Please help me with side effects

Hi @Dark_Olena a lot of anti-depressant side effects ease after a while, though it can take weeks. Side effects seem to be very individual, but given this is the first time you've taken the medication, it's not surprising that it's a bit of a shock to the system. I think the rule of thumb is give it 6 weeks.

Do you have a good GP? If you have ongoing trouble with medication it could be worth getting a referral to a Psychiatrist because psych meds are their thing, and they have a much more nuanced understanding. In my experience they are also more prepared to make changes.

It's hard when you're down and then feeling really out of whack from the medication side effects. Try and look after yourself by taking care of the basics - sleep, exercise, healthy food. Even small steps can help you build a bit of momentum. Take care.

Hi @Dark_Olena,

Sorry to hear you are really struggling with your son's partner and these unpleasant side effect sensations on top of that. It's great you've come on tonight to get some support with your side effects and getting a bit of context for what you should expect. I'm sure other forum members with have had similar experiences.

I wanted to hopefully be helpful in clarifying some of that confusion around the guidelines for talking about medication. What you have written is completely fine - discussing medication in general terms such as 'antidepressant' or 'SSRI' is fine, it is only specific medications and dosages that would breach guidelines aiming to keep the forums safe for everyone. They can be found here.

Take care tonight,

Tortoiseshell

Hi there @Dark_Olena, I've been on my current medications a very long time (years). I do remember however what it felt like when I first began then. One of my medications is a SNRI antidepressant and when I first started it for about 2 weeks, I felt sort of floaty and shaky (like a feeling like I was getting small electric zaps here and there through my body). I sort of think it was feeling as if I wasn't quite in my body so to speak. It passed after 2 weeks although, if I forget to take a dose I have those feelings again for a few hours after I remember to take the tablet again.

I remember when I reported how I was feeling to my psychiatrist, he said how I was feeling was pretty common when starting a new antidepressant.

One thing he did say to watch out for was a worsening of your depression, as some antidepressants can even heighten suicidal and self harm feelings. If you feel worse, it is important to seek medical help ASAP.

Take care and I hope you are feeling much better soon!