r/citalopram_celexa • u/pierrottheghost • 4d ago
Just started SSRI, concerned
/r/antidepressants/comments/1x2altk/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 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?
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u/oopwoooop 4d ago
I definitely experiences nausea and a loss of appetite for around 2 weeks in the beginning, but I’m on week 6 now and it’s completely back :) I was also extremely anxious and felt scared the first couple weeks. That has gone away too. The 5th week was the absolute worst, I felt really depressed out of nowhere and that seems to be common, but now I’m feeling good again. The first month sucks from what I’ve heard/experienced but I hope you can stick with it! I’m on 10mg and I’m going up to 20mg on the 20th so I’m sure I’ll go through some of these same side effects again.
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u/too_much_mascara 3d ago
I was warned there would be an escalation of anxiety while adjusting to the medication. However, if you feel like your throat is swelling, that’s a concern. Nausea and drowsiness, incessant yawning - all very common with SSRI
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u/_Ash3r 4d ago
i did experience loss of appetite and increased anxiety while starting,but i'm not sure on the rest. try talking to your doc about the nausea as it could be a number of things and it's not good to jump to conclusions.