Posted by JJ1844 on March 29, 2001, at 1:36:55
In reply to experiences with ssri's? what should I expect, posted by mikes on March 28, 2001, at 22:30:12
> i just started taking paxil a week ago for dysthymia. I haven't used any other drugs since I started. The first few days, up until two days ago, were very interesting. For anywhere from a minute to 45 minutes during all of those days, I experienced a rush of moderate serotonergic euphoria...my concept of "normal" was redefined, and I was very happy. I was hoping that as the paxil kicked in more strongly, I would begin to feel like that the entire day. However, the last two days weren't any good at all. I felt like crap, for the most part, plus I didn't get a rush of euphoria. I was suprised because I took my dose at an earlier than normal time on one of those days, and on the next I went from 10mg to 20mg.
>
> Anyway, what I'm trying to find out is what I can expect from paxil/ssri's. Can the effects be strong or are they very mild at best?They can be strong initially as you adapt to the medicine... most of them are pretty stimulating for the first couple days and then level off. After 3 to 4 weeks @ therapeutic dose you should start feeling better consistently... sort of a gradual lift off.
If you're getting *consistent* euphoria or it happens after then first week it might be indicative of bipolar disorder. The hypomanic euphoria in this case usually erodes into depression or irrtability on the SSRI. (Happened to me... pretty yucky.)
How old are you? Teenagers, young adults typically need a higher therapeutic dose (fast metabolizers).
poster:JJ1844
thread:57861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010327/msgs/57870.html