Managed two days of antidepressants but side effects unbearable. How long until it’s out of my system?

[SpikeWithoutASoul]

I’ve googled the answer to this but don’t know if that applies to someone who has taken it long term. I only took it for two day. Any ideas?

Do you mean you took for two days and then stopped for good, and want to know how long until the side effects go? Each person is different but you've been given the medication for a reason, it'll be worth trying a different type. Different types work differently with different people, and it can be trial and error until you find your fit.

Forgot to say, ADs can take a while to settle down and to get used to.

Just 2.5mg a day to ease in but was filled with a feeling of dread and terror. Scared to be left in a room by myself. Never experienced anything like it in my life. No way I could tolerate that. I’m not even being prescribed it for anxiety. I have long covid and neurologist suggested might help with some symptoms.

Just took two doses so not sure if half life info on Google is the same for me.

The half life of a drug is different for each drug. You can look it up.

Citalopram made me feel like that and I stopped after a similar amount of time. I’ve no doubt it would have settled down after a week or two but I wouldn’t have made it through that time feeling the way I did. I did find one that worked though so please don’t give up on trying to find a medication that works for you x

It can take about 2 weeks to start working properly. My dd found the first 4 days quite difficult.

Unfortunately this will happen again when you increase the dose.

Sorry I didn't read this post properly before I posted.

Dd was prescribed for depression, I have never heard of being prescribed anti-depressants for anything other than depression/anxiety.

Perhaps a call to the neurologists rooms might be an idea. Did he mention any side affects to expect?

Wouldn't have thought it would be too long, but you should realy talk to your doctor.

Thanks all. This is my second attempt. After 1 day of citalopram I had the same experience. Absolute terror. Unbearable. Neurologist said escitalopram was easier to tolerate. Apparently not!

As a long term antidepressant user I can confirm that your reaction is not altogether unusual, the first two weeks a generally worse than whatever they are treating, after which you do see the benefits.

It will probably take 2 weeks to get out of your system, normally you taper off, just stopping can cause something called seritonin syndrome - talk to your GP is my best advice.

SSRI anti depressants are showing interesting results in Long Covid, they have anti inflamatory and cytokine regulating effects, studies have indicated benefits to those with long covid and potential resistance to getting long covid if you are on them. Its all new emerging science.

I've tried to start antidepressants multiple times over the years and have always given up within a week because the side effects are so insanely debilitating.

The good thing is I've always managed to then find other ways to get through rough patches and overall have learnt coping mechanisms for my anxiety and feel I am generally in a good place mentally. I am not saying this is always the case but so many GPs just prescribe antidepressants as a first port of call and my failure to cope with anti depressants encouraged me to seek counselling and find strategies that work for me outside of medication and I have friends that have similar experiences. So

Posted too soon. So if you repeatedly are not getting on with antidepressants OP have you looked into other options to try and help you through? I don't want to sound condescending - obviously there are people who are helped by and do need antidepressants but sometimes they are avoidable.

I think it will take a week to leave your system. I have no medical training but my opinion is based on a couple of family experiences.

I tried taking the contraceptive pill years and years ago and it immediately reduced me to being unable to function, I cried nonstop and couldn’t go to work. I couldn’t wait for it to leave my system. My GP had zero interest and was cross I stopped taking it!

I hope you feel better soon.

You can be prescribed anti depressants for insomnia and I imagine other conditions too.

OP ,speak to your GP,other types might be suitable.