General Info On Anti-depressant Side Effects

I see a lot of posts of concerns of side effects of anti-depressant medications. Personally, I think all side effects suck and am thinking of getting off meds. I have OCD and have tried 4-5 SSRI/ SSRNIs over 20 years (one at a time). One med I took, Luvox, I didn't take for a week (I'm THAT lazy) and started being stuck in side effects. Very very bad anxiety and restless arms/legs that made me pace and go for walks to distract me. Couldn't sleep or sit still due to the feeling. Even cried. Went to emergency room a couple times for shakiness bothering me so bad. Tried lowering Luvox. Tried upping it. Couldn't get back to where symptoms went away. What I discovered through the Luvox experience is don't lower dose and gradually go back to dose you were supposed to be on if you miss a couple or more days. Go right back on full dose as soon as possible. There will be at least 24 hours or more of uncomfortable symptoms, because it takes meds a day to get into blood stream. Don't stress as this just adds to symptoms. Try a med that works quickly like Lorazepam (ask doctor first. I am just a patient) to counteract immediate anxiety symptoms. Relax, and know med will eventually kick back in if you keep taking full dose. Might take a week. But it will happen. Most initial side effects like diarrhea, nauseous feeling from starting a med go away in a month or so. Relax when you get these symptoms; it's usually minor and not a big deal. If you skip a dose, you could get brain zaps, nightmares, shakiness, dizziness on standing. Just take the med as soon as you remember and this should go away in 24 hours or less.

Some side effects are long term with meds. Meds have similar side effects for most, but can vary individually. I find dry mouth, weight gain, sleepiness, low libido to be the major ones with SSRIs. Switch to a different med if you don't like these symptoms. I am not a doctor, so please please PLEASE check with your doctor before heeding my comments, esp if you have a physical medical condition. Your doctor may have you doing things differently than I say. I am just hoping to calm people down about their side effects, as it sounds like many of you are a little nervous about them.

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Very good advice, thank you for posting.

There are often posts on here from people who experience side effects, and think they are allergic to a medication, because the difference aren't always obvious, or explained by their doctors/pharmacists.

To add some clarification, allergic reactions include symptoms such as an itchy skin rash, trouble breathing, swelling of the mouth, throat, face, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and seizures. The severity can depend on how much of the substance was taken, and how severe the allergy is to the medication.

Allergic reactions also tend to worsen with repeated exposure to the given substance, while side effects are usually mild, and tend to go away in a few weeks, once your body gets used to a medication.

Is there anything I can help with?

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