I started 20mg 5 weeks ago, then increased to 40mg a week ago. I still feel anxious, my OCD is still bad and I'm very tired all the time and wondered if anyone has had this and if/when does it subside? And when can I expect to start feeling well?
Thanks
Donna 😀
Hi Donna,
I am almost at 9 weeks and finally last week after 8 weeks I started feeling much better. Weeks 1-4 were unbearably bad, in weeks 5-8 I still had really bad blips more than 50% of the time.
In week 9 now there has been major improvement, but also I have started running in the last week - which perhaps seemed to helped the recovery. I pushed myself despite the tiredness and sort of gained energy, which was suprising.
Please be patient and kind with yourself, the improvements will come eventually!
All the best and hugs
Luci
Hi Luci,
So glad to hear your much better now 👍🏽 I'm on week five although not there yet, I'm feeling much better than I was, so I suppose the meds are working for me, I carnt wait until I'm back totally 🙏🏽
Keep it up Hun ❤️
Hi Angie, oh that's good to hear too, that there have been some improvements, I also started seeing them in week 5, a few days ok alternating with a few days of blips, I felt very discouraged during the blips and hopeless, but now I see the 'good periods' are longer and better over time. Also can't wait to be back fully...not there yet but starting to see improvements...suddenly in the last week I wanted to do things again that I used to enjoy, and I even felt some enthusiasm at times for things and little goals. Still have to work on improving my confidence and self esteem and building up more energy but I know it will take time perhaps.
I hope you keep improving with every week, I am keeping fingers crossed for you, and thank you for support and sharing xxx
Hi luci,
Thanks for your reply. This makes me feel better, knowing that things should hopefully improve in the next few weeks! Out of interest, what time of day do you take your meds? I wonder if the tiredness would be better if I took them at night rather than morning?
Donna x
Hi Donna,
I took my meds before sleeping, like at 11pm, for 7 weeks. Now for the last 2 weeks I take them during the day, around 11am. I do feel better but to be honest I think it is just that I have generally felt better for two weeks now. So I don't know if it makes any difference when you take them?
The tiredness will also improve over the time, do not worry. I am maybe back at 50% energy now at week 9. I get some tiredness and head pressures at times during the day, but it is really much better than in the first 6 weeks.
Give it more time!
I started running a week ago, a gentle jogging program every other day and I must say that has really helped to increase my energy and enthusiasm, more than the pills! So I would recommend trying some exercise if possible.
Hugs x
Thanks Luci,
I'm finding motivation difficult to exercise at the moment, especially feeling so tired all of the time but I am going to try and make myself do more exercise, e.g long dog walks etc.....I'm not really a runner :-( I must say, just from talking to people that are going through the same thing has already made me feel better and given me hope. Can't thank you enough xx
I understand so well Donna. For two months on the medication I had no energy. Only now it is coming back after 9 weeks. And also when we are feeling anxious and depressed it is so hard to do the things we know would help us, like fresh air, exercise, healthy food... 
But long walks with dog are great stuff! How did you feel on the weekend?
Hi Luci,
I've actually been feeling worse the last few days, more anxious, panicky etc!! work has been stressful and getting prepared to go on holiday in a week's time so maybe its the added stress causing it.....I am worried though as i had finally started to see improvement and light at the end of the tunnel :-( xx
Hi Donna,
I understand. It is so discouraging that it takes so long to get better. Yes, it is possible the stress is making it worse at the moment. But I also read on here from people who increased the dose that some 3-4 weeks after the increase were making them feel very low again as side effects, so it could be just that too. Hopefully on the holiday you will get some rest, are you looking forward to it?
I had very good 12 days now, felt quite calm and had energy again and felt quite content at times, only minor anxiety.
But today I am suddenly feeling very weak, the head pressure is back and I could feel the anxiety again in my body and I have been feeling fearful and crying. But I realise this is just a blip, and try to reassure myself that it doesnt mean I am not getting better...just a temporary blip. I hope. It doesn't feel good though. I really hope I can make myself go for a run later and make myself feel berter. Right now the emotions and negative thoughts are very overwhelming. xx
Hi Luci,
Sorry you're not having a very good day.....hopefully you will feel better tomorrow. Hopefully it is just the increase causing me to feel worse,do these posts say they got better again?
If I'm honest I'm not looking forward to going on holiday, feeling how I am I can't enjoy anything at the moment. Just hope it improves xx
Hey Donna,
yes, people do report it settles also with the meds increase, but best to expect at least 4 weeks to feel better again. Have a read through some of the posts where people talk about upping the meds...
My day was really awful, even physical side effects came back, such tiredness and head pressure, no appetite...and feeling fearful all day. But I went for another run late evening despite the tiredness, I wanted to stop after 1min but I pushed through, and it made me feel a little better.
Holiday might really help, even if not looking forward to it. I remember I was travelling during some of my worst weeks and I felt like I can't even do it, get to the airport, everything felt impossible and meaningless, but once away, you get some distractions that help the mind. At least I hope you will! And rest may be good too! xx
I hope you're better Lucy ..
How are you feeling today Luci?
Donna xx
Better today Donna, thank you, I am trying to make lots of effort to help myself out of the blip. Had a long walk, cleaned the flat, went for a run in the evening. Anxiety was trying to get me all day, I had a little cry in between the tasks but the endorphins from activities kept me going and gave me some sense of achievement and progress. But negative thoughts are trying to come to my mind...I hate those, and the fact they are suddenly back, but really much better than yesterday.
How has your day been Donna?
xx Luci
Better today Pinkrozez (love your nickname by the way!). Trying hard. Still sad underneath. And how about you?
Luci,
It's evening time so I am little better.
Today the anxiety wanted to get me
Allllllllll day I keep ignoring it.. Did a lot today. But yes little confusion and flatness inside .. But I put lipstick on today and both my sweet babies said mama looks so pretty! They miss the old
Bright and bubbly me. I miss her too. But hopefully she's gonna be back soon. I am glad you're having a somewhat better day I hope you feel
Better as each day progresses.
Truly helps to know that people
On here understand. Also. Thanks for the nickname compliment lol I didn't get too creative 