Side effects - Your experience

introvert · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2005 8:01 pm Post subject: Side effects - Your experience

I visited a psychiatrist last week and she prescribed me an SSRI anti-depressant for my SP induced depression. It's been 4 days that I've been taking it and generally speaking I feel much better.

My only problem lies with the side effects, there are some that bother me more than others. Yesterday I was looking in the mirror and accidentally noticed that my pupils were dilated and reacting strangely to the light. This may have been due to the fact that I had been drinking a lot in the previous 24 hours (and didn't sleep much - went out to a club). Anyway, this has just made be really paranoid. I do not want people to think I am a drug addict or something. I will take normal rest in the next few days, and continue to take the medication and hopefully it will reside.

Question is, what have you experiences been with side effects? Do they reside over the first few weeks? Which ones stay longer? Is there anything else a person should watch out for? Has anyone ever pointed out something to you, like your hands are shaking, dilated pupils Shocked

, etc. or they don't really notice?

lostboi · Intermediate User Joined: Nov 19, 2005 Posts: 137

I think the worst side effects I ever had were when the Dr. put me on zoloft for depression. My anxiety went through the roof. I was totally paranoid. I felt like everyone was out to get me and I felt really agitated and violent. I'm on celexa right now for anxiety but it seems to be giving me a bit of a rash so I'm debating discontinuing it..

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"'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown"

introvert · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:23 pm Post subject:

Here's an update for those of you interested. It's been 6 days and I'm still taking 25mg Zoloft per day (1/2 a tablet). My shrink said I should take a full tablet a day after 3-5 days, so I will probably start tomorrow.

I've noticed another few side effects. Water retention seems to be increasing, my limbs feel kind of slightly swolen. I've also had a huge loss in appetite, and slight nausea. Also the pupil dilation thing is really wierd, I hope it does go away or else I might have to quit this. When I look in the mirror, it's like my pupils are getting slightly bigger and smaller, like they can't adjust to the light... freaky. I just hope it's not noticeable to others.

The amphetamine effect has worn off, now I'm back to sleeping the usual 9 hours, and I can't really notice much improvement in mood, my mood is just neutral, slightly irritated.

I'll keep you guys posted. This is the first time I've tried drugs, I've been avoiding them for over 2 years.

introvert · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 7:24 pm Post subject:

Hi lostboi, has Celexa shown any positive effects? I had a day where I was really paranoid on Zoloft, I don't think I have ever experienced something like that, and also the agression you mention.

young · Expert User Joined: Sep 23, 2005 Posts: 602

I have a metal plate and 12 screws in my ankle. which is a side effect of falling off of a ladder at work.

renegade · Advanced User Joined: Oct 26, 2005 Posts: 338

My only side effects are sleapiness, I mean I sleep more than 12 hours a day, that's all. Smile

I take Rivotril 2 mg a day and Serlift 100 mg in the evening.

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What does not kill you makes you stronger...so that means I'm superman...yeah, sure

weedle · Newbie User Joined: Dec 22, 2005 Posts: 49

I had weight gain from zoloft. NO amphediamine side effects. No large pupils that I noticed. I would be more worried about feeling funny when I drink alcohol at the club then taking meds.

introvert · Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2005 8:21 pm Post subject:

Another update for those interested. I just took my first 50mg dose (whole pill), and that's the dose I need according to my psychiatrist (was working my way up with 25mg in the last 7 days).

Today I didn't really have any side effects, just the usual wierd pupils, which still bothers me but I guess noone is noticing (I mean... your pupils aren't meant to react with a 'delay' to light.. it must be the drugs).

I've been feeling more irritated than usual, especially now after work at home. I've been mulling on the thought of throwing a chair through the window, and smashing glasses, but I wouldn't do it cause I don't want to pay for the damage. Anyway, not sure if this is the meds or just a bad day. Actually my day at work was better than average, so it must be something else. Checked out a few online dating sites as I do, that must also have added to feeling pissed off.

I will give this med another week or so, if I don't see any imrprovements, it's going in the can.

lostboi · Intermediate User Joined: Nov 19, 2005 Posts: 137

ZOLOFT= EVIL in my very un-medical opinion..

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"'Cause there's beauty in the breakdown"

introvert · Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:35 am Post subject:

I've just made the decision to stop taking this. I dont need drugs, they haven't done anything at all just make me feel wierd. And besides, they can't be good for your brain anyway in the long term.

Today I will be taking a 1/2 dose, and gradually over the week will work it back down to zero. I will have to work with alternative solutions to overcome sp/depression.