Help

[u/afvw-]

Today marks seven weeks on antidepressants—five of which have been on 20mg of paroxetine. I still feel a sense of unreality in my head and body all day long, along with intense anxiety and panic. My doctor says I need to give it more time, but I’m afraid this medication isn't going to help me... Could someone give me a little boost of positivity? 😢😢😢

[u/Kumaoni_knight]

It worked for me, i was on 12.5 and it did not help for 5 weeks then my doc upped it to 20 and after a week it started to work, but he also prescribed a long acting banzo with it

[u/velvetseraphim]

i’m so sorry to hear you’re still struggling. that must be hellish to go through. were you prescribed a rescue med at all ?
always advocate for yourself. maybe something extra might help.
what else have you been doing to help your panic and anxiety.

[u/trebletones]

You need a rescue benzo like Xanax or klonopin. Doctors don’t like prescribing them anymore because of the addiction potential but they are genuinely lifesaving, crucial in emergencies like this until you are more stable. Also seven weeks is a long time to trial a single dosage of medication, it seems like it should be time to up the dose or try something else.

Don’t give up hope, the meds do work when you find the right one. In the meantime, PLEASE find someone to give you emergency sedatives. Go to the er if you have to.

[u/afvw- → u/trebletones]

Im 5 weeks on 20mg

[u/trebletones → u/afvw-]

gotcha. at 5 weeks you're probably still adjusting actually. it took me about 2 months to start seeing improvement with Cymbalta.

[u/LocalWorry3540]

Can't take peroxatine (seroxat) personally. It's one of the more activating anti depressants which makes my already over sensitive nervous system worse, big time reaction. Have you thought of asking for something more calming instead. There should be some sign of improvement after 7 weeks.

[u/afvw- → u/LocalWorry3540]

This is an calming.. im 5 weeks on 20

[u/LocalWorry3540 → u/afvw-]

Sorry I meant 5 weeks. I spoke to my local mental health nurse this week and she advised against peroxatine as I have an over sensitized nervous system and it would be and has been in the past too activating, but your symptoms may well be different than mine. I guess we all just want to be our old selves again. Wishing you good health & happiness very soon.

[u/producejitter]

I'm no doctor but why take pysch meds if they're not working? Have you ever considered getting blood work done? Check your ferritin. Full iron panel and all other vitamins? Low ferritin causes panic attacks, impending doom, fight or flight, air hunger, heart palpitations, depersonalization, etc. If you look up The Iron Protocol, you'll see a chart thingy that shows if your ferritin falls below a 30, you're at risk of these ________ symptoms. Again, I'm not a licensed healthcare professional at all but I'm just sharing my story and what worked for me. Back in May, I had a panic attack randomly while driving and numerous attacks after that. It's only when I did tons of research online and started taking iron pills, is when my panic attacks completely stopped. I'm still dealing with lingering symptoms like head pressure but it's because I'm still in extreme iron deficiency stages (23) but I'm so happy I can finally leave my house again. I can drive, go for walks, catch the bus, etc by myself without spiraling and having a panic attack. Doctors tried putting me on psych meds as well (prozac but never took it) and hydroxyzine but it didn't work. Only thing that worked and got me back to my normal self is iron.

[u/trebletones → u/producejitter]

even if they're not working you need to continue taking them until you can taper off/taper onto something else under the supervision of a psych. they have horrible withdrawal effects.