adrenaline course through my body, light headed and weak. I haven't exerted myself, I'm just at my desk job. I feel odd, but not overly happy like I have been. Its still an effort to concentrate properly on my work.

Are these normal sort of reactions? I was a bit concerned when I felt overly happy the first couple of days because I felt much better than I had been for a long time, no anxiety or the feeling of being down or sad, but my doc said it would take at least 4-6 weeks to work properly. Is this just my body getting used to it? Anyone's personal experiences or opinions would be much appreciated!

[Neil_1]

Hi there EmmaP  

Thanx for providing this post and it’s been detailed out in such a great way – heaps of info and very comprehensive.   For a little while there I was thinking, oh, I’ve gotta ask what this particular tablet is, but then, remember BB rules, we aren’t allowed to give out such things – but I was thinking this because of you described your feelings of being overly happy, bordering on, if not a little silly and getting the giggles.  Yeah, I reckon that’d be an ok way to feel (for a while at least).  

I believe that this is just the early signs, symptoms of the chemical beginning to do its thing within your body – nothing to be worried about at this stage – but it will pay to monitor how you go over the next few days.  

But again, very good that you’ve been noting these feelings – and continue to do so.  

 If things go a bit more haywire, then I’d be seeking out your GP again.   I think we’d like to know as well on here, if you’re able to let us know how you get on as the week goes by.  

Kind regards  

Neil

[Starz]

Hi Emma,

I'm new to this myself (just started AD's 7 weeks ago)but I can just pass on what my Dr said when I reacted quite quickly to the medication. She said they say 4-6 weeks as that's how long it *can* take. Some people have changes a lot earlier, but if they said 1 week, then those who it takes longer for would think it wasn't working for them when in fact it's just taking hold. 

It can take 4-6 weeks for the full (and more stable) effects to be felt. I never felt any adrenaline coursing feelings but all of the rest of it is kind of par for the course in the initial stages from the sound of it.

[EmmaP]

Hi Neil,

Thank you for your response, its always great to have a reply and some reassurance from others who have experience in these things!

Its a little annoying that we can't specify as I'm sure these medications differ greatly from type to type but I'm sure its for a very good reason that we can't.

It was quite nice feeling happy and silly! Felt very care free and happy for the first time in a long time. Felt a little silly and crazy for being that way though because everyone said I wouldn't notice a change for quite a few weeks! I did some googling and it seems like this can be a 'normal' response for others on this particular medication, so I feel a bit better.

I felt a little drowsy again during the day. Last night I had another little 'turn'. I was at the hospital with my partner (she is okay, she had a reaction to her BPD medication) but I hadn't had a large meal since 1pm only snacks, and I started feeling light headed and dizzy again like I had earlier, I got sweaty and felt hot and cold at the same time and my limbs felt shaky. I went and got a hot chocolate and had that and felt better, and felt much better once I ate. I guess it might have been a mix of the medication and low blood sugar maybe? It lasted about 10-15 mins. My girlfriend had been on this particular medication in the past and she said she found that she had to eat very regularly or she would feel the same, so I'm going to make a conscious effort to eat little meals throughout the day and see if that makes a difference. If it keeps happening I will call my GP.

Still having difficulties with my concentration and attention span and the feeling I'm staring at something but my brain won't compute. Hopefully it will improve so I can do better at work.

Will keep you guys updated on any other changes throughout the week. Thanks again Neil for your reply and reassurance.

EmmaP

[EmmaP]

Hi Starz,

Thank you for your reply, it is much appreciated to hear from others going through treatment at the moment and getting your experiences to compare to.

That totally makes sense! You and your GP are totally right, people would hold onto a lot of false hope if they said a week. I'm feeling better to know its not all 'in my head' or an adverse reaction. I will definitely keep an eye on the adrenaline rushes though. I am looking forward to hopefully a more 'stable' stage in the coming weeks.

Good luck with your journey and thank you so much for sharing! It has been most helpful 🙂

EmmaP

[EmmaP]

Hi Guys,

So its been two weeks on the medication. After I wrote last things went down hill a little. I started to feel nauseas every day. I made sure I was eating regularly but the foods I usually ate made me feel like vomiting, well, actually most foods made me want to vomit. I was getting stabbing abdominal pains in the late afternoon and in the night, so much so it was keeping me awake at night in pain. I had had enough and went to the pharmacy and he said if I stopped taking them at this point I shouldn't have withdrawals, so I cut back to the half dose. I still felt nauseas so I stopped taking them for two days and my stomach went back to normal. So I took the half dose again for the two days before my next doctors appointment.

Today was my appointment and the doc said it was not unusual for that reaction, but she decided to start me on a different AD today to see how I go. It is an SNRI rather than an SSRI, so maybe it will make the difference. Will keep you updated on how I go 🙂

EmmaP

[BeeGee]

I can absolutely relate to your "spaced out" description. I've been on my SSRI for 6 days now, and I'm trying to study for exams next week.  I stare at the words on the screen and I know what they're saying but I just don't seem to be able to absorb their meaning.  Thinking I might cut back to half dose until exams are over... this could be a disaster otherwise.

[Worry_wart]

11 months ago I fractured my ankle broke my fibula and tibia and now have a plate and 8 screws. From this I have been forced into retirement and changed my lifestyle completely. 7 days ago I started to take Lexepro 10mg. I'm finding I am now having a dizzy foggy head if I over do things or become anxious. Does anyone else suffer these symptoms.