Any paroxetine users out there???

Yes! Hi you, Italy right? How is Zoloft going?

@Maban Yes, Italy!! Well, first weeks have been rough, but now (week 4) everything is better

@Clairslemon Yay! That’s great! I’m officially 5 weeks in and I think it’s definitely making a difference, but i’m not sure if it’s the right medication! I’m so happy to hear you’re doing well :) The first few weeks are AWFUL!

@Maban Why are you thinking of change medication?? Im happy you’re feeling better! Yeah.. first 2 weeks were terrible!!

@Maban How awful was your first few weeks? Thats what makes me so scared. Having kids makes me feel im just going to get so much worse.

@Kls2121 Oh it was awful just because I have self harm OCD and was convinced my side effects would increase my OCD - but it’s very rare to have that happen in people over 25. So it took me like a month to get used to the idea that my medication wasn’t going to make me suicidal, and it was going to help! I hope that makes sense :)

@Maban Did you end up getting the suicidal thoughts? Would you say its worth it? How do you feel now since you got passed that? Im sorry I know it had to be rough. I also gave self harm ocd. Thats what scares me about getting so bad to a point I do something.

@Kls2121 I didn’t! I have never been suicidal, nor had serious suicidal thoughts. They usually just come to me like maybe I could, maybe I will. The only thing is that the anxiety doesn’t come with it anymore, so my alarm bells don’t sound - which causes me a bit of destress but it’s all part of learning to sit with the thoughts and not let them bother you. It’s an adjustment for sure!

@Maban Do you think its worth it?

@Kls2121 totally. medicine can make such a difference i think. there are things i’m capable of doing now that i couldn’t dream of doing months ago. I can be alone in my house and do things without freaking out! it’s an adjustment, but i think with the right medication it’s worh it. and i’m not positive mine is the right ssri, but people rarely find the right medication with the first one! all you need to do is go day by day, minute by minute. that’s how i have started to live my life! and finding things to get excited about. also, i listen to the OCD Stories podcast, ALL THE TIME. it’s very inspiring and gives me courage!

@Maban Thank you for that. I really love hearing all these success stories. I just don't want to get way worse before I get better. Scary.

@Kls2121 i’m far from better, but little by little improvements make a huge difference! there’s so much hope in the way of OCD - i’ve only technically been diagnosed for a bit over a month.

@Maban Even a little bit is great progress. Everything takes time.

@Maban I HAD THE EXACT SAME EXPERIENCE! I was reading about all of the stuff about suicidal thoughts on medications (im 21) and i was so scared because i suffer from harm ocd.

@Clairslemon How bad did it get with you?

@Kls2121 I had some side effects like nausea, diarrhea, anxiety worst. But nothing scary. I did the worst thing, I searched on google. Then, my anxiety got SO MUCH WORSE. On google you can find everything, but usually you will get scared about negative stuff. I can suggest you to just start the medication and talk to your psychiatrist, not look at google. You will feel so much better and if you dont scare yourself with google etc, the first weeks you wont feel anything, not even side effects. Actually my psychiatrist told me that a lot of people dont have any side effects at all!

@Clairslemon 😀 thank you. Google can be so bad. Thats one of my poems is im always googling stuff. But I have had friends who were on meds who complained of turning into zombies and anxiety worse g which that scares me he most. Having kids I just don't want to get worse but just can't stand it anymore.

@Kls2121 Oh, that doesnt happen! I swear! They dont change your personality, those medications can just help you with anxiety and depression (if you have depression). Trust your psychiatrist!

@Clairslemon how’re you feeling? are your meds helping? was just thinking about you and hope you are well !

@Maban Hi Maban! Im feeling better what about you?💛

@Clairslemon I’m feeling ok! I’m on vacation, which i’ve needed for a long time - and i’m feeling happy for a break! 🧡

@Maban That’s amazing and im so happy for you 🥰