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Mental health

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Original poster

Took my first AD 4 hours ago, and still feeling ill - is this normal?

33 replies

Imascaryfairy · 15/10/2006 19:36

My GP prescribed me cipralex on Friday, and this afternoon I plucked up the courage to take one, and have felt dreadful ever since - really nauseous, like bad morning sickness.
At the moment, I'm not planning on taking any more (have a nearly 5mo and a 3yo, and can't feel this crappy AND look after them) and will just wait for my counselling.
Just wondering whether it's common to feel ill for so long, or if this AD doesn't agree with me.

OP posts:

niceglasses · 15/10/2006 19:38

I can't vouch for cipralex, but when I started taking Prozac I did sometimes feel sick for the first week or so (and sometimes still do). I would compare to morn sickness too. However, couple of months in, its almost gone and the drugs have very much helped. Hope someone taking the same one as you comes along.

All the best,

FredBassett · 15/10/2006 19:43

Your GP should have advised you as to how long they could take to kick in and possible side effects. I'm sure they can take up to 6 weeks and you can get all sorts of side effects with them - check the info inside the pack - give them a chance to work though and I hope you start to feel better soon xx

lulumama · 15/10/2006 19:51

there are side effects - nausea and shaking being most common

please do continue to take them as it does subside...tablets take a while to work , but it will be worth it

honestly.....

Chandra · 15/10/2006 19:53

When I took them it was 2-3 weeks before the nausea and my temper subsided.

Jeepers · 15/10/2006 20:15

feeling sick is one of the most common side effects and generally it will fade out over the first week of taking the tablets as your body gets used to them. Don't give up yet. Obviously if the sickness is unbearable or doesn't ease off and stop after this first week just speak to your gp as there are lots of different types of antidepressants, of which a type will suit you. But if you can cope keep going and generally people start to feel the difference in approx 3 weeks, so don't worry if you don't feel any difference before then.

manamana · 15/10/2006 21:26

hi scaryfairy, i am in similar position. gp prescribed cipramil last week, first night i took one i woke up twice feeling sick and decided that i should just pull myself together and try an get better without them as i couldn't look after my 12mo ds with no sleep and feeling ill. Next day I realised that i really was losing control and decided to give them a bit longer to see if they would help, my sleep has got better every night since and now only feeling sick in the morning. Going to see the gp again tomorrow so will ask him all the questions i couldn't last week but from all the stuff i've read on mumsnet and other info sites it looks like this is quite common. Good luck whatever you decide.

fussymummy · 15/10/2006 22:00

Hi, i used to be on cipralex.

The way you feel is due to side effects.

I remember feeling awful.

Even though i knew i couldn't be pregnant, i still did a test as it felt so much like morning sickness.

It was feeling and not actually being sick.

It lasted about 2 weeks, and then the medication started to work.

Keep at it as you'll be a lot better with them working.

Don't wait for counselling. You might get that for an hour now and then, but the tabs will always be working.

Honestly you'll be fine with them.

I now take different ADs as i needed stronger ones.

manamana · 16/10/2006 11:55

scaryfairy, i went to see my gp this morning for a 'check-in' to see how i was doing on my ADs. he has reassured me that the sickness will pass which is much the same advice as everyone here has been giving - i also asked him about counselling as we didn't discuss at the appt when he originally prescribed the ADs, he says he thinks i am currenlt too fragile for counselling and would probably just spend the sessions in tears and so to wait until I'm feeling stronger when I'll get more benefit from it. Sort of echos what fussymummy was saying about the ADs being there as a constant support rather than occaisional support of counselling. I hope you are OK.

madmarchscare · 16/10/2006 12:01

The side effects are completely normal and they will wear off, although its not always that easy when you have children to look after I know.

Try and give it a few more days but if you really cant manage then go back and ask for a different one.

It took three attemps to find the right one for me, even after taking ones Id used the the past without too much problem, but that was before I had DS and realised how awful you can feel when you have to carry on as normal for your children.

I also find that its better to take them on an evening.

Your counselling will really help but it would be even better if you can manage to stick at it with the ADs.

Youve done really well by getting this far, keep going .

Bugsy2 · 16/10/2006 12:08

Take them at night, just before you go to sleep. That way you'll sleep through the worst of the nausea. Can't believe your GP didn't suggest this!!!

pennytiff · 16/10/2006 12:25

I have been thinking it was a stomach bug, as i also have terrible dashes to the loo.

Started my AD's a week ago and have felt the shakes along with Nausea and still have that terrible anxious feeling on a morning.

Will have my first counselling on Friday so shall hopefully see how it goes.

fussymummy · 16/10/2006 13:40

Forgot to mention, i was told to take my ADs with food.

Helps a bit.

Original poster

Imascaryfairy · 16/10/2006 14:59

Thanks girls. Have only just started feeling okay again (after 23 hours!!!!). Might take tonight's one at bedtime and see if that's any better.

OP posts:

bewilderbeast · 16/10/2006 15:54

I would prepare to feel crappy for at least the first two weeks. But bear with it. In my experience (and I've been down the depression road a few times) ADs help and they help support you through the other measures you do to help yourself like councelling. If they are really awful and your really can't cope go back to the GP and ask for a different type there are so many there has to be one that fits you just right.

Original poster

Imascaryfairy · 17/10/2006 08:59

Took it last night before I went to bed, and don't feel as sick today. Now, if only I could get some sleep!!!!

OP posts:

salmother · 17/10/2006 09:33

Hi I took sertraline and it took about 3 weeks for it to work, felt really awful to begin with as they seemed to make my symptoms worse! BUT...you will feel better so keep on taking them...hope you feel better soon. x

fussymummy · 18/10/2006 10:15

You'll get there in the end.

First few weeks are always the worst, but think how much better you'll be feeling by christmas!!

You'll be loads better by then.

Without medication, just think what a crap time you'd have.

madmarchscare · 18/10/2006 11:25

Ah, pleased you felt a bit better taking it at night. You may still be a bit up and down for the first couple of weeks but hang in there .

Original poster

Imascaryfairy · 18/10/2006 12:33

Had an even better night last night, and managed to sleep!!! Feel a tiny bit dizzy today (god I sound like a right bundle of joy don't I!!!!) but it's for the greater good, isn't it!!

OP posts:

manamana · 18/10/2006 12:47

hi scaryfairy, glad to hear you're sleeping again. My sleep is much better and today is the first day that i haven't fe;lt sick (10 days). Are you still around, I'm cruisinig the threads reading all sorts to keep me busy while ds naps, not v good on my own at the moment so trying to keep bizzy.

Original poster

Imascaryfairy · 18/10/2006 12:52

I'm here - ignoring the pile of ironing that's waiting for me!!!
There's a fab thread in "Other Subjects" about irrational hatred - have a read through it...it's very amusing!!

OP posts:

manamana · 18/10/2006 13:00

excellent, that'll keep me busy for a while.... . How are you feeling today? I'm feeling a bit wobbly, counting down the next hour while ds sleeps cos as soon as he wakes up am going round to meet my antenatal group friends.

breakfastfairy · 20/11/2006 12:44

I have jsut taken my first cipramil 20mg about two hours ago and Im scared witless about the increased panic and side effects. I have been terribly depressed, having irrational thoughts about not being able to cope, wanting to run away and terrible panic attacks. I know I need to take these tablets but deep down Im really scared, worried Im having a nervous breakdown, and I have terrible surges of panic that Im about to lose control. Any ideas on how to get through this time

lulumama · 20/11/2006 12:47

if you are feeling like this, you have nothing to be lose by taking the tablets..they will help. I was on ADs for a long time and in conjunction with counselling & CBT, they had a really positive effect on me.

are you having any other treatment alongside the ADs, IMO it really does help to have counselling to get to the root cause of the problems and deal with them..

you will feel better....honestly..i've been there..and have been well now for a good while......x

flimflam · 20/11/2006 12:55

hi breakfast fairy
I'm 28 days into my citalopram (same thing). It does get better honestly. I was having difficulty getting out of the house my panic attacks were so bad. My depression came out of this. The pills took about 10 - 14 days to settle down and even now I still get extremely nervous when I go out anywhere but I am getting out so they must be having some benefit. I felt nauseous most of the time for the first 2 weeks and have lost weight (which is an upside!) and did feel anxious but it settled down. I used to having racing thoughts which are definitely not as bad since the ADs but it takes a while for your mind to adjust. Obviously the pills can't irradicate your memory and feelings of panic and loss of control are so huge that it is going to take time.

Good luck and keep posting. x

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