Experience with antidepressants

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Hi all

I have been taking antidepressants for around 6 weeks (sertaline - didn’t agree with me and then paroxetine for 2 weeks). Has anyone any experience of paroxetine?

My experience with sertraline made me more anxious than I’ve ever been so it was agreed I’d change as these tablets are better for anxiety.

I am mainly on the tablets for depression but I do have quite bad anxiety and nothing is lifting and if anything I feel worse which has included having suicidal thoughts (which hadn’t happened before), brain fog and extreme lack of energy. I’ve not long been in a new job and so I can’t take time off (I already have due to some of the initial side effects with setraline).

No experience of that particular one, but I just wanted to check, have you have blood tests?

Low iron, low vitamin D, low B12 can all cause anxiety, depression and brain fog. Even if your levels are ‘normal’, if they are in the lower end of the reference range these deficiencies can still cause huge issues. You’d be better off treating yourself though, as getting a Dr to treat you if they class you as ‘normal’ is impossible. Go on the app, or as the receptionist, for a print out of any blood test results so you can compare your levels to the labs reference ranges. You’d likely feel more energetic if, for example, your ferritin was in the 80’s rather than at 22, or your B12 was 700 rather than 180. Many Drs don’t routinely test for vitamin D these days as so many people are deficient so maybe just but a high strength supplement.
Thyroid issues are another thing that can cause anxiety. I’m sure you’ve had all these blood tests but it’s worth checking your levels are optimal, rather than low end of normal.

Propranolol can ease anxiety symptoms so, if your new AD don’t work, you could ask the dr if they would add that. It really helps with the panic and racing heart, fluttering tummy etc. I hope things improve for you soon

Thank you. I have had blood tests a few months ago and it was only my vit d that was low, to my surprise. I have an update drs appointment tomorrow to see how the tablets are going so I will ask about propranolol as well, and perhaps an updated blood test.

I’ve just re read about the print outs of the blood tests. That’s a great idea, thank you.

What did the dr say?
Low vitamin D can make you feel awful, I hope you can get your levels increased, and you managed to get a printout of all your other results.

I have been on Paroxetine for years and it really helps me with PND and GAD. It takes 6 weeks for Paroxetine side effects to settle down fully so give it some time and you would enjoy life once again 🥰