Can an SSRI work immediately?
I know we aren't experts in this so just looking for anyone who has had a similar experience. I started taking a medication yesterday to help with symptoms and to help me cope. I was warned it could give me energy before I start to feel better. But this was weird. Now, I am sure it started to work right away. Maybe that's a placebo effect, but I can guarantee you that my head and body felt different. (And I do got that the placebo affect is valid and sometimes is all you need for something to help you.) But, I almost felt like I was taking an illicit drug because the feeling was so profound and markedly different. Colours were different, sounds different and more noticeable - the feeling of my body in own skin, like my mind was somehow pulled back into my body after having floated around outside of it for months. My speech felt rapid and goddess I laughed so hard at someone's joke. Really bizzare.
Ive taken many medications before, but this was over 15 years ago. I don't ever remember them working for me or as quickly so I am kind of shocked and a little skeptical that this is going to last. I'm curious to see how today goes. (The Mer is [Specific drug name edited by Forum mod ladylazarus1971] btw.) Any thoughts?
@KatieMoon1 and @sujaypai
I am glad you are interacting in this new thread, and finding ways to support each other! That's always fantastic to see.
Just be cautious, please, to refrain from going into any detail about specific drug names and doses. That is not allowed under 7 Cups guidelines.
But, that doesn't mean you can't continue to discuss this important issue, and that others shouldn't join in. Doing that is eactly what the Forum is about!
Nice to meet you both.
@ladylazarus1971 Thanks Lazarus for the edit. Will keep that in mind.
Every person is different in terms of body chemistry and even age comes into it. Generally speaking you are looking at 2-4 weeks for you to notice a difference if it is going to work at all, perhaps 5 weeks for some. If you are on a pill for 2 months or so and nothing is better or God forbid worse, it is not the right med for you. I have been on 40 in my day.
If you're feeling suicidal being on the correct dose can quickly (in a matter of only a few days) make you feel less like wanting to die but to feel the FULL effect can take a few months because it will eventually gather enough of the drug in your bloodstream to maintain consistent serotonin level. I was on a dose slightly too high at first which made the side effects unbearable but after cutting dose in half with my doctor's approval I started to regain some energy and didn't feel like dying.