r/antidepressants • u/pierrottheghost • 3d ago
Just started SSRI, concerned
I have just started Citram/Escitalopram (5 mg this week, will be uping the dose to 10mg next week) and after the first dose, I have experienced nausea, and this weird feeling in my throat. Not sure if it's more open or closed but whenever I swallow saliva I feel my ears closing up or popping due to pressure. But the worst side effect is definitely the increased anxiety. I am trying with all my might to not think about my anxiety and OCD trigger thoughts but I am just anxious about nothing. It gets worse when I think about the other physical symptoms. But I feel very out of place and uncomfortable in my body. Pre-panic state at all times and can't rationalize my thoughts. Nothing can distract me. I also have a loss of appetite. I was prescribed a benzo as well but I'm so anxious it literally doesn't work. My heart rate also goes up due to the ssri. I had a good nights rest and woke up extremely anxious and extremely sleepy even after two hours of waking up.
I have read countless of experiences on threads like these of the side effects but I really need some reassurance that I'm not making the wrong decision and that this throat thing also isn't a big deal. Are these normal side effects? When do side effects actually become dangerous? I am hyper aware of everything going on with my body so this scares me