I have take my first antidepressant today

[Kellioo]

Can't help feeling a bit crap about it. It's for anxiety rather than depression, I can't stop having panic attacks and so on edge all the time, averaging 2 hours sleep a night. I've spent 4 weeks trying to get myself right but it's not working. I just want to breathe bloody normally.

I've had a challenging 10 years, but it's just come out of nowhere, perhaps 10 years worth off stuff, which just got tipped over by something quite minor.

The doctor has warned me I could feel worse before better, which is terrifying me. I don't think I can cope with feeling worse.

This isn't somewhere I ever thought I'd be. I'm the one who holds it all together and keeps everyone going usually.

I started taking 50mg sertraline a few months ago and it has changed my life. I feel so much happier and calmer. I did feel awful for the first few weeks, I take them before bed to try and limit the side effects. Stick with it for at least a month and you should see a difference

I took my first one two weeks ago after fighting it for years and years. My anxiety just got too bad and it was impacting all areas of my life. I’ve started on citalopram 10 mg. Taking it at night was awful for me as it seriously affects my sleep. I seem to wake every hour and not go into a deep sleep so I’ve switched to mornings which has been fine. A few stomach pains and feeling sick initially but that’s all passed now. Review with the Doctor in 2 more weeks to see if it needs to increase to 20 mg.

Good to hear how everyone feels so much better after the initial period.

I've been put on 20mg, not sure what time to take it. Sleep is a huge issue so I really don't want it to get worse, but I did feel very odd after taking the first one yesterday.

I'm feeling absolutely terrible and only taken two tablets so far, is this normal?

I'm taking them in the evening and it's just completely wiping me out, my head feels so heavy and fuzzy. My eyesight is all fuzzy, struggling to see my phone screen. It's freaking me out.

I'm dreading taking the next one.

Wondering if the dose is too high for me (20mg Citalopram) ..

Could you chat to the pharmacist. Could you change the time of day you take them? Eg at bed time.
You can feel worse initially. It is normal. Worth persevering.

Firstly, it’s not a moral failing to take an antidepressant; you would take antibiotics for a kidney infection and this is no different. So we’ll done on starting.

You can feel weird at the beginning and that’s sometimes part of it. Be kind to yourself, don’t catastrophise it and let it take it’s course; it’s common sometimes to feel a bit worse before you feel better.

obviously if you have a severe allergic reaction (throat closes up and cannot breathe, stop and dial 999, but if it’s the usually headache, fuzziness, cotton wool head etc, stick it out in my experience. Xx

Thank you, I have pretty much slept the day away. I'm really struggling with this feeling of heavy fuzziness, it's like I'm being pushed down and my head feels so full. I can't be bothered to speak or do anything.

I was prepared for a couple of weeks of feeling a bit off/tired but wasn't expecting this at all.

I'm trying really hard not to spiral with it but I'm not sure I can handle this for very long.

I started on 10 mg 2 weeks ago. My Dr said they will increase after a month if no improvement. I can tell my body is starting to get used to them now and I take it in the morning so I can sleep better at night.

I am going to check tomorrow but I think I need to go down to 10mg. I can't function at the moment or even see properly.