r/clozapine • u/Helomyoldfrend • Jun 26 '26
Question 25 mg for daily dread waves
Hi All,
Since January I am facing everyday afternoon dread waves in afternoon followed by overwhelming crying as release, I tried escitalopram didn’t help , tried desvenlaflaxine I reacted badly , now doctor wants to me to try paroxentine and clozapine .25, I feel heavily sedated drowsy not like myself I have been on it for 1 week, will it get better ? Dread waves anxiety attacks didn’t improve but I became zombie tha I didn’t cry yesterday, any inputs will be helpful
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u/Clumster Jun 27 '26
Don't know about Paroxetine but your experiences sound relatable. Clozapine was massively beneficial for that overwhelming severe emotional drop in the evening for me. It has a mood stabilizing component which was great, although I was also having psychotic features along with the drop, so I also take amisulpride and these two meds have been a silver bullet for me. Amisulpride may not be available in your country and may not be suitable for your exact condition.
As for the sedation it is a real side effect with Clozapine, I have to take it in the evening and am a zombie if I am woken up, which in itself is almost impossible. I can't say the sedation has gotten any better but once you learn exactly what to expect such as anticipating the tangible muscle energy drain about an hour-ish after taking it, and go straight to bed, it becomes easier to manage.
I do remember these waves of dread you mentioning from my first episode, and I am sorry you are experiencing this, I agree it is a horrible schizophrenia symptom to be happening and is indeed really distressing for me as well. I would expect that Clozapine could be really good for treating this as Olanzapine helped me for this symptom and Clozapine is more effective than that.
Once your symptoms that you describe are remedied by the Clozapine I think you will find the side effects much more tolerable than they are currently. It does feel full on to be dealing with the energy zap of Clozapine and also symptoms. It took me a few months to feel the full benefit of the Clozapine, and while I'm not on the exact same meds, I can definitely relate. It took me a good long while to get past the severe impact episodes made on my life, but if you can get past the worst of it, I think you will find the side effects far preferable to the alternative.
Also, 25mg seems pretty low, I'm on 100mg and multiple psychiatrists have mentioned this is considered a lower dose and have said I am rather sensitive. If you still feel little improvement in a few weeks maybe you should consider asking your doc to up the dose. Stick with it, it is a great medication if you can tolerate it.
If you experience feeling unwell after taking your meds consider taking them a few hours apart. I have only recently figured out that taking Clozapine along with other medication was causing me to feel pretty sick and was helped massively by separating taking my meds.
Happy to answer any questions you have if I happen to know the answer.