Hi Daisie, sorry to hear you're having problems with AD side effects - here's a positive story for you though - I started on Paroxetine (SRRI with a reputation for the worst side effects) and although I'd had it years ago, starting on the full dose this time gave me the most horrific side effects that I couldn't cope for more than a couple of days before freaking out and stopping - the day after I stopped, the side effects disappeared so they were definitely AD related. Tried Escitalopram but that gave me similar side effects and as one of them was vertigo, the very thing I'm taking the AD to help, I stopped those ones quick smart too.
Anyway long story short (ha ha) I decided subsequently that it might be A Good Idea to start off the paroxetine on a very low dose and gradually build it up as my body adjusted to its presence. Bingo - from 5mg to 10mg to 15mg - with a few much less intense side effects that eventually diminished after a couple of weeks and after about two months I was positively ecstatic - that is, I felt not just ok or normal but actually good, hopeful, positive, enthusiastic, full of energy - things I'd not felt for god knows how long. Decided to up the dose to 20mg, the standard dose, and that was just too much so now back on 15mg and still feeling so much better for taking it.
The point being that all ADs have negative side effects that do mostly dissipate after a few weeks, and that it takes a couple of months for positive effects to kick in. And that the best way to take them is to start really low and very gradually build up the dose. Taking the full dose straight off is asking for trouble I reckon. I know some of the ADs have different strengths, and some of them already recommend starting on a lower dose for a week or so before increasing, but I'd recommend starting even lower and taking a longer time before increasing.
Anyway sorry for the tome, hope that's helpful all the same. ADs really can help so it's worth thinking about persevering.
LL xx
