I have been treated for depression for almost 20 years and the last twelve or so have been relatively stable, until this year. For the last 15 years or so I have been on paroxetine at 30mg.
I began to experience some depression and anxiety earlier in the year and this intensified a few weeks into lockdown. I spoke with my GP about raising my dose. I held off then went up to 40mg. I have been on it for 3 weeks and it has been awful. I had a brief 24 hour window of feeling good after 7 days but since then have been anxious, unable to concentrate, bleak at times and generally worse than before.
I am now on day 20 of the raised dose.
Does anyone have experience of increasing their meds and feeling worse? It would be really reassuring to hear from you.
I don’t know how much longer I can tolerate it.
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Annie_75
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You need to allow a further two or three weeks to start feeling any real benefit, The drug dose is higher than before, see how you get on a little longer
Hi. Last year I upped my dose of citalopram and although I didn't feel worse, I certainly didn't feel any better. That's one of the reasons why I changed medication. What i will say is that medication effects people differently and sometimes they take a while to properly kick-in. I do think 20 days in though you should be seeing signs of improvement and not more of a downturn though. Can you chat to your Dr about it, maybe see about switching medication?
Problem is I have a difficult history with antidepressants - came off paroxetine about 18 years ago, got depressed again and went through almost every other antidepressant available to try to avoid paroxetine as the withdrawals had been so bad.
So I have limited options. Citalopram worked but I felt very numb on it.
When I hit the right dose of the paroxetine last time, I felt better within a week, which is why this is puzzling me.
People have different affects with different medications, I have been on Citalopram for many years now and will be on them for the rest of my Life.
If you find a medication that worked in the past, return to that one and see how it goes. Sometimes we go along a pathway trying other medications to get on one that is the holy Grail, of medications for our condition, it is all counter productive so we try and return to the one that was ok, to late the GP has moved on down the list and we need to persuade then to a timely return to the original.
I hear ya. Wish I’d stayed on the paroxetine originally - let myself get freaked out by withdrawals so felt it was evil and I was better off it. When in fact it has been really helpful long term.
Hi Annie, I'm doing the exact opposite at a difficult time, I'm winding-down my meds (against the advice of my Psychiatrist, but it's a managed process, they are looking for signs i'm going mad...). I mainly replied so you would know someone was listening. I will say, the first 6 weeks are precarious with meds for depression, so you're only halfway through the early stage at the moment. It'll be okay, the night is darkest before the dawn.
Thanks 😊 I find that really reassuring. I hit 3 weeks today. My doctor says 5 more days then we’ll talk. If I start to feel better I guess we’ll carry on. I’m this far through it so might as well push on and give it a fair trial. The anxiety / crazy thinking is something else, must be driving everyone around me crazy.
Hello pleased to meet you with any changes in dosages will feel like this, sorry to tell you.
I have had my mental health a long time and do know from my own experience knowledge many times meet so many members on community forums that often suffer .
Either been on the wrong medications or not even discussing with GP alternatives.
There are a lot of other medications could use for depression .
Less side effects still have them but they are in my opinion.
Mirtazapine being one. Which is one I used for depression for a long time.
All medication comes with a leaflet and should be reading this and be aware if anything you need to know.
Side effects and symptoms.
Please may can I suggest some lifestyle changes and adapting some ways to cope with conjunction with any meds you are taking.
In my own health history have learnt this and found ways to use nutrition diet and well being some alternative health therapies to use with my medications.
I have learnt to educate my self and gained qualifications, knowledge and experience in using this to assist, advise and help others.
Understand a lot of this is alarming and frightening any changed meds dosages or switching a concern.
I know using the following guidelines and diet, nutrition you be fine.
Please include all whole grains in your diet, if you not already doing this consider to do so.
Whole grains are Bread, Pasta, Rice. Beans and Pulses.
Fruit and vegetables. Lean meat .
Avoid please all Caffeine products Tea, Coffee, Cola, Chocolate, Energy drinks.
Avoid alcohol and smoking. All Caffeine products are a stimulant and more you consume the worse that you become symptoms.
Please if so wish there are mental health charities that if you reside in the UK should be thinking about enrolling.
Many reasons one being a lot of information, advice and support in understanding your mental health .
Please if you do not live in the UK worth looking at accessing support.
Many roles of a support team is to evaluate you make sure they can help you cope if there are any problems.
Use coping methods strategies .
Also look at the whole picture of your health and anything they can advise or support you on.
Could be housing social lifestyle. I joined one suggested to me enrol course to know about food diet and nutrition hence my interest in all food science and therapies.
Been a useful aspect of my well being and life.
Some community well being programmes have courses on medications relaxation therapies and alternatives lifestyle choices options.
Understand this may be a lot of information to read, just been had my issues health addiction as well probably thirty years.
See so many members of community forums distressed anxious and can not understand and deal with their health issues.
Break this down and take your time reading often always a good idea..
Never your fault never blame yourself the whole systems of medications mental health is a confusing one and if you have difficulties understand your needs.
Talk to me or happy to explain or need to ask additional support as mentioned.
Please consider an advocate mentioned last charity RETHINK in the UK.
This what they do speak on your behalf to medical professionals.
Other countries will probably have the same if you do not live in UK.
I used RETHINK many times because my encounters with GP going awry and sometimes out the door. Passed off walked over.
Used them my GP now consults me did not know have this knowledge and so on.
Please if you wish to ask me anything or need to know anything about mental health or diet, nutrition or a friendly chat.
Happy to be supportive.
I am not a medical professional just some new member just joined who has an extensive knowledge of all aspects of mental health.
Either by volunteering or by gaining experience education expertise from courses meeting others and support teams.
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